Take a Walk Down Memory Lane with 2010s Kids’ TV

Photo courtesy: Google

As you scroll through social media, you might stumble upon a video about how the 2010s was the “prime era” of Gen-Z. It was a decade filled with fidget spinners, water bottle flipping, Vine videos, and dabbing, but most importantly— our childhood. It was a time when we tuned into TV instead of YouTube or TikTok, enjoying shows that still hold a special place in our hearts. As we revisit our childhood memories sitting in front of the TV, let’s appreciate the simple joy and unerasable influences these nostalgic shows left behind.

“We’re going on a trip in our favorite rocket ship, zooming through the sky, little Einsteins!” These infamous lyrics come from the theme song of Little Einsteins, a beloved show that had us joyfully singing along, awaiting adventures with Leo, Annie, June, and Quincy. This show exposed our four-year-old selves to the world of classical art, music, and the value of friendship. Other preschool favorites from the 2010s include Wonder Pets, teaching us that ‘Teamwork makes the dreamwork!’; Dora the Explorer, where we enthusiastically responded to every one of Dora’s frequent questions; and, of course, Tom and Jerry, a timeless classic. Another honorable mention comes from our interviewees, Sejik Lee (9) and Jennifer Han (12), who fondly remember the Korean kids’ TV show Larva. Sejik reflects, “Back then, two larvae fighting each other for sausages was the funniest thing ever - but now thinking back, it wasn’t much.” He contemplates childhood innocence, evoking a bittersweet feeling.

Next on our nostalgic tour is Adventure Time, where Finn the Human and Jake the Dog took us on surreal adventures in a post-apocalyptic background with unique characters that taught us to accept everyone no matter what flaws they may have. The plots with Princess Bubblegum and Jake’s “totally lumpin’ awesome” experiences made the series a cult classic. Jennifer (12) recalls watching Adventure Time as a child but now realizes its inappropriateness for a young audience. She remarks, “As a 1st grader, [she] couldn’t fully understand the context of characters like the Ice King,” which involved mature concepts of killing and kissing.

Our final destination is Gravity Falls, where mysteries still linger. This series left children and adults alike with riddles to unravel and imparted an important lesson—embrace your true self, a message that continues to resonate. The show’s cancellation after its second season left fans yearning for more as answers to Bill Cipher’s cryptic messages remained unsolved. The secrets of the Author’s puzzling journal, Gravity Falls, continue to captivate our brains, reminding us that imaginations are boundless.

As we finish our nostalgic walk down memory lane, let’s tip our hats to the creative minds behind these shows for giving us a piece of our childhood and lessons we can carry with us forever. From Little Einsteins to Gravity Falls, the 2010s was truly a decade marked by iconic kids’ TV shows incomparable to what iPad kids nowadays watch. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of Adventure Time or still upset about the everlasting hiatus of Gravity Falls, remember these shows were more than just entertainment; they were our companions during a period of change and growth. Let’s relive those carefree after-school TV marathons and hold onto that childlike wonder as we confront the challenges that high school gives us and stride into the world of grown-ups. Life may change, but these shows will always be our remote controls to the past, ensuring that our childhood memories stay forever “channeled” in our hearts!