The 1970s were a goldmine for kids’ TV, but looking back, some of those shows were downright bizarre. Whether it was trippy visuals, oddball characters, or concepts that made you scratch your head, these programs have stuck in our memories precisely because they were so out there. And yet, they were ours. Here are 15 of the weirdest kids’ TV shows from the 1970s that’ll have you saying, “Oh yeah, I remember that!”
1. Land of the Lost
Dinosaurs, Sleestaks, and time travel—this sci-fi adventure was both thrilling and nightmare-inducing. The low-budget special effects somehow made it even better, and that theme song is unforgettable.
2. The Banana Splits Adventure Hour
Part costumed animal antics, part slapstick comedy, and part variety show, this fever dream of a series was the original “What did I just watch?” Its catchy theme song still gets stuck in your head decades later.
3. Sigmund and the Sea Monsters
What kid wouldn’t want to befriend a friendly sea monster? But looking back, the costumes were wild, and the premise of hiding Sigmund from your parents seems both charming and ridiculous.
4. The Bugaloos
A group of insect-themed teenagers living in a magical forest and battling the evil Benita Bizarre? This British import gave us colorful costumes and a groovy soundtrack, even if the whole thing felt like it was filmed during a fever dream.
5. Lidsville
A boy falls into a magical hat shop and ends up in a world of living hats? Yes, this was real. Sid and Marty Krofft struck again with this show that somehow made hats into relatable characters.
6. H.R. Pufnstuf
Let’s start with the ultimate trip. A dragon mayor on a psychedelic island filled with living trees, talking hats, and villains like Witchiepoo? H.R. Pufnstuf was pure 1970s weirdness, but we loved it for its creativity and heart.
7. Shazam!
A kid-friendly superhero show where a teenager transforms into an adult superhero by yelling “Shazam!” It had action, moral lessons, and just enough camp to make it memorable.
8. The New Zoo Revue
A variety show featuring humanoid animal characters like Henrietta Hippo and Freddy the Frog teaching kids life lessons. It was wholesome, yes, but also deeply strange when you think about those costumes.
9. Dr. Shrinker
A mad scientist shrinks a group of teens, and the entire show revolves around their attempts to escape his island. It was creepy, goofy, and oddly gripping.
10. Electra Woman and Dyna Girl
Think Batman and Robin, but make them campy, colorful, and female. This Krofft classic was over-the-top superhero fun, and the dynamic duo’s gadgets were every kid’s dream.
11. Far Out Space Nuts
Gilligan’s Island in space? Pretty much. Two bumbling astronauts accidentally launch themselves into space and stumble through absurd alien worlds. Watching it now feels like a time capsule of 1970s humor.
12. The Magic Garden
A quiet, imaginative show where two hosts chatted with puppets and sang songs in a magical garden. It wasn’t flashy, but its gentle weirdness made it feel like a warm hug.
13. Big Blue Marble
This educational show felt like a mash-up of documentary, storytelling, and global pen pal connections. It was oddly inspiring and probably the first time many of us thought about life outside our hometowns.
14. Jason of Star Command
A Star Wars-inspired space adventure with campy acting, questionable special effects, and the unforgettable Sid Haig as the villain. It was weird, ambitious, and absolutely of its time.
15. The Hudson Brothers Razzle Dazzle Show
Part musical variety show, part comedy sketch series, this show felt like The Monkees on a sugar high. The Hudson Brothers’ wacky antics made it a hit with kids, even if the humor flew over our heads.
The 1970s didn’t just give us entertainment; it gave us memories wrapped in the quirkiest packaging imaginable. These shows, as odd as they were, connected with us because they were daring, imaginative, and uniquely ours. They taught us to embrace the weird and cherish the whimsical, leaving a legacy that still brings a smile to our faces.
