List of children's animated television series of the 1950s facts for kids
This article is a list of animated TV shows made for kids aged 12 and under. These shows include those watched on regular television and those streamed online.
We'll focus on animated series mainly from Western countries. This list doesn't include shows from Japan, China, or Korea, as children's animation is very common in those regions.
Animated TV Shows for Kids
Animated television shows have been a big part of growing up for many generations. From funny animals to brave heroes, these cartoons bring stories to life. They use different animation styles, like traditional hand-drawn pictures or stop-motion models.
The Early Days: 1950s Cartoons
The 1950s were an exciting time for television. More and more families got TVs, and new kinds of shows appeared. This decade saw the start of many animated series made just for children. These early cartoons often had simple stories and memorable characters. They laid the groundwork for all the amazing animated shows we enjoy today.
Famous Shows of the 1950s
Many classic cartoons first appeared in the 1950s. These shows were often shown in syndication, meaning they were sold to many different TV stations.
- Crusader Rabbit (1950–1959): This was one of the very first animated TV series ever made! It followed the adventures of Crusader Rabbit and his friend Rags the Tiger. They went on many quests and faced silly villains. It was created by Alex Anderson and Jay Ward.
- Mighty Mouse Playhouse (1955–1967): Mighty Mouse was a superhero mouse who always saved the day. This show often featured old cartoon shorts with new introductions. It was a popular show on CBS for many years.
- The Gumby Show (1956–1968): Gumby was a friendly green clay figure who could change his shape. He had many adventures with his horse friend, Pokey. This show was special because it used stop-motion animation. This means models were moved tiny bits at a time and photographed, making them look like they were moving. It was created by Art Clokey.
- The Ruff and Reddy Show (1957–1960): This comedy show featured a cat named Ruff and a dog named Reddy. They often found themselves in funny situations. It was one of the first shows made by the famous Hanna-Barbera studio. Joseph Barbera was one of its creators.
- Colonel Bleep (1957–1960): This was an early science fiction cartoon. Colonel Bleep was an alien from the planet Futura. He protected Earth from bad guys with his friends, Squeak and Scratch.
- The Huckleberry Hound Show (1958–1961): Huckleberry Hound was a calm, blue dog with a Southern accent. Each episode featured three different cartoon segments. These included Huckleberry Hound's own adventures, plus segments with Pixie and Dixie and Mr. Jinks, and Yogi Bear. This show was very popular and helped make Hanna-Barbera a big name in animation. William Hanna and Joseph Barbera created it.
- Felix the Cat (1958–1960): Felix the Cat was a very old cartoon character, first appearing in the 1920s. This TV series brought him to a new generation. Felix had a magic bag that could turn into anything he needed for his adventures. Joe Oriolo was a key person in bringing Felix to TV.
- The Quick Draw McGraw Show (1959–1961): This show also featured three cartoon segments. The main character was Quick Draw McGraw, a horse who was a sheriff in the Old West. He had a sidekick, Baba Looey. The show also included segments with Augie Doggie and Doggie Daddy and Snooper and Blabber. William Hanna and Joseph Barbera were the creators.
- The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends (1959–1964): This show was known for its clever humor that appealed to both kids and adults. It followed the adventures of Rocky the flying squirrel and Bullwinkle the moose. They often fought against villains like Boris Badenov and Natasha Fatale. The show also had other segments like "Dudley Do-Right" and "Peabody's Improbable History." Jay Ward and Alex Anderson were among its creators.
These shows from the 1950s were important because they helped shape what children's animation would become. They introduced many beloved characters and storytelling styles that are still enjoyed today.
