Nowadays, kids have more choice than ever when it comes to TV entertainment — not to mention more channels and streaming services to choose from. But alas, that doesn’t mean what they’re watching is any good.
Here are 35 of the most annoying kids’ TV shows, according to parents. Of course, adults aren’t the target audience, so junior viewers really hold all the power here when it comes to ratings. But we’re here to set the record straight, ranking them from the TV show that drives parents the least crazy to the ones that make them go absolutely bonkers.
35. ‘Fred: The Show’
Where You Can Watch It: Amazon Prime
IMDb score: 1.7/10
TV.com score: N/A
Why It’s Annoying: ‘Fred: The Show’
“Fred: The Show” had a short-lived run on Nickelodeon from January to August 2012. For that, parents are eternally grateful. Common Sense Media sums it up pretty well: “In short, there’s nothing realistic about Fred, who throws tantrums when he doesn’t get his way and whose whining tirades are meant for laughs rather than subjected to any kind of normal response from teens and adults alike.”
“It’s stupid, obnoxious and really NO ONE SHOULD WATCH THIS,” added a reviewer.
34. ‘Planet Sheen’
Where You Can Watch It: Amazon Prime
IMDb score: 3/10
TV.com score: N/A
Why It’s Annoying: ‘Planet Sheen’
The second spin-off television series of the film “Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius,” “Planet Sheen” was picked up for 26 episodes by Nickelodeon in 2010. For a lot of parents, it was one spin-off too far.
“Horrible, horrible, horrible,” wrote one reviewer on IMDb. “Planet Sheen is, by far, the worst spin-off I’ve ever seen. With horrible characters, bland animation and no originality, there [are] no redeeming qualities to this show at all.”
33. ‘Rocket Monkeys’
Where You Can Watch It: Amazon Prime
IMDb score: 3.3/10
TV.com score: N/A
Why It’s Annoying: ‘Rocket Monkeys’
“Rocket Monkeys,” an animated series about two space-traveling monkey siblings, ran for 62 episodes from 2012 to 2016. If you like non-stop physical gags, little plot and copious amounts of pooping and nose-picking, you’ll love it. Otherwise, you’ll hate it.
One Common Sense Media reviewer put it bluntly: “The show has crude potty humor and tries too hard to be like Ren and Stimpy except it’s not as good as getting away with being stupid. This show is garbage.”
32. ‘Tak and the Power of Juju’
Where You Can Watch It: Amazon Prime
IMDb score: 3.4/10
TV.com score: N/A
Why It’s Annoying: ‘Tak and the Power of Juju’
The animated TV series “Tak and the Power of Juju” (loosely based on the 2003 video game of the same name) aired for one season from August 2007 to January 2009. Unfortunately, adult viewers just didn’t feel the power of Juju. Even diehard Nickelodeon fans couldn’t get on board.
“The writing is poor, with stale jokes and dialogue that feels forced and unfunny, while the stories are uninvolving and lacking in any excitement,” wrote an IMDb reviewer, who also described the voices as “annoying” and found no redeeming characteristics in Tak himself.
31. ‘Oggy and the Cockroaches’
Where You Can Watch It: Netflix
IMDb score: 7.3/10
TV.com score: 5.9/10
Why It’s Annoying: ‘Oggy and the Cockroaches’
It’s definitely not the worst rated kids’ TV show out there, but “Oggy and the Cockroaches” still manages to divide opinion.
“This show was pathetic,” wrote an IMDb reviewer. “It used all the old gags from Warner Bros. and the Tom and Jerry cartoons. Only, somehow, this show makes them not funny and more annoying. The whole plot to the show is just stupid.”
30. ‘Fish Hooks’
Where You Can Watch It: Disney Plus; Amazon Prime
IMDb score: 4.7/10
TV.com score: 4.8/10
Why It’s Annoying: ‘Fish Hooks’
Animated comedy series “Fish Hooks” is set inside a giant fish tank in a pet shop and stars fish “high school” students Bea, Milo and Oscar. Among the negative reviews on IMDb include the label of “Disney’s worst TV cartoon yet.”
Another reviewer made their position perfectly clear: “Do I recommend this show?? NO!!! This show sucks.”
29. ‘The Problem Solverz’
Cartoon Network / IMDb
Where You Can Watch It: Amazon Prime
IMDb score: 2.1/10
TV.com score: N/A
Why It’s Annoying: ‘The Problem Solverz’
The animated TV series “The Problem Solverz” aired on Cartoon Network from 2011 to 2013. Ultimately, the biggest problem that just couldn’t be solved was the show itself, with widespread criticism focusing on the visual style and writing.
“It seems as if the creator of this show intentionally decided to make a show that was off-putting,” wrote an IMDb reviewer. “The first and most obvious issue I have with this program is the terrible artwork; it seems as if the artists attempt to cause seizures in their viewers with the high amount of strobe effects they use. Also, the voice actors in this show have voices that are so grating it literally gives me a migraine when this is on TV.”
28. ‘Go, Diego, Go!’
Where You Can Watch It: Amazon Prime
IMDb score: 4.2/10
TV.com score: 5.2/10
Why It’s Annoying: ‘Go, Diego, Go!’
Diego is, of course, the cousin of the Dora the Explorer. But this doesn’t always work in his favor.
According to one reviewer on IMDb, “Same old, same old. Dora with a boy instead of a girl. Good show because kids lear
27. ‘Team Umizoomi’
Where You Can Watch It: Amazon Prime
IMDb score: 4.9/10
TV.com score: 6/10
Why It’s Annoying: ‘Team Umizoomi’
“Team Umizoomi” is designed to help preschool kids get to grips with simple mathematical concepts, like counting, sequences, shapes, patterns and measurements — with the help of some tiny superheroes. It originally ran for four seasons between 2010 and 2015, and it was a hit with younger viewers.
But some parents weren’t quite so keen — and some went as far as analyzing the scientific accuracy of the lessons being taught. “This is probably your worst and most inaccurate show,” one reviewer told Nickelodeon, via IMDb.
26. ‘The Cramp Twins’
Cartoon Network / IMDb
Where You Can Watch It: Amazon Prime
IMDb score: 6.2/10
TV.com score: N/A
Why It’s Annoying: ‘The Cramp Twins’
“The Cramp Twins,” aka non-identical twin brothers Lucien and Wayne, who live with their parents in a small town called Soap City, aired from 2001 to 2005. It had a pretty loyal fan base — but not everyone is a fan of the warring adolescent siblings.
“The characters are flatter than cardboard, and I’m not talking about the animation style,” wrote one viewer on IMDb. “The whole show makes my stomach turn, there’s nothing new or original about it, and watching Wayne and Lucien fight is a disappointment.”
25. ‘The Naked Brothers Band’
Where You Can Watch It: Amazon Prime
IMDb score: 3.4/10
TV.com score: 5.9/10
Why It’s Annoying: ‘The Naked Brothers Band’
Originally aired from 2007 to 2009, this rock-mockumentary parody was the creation of Polly Draper (“thirtysomething” actress), whose husband and sons starred in the show. Cameras follow musical brothers Nat and Alex Wolff as their band becomes a tween sensation, but the journey isn’t an easy one.
Writing on Common Sense Media, one parent complained that the reason behind the show is “to teach the kids to have a smart mouth and no respect for parents.”
24. ‘The Fresh Beat Band’
Where You Can Watch It: Amazon Prime
IMDb score: 6.3/10
TV.com score: 5.4/10
Why It’s Annoying: ‘The Fresh Beat Band’
Another musical offering, “The Fresh Beat Band” was on TV from 2009 to 2013. It followed the adventures of four music-school students to help preschoolers learn the basics of music, plus lessons in equality and friendship.
Parents on TV.com didn’t mince their words; one wrote, “This one is bad across the board.”
23. ‘Secret Mountain Fort Awesome’
Cartoon Network / IMDb
Where You Can Watch It: Amazon Prime
IMDb score: 3.2/10
TV.com score: 2.6/10
Why It’s Annoying: ‘Secret Mountain Fort Awesome’
This animated show was based on an idea from the animated short “Uncle Grandpa” and ran for only one year (2011 to 2012). Its cast of monsters, including Festro, Fart and Gweelok, arrive in the human world and struggle to find equality.
“Save yourself the pain of watching this,” wrote one TV.com reviewer.
22. ‘Yo Gabba Gabba!’
Where You Can Watch It: Amazon Prime, iTunes
IMDb score: 6.8/10
TV.com score: 6.1/10
Why It’s Annoying: ‘Yo Gabba Gabba!’
This part live-action, part animated musical series for preschoolers features five friendly monsters that act out life lessons, encouraging their young viewers to dance and sing along. At the start of every episode, DJ Lance Rock says the magical words “Yo Gabba Gabba” to bring the creatures to life.
While it gets decent enough ratings, not every parent is a fan. “It is far too loud, too in-you-face, too garish, too ridiculously stupid to be believed,” wrote one irked viewer on IMDb.
21. ‘Jay Jay the Jet Plane’
Where You Can Watch It: YouTube
IMDb score: 3.9/10
TV.com score: 6.3/10
Why It’s Annoying: ‘Jay Jay the Jet Plane’
Jay Jay the Jet Plane and his friends Herky the helicopter, Revvin’ Evan the fire engine and Tuffy the tow truck, have lots of fun in Tarrytown, where anything is possible. It started on TLC in 1994 before moving to PBS Kids, where its final episode aired in 2005.
Kids might love Jay Jay’s happy face and zest for life, but not everyone is a fan. “This show is just so weird!” wrote one reviewer on TV.com. “I saw an episode on YouTube, and I only lasted 3 minutes.”
20. ‘Angela Anaconda’
Where You Can Watch It: Amazon Prime
IMDb score: 4.6/10
TV.com: 6.4/10
Why It’s Annoying: ‘Angela Anaconda’
Angela and her posse of weird and wonderful friends first hit our screen in 1999, and the animated show ran for two years. Each episode revolves around a problem 8-year-old Angela has to solve, using only her imagination.
“The characters are all annoying with equally annoying voices,” wrote one TV.com reviewer.
19. ‘Teen Titans Go!’
Cartoon Network / IMDb
Where You Can Watch It: Netflix, Amazon Prime
IMDb score: 5.3/10
TV.com: 3.9/10
Why It’s Annoying: ‘Teen Titans Go!’
Superhero roommates Robin, Cyborg, Starfire, Raven and Beast Boy (aka Teen Titans) love saving the world, but when they decide to stop fighting crime, things don’t go as expected. It was a huge hit for the Cartoon Network and was nominated for three Primetime Emmys, but some parents just couldn’t get on board with it.
One Common Sense Media reviewer called it “one of the worst cartoons out there,” while another slammed it for being “very violent, crude and annoying.”
18. ‘Bucket & Skinner’s Epic Adventures’
Bucket & Skinner’s Epic Adventures / Facebook
Where You Can Watch It: Amazon Prime
IMDb score: 3.7/10
TV.com score: 4/10
Why It’s Annoying: ‘Bucket & Skinner’s Epic Adventures’
Lifelong BFFs Bucket and Skinner have three common goals: stay friends forever, never stray too far from a beach and find a way to get to a beach when you’re not near one. It all sounds pretty harmless, but plenty of people would disagree.
“This show is as stupid as it gets,” wrote on reviewer on TV.com, while another complained that “there’s nothing epic about it other than the epic misuse of the word epic.”
17. ‘Clarence’
Cartoon Network / IMDb
Where You Can Watch It: Netflix
IMDb score: 6.6/10
TV.com: 6.6/10
Why It’s Annoying: ‘Clarence’
Animated TV series “Clarence” is set in the town of Aberdale, where a fourth grader named Clarence and his best friends (Jeff and Sumo) enjoy many adventures. Created by Skyler Page for Cartoon Network (it first aired in 2014), it’s one of those shows you either love or hate — there’s really no middle ground.
If you don’t like gross humor, you probably won’t be able to get through a single episode.
16. ‘The Wiggles’
Where You Can Watch It: Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube
IMDb score: 5.8/10
TV.com score: 6.5/10
Why It’s Annoying: ‘The Wiggles’
The Australian children’s music group The Wiggles have been going strong since 1991. Their dancing, singing TV show, which was first released in the U.S. in 2001, is aimed at babies through older toddlers.
For that reason alone, it’s no surprise that some older viewers find it annoying. As one TV.com reviewer says, “Lots of bright color and people in costumes may amuse children under 5, but 6 and over, stay away at all costs!”
15. ‘Almost Naked Animals’
Cartoon Network / IMDb
Where You Can Watch It: Amazon Prime
IMDb score: 3/10
TV.com score: 2.4/10
Why It’s Annoying: ‘Almost Naked Animals’
Yeah, it’s a little weird to have “naked” in the title of a kids’ TV show. And even if you can get over that, the Canadian animated TV series “Almost Naked Animals” has plenty of other things that get on parents’ nerves.
“The comedic timing is horrific,” wrote one parent on Common Sense Media. “The main character is bland and dumb — not zany and funny as they would try to have you believe.”
14. ‘Coconut Fred’s Fruit Salad Island’
Where You Can Watch It: YouTube
IMDb score: 4.10
TV.com: 5.4/10
Why It’s Annoying: ‘Coconut Fred’s Fruit Salad Island’
Coconut Fred lives on a tropical island inhabited exclusively by fruit, including the Slip & Slide D’Peel banana brothers, Bingo Cherry and Wedgie (a lemon who works as a sailor). Unfortunately, the fruity friends’ adventures don’t hold much appeal for the more cynical of viewers.
“This show is the biggest ripoff of ‘Spongebob’ I have ever seen,” wrote one reviewer on IMDb, who went on to give it 0/10 for originality and 3/10 for animation.
13. ‘Peppa Pig’
Where You Can Watch It: Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube
IMDb score: 6.3/10
TV.com: 4.7/10
Why It’s Annoying: ‘Peppa Pig’
The most famous pig in the world, Peppa, and her parents and little brother George have created one of the biggest kids’ TV franchises of all time. But with great exposure comes greater potential for criticism, and adult viewers of the animated shows have found plenty to get riled up about.
A particular sticking point seems to be Peppa’s apparent disrespect for her parents, particularly poor Daddy Pig. “Almost all the episodes have some kind of contempt for Peppa’s father,” stated one Common Sense Media reviewer.
12. ‘Pig Goat Banana Cricket’
Where You Can Watch It: Amazon Prime
IMDb score: 3.6/10
TV.com score: 4.8/10
Why It’s Annoying: ‘Pig Goat Banana Cricket’
The title of this animated series reveals the main cast of characters. Pig, Goat, Banana and Cricket live in a quirky town named Boopelite, where fruit can walk and animals can talk. It might entertain kids, but older viewers aren’t completely on board.
“The characters are unlikable, and the plot is dull and generic,” wrote an IMDb reviewer. Another declared, “This is a very ugly show. First off, the art style alone is enough to keep anyone with a reasonable sense of taste far, far away.”
11. ‘Boohbah’
Where You Can Watch It: YouTube
IMDb score: 3.8/10
TV.com: 3.1/10
Why It’s Annoying: ‘Boohbah’
From the creators of “Teletubbies,” “Boohbah” is an interactive exercise show for toddlers that encourages them to move, dance and use their imaginations with the help of science, technology and fantasy.
“Say what you want, but I think this was created by an alien race in order to enslave the future generation,” wrote one IMDb reviewer.
10. ‘Marvin Marvin’
Where You Can Watch It: Amazon Prime
IMDb score: 2.3/10
TV.com: 2.2/10
Why It’s Annoying: Marvin Marvin’
Marvin is a teenage alien with special abilities, played by Lucas Cruikshank. When his native planet Klooton was invaded, his parents sent him to Earth — where he embarked on a series of adventures.
“I usually give even the most awful shows at least one full episode before I make a judgment, but I couldn’t even make it two minutes through this pile of garbage,” said one reviewer on IMDb.
9. ‘The High Fructose Adventures of Annoying Orange’
Cartoon Network / IMDb
Where You Can Watch It: YouTube
IMDb score: 2/10
TV.com: 2.2/10
Why It’s Annoying: ‘The High Fructose Adventures of Annoying Orange’
“The High Fructose Adventures of Annoying Orange” is based on the characters from the web series “The Annoying Orange,” created by Dane Boedigheimer and Spencer Grove. For some people, it should have stayed on the internet.
“I feel so sorry for the children that are exposed to this crap,” wrote one IMDb reviewer, while another declared, “This show is gross.”
8. ‘Sanjay and Craig’
Where You Can Watch It: Amazon Prime
IMDb score: 4.4/10
TV.com: 4.4/10
Why It’s Annoying: ‘Sanjay and Craig’
The stars of this animated show are Sanjay, a curious, excited 12-year-old, and his best friend Craig, a talking snake.
“I think my IQ went down about a hundred points after watching the first episode,” wrote one detractor on IMDb, while another labeled it “bizarre, weird, edgy, crude and incredibly inappropriate.”
7. ‘Fanboy and Chum Chum’
Where You Can Watch It: Amazon Prime
IMDb score: 3.2/10
TV.com: 2.6/10
Why It’s Annoying: ‘Fanboy and Chum Chum’
Sci-fi fans Fanboy and Chum Chum wear wild superhero costumes with their underwear on the outside and lead adventure-filled lives, basically causing chaos everywhere they go.
But their antics fall flat with some viewers, one of whom calls it “definitely the worst show in cartoon history.” Another IMDb reviewer wrote, “Straight off the bat, the two main characters are just aggravating.”
6. ‘Dora the Explorer’
Where You Can Watch It: Amazon Prime
IMDb score: 4.1/10
TV.com score: 7.8/10
Why It’s Annoying: ‘Dora the Explorer’
Dora is a go-getter young girl who uses her knowledge of English and Spanish to explore her surroundings, solving mysteries along the way with her monkey friend Boots. “I have a 3-year-old and a 1-year-old, and they both love this show,” wrote one mom on IMDb. “It drives me craz,y but I let them watch it because they have learned so many words, colors, shapes, etc.”
But other parents just can’t get on board the Dora expedition. “Too repetitive — script, music, story lines same in every episode,” complained another.
5. ‘Uncle Grandpa’
Cartoon Network / IMDb
Where You Can Watch It: Amazon Prime
IMDb score: 4.3/10
TV.com: 3.3/10
Why It’s Annoying: ‘Uncle Grandpa’
Uncle Grandpa is the ultimate problem solver, using his special powers to help transform people’s lives. But the reviews are less than glowing.
“This show is so bad it’s insulting,” wrote one viewer on IMDb. Another said, “the voices are annoying, the storylines make no sense, and the characters are weird and boring.”
4. ‘Breadwinners’
Where You Can Watch It: Amazon Prime
IMDb score: 2.5/10
TV.com score: 2.8/10
Why It’s Annoying: ‘Breadwinners’
Carefree BFF duck duo SwaySway and Buhdeuce fly around their home planet (Pondgea) in a rocket van, delivering bread to their customers. Along the way, they find themselves in all sorts of adventures.
“This is one of the worst shows I have ever seen in my life,” wrote one IMDb reviewer. “The animation sucks, the lessons the show teaches are bad, and there is so much violence and gore to the point where it will make your 4-year-old want to puke.”
3. ‘Barney and Friends’
Where You Can Watch It: Amazon Prime
IMDb score: 3.9/10
TV.com score: 4.6/10
Why It’s Annoying: ‘Barney and Friends’
Barney may be known as America’s favorite purple dinosaur, but the show, featuring a cast of kids alongside Barney’s friends, Baby Bop, BJ and Riff, isn’t everybody’s top viewing choice.
“It teaches kids nothing, the songs are corny, it’s not educational, and the characters are just plain agitating,” complained one reviewer on IMDb.
2. ‘Teletubbies’
Where You Can Watch It: YouTube
IMDb score: 3.8/10
TV.com: 3.9/10
Why It’s Annoying: ‘Teletubbies’
For those who find “Barney and Friends” strange, it might not be the most bizarre show on kids’ TV. Enter the British series “Teletubbies” — described by one IMDb reviewer as “about 1,000 times more bizarre” than the big purple dinosaur.
Another summed it up as: “Four creepy-looking creatures with television sets in their torsos, doing some strange, nonsensical things that don’t make sense and will probably give you headaches and trippy nightmares.”
1. ‘Caillou’
Where You Can Watch It: Amazon Prime, YouTube
IMDb score: 4/10
TV.com score: 4.7/10
Why It’s Annoying: ‘Caillou’
The title of the most annoying kids’ TV show goes to the Canadian animated series “Caillou.” “My 2.5-year-old was incredibly sweet before watching this show,” wrote one parent (who has since actually banned it) on IMDb.
The biggest sticking point for parents seems to be the character of Caillou himself — he is, undoubtedly, the definition of a spoiled brat. “I guess the developers of this show fail to understand that 4-year-olds will see Caillou as a role model and they do not get the character arc,” wrote another reviewer.
