Pain-Free Kiddie Shows

I’ll never forget the first time I watched “Barney & Friends.”

My son was two at the time, and he was captivated by the giant purple dinosaur with the mediocre singing voice. It was my first prolonged exposure to kiddie television as an adult, and I wasn’t impressed. I also knew more painful TV experiences were on the way.

Boy, was I right.

“Pokemon.” “Caillou.” “Yo Gabba Gabba!” More “Pokemon.”

It’s what parents put up with when sharing screen time with young children. My parents had to suffer similar indignities. Remember “The Great Grape Ape Show”? “The Smurfs”? “Captain Caveman”? Those shows enchanted my generation, but watching them as an adult is another matter.

Yet not every modern kiddie show is as excruciating as “Barney” and company. Just as animated films have grown more sophisticated (the “Toy Story” franchise, “Up” and “Madagascar”), children’s fare has made sizable leaps in quality.

So for fellow parents dreading endless hours of kiddie TV, consider the following shows that won’t make your teeth hurt. They may not pack the biggest educational punch, but at least you won’t feel queasy while watching them.

“Mystery Incorporated” — The most recent “Scooby Doo!” series showcases how television has evolved since Shaggy and the gang first graced our screens. The animation is smoother, the scripts are more nuanced, and the characters reference the past while looking to the future — like Velma’s blog. The mysteries aren’t as simplistic as the “classic” Scooby Doo installments, and it’s fascinating for parents to watch while comparing it to the past. Some changes shouldn’t have been made, like the crushes Daphne and Velma have on Shaggy and Fred, respectively. Perhaps they’ll fix that with the upcoming “Scooby Doo!” feature film.

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“Clarence” — This Cartoon Network series follows a hopelessly upbeat boy and his far more cynical pals, one of whom literally has a blockhead. Their misadventures are clever and inventive, touching on the fears and hopes we all had as children. Clarence’s sunny approach is endearing, a unique character trait in our increasingly dour world.

“Crash & Bernstein” — Crash (Tim Lagasse) is the puppet brother Wyatt (Cole Jensen) never expected, but now can’t live without. The series lasted two seasons on Disney XD, and the tone and quality are wildly uneven. For every laugh there are two or three groan-worthy moments for wizened eyes. It’s still a trip for two reasons. The show packs a similarly subversive punch to the ’80s sitcom “Alf.” And what other children’s show extols the notion that boys are, indeed, different from girls? Just a warning. Your kids may replicate the “face slams” given out by the felt-covered Crash.

“Phineas and Ferb” — This one had me with the theme song. It’s rollicking and yes, a bit rude. It also ends with a perfect laugh line: “Moooom, Phineas and Ferb are making a title sequence!” The show itself is just as precocious. You won’t get a special lesson after each half-hour installment, but the sense of youthful exuberance and clever story lines will tickle adult viewers.

And honorable mentions go to “Wild Kratts” for its intriguing animal knowledge, “Uncle Grandpa” for the surreal humor and “The Backyardigans” for a catchy theme song and fine mid-show musical moments.