🇨🇦 · Maker Kids · Brandon
Remember When Cartoons Didn’t Move a Mile a Minute? Your Kids Might Need That Too. At MakerKids, we work with thousands of families each year—and one trend that keeps popping up among parents trying to improve their child’s behavior and screen time habits? A return to the cartoons of the 1990s and early 2000s. Think Arthur , Blue’s Clues , Franklin , and Magic School Bus . These shows might seem “old-school,” but for today’s kids, they might actually be a better fit than you think. In an age of fast-paced animations, jump cuts, and overstimulating mobile games, more parents are realizing that slower, story-driven content can offer a calmer, more focused screen experience – and improve behaviours in surprising ways. What’s Changed About Kids’ Entertainment? Today’s kids shows and mobile games are often engineered to be “sticky”—in other words, hard to stop watching or playing. They use rapid-fire visuals, constant movement, loud sounds, and cliffhangers that make turning off the screen a battle. Compare that to ‘90s kids shows, which often featured: Slower pacing and less visual clutter More meaningful dialogue and educational storytelling Gentler transitions between scenes Problem-solving and imagination over non-stop excitement According to a Parents.com article , many families are seeing positive changes in their child’s ability to stay calm, transition off screens more easily, and engage in more imaginative play when watching older shows. What Parents Are Saying A Buzzfeed roundup of viral parenting posts highlights how switching to older cartoons helped kids become less whiny , less reactive , and more focused —especially after screen time. One parent noted, “My daughter used to throw tantrums when I turned off shows. Now that we’ve switched to Franklin , she turns it off with no issues.” Another anecdote? Kids are more willing to talk about the show afterward, opening the door for meaningful conversations—something that’s harder to do with overstimulating content where plot takes a backseat to flashy visuals. Is There Science Behind It? While academic research is still catching up with this shift, experts already know that fast-paced media can affect young brains. According to child development researchers, shows with excessive stimulation may reduce attention spans and increase hyperactive behavior in younger children. Slower content allows the brain time to process, reflect, and learn. This mirrors what we see at MakerKids: when kids are exposed to less stimulating media, they often engage more creatively during STEM programs like Coding, Robotics, and Minecraft. Their focus improves, their ideas become more thoughtful, and they collaborate more easily with peers. Tips for a Healthier Screen Routine If you’ve noticed your child becoming irritable, resistant to transitions, or addicted to screens, try these simple shifts: Swap to older content like Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood , Arthur , or Reading Rainbow Limit autoplay and use timers to end episodes naturally Use screens intentionally , not as background noise Talk about the shows with your child afterward to build reflection Involve your child in creating screen-free plans for the day Final Thought: Screens Aren’t Bad—But Not All Are Equal We’re not saying screens are the enemy. In fact, digital tools and shows can be powerful educational aids. The trick is in choosing the right kind of content—and balancing screen time with real-world, hands-on experiences like building robots or coding games at MakerKids. So, what would happen if your child’s favorite screen time started looking more like your childhood TV schedule? Have you made the switch to older shows in your home? Noticed any changes in behavior? We’d love to hear from you. For more information on how we support healthy screen habits through STEM education at MakerKids, email us at info@makerkids.com or call 416-385-3577 . The post Why Parents Are Turning Back to ’90s Cartoons to Support Healthier Screen Time appeared first on MakerKids .
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