The Best Kids Game Shows of the '80s and '90s
In the '80s and '90s, kids game shows had a heyday. Did you spend most of your childhood watching Nickelodeon, clocking countless hours watching '80s kids in sweatpants and knee pads get slimed on Double Dare and getting blasted by confetti on Finders Keepers? If you grew up in that decade, then you were probably partially raised by old Nickelodeon game shows. These game shows of the 1980s were brilliantly marketed to children stuck at home after school, avoiding homework and wishing they could win some cool prizes like Pogo Balls and trips to Tampa.
Then, the 1990s came and blew '80s Nickelodeon right out of the water. The fun and mental exercise only got wackier, starting with Wild & Crazy Kids, which featured stars like JTT doing totally bananas things like sitting on balloons filled with shaving cream. Whaaat?!?!?! Man, and then came Guts (and Global Guts), with Mike O'Malley and the freaking Aggro Crag. Could you have made it to the top? Did you have the GUTS?
And, of course, there was Legends of the Hidden Temple, certainly the most frustrating '90s kids game show. Oh, to have been given a shot at constructing the Shrine of the Silver Monkey... Which old kids game shows from the 1980s and '90s were your favorites to play along at home? For which would you have traded a younger sibling just to have a chance to meet Marc Summers? What Nickelodeon t-shirts are you about to search for on eBay? Vote them up!!
- 1September 11, 1993
- Actors: Kirk Fogg, Dee Bradley Baker, Jennifer Holtz
A true classic among children's game shows, Legends of the Hidden Temple took young viewers on a thrilling ride filled with mystery and adventure. Hosted by Kirk Fogg, the program featured teams of kids battling it out through a series of physical and mental challenges, attempting to retrieve sacred relics from the depths of a legendary temple. With a healthy dose of suspense and excitement, this iconic show's impact on the youth of the '90s cannot be overstated.
- 21987
- Actors: Lou Ferrigno, Jennifer Malone, 'Weird Al' Yankovic
Double Dare, with its perfect blend of messy antics and quick thinking, was an instant hit among kids in the 1980s and 1990s. Under the charming guidance of host Marc Summers, participants faced off in both trivia and physical challenges, often resulting in gooey, slimy mayhem. Double Dare delighted viewers with its unique formula and playfully messy format, solidifying its place as a bona fide pop culture phenomenon.
- 3September 19, 1992
- Actors: Felicia Day, Ryon Day
Centered on extreme sports, Nickelodeon Guts welcomed young competitors to test their physical prowess, grit, and determination. With the unforgettable host, Mike O'Malley, this sensational '90s game show faced participants with adrenaline-pumping challenges, culminating in a daunting climb up the fabled Aggro Crag. It quickly captured the hearts and minds of kids everywhere, inspiring a generation to push their limits and embrace adventure.
- 4
Wild & Crazy Kids
January 4, 1990- Actors: Omar Epps, Donnie Jeffcoat, Jessica Gaynes
Wild & Crazy Kids was all about fun, frolic, and teamwork. Hosted by the energetic trio of Donnie Jeffcoat, Annette Chavez, and Omar Gooding, the show pitted teams of children against one another in hilariously wacky, out-of-the-box games. Beloved by viewers, Wild & Crazy Kids served as a fantastic reminder of the sheer joy and camaraderie of childhood, forever remaining a celebrated fixture of '90s kids entertainment.
- 5August 31, 1991
- Actors: Dee Bradley Baker, Marc Summers
Presented by the affable host Marc Summers, What Would You Do? invited kids to explore the quirky side of decision-making. The game show presented its participants with unusual dilemmas, asking them to choose how they would react in comically bizarre situations. A blend of lively entertainment and food for thought, What Would You Do? left quite the impression on the minds of the children who tuned in.
- 6June 11, 2012
- Actors: Jeff Sutphen, Elle Young, Lorenz Arnell
Nickelodeon's Figure It Out, hosted by the charismatic Summer Sanders, brought together eager kids and their favorite celebrity panelists to solve riddles and puzzles. The intriguing blend of light-hearted banter, clever clues, and inevitable sliming made this show an instant hit among youngsters. Fondly remembered by countless '90s kids, Figure It Out remains a nostalgically pleasing fragment of television history.
