10 Best Nickelodeon Shows Reviewed in 2024
Lianna Tedesco
We always worry about how to monitor our child’s television watching, right? Well, since the start of the Nickelodeon channel, that weight has been lifted off of many a parent’s watchful shoulders. Nickelodeon allowed kids to have an age-appropriate television that circulated round the clock in order to ensure family-friendly TV for long periods of time. For kids, this is even more of an exciting event because it means they can have their favorite shows right at their fingertips. The problem is figuring out which shows, exactly, are ones that they’ll want to watch. We’ve done our best to find ten of the most-watched and popular shows on Nickelodeon that are sure to become one of your child’s favorites. We’ve covered just about everything for any age group so that you don’t have to do anything but just read and choose. Here are the best Nickelodeon shows reviewed!
In a Hurry? The test winner after 32 hrs of research
Action packed animated cartoon series for preschool aged children
Characters work together to solve problems related to age appropriate setting
Each series includes multiple episodes
Available in both high definition and standard format
Promotes mathematical developmental skills
10 Best Nickelodeon Shows Reviewed
1. Team Umizoomi
Action packed animated cartoon series for preschool aged children
Characters work together to solve problems related to age appropriate setting
Each series includes multiple episodes
Available in both high definition and standard format
Promotes mathematical developmental skills
Episodes are often redundant stories
High definition format quality is not much better than the standard format
Watch as the characters use their powers to explore shapes, colors, and patterns all around the town as they race to save their friends. Each episode includes a new adventure that includes fun characters and super learning adventures. This is a team that is totally ready for action all of the time. Included in each session are multiple episodes that come in both standard format and high definition.
Read moreEntertainment Value
The Nickelodeon animated series is a live action packed and interactive cartoon that providers preschoolers with concepts that are easy for them to understand and grasp. It gives them the chance to learn about counting, what different shapes are, how to identify a pattern, and learning about measurements.
Emotional Development
Each of the characters in these cartoons series is a little cartoon people that are always there to help a friend when they need it most. They are able to solve the issues for friends through an interactive show that presents kids with a positive learning experience that builds their self confidence. The skills obtained through this learning series gives children the social developmental skills that they will be able to use throughout their school careers.
Educational Value
Team Umizoomi displayed on the Nickelodeon network is animated series that is a live action packed and interactive cartoons that provide preschoolers with concepts that are easy for them to understand and grasp. It gives them the chance to learn about counting, what different shapes are, how to identify a pattern, and learning about measurements. It is a series that multiple age ranged children can learn from and enjoy.
Design
Designed to be able to capture the attention of your little ones with live action packed themed shows while teaching them about counting, patterns, shapes, and so much more is effortless achieved. It is a great show for keeping their attention through the entire episode with light hearted adventurous humor that they can understand.
2. Avatar: The Last Airbender
Well-received by audiences everywhere
Strong male and female characters
Stunning show music
Anime-style is unique
The story is captivating and heartfelt
Some of the themes might be a bit strong for kids under age six
A well-renowned show that received excellent ratings on every end, Avatar: The Last Airbender is the anime that you've been waiting for. Your child will be in for an adventure and a heartwarming story with this show. This is one show that we were more than happy to bring to our list because it's loved by children and adults alike. Avatar: The Last Airbender has garnered a fandom filled with a multitude of age groups which reassures us that your child will fall in love with it as well.
Read moreEntertainment Value
It's a fairly long-running show which only adds to the hype and reputation and it has very quickly become a family favorite. It's appropriate for most ages and we're sure that each member of your family will get something out of it, whether it's the well-orchestrated music, stunning graphics, or story itself.
Emotional Development
The show is done in an anime style and is centered around a boy who has a very special gift. The people he meets along his journey and the memories they share are what makes this show so endearing and heartwarming.
Educational Value
This show features strong characters from both genders which makes it truly unique and empowering. Its fans consist equally of boys, girls, kids, and adults, making it one of the most well-received modern shows on our list.
Design
We love that Nickelodeon gave Anime a shot and actually succeeded with it. While anime is something that's most appreciated by preteens, teens, and adults, Avatar: The Last Airbender is changing all of that for the better and introducing new context and themes.
3. All That Season 1
American television series featuring a diverse cast
Cast featured children and teen actors
Became a fixture series on Nickelodeon for over 10 years
Light humor with contemporary culture
DVD includes episodes from the first session (7 episodes)
All episodes are not available
Show is really tailored to an audience 13 years old and younger
When it comes to Nickelodeon shows “ All That” was a series that ran on the network for over ten years. The series featured over ten seasons of short comedic sketches that are geared right toward a younger audience but can be loved by all ages. It features a parody of comedic sketches that are performed by a variety of cast members. It gives off a contemporary feel with lots of culture that kids can easily relate to and find humor within.
Read moreEntertainment Value
From back in the day these episodes were featured on session one contain a comedic packed team full of a variety of crew members that keep fresh and interesting. Each episode features short sketches that keep things going throughout the entire episode without draining everything into one scene with the same characters. It will win the popular vote each and every time.
Emotional Development
The show contains a wide cast that comes from a variety of ethnic backgrounds giving the show a diversity. It shows the cast coming together to perform create sketches that are expressed in a light hearted humorous way that will have everyone laughing together. It creates and displays a show with positive social interactions between everyone.
Educational Value
The series is funny and through that humor, kids are able to learn about laughter and happiness. Even though the characters are always creating jokes and acting in a silly manner they are all friends and that presents a positive lesson about being a true friend and always being there for each other.
Design
When it comes to the Nickelodeon show “All That” the series was a complete hit for many years. It was designed to offer short comedic sketches to entertain a young audience. The show was also designed to feature musical guests that appeared on the show weekly. This kept the show interesting and entertaining. It was also designed to attract the audience to keep tuning in week after week.
4. Team Umizoomi Animal Heroes
Beautiful graphics
The characters are strong
Every episode adventure is different
It's perfect for toddlers and young kids
The episodes are short and not boring in the slightest
Kids over the age of five are often unimpressed
Team Umizoomi is just as adorable as it sounds. It's a great way to pass time and would be an excellent first favorite show for your little one. Not all shows on Nickelodeon are geared toward preteens and Team Umizoomi is one that kids under the age of six will thoroughly enjoy. It's purely for entertainment and makes for a great after-school or before-preschool show for any lover of cartoons. The stories are brief yet entertaining and it's a great way to pass the time when kids are bored or want to watch some TV.
Read moreEntertainment Value
Team Umizoomi is always ready to race off and complete their adventures which will keep kids entertained for hours. This show is so great because it offers a good option for kids who are in preschool or early elementary school grades.
Emotional Development
The characters are fun and friendly and the show itself has top-notch graphics so your child will be pulled in from the start. Once they get to know their new friends, children will inevitably form an emotional bond with them.
Educational Value
The interesting thing about this show is that characters incorporate the use of simple math into their daily lives in order to save the day, which holds some educational value for the kids who watch it.
Design
The thing about this show that's so stunning is the graphics. Not only are are they high-quality, but each character is so bright and vividly colored which makes it eye-appealing to kids as well.
5. Rugrats
Kid-friendly
No violence
Affordable
Comes with slip cover to protect dvd
Many were upset that the intro song played every time a new episode formed while the intro originally aired every two episodes.
“A babies gotta do, what a babies gotta do,” Join Tommy Pickles and his friends Chuckie, Phil & Lil as they embark on some wonderful adventures. With Rugrats came the promise of an entertaining storyline, engaging characters, and plenty of silly scenarios. If you’ve ever wondered what babies are thinking or what they do when you’re not looking this is a humorous show that young children will love.
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Rugrats is a great show for younger children as these babies always go on a new silly adventure together. Their journey is filled with many obstacles they have to overcome as babies, which makes it very fun for the audience.
Emotional Development
Each baby also has a uniquely different style making these characters relatable to your children in everyday life. They are very emotional and amusing so viewers can connect to them personally and develop a special bond with each of them.
Educational Value
This show is 100% kid friendly. While Angelica is a little bit on the meaner size as a character it can help your child learn friendship and social skills. Almost every episode teaches toddlers a different life lesson in a fun and joyful manner.
Design
We love this show because it’s an overall fan favorite. It’s perfect for younger children and there’s a spin-off series as well so the show can grow with your child. We dare you not to fall in love with these adorable characters!
6. Sky Whale
The game goes with the show
A great introduction to Game Shakers
Improves hand-eye coordination
It helps kids to improve their memory
Encourages focus
It's not very imaginative
This fun game is an accompaniment to the show Game Shakers which is a fan favorite. The fact that this is free to download just puts it over the top as far as Nickelodeon benefits that your child should have. Now for something completely different! Sky Whale is a mobile/tablet game that accompanies the show Game Shakers. The reason we've added it to our list is that the two go hand in hand; this game is completely compatible with the show and vice versa!
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Kids will have a blast flying their narwhal through the air in order to complete the challenges and watching all the cutscenes that they achieve after they've finished.
Emotional Development
This game provides a challenge that's worthy of the show it goes with and, surprisingly, it's loved by adults as well. It'll challenge your child in a new way and encourage them to really hone their skills.
Educational Value
It's tons of fun to play while watching Game Shakers and it will encourage your child to focus on hand-eye coordination, memory, and improve critical thinking skills, making this show an educational journey for children.
Design
A dual show and TV game is something that's relatively new and we have to take our hats off to Nickelodeon for coming up with it. It is well designed and will keep your child amused for hours.
7. Fairly Odd Parents
Teaches kids various subject matter
Short and entertaining to watch
Blaze is a likable character
Great for fans of cars and trucks
Makes learning fun and easy to understand
The episodes are somewhat pricey
Timmy is just that average kid who has a horrible baby sitter but comes with a set of goldfish also known as his fairly odd parents – Cosmo and Wanda.There are quirky characters and wonderful adventures that Timmy gets himself into, but you’ll laugh along with all of Cosmo’s humorous lines and you may even get a glimpse of Fairy World.
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We love this show because it’s fresh, new, exciting and overall funny. While they may not grant every one of Timmy’s wishes correctly, you’ll join this fairy team and love to watch the magic of the fairy world come to life!
Emotional Development
Timmy, Cosmo & Wanda are all quirky but it will give your child a fresh new outlook on shows. This show is also 100% kid friendly and nonviolent so parents won’t have to monitor every episode that their child is watching.
Educational Value
This show is a great example of how imagination, and a little luck, can conquer all. Whether it's an evil babysitter, overworked parents, or even aliens- there is no challenge that Timmy and his friends can't overcome!
Design
This show quite unique and in some episodes, there are even certain catchy songs like “Shiny Teeth and Icky Vicky,” your child will want to watch over and over again until they know all of the words!
8. Big Time Rush
Each kid will have his or her favorite character
The plot is interesting and dynamic
The entire show is highly relatable
It's not overly unrealistic
The music is catchy
The acting isn't the best
If music is more your child's thing, allow them to be inspired by the characters portrayed in Big Time Rush. They'll be reassured that dreams really do come true if you work hard enough for them. Similar to VICTORiOUS, Big Time Rush is the boy's version of teenage stardom. The show is great for preteens and teens and features four super likable characters that seem to always get themselves into some kind of situation or another.
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This show is entertaining for both boys and girls but it's really targeted at the male demographic, making it unique since many shows about fame are intended for a female audience. Each of these characters has a story to tell and together they make one great band.
Emotional Development
This show would be very inspiring to a young musician because it'll encourage them to believe that they, too, can get their lucky break. Not to mention, the characters aren't perfect and sometimes make mistakes, which makes this show even more relatable to kids.
Educational Value
This show encapsulates the dream that every young musician has for themselves and watching this show will be highly relatable to those that do. It's the perfect way to inspire and encourage young kids to go after anything they want and not be afraid to do so.
Design
The musical aspect of this show is what captivated us in the first place. It goes much more in-depth than other shows when it comes to showcasing a specific talent which makes it engaging and interesting.
9. Doug: The Complete Nickelodeon Series
Doug is relatable to just about everyone
It showcases realistic situations
The characters resemble people that we all know
It's somewhat nostalgic
The dialogue is entertaining and humorous at times
It might be a bit hard for kids under the age of eight to understand
Loveable Doug Funny is the cartoon character that every preteen and teen can relate to. He's silly, quirky, and at times, totally awkward... And that's what makes this show so great. Many of us will remember this show from our own teenage years because it came on every weekend morning. The character of Doug Funny is someone that everyone can relate to, he's somewhat awkward, very shy, and is just a teenager who's trying to figure out who he is. He has a crush on Patty Mayonaise who's everything he's not, yet they become fast friends and slowly learn how to grow into who they are. Roger plays the role of the school bully who does get what he deserves every now and then and, of course, Skeeter is Doug's best friend -- The one we all know and love!
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Join Doug on his journey through school as he gets himself in and out of normal, real-life situations that many preteens and teens can relate to. With everything from his love of The Beets to his love for Patty Mayonaise, there's no way kids won't be able to relate to this quirky character.
Emotional Development
Doug was a major cartoon that was able to show teens that it's okay to be who you are and to fully embrace that. Through the situations Doug gets himself into, Nickelodeon showcase that not everything can be handled with ease and that it's perfectly okay to be human.
Educational Value
You wouldn't think that a cartoon about an average, awkward kid would make a huge impact, but it truly did. Many preteens and teenagers fell in love with this show and all its characters because it's filled with valuable life lessons.
Design
Doug was probably one of the most memorable shows from the early 90s because it was just so relatable and honest. From the catchy opening music to the characters that you both loved and hated (we're looking at you, Roger!), it was a great show to pass the time and reassure you that you weren't the only socially awkward one in school.
10. Hey Arnold!
Engaging characters
The situations are real and personal
The dialogue is clever and flows naturally
Each character has equal screen time
Teaches important morals
Some of the situations might be emotional for kids under the age of six
There aren't too many shows that can boast the same features as Hey Arnold!. Its character development is on point, each plot is personal and realistic, and the dialogue is one that's filled with witty banter and clever wording. Last but definitely not least is a show that many people are familiar with. Similar to Doug, Hey Arnold! is a show that was loved by so many when it first premiered. It followed somewhat of the same premise but was wildly updated, complete with an entire class of characters, modern situations, and dialogue that was clever and witty. Arnold is just your average kid who's going through middle school like any other. He has his best friend and classmates who really only care about playing ball after school and eating pizza just like any kid. When kids watch this show, they'll be able to see into the personal lives of each and every character represented in Hey Arnold!, making it feel much more personal and engaging.
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What makes things interesting are the situations that each character gets into -- While Arnold is the main character, this cartoon did an excellent job at giving every character enough screen time so that you felt as though you knew them.
Emotional Development
Hey Arnold! pushed the limits as far as social interactions and personal situations go in cartoons. As opposed to a show like Spongebob Squarepants, this cartoon was in-depth, personal, and real compared to any other at the time.
Educational Value
The scenarios themselves can be sad, hilarious, heartbreaking, and even a little silly. In the end, kids will gain a sense of familiarity with the themes of love, friendship, family, and doing the right thing.
Design
The characters themselves are what make this show so incredible. They each have a story to tell and slowly, the viewer learns why each character is the way they are and by the end, your child is sure to have their favorites.
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Entertainment Value
Children love cartoons and animated TV shows because it lets them drift away into a world filled with wonder, magic, and imagination, where everything is possible. Therefore It is very important to provide them with content that is compatible with their age range, has useful information and positive messages. However, in order to keep their attention, the show has to be fun and entertaining. Filled with amusing characters and relatable situations. Some of the shows are educational and help kids to learn about everyday things, while others are purely for entertainment purposes only and allow kids to watch relatable characters in sometimes silly situations. Overall, it's one of the best channels that a child can watch and one that we highly recommend over any other.
Emotional Development
Nickelodeon has allowed families a way to sit down, relax, and actually, spend time with one another. Since there are a variety of different shows offered for various age groups, families have the option to choose something that everyone will enjoy. This allows for proper bonding time while also allowing every member of the family to unwind and enjoy something that's entertaining, innocent, and fun. Your child can gain a lot from this as well; just knowing that you've made the commitment to sit down and enjoy a show that they love with them says a lot. It's an automatic confidence booster, will do wonders with how they secure they feel, and will only strengthen the bond the two of you share. TV doesn't always have to be a bad thing that should be monitored and allowed in minimal amounts as long as your child has other interests, too.
Educational Value
It's reassuring to see everyday situations acted out on a TV screen and kids will walk away from watching these having learned that it's okay to be who you are. We're all human and, sometimes, we make mistakes. The important thing is that you always try to do the right thing and that's what these shows will encourage. Additionally, shows like Spongebob Squarepants can be a source of emotional relief. If your child is having a bad day or just needs a distraction, humorous shows can serve as a wonderful comfort factor in order to turn their mood around and bring them to a better place. They say that there's no better medicine than laughter and we'd have to agree! However people also say that knowledge is power so learning important educational content along the way is equally important in order for a child to develop both mentally and emotionally, and these shows provide a glimpse into a whole new world filled with information and life lessons.
Design
The design of the show was a question that we also had to ask ourselves and in response, we took to evaluating each show and what it offered as a life lesson and the overall purpose of the show. While several of these shows only exist to provide educational support, many of them convey messages that aren't seen in your typical television show. Shows such as Doug and Hey Arnold! follow the same premise of your average, middle school character. There are no superpowers, not wild scenarios or situations, and each episode involves normal kids, doing normal things, and dealing with the problems everyone faces at that age. It's a show such as this that can be so helpful, comforting, and reassuring for a child who's watching it. They'll be able to see other characters who are just like them and know that whoever created the show understands how life can be a bit of a roller coaster.
Entertainment Value Emotional Development Educational Value Design 
The Nickelodeon channel was initially launched in 1977 and was, in fact, one of the first channels that were devoted solely to kids. It brought forth a new era of TV-watching and showed the world that kids could watch TV and still gain something from it rather than sit there mindless, not understanding what they're watching. It didn't restrict watching to a certain age group, either. The channel brought forth shows that were designed to cater to kids as young as toddlers or as old as teenagers. The channel included various types of shows as well, ranging from cartoons to shows with real-live actors. Today, Nickelodeon still offers all of those things but now we have the benefit of being able to download and watch shows any time we want.
Nickelodeon has influenced many children around the world with their entertaining, educational and emotional content. As popularity grew and shows progressed, Nickelodeon began doing other things such as expanding their channels to include movies, multiple seasons of shows and even adding other channels such as Nick Jr. and Nick at Nite, both which were created for older kids. Now, they have a plethora of shows that kids love to watch and very rarely produce anything that gets poor reviews. As long as your child was watching Nickelodeon, Nick Jr. or, more recently, Nick at Nite, you could rest assured that they weren’t being exposed to anything they shouldn’t be watching.
Other Factors to Consider
Age Range
Trying to pick out the top ten best shows that Nickelodeon has to offer definitely wasn’t an easy task. There were several factors that went into our decisions and what to look for when it comes to shows that your child will love. For starters, we had to set up an age range. Based on our research, most kids between the ages of four and 13 were tuning into Nick’s channel, which meant that we had to find shows that would cater to those ages as well as every age in between. We based that on how entertaining a show was, how simplified or complex the plot was, and how engaging and relatable the characters were to each age group. Additionally, we had to do our research outside of Nickelodeon-specific factors, such as why watching TV can actually be helpful for children. There’s a surprising amount of work to support this as well as the theory of watching TV with your children rather than it being a solo activity. We’ll get into more of that later, but when you boil it down, we were left with only the best shows with the highest ratings from viewers on all sides — Including parents!
Social Development
There are many factors that contribute to the TV being a good thing for kids rather than a bad thing. While the debate will always be there, more often than not, kids gain more benefits from watching TV than they would if they didn't watch it. For starters, it's a method of feeling like they're engaging in some type of social interaction. Even though it's only on a television screen, kids are still being exposed to social situations and characters that are relatable and can help them, too, with interacting in their daily lives. Secondly, watching a television show can drastically increase your child's imagination and capacity for creativity. If they find a show that they love, it could inspire them to plan a certain goal, act a certain way, or even provide them the chance to fall in love with a certain art style. This is where channels such as Nickelodeon come in so handy because it's a channel that's designed for kids and has already been rated and pre-screened to make sure that it's appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
q: Which one of these shows is most relevant for a four-year-old?
Shows such as Bubble Guppies, Team Umizoomi, Blaze and the Monster Machines, or even Sky Whale would all be great options for a toddler. While we're sure they'd be entertained by the others, the ones mentioned are the most suitable for your child's age group.
q: Where can I download the entire season of this show?
There should be an option for a digital download or an option to order the entire complete DVD season on the manufacturer page. Keep in mind that several of these shows don’t have a very long season list or might not be available immediately for purchase.
q: Which show is best for my entire family to watch together?
We’d definitely recommend going with either Doug, Hey Arnold, or Spongebob Squarepants. All three of these shows hold some nostalgia for older siblings who might have watched Nickelodeon when they were younger, and their humor can be appreciated by all ages. These shows also have plenty of seasons, so the chances of anyone getting bored are pretty slim!
q: My child is 12 and wants to have a sleepover with her girlfriends. Is there a show on this list that would be suitable for them?
Of course! Big Time Rush and VICTORiOUS are both excellent options for preteen girls. They're age-appropriate and won't seem too childish and both are filled with fun characters who your daughter and your friends will easily be able to relate to.
q: Can the digital copy be downloaded to a tablet or iPad so it can be taken on the go?
When you select the digital download option on Amazon, you should be able to send the purchase straight to your account. This way, you’ll be able to open the show up on any device that supports logging into your Amazon account. It’s easy and shouldn’t be any problem at all.
q: What if I want a hard copy (the DVD set) of any of these shows?
Unfortunately, not all of them are available for DVD purchase. Due to the fact that Nickelodeon puts out so many shows so quickly, many are only available digitally. However, a good portion of this list does offer a DVD purchase option — We encourage you to look again, especially at some of the shows that have been running for several seasons.
Sources
- , Nickelodeon, Wikipedia Article
- , The Advantages of Children Watching TV, Informative Parenting Article
- , The Benefits of Watching TV With Young Children, Online Article
- , 7 Reasons Why TV Can Be Good for Children, Informative Article
- , Watching TV can actually be good for toddlers, Online Article
