Mom swaps modern cartoons for ’90s TV—her toddler’s reaction stunned her

If you’ve ever wondered why your toddler seems overstimulated after screen time, you might not be imagining it. One mom on Instagram (@mamasandmesses) shared her experience after introducing her toddler to ’90s cartoons—the same ones many of us grew up with. To her surprise, he seemed calmer, slept better, and handled screen time transitions more smoothly.

And honestly? It makes a lot of sense.

Related: The best low-stimulation shows for toddlers: A guide for parents

Lower stimulation, easier transitions

In her viral post, the mom explained that while her toddler enjoyed ’90s shows, he wasn’t glued to the screen like he was with modern cartoons. “We’d watch an episode or two, and when it was time to turn it off, he didn’t fight me or get upset; he just went back to playing,” she wrote.

But the biggest surprise? His sleep improved.

“Possibly the biggest thing I noticed was a change in his sleep! He was sleeping longer and better!”

It turns out that many ‘90s shows were slower-paced, with simpler animation and softer color palettes—a stark contrast to the bright, fast-moving, sound-heavy kids’ programming of today. Modern cartoons are designed to grab attention, but constant stimulation may make it harder for little brains to unwind before bed.

According to an American Academy of Pediatrics study, excessive screen time—particularly fast-paced content—has been linked to sleep disruption and attention difficulties in young children. While research on screen-time pacing is still evolving, many pediatric sleep experts recommend limiting high-intensity content before bedtime to help kids wind down.

Nostalgia and meaningful lessons

Another bonus? The storytelling in ’90s shows tends to focus on emotional regulation, creativity, and problem-solving. Shows like Bear in the Big Blue House and Arthur didn’t just entertain—they helped kids navigate friendship, feelings, and kindness. And let’s be honest—it’s pretty heartwarming to introduce our kids to the same characters that shaped our childhoods.

That said, this mom isn’t going full-on retro. “Don’t get me wrong, we still watch some Bluey, Ms. Rachel, and Disney movies,” she admitted. “But this little change has shown us positive outcomes in his sleep and behavior.”

Want to try the ’90s TV show train? Here’s where to stream the classics:

If you’re curious to see if lower-stimulation cartoons make a difference in your home—or want to relive a little childhood magic—here’s where you can find some of the most beloved classics:

📺 Bear in the Big Blue House – Disney+

📺 Out of the Box – Disney+

📺 Little Bear – Paramount+

📺 Franklin – Prime or YouTube

📺 Arthur – PBS Kids or Hulu

📺 Rolie Polie Olie – Prime

📺 Clifford – Prime

📺 Magic School Bus – Netflix

📺 Berenstain Bears – Prime

📺 Dragon Tales – Prime

📺 Wishbone – YouTube

📺 Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood – PBS Kids, Hulu, or Prime

Not ’90s, but still kid-approved:

📺 If You Give A Mouse a Cookie – Prime

Less really might be more

While modern kids’ programming isn’t going anywhere, this mom’s experiment is a reminder that slower, lower-stimulation screen time could have surprising benefits. If your little one struggles to wind down before bed, swapping out high-energy shows for something calmer might be worthwhile.

And anything that could potentially lead to better sleep and easier screen-time transitions? We’re all ears.

Which 90s show would you introduce to your kids first?

Related: 13 best educational shows for kids—goodbye screen time guilt