The Ultimate Collection of The Simpsons' Most Entertaining and Family-Friendly Episodes

Not all episodes of The Simpsons are appropriate for children, but some of the show's best episodes focus on its younger characters and are suitable for kids. While The Simpsons is a family sitcom, not every episode is without violence, swearing, and adult humor. Although the show is typically PG-rated, some older episodes contain dark jokes. For instance, in one infamous episode, Homer's enemy accidentally electrocutes himself to death and the mourners laugh at his funeral while Homer snores loudly.

While the darkest jokes in The Simpsons may confuse or distress younger viewers, they are rare. There is a fair amount of violent cartoon gore in Itchy and Scratchy episodes and the annual Treehouse of Horror Halloween specials. However, aside from these instances, most of the adult humor in The Simpsons is subtle enough to go over the heads of young viewers. Additionally, many great episodes of The Simpsons revolve around younger characters and feature either fast-paced adventures or impactful dramatic stories, making them enjoyable for kids.

8 Lisa’s Substitute

7 Kamp Krusty

The early seasons of The Simpsons have received some criticism, but the show's Golden Age began in season 3. The comedy writing became more energetic and the rate of gags-per-minute soared. As a result, the early seasons may seem slower, but this allowed the series to delve into more meaningful and emotionally impactful storylines. Notable among these was the first LGBTQ+ Simpsons story, along with season 2, episode 18, "Lisa's Substitute." In this episode, Dustin Hoffman made a cameo as Mr. Bergstrom, a substitute teacher who provided solace to Lisa during his short time at the school. This tender and thought-provoking episode is not to be missed.

The Simpsons enters its Golden Age with a bang in season 4, episode 1, aptly titled "Kamp Krusty." After the emotional rollercoaster of "Lisa's Substitute," this episode takes a more outlandish and over-the-top approach. Bart and Lisa find themselves trapped in a sweatshop at Krusty's summer camp, surviving on meager rations. The story takes a wild turn when the kids rebel violently and Krusty tries to silence them by taking them to Tijuana. While "Homer at the Bat" may mark the beginning of the Golden Age, this season 4 premiere showcases The Simpsons' penchant for bawdy and zany humor.

6 Lemon Of Troy

5 Bart On The Road

"Lemon of Troy," the twenty-fourth episode of Season 6 of The Simpsons, is arguably the show's finest installment. In this episode, Bart and his buddies venture into Shelbyville to retrieve Springfield's treasured lemon tree. As a result, Homer and the rest of the parents in Springfield tail the boys and inevitably get entangled in their endeavors to reclaim this vital tree. While there is a clever satirical commentary on small-town prejudices throughout, "Lemon of Troy" primarily serves as a uproarious parody of classic boys' adventure tales. With Milhouse's clever disguise kit and Martin and Nelson's unexpected alliance, this episode serves as a sidesplitting homage to the carefree summers of childhood.

In "Bart on the Road," the twentieth episode of The Simpsons' seventh season, Bart and his friends embark on a Spring Break road trip that quickly goes awry. Meanwhile, Lisa finds a connection with Homer at his workplace. Originally focusing on Bart rather than Homer, this episode highlights why Bart is the ideal yet not-so-bright leader for their ill-advised suburban escape. The mischievous adventures of Bart, Milhouse, Martin, and Nelson in this episode make it highly rewatchable. However, it is Lisa's unexpectedly heartwarming subplot that truly leaves a lasting impression in "Bart on the Road." Although The Simpsons ventured into more fantastical scenarios during its Golden Age, the show's core essence remains intact.

4 Summer Of 4 Ft. 2

As if to strengthen this point,

3 Das Bus

continues the heartfelt and poignant tone of The Simpsons. In season 7, episode 25, titled "Summer of 4 Ft. 2," Lisa undergoes a transformation, temporarily abandoning her nerdy personality to blend in with a new group of friends. However, Bart's envy compels him to sabotage his sister's newfound popularity. Nevertheless, the story concludes with a bittersweet ending, ensuring that this rare departure from Springfield leaves a lasting impact. Adding to the humor, Milhouse provides comic relief, but the episode also derives comedic moments from Homer's ill-fated and misjudged encounters with illegal fireworks.

In "Das Bus," the 14th episode of The Simpsons season 9, the children from Springfield Elementary find themselves stranded on a deserted island due to a mishap involving a grapefruit and their perpetually stoned bus driver, Otto. The storyline takes a humorous jab at Lord of the Flies, showcasing the kids' inability to sustain a functional society on their own. Despite this, they make a commendable effort, with Bart's promise of a tree house staffed by monkey butlers rivaling the luxuriousness of Gilligan's Island. The most impressive element of this particular Simpsons episode is its clever continuation of a joke introduced over a year earlier.

2 Wild Barts Can’t Be Broken

1 Skinner’s Sense Of Snow

In "Wild Barts Can't Be Broken," the tenth season of The Simpsons presents an episode where the inhabitants of Springfield find themselves in an uproar between the adults and the kids due to Homer's drunken behavior being falsely attributed to unruly teenagers. Consequently, the children are assigned community service, leading them to devise a radio program that exposes the misconduct of their parents. This high-energy episode cleverly parodies Village of the Damned and manages to incorporate a musical sequence and a surprising twist ending. Among all the episodes featuring the children of Springfield as the focus, none portrays their righteous anger towards their parents better than "Wild Barts Can't Be Broken."

In season 12, episode 8 of The Simpsons, titled "Skinner's Sense of Snow," the focus shifts from the main family to the children of Springfield. A massive blizzard hits the town, leading to the school being snowed in. Despite the dangerous conditions, Principal Skinner stubbornly refuses to close the school. This decision proves disastrous as the children become trapped inside with their authoritarian principal. In a rebellion against Skinner's oppressive rule, Bart and the other kids challenge his authority. This chaotic episode features a battle for control of the school between Bart and Skinner, along with hallucinations experienced by Homer and Ned. Additionally, the episode showcases the surrealist holiday film called "The Christmas That Almost Wasn't But Then Was." "Skinner's Sense of Snow" represents The Simpsons at its best, with its endearing blend of silliness and innocence.