Television has provided education and entertainment to children for nearly a century, creating many lovable and iconic characters along the way. This list of the 20 best children’s television characters of all time consists only of the most recognizable, inspiring, and fun-to-watch characters from kids’ TV. Only one character per show is included on the list. Characters are listed chronologically. The year included is the year the television show was released – not necessarily the year the character was introduced.
7Velma Dinkley: Scooby-Doo, Where are You!, September 1969
Jinkies! With so many characters from the Scooby-Doo universe to pick from, Velma Dinkley wasn’t the only character I considered. Scooby’s the face of the franchise, Shaggy brought beatnik culture to mainstream American society, and Daphne was one of the earliest female cartoon heartthrobs. However, Velma stands out as the best role model the show has to offer. She’s by far the most intelligent and the least selfish. She has also been used as a prominent feminist icon in recent years.