The 1960s were a time of change in many ways, and the television landscape was no exception. The first full decade of TV viewing for most folks saw many new ideas for shows that would shape the future of kid’s programming. To wit, here are 16 classic 1960s children’s TV shows you probably forgot about!
“Dennis The Menace” (1960)
Starring Jay North and Joseph Kearns, this show followed the mischievous Dennis Mitchell, an 11-year old boy who always gets into trouble with his neighbour Mr Wilson.
“My Three Sons” (1960)
This family sitcom ran from 1960 to 1972 and follows a widowed father raising his three sons. The show was set in the fictional suburb of Five Brothers, California.
“Andy’s Gang” (1961)
“Andy’s Gang” was an American children’s television series from the early 1960s about a group of four friends Andy, Hank, Peggy and Joe.
“The Alvin Show” (1962)
A series that aired for 17 episodes in 1962 about the misadventures of Alvin the Chipmunk and his friends Theodore, Simon, Eleanor
“The Flintstones” (1962)
A Hanna-Barbera cartoon following Fred Flintstone and his family in the Stone Age town of Bedrock. Cavorting with dinosaurs and cavemen in the era of tailfins and nuclear families, Fred struggles to balance his family life with his job as a humble stonecutter.
“Julie and Carol at Carnegie Hall” (1963)
This NBC special was Julie Andrews’s first solo performance on television, following her success from The Sound of Music. She sings
“The Addams Family” (1964)
A show based on the comic series of the same name, it followed a family who live in an old mansion and have all sorts of unusual adventures.
“The Munsters” (1964)
This show was about a family that looked more like monsters than humans but had lots of fun with their lives anyway! The main story follows the family through their everyday lives.
“Gidget” (1965)
Sally Field took on the role of Gidget in 1965 and the rest was history. Gidget is a 15-year old girl who learns to surf during her time at Malibu High School, where she also befriends Moondoggie, Julie Browning, Carole Parker and Debbie Daly.
“Batman” (1966)
A campy 1960s Batman TV series, starring Adam West as the Caped Crusader and Burt Ward as his sidekick Robin. It aired on ABC from 1966 to 1968 and was a cult classic for it’s goofy humor, pop-art visuals, punny dialogue (a trendsetter in 1960s camp), “Batgirl,” “Clayface” and “King Tut”, and for the 1960s Batmobile.
“The Monkees” (1966)
A popular TV show about a rock band of the same name, created by Bob Rafelson and Bert Schneider to cash in on their success with The Beatles film A Hard Day’s Night. It aired from 1966 to 1968 on NBC.
“The Flying Nun” (1967)
Starring Sally Field, this show about a nun who can fly! It follows Sister Bertrille as she travels the world to help people with her flying skills.
“Here’s Lucy” (1968)
Lucille Ball starred in this variety show, which had sketches and comedy segments.
“Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” (1968)
Fred McFeely Rogers was the host of this show that aired from 1968 to 1975. The show featured Mister Roger’s Neighbourhood, a kingdom in which he is King Friday XIII and there are many other characters like Lady Aberlin, Henrietta Pussycat, and X the Owl.
“The Brady Bunch” (1969)
This classic American sitcom followed six siblings who live together as one big blended family! The story focuses on how they manage to make their home life work.
“Sesame Street” (1969)
This iconic series is still on the air today, but it was first shown in 1969. It’s a children’s show that teaches basic skills and knowledge through the use of puppets.
(Like 1960’s Children’s TV Shows? Then you might like our article on 1970s Children’s TV Shows, click here.)
(affiliate links)
