7 Old-School Kids' Shows With Green Themes (VIDEOS)

Teaching kids about the environment is most effective when they're unaware that they're being taught, which is why children's programming has always been such a great resource. There have been some truly high-quality kids' T.V. shows over the years that have managed to both entertain and inform kids. We're taking a look back at the best old-school shows with green themes, from the more scientific-based ones like Bill Nye The Science Guy to the adventures of environmental superhero Captain Planet. Each has a unique style, but they all maintain a lighthearted tone in getting kids to care about their planet.

Get nostalgic watching clips from these environmentally-friendly kids' shows:

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Sesame Street

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Sesame Street is the gold standard in children's education television, and in its 40 years on the air, it's never skimped on making kids aware of their environment. This adorable musical segment from 1990 encourages you to "Stand By Your Can."

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Sesame Street is the gold standard in children's education television, and in its 40 years on the air, it's never skimped on making kids aware of their environment. This adorable musical segment from 1990 encourages you to "Stand By Your Can."

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Comments

[LuvLoogie]

11:11 AM on 03/13/2010

Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom
The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau
National Geographic Specials
The "Keep America Beautiful" campaigns

THAT's "old school"

[CPAwADD]

12:22 PM on 03/13/2010

Agree, it's so old school it pre-dates the term old school. My era, good choices.

[smebird]

07:16 AM on 03/13/2010

Bill Nye the Science Guy remains one of television's greatest and most influential shows. But, I am disappointed that Kratts Creatures didn't make this list. It was a remarkable show and my sons loved it passionately.

[MJinCanada]

02:32 AM on 03/13/2010

The Magic School Bus wasn't just an awesome science and environmental show -- it explained primary, secondary and tertiary research sources and looked at causality. My kids were nuts for it. Teachers should be using the show and the books as a resource clear up to high school.

[martinchill]

06:40 PM on 03/12/2010

not from my childhood...

[jl4141]

05:33 PM on 03/12/2010

Everything I learned came from The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle.

[CPAwADD]

12:23 PM on 03/13/2010

Jay Ward is awesome!

[chrisberge72]

05:32 PM on 03/12/2010

Guess "The Electric Company" didn't make the cut, huh?

[jazzyldy]

05:12 PM on 03/12/2010

Hmmm.....the Magic Garden is not on here...


Now I know these are not green shows, but I loved New Zoo Revue, Zoom, and Romper Room.....oh, and Top Cat, he had the best theme song! And a shout out to Felix the Cat..and his magic bag of tricks, The original cat "MacGyver" .

[MJinCanada]

02:34 AM on 03/13/2010

Romper Room? Even at 4, I sensed that was the end of civilization developing in that room.

[That1Chick]

05:10 PM on 03/12/2010

What?!?! Where's Square One?

[NevadaLib]

04:53 PM on 03/12/2010

I like how the GOP is trying to demonize Bill Nye due to their blatant opposition to reasoning.

[jessicadevyn]

04:32 PM on 03/12/2010

I am 24 and remember most of these. I feel so old. I LOVED Bill Nye the Science Guy but I loved Beakman's World even more.

[lisakaz2]

03:02 PM on 03/12/2010

College students watched Bill Nye. He didn't just educate kids.

[EllenD]

03:46 PM on 03/12/2010

Little kids watched THE UNDERSEA ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN NEMO on CAPTAIN KANGAROO. I loved all the oceanography facts! I think there's an episode on Youtube.

[Blues02]

03:59 PM on 03/12/2010

Who doesn't love Bill Nye?

[lisakaz2]

02:59 PM on 03/12/2010

College students watched Bill Nye. He didn't get educate kids.

[NiklasG]

01:39 PM on 03/12/2010

I love The Magic School Bus. It would be awesome if Hulu or Fancast added it to their archive.

[hottingers]

01:37 PM on 03/12/2010

The most green themed kid's show ever was HR Puffinstuff. Those guys were puffin' a lot of green stuff.

[telebob59]

01:36 PM on 03/12/2010

"Beakman's World!" Senta Moses! Phoebe!! Yayyyyyy!!!!! Watched and loved the show in the 90s (when I was in my 30s). As someone who has always admired compelling children's programming -- and who has always wished I was creating it -- Beakman is wacky, stylish, frenetic and informative all at once. No mean feat! BTW, RIP Mark (Lester) Ritts. All three stars make the most of their formidable talents. And 'twas the lovely Phoebe who attracted me to the show and got me watching in the first place!