Take a Trip Down Memory Lane With These '00s Kids TV Shows

There's nothing quite like hearing the theme tune to your favourite kids' TV show or cartoon [1] to take you straight back to the golden era of your childhood. Back then, our days were filled with iconic snacks (Fruit Winder, anyone?) and avoiding homework, and our most dreaded chore was changing out of our school uniform after school. So, it makes sense that every now and then, we'd all appreciate the chance to take a trip down memory lane with our favourite kids' TV shows. What better way to do that than to revisit some old school TV gems that'll transport you back to simpler times?

As any 2000s British kid knows, our childhoods were filled with the likes of thrilling game shows like the epic "Jungle Run", quality time with Neil Buchanan's inspiring "Art Attack" to get our creative juices flowing, and the exhilarating antics of "The Sarah Jane Adventures". We had our fair share of classic American sitcoms, too, thanks to Nickelodeon and the Disney Channel, which blessed us with shows like "That's So Raven" and "Lizzie McGuire" [2], not forgetting "The Lizzie McGuire Movie," of course. Sing to me, Paolo!

Now, the time has come to grab your duvet and snuggle up with some clips from all of the best British and American children's TV shows and cartoons that we all know and loved from the 2000s.

— Additional reporting by Gabriella Ferlita

"My Parents Are Aliens"

"My Parents Are Aliens" was an after-school classic that wasn't to be missed. Following the day-to-day lives of three orphan children, the show gave us a glimpse into what life would be like if they just so happened to be adopted by aliens.

Watch "My Parents Are Aliens" on Britbox now [3].

"Trapped!"

CBBC's "Trapped!" won over the hearts of children who wanted to sabotage the game in an attempt to free themselves from the twisted castle. Blow your cover? Well, you'll be "Trapped!"

Watch "Trapped!" on YouTube [4].

"Jungle Run"

"Jungle Run" was a kids game show unlike any other. Throughout the series, a "jungle guide" would guide the team through a series of difficult challenges with the aim of collecting the most monkey statues.

Watch "Jungle Run" on Britbox [5].

"The Story of Tracy Beaker"

Adapted from the classic novels by Jacqueline Wilson, "The Story of Tracy Beaker" followed Beaker's life as she navigated the world of a children's care home.

Watch "The Story of Tracy Beaker" on BBC iPlayer [6].

"64 Zoo Lane"

"64 Zoo Lane" was an iconic show, and if nothing else, purely because of its super catchy theme song. The show followed a young girl called Lucy and her adventures with some furry friends that lived at the zoo next door.

"64 Zoo Lane" is available to buy on Amazon Prime Video [7].

"Bob The Builder"

First airing back in 1998, "Bob The Builder" was a show that truly transcended generations. The show was about a plucky builder named Bob, and we watched him solve all kinds of problems with a refreshingly positive attitude — and if you were wondering, yes he can fix it.

Watch "Bob The Builder" on BBC iPlayer now [8].

"The Cramp Twins"

"The Cramp Twins" explored the lives of nonidentical twin brothers Wayne Cramp and Lucien Cramp, who lived with their parents in a fictional land called Soap City.

"The Cramp Twins" is available to buy on Amazon Prime Video [9]

"Blue Peter"

"Blue Peter" is the longest-running children's show in the world — and for good reason. The show features competitions, challenges, celebrity interviews, and arts and crafts segments. It landed on our screens way back in 1958 and still airs new episodes today. If you've been a fan for a while, then there's a chance that you recognise the show's tortoise, Shelley – check out the clip.

Watch "Blue Peter" on BBC iPlayer now [10].

"The Basil Brush Show"

"The Basil Brush Show" starred Basil Brush, a glove puppet fox that's been presenting since 1968. The show featured Basil and his friends, along with some celebrity guests, fun challenges, and some surprising appearances.

The show's no longer available to stream online, but thankfully, there are plenty of clips doing the rounds on YouTube [11].

"Balamory"

What's the story in "Balamory", you ask? Well, the show revolves around eight central characters, each of which wears their own distinctive colour of clothing and lives in a house of the same colour to match. Located in a fictional small island community in Scotland, named Balamory, the series was primarily set in a nursery and followed the adventures of those who went there.

Watch "Balamory" on BBC iPlayer [12].

"Horrid Henry"

Based on the book series by Francesca Simon, the TV show "Horrid Henry" followed a young boy named Henry, who got into all kinds of trouble.

Watch all five seasons of "Horrid Henry" on Netflix [13].

"Clifford the Big Red Dog"

"Clifford the Big Red Dog" was all about a lovable canine named Clifford and his friends. Voiced by "8 Simple Rules" actor John Ritter, aside from the 2021 movie of the same name, the show hasn't created any new episodes since Ritter's death in 2003.

Watch "Clifford the Big Red Dog" on Paramount+ [14].

"Bernard's Watch"

"Bernard's Watch" was an intriguing drama series about a young boy, named Bernard, who could stop time with a magical pocket watch. The show had seven series in total and stopped airing in 2005.

Watch "Bernard's Watch" on Britbox [15].

"Dick and Dom in da Bungalow"

"Dick and Dom in da Bungalow" is the name of the series created by comedy duo Dick (Richard McCourt) and Dom (Dominic Wood). It's one of the many series they featured in and had a special place in our hearts each weekend.

Watch episodes of "Dick and Dom in da Bungalow" on YouTube [16].

"Kerching"

"Kerching" was a BBC comedy series that followed the life of a teenage entrepreneur Taj Lewis and his adventures with his two friends, Seymour Franklin and Danny Spooner.

Watch clips of "Kerching" on YouTube [17].

"Best Of Friends"

"Best Of Friends" was a CBBC game show that tests the friendships of five close friends through a series of pretty terrible tasks.

Watch clips of "Best Of Friends" on YouTube [18].

"The Sarah Jane Adventures"

Whilst "Doctor Who" may have been a little too scary back then, spin-off "The Sarah Jane Adventures" was just the right amount of sci-fi adventure for us to get stuck into. It's still a classic, even now.

Watch "The Sarah Jane Adventures" on BBC iPlayer [19].

"Art Attack"

Our round-up wouldn't be complete without a little art-work from Neil Buchanan. Whilst we may not have been able to re-create some of his larger-than-life mosaics and intricate crafts, we certainly enjoyed seeing how he did it.

Watch clips of "Art Attack" on YouTube [20].

"The Sleepover Club"

"The Sleepover Club", although an Aussie series, was a focal point of our formative year. It was about five young girls who started a sleepover club in order to stay friends forever. Fun fact: Frankie Sandford, played by Caitlin Stasey, went on to join the cast of "Neighbours" after the show ended in 2008.

Watch "The Sleepover Club" on Amazon Prime Video [21].

"Wizards of Waverly Place"

Following her start on "Barney & Friends", Selena Gomez [22] rose to fame with her role of Alex Russo in the Disney Channel sitcom. Telling the story of her family, who owned a deli in New York City, their family were actually hiding their wizardry powers.

Watch "Wizards of Waverly Place" on Disney+ [23].

"Sonny with a Chance"

After Demi Lovato [24] made her big break with "Camp Rock" on Disney Channel, she then headed up the sitcom series "Sonny with a Chance". Playing Sonny Monroe, a teenager from Wisconsin, she moves with her mum to Los Angeles after being cast in her favourite TV show, a sketch comedy series called "So Random."

Watch "Sonny with a Chance" on Disney+ [25].

"iCarly"

Launched during the time when YouTube stardom was becoming a thing IRL, this series sees internet show "iCarly [26]" fast-becoming an instant hit. Carly (Miranda Cosgrove) needs the help of her friends Sam (Jennette McCurdy) and Freddie, and her quirky older brother, Spencer, to help her navigate the series production.

Watch "iCarly" on Netflix [27].

"H2O: Just Add Water"

"H2O: Just Add Water" is another Nickelodeon show about three best friends, who also just happened to be mystical mermaids as soon as they touched the water. This show has had somewhat of a resurgence, after memes have begun surfacing on TikTok.

Watch "H20: Just Add Water" on Netflix [28].

Hannah Montana

"Hannah Montana" was a cult classic, when it came to childhood TV shows. The series explored the (double) life of Miley Stewart (played by Miley Cyrus [29]) and her pop-star alter ego Hannah Montana, as she struggles to keep her identity a secret — especially from her two best friends Lily and Oliver.

Watch "Hannah Montana" on Disney+ [30].

"Lizzie McGuire"

"Lizzie McGuire" is another Disney channel series, which starred main character Lizzie McGuire, and her friends Gordo and Miranda. The series took us on their adventures through high school as they navigate school life, friendship, and relationships.

Watch "Lizzie McGuire" on Disney+ [31].

"Lilo & Stitch: The Series"

"Lilo & Stitch" eventually transitioned from film to TV series. The show explored Lilo's newfound friendship with Stitch and her home life with older sister Nani.

Watch "Lilo & Stitch" on Disney+ [32].

"The Proud Family"

"The Proud Family" is an American sitcom that aired on the Disney channel from 2001 till 2005. It followed the life of a 14-year-old girl named Penny Proud and her family as they navigate school life, family politics, and friendship.

Watch "The Proud Family" on Disney+ [33].

"Kim Possible"

Although not technically a British kids TV show, "Kim Possible" is a Disney series that was widely available in the UK. Centred around the life of a teenage girl named Kim, she was destined to fight crime, alongside navigating the perils of regular teenage life.

Watch "Kim Possible" on Disney+ [34].

"That's So Raven"

"That's So Raven" introduced us to the iconic Raven Baxter and her best friends Chelsea and Eddie. The series revolved around Raven's psychic visions that can either get her into or out of trouble.

Watch "That's So Raven" on Disney+ [35].

"Zoey 101"

"Zoey 101" starred Jamie Lynn Spears [36] (yes, that's the younger sibling of Britney Spears [37]) and showed us her life at a swanky boarding school called Pacific Coast Academy. It has a catchy theme song, beach views, and an adorable cast.

Watch "Zoey 101" on Paramount+ [38].

"Unfabulous"

"Unfabulous" stars the actually fabulous Emma Roberts as high-schooler Addie Singer. She begins her journey in the seventh grade, and the show carries us all the way to her graduation.

Watch "Unfabulous" on Paramount+ [39].

"Drake and Josh"

"Drake and Josh" is a hilarious Nickelodeon sitcom about step-brothers Drake and Josh and their arch nemesis, their stepsister, Megan.

Watch "Drake and Josh" on Paramount+ [40].

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