Many a child has had a birthday card shout-out on CBeebies and today the channel is celebrating a milestone of its own after 20 years on air.
With programmes now made at Salford 's MediaCity, home to BBC's Children's department, we've got more reason to mark the occasion than most.
But it's parents across the country who are grateful for the years of entertainment that the channel, along with CBBC - which is also turning 20 - have brought their little ones.
And let's not forget the joy that Tom Hardy et al have brought to mums with their Bedtime Stories too, not to mention the time they were going bananas for Mr Bloom, aka Ben Faulks.
Joking aside, those still in the thick of those preschool years are perhaps not appreciative enough of such wholesome content being served up to young minds - tired parents often worn down by the repetitiveness of watching the same shows, even the same episodes, again and again.
I mean, every mum or dad feels a bit stir crazy at times and an episode of In The Night Garden after a long day of keeping a toddler entertained is enough to push the sanest of souls over the edge.
But it's those colourful characters and mesmerising music that makes it all so magical for our children at a time when they're soaking up those subtly delivered moral messages.
And it's those precious few years before children get lost in the depths of YouTube and other streaming channels - when they'll still let you circle their hand on that daily journey to 'the garden in the night' - that parents reminisce over most.
That's why we've been asking mum and dads on our Manchester Family Facebook page to tell us their (and their children's) favourite programmes of the last two decades.
Here are their top picks - and we take no responsibility for the songs that may well become trapped in your head after reading this list
Fimbles
This series featured the colourful characters Fimbo, Florrie and Baby Pom exploring the magical valley around them.
The hippo-like snouted characters were somehow capable of finding things through a special sixth sense.
Balamory
The much-loved CBeebies show focused on the lives of eight characters on a colourful fictional Scottish island who wore bright clothes and lived in matching brightly painted houses
Miss Hoolie, Suzie Sweet and Spencer the Painter were just a few of the characters, not forgetting scatterbrained PC Plum, who never had anything to investigate in the crime-free village.
Big Cook Little Cook
"Welcome to our cafe".
The cookery series featured Big Cook Ben and foot-high Little Cook Small.
Together they ran a special cafe where every day a different customer calls in for a tasty treat.
The Story Makers
When midnight strikes in the children's library, it is time for the Story Makers to come out and make new stories ready for the children who are coming in the morning.
Twirlywoos
Twirlywoos first aired in 2015 featuring the inquisitive Great BigHoo, Toodloo, Chickedy and Chick.
Bluey
Bluey follows the adventures of a lovable and inexhaustible six-year-old Blue Heeler puppy who lives with her dad, mum and four-year-old little sister, Bingo.
The Australian smash hit launched on CBeebies last April, becoming the first free-to-air platform in the UK to broadcast the series.
Molly and Mack
Molly spends her summer with her big brother Mack on his toy stall. They share adventures together in the market with the warm, funny, loving community who work there.
Lunar Jim
Lunar Jim lives in Moonaluna and enjoys extraterrestrial adventures with his friends Ripple and Eco, the robots Ted and Jim, and Pixel the main computer.
Grandpa in my Pocket
Tales of Elsie, Josh and their incredible shrinking Grandpa, played by James Bolam.
Her and his grandson Jason get up to all kinds of mischief.
The Koala Brothers
Audiences loved following the adventures of Frank and Buster, two intrepid young koalas in the Australian outback.
Fireman Sam
When they hear the fire bell chime, Fireman Sam and the Firefighters of Pontypandy are there on time to save the day… and Norman Price!
The show was a huge hit on CBeebies before later moving to Channel 5.
Something Special / Mr Tumble
He's one of the most well-known faces on children's TV, but Justin Fletcher is more commonly recognised as the chirpy red-nosed Mr Tumble.
In Something Special he uses the sign language Makaton, to help children learn how to communicate and develop language skills.
Show Me Show Me
Children have loved watching Chris, Pui and the toys in their magical playroom over the years.
Don't forget your groovy moves with Mo Mo Bot, Miss Mouse and Stuffy.
Mister Maker
Ah the king of craft, Mister Maker - the one enticing your children to get the glitter out and smear their faces with glue.
Not quite sure how his 'I am a shape' song became so popular, but I bet you had a dance when no-one was watching.
Tweenies
"Hey hey, are you ready to play? It's time to come and play with the Tweenies."
Children just couldn't get enough of the puppet show featuring the characters Bella, Milo, Fizz and Jake.
Boogie Beebies
A chance for viewers to dance with Nat and Pete.
'Hey Monkey', 'Do the Dino', you get the picture.
The Baby Club
Presented by Giovanna Fletcher and Nigel Clarke, The Baby Club is where parents, carers and their babies can play, sing and listen to stories together from the comfort of their own homes.
Tikkabilla
Justin Fletcher starred in this one too in his earlier days. A daily magazine programme for preschool children, with songs, rhymes, surprise guests, animals and things to make and do.
Octonauts
"Sound the Octo-Alert!"
Were your little ones among those following the underwater adventures of Captain Barnacles and crew?
There was Kwazii kitten, Shellington sea otter, Tweak bunny, Tunip the vegimal, Dashi dog, Peso penguin and not forgetting Professor Inkling Octopus.
Get Well Soon
Dr Ranj and friends discover facts about health and hospitals.
Exploring childhood medical conditions by using puppets, music and humour, it helped make going to the doctor's surgery feel less intimidating for children.
Topsy and Tim
Fun-loving twins Topsy and Tim have been a big hit with families, watching their day-to-day adventures, exploring new places and discovering new things.
The series is based on the bestselling books loved by generations.
Where's Boo?
Originally on BBC Two, it features several cartoon characters who play a game similar to hide and seek in a variety of settings.
Timmy Time
He's that 'little lamb with a lot to learn'. Generations of children have joined Timmy as he heads off on adventures with his friends.
Me Too
You know the one - the parents and children off out to school and work, while those left behind stay with childminder Granny Murray.
She looks about 35, but who are we to judge.
Mr Bloom
The aforementioned Mr Bloom, played by Ben Faulks.
A keen gardener he wants to get the children - his 'tiddlers' - involved.
We see him at his allotment, feeding his 'compostarium' and more importantly we 'meet the veggies' including Margaret the cabbage and Sebastian the aubergine.
Rastamouse
The popular show follows crime busting mouse reggae band Da Easy Crew, who split their time between making music and solving mysteries for Da President of Mouseland.
Gigglebiz
Another one from Justin Fletcher, who starred and created Gigglebiz, appearing himself as Arthur Sleep, and in fact the characters in all of the comedy sketches - our favourite being weather presenter Gail Force.
Hey Duggee
We couldn't have the best of CBeebies without Hey Duggee.
The animated series about a dog who runs a cub-scout-style youth group has been a massive hit with both parents and kids alike, with grown-ups loving the adult humour thrown in for them too.
Come Outside
Ah good old Auntie Mabel, played by Lynda Baron, and her dog Pippin.
It was one of the BBC's most successful and watched children's programmes of all time.
Due to its popularity, it was repeated on CBeebies until 2009.
Waffle The Wonder Dog
He's Waffle, the adorable fluffy dog, who can’t help but cause trouble.
With an undying desire to befriend next door’s cat he's on a crash course to cementing the Brooklyn-Bell blended family.
Andy's Dinosaurs Adventures
Undoubtedly presenter Andy Day's most popular show, kids love learning all there is to know about dinosaurs - and watching him take a step back in time to interact with the prehistoric animals.
Maddie's Do You know?
Kids get to learn new things with Maddie as she explores the world around us and discovers how stuff works.
Catie's Amazing Machines
CBeebies' very own rally driver, Catie, is in the driving seat of some amazing machines as she introduces preschool audiences to some of the biggest and fastest machines in the world.
The Shiny Show
Billed as a quiz show for the very young, it was presented by Dogsby the dog, Mukka the monkey and Tigs the tiger.
Same Smile
Same Smile featured Nisha Anil and her three cuddly panda friends, taking a look at children's lives in the UK, discovering that we are all the same but different.
Teletubbies
Who can forget the colourful Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po enjoying their adventures in Tellytubbyland.
It's been 'Time for Teletubbies' for 25 years now and is still proving a hit with preschoolers.
JoJo & Gran
JoJo adores her grandma, Gran Gran, and they love to spend time together while JoJo’s Mummy and Daddy are at work. Gran Gran always has something exciting planned when JoJo comes to visit.
Sarah and Duck
Not everyone's cup of tea, but there's still a lot of love for Sarah and her best friend Duck, who embark on simple but exciting adventures, exploring the world both near and far 'in their own wobbly and imaginative way'.
Green Balloon Club
Green Balloon Club was produced as part of CBeebies' 'EcoBeebies' brand, with a focus on encouraging children to recycle and look after the environment.
There was Lily-Rose who loved flowers and plants, minibeast fan Ant, Cat who is the animals expert and Jay whose interest is in birds.
Oh and not forgetting Skipper the dog and their balloonist, Sky.
Waybuloo
De Li, Lau Lau, Nok Tok and Yojojo are the Piplings living in Nara, with an entrancing theme tune you won't forget in a hurry.
Woolly and Tig
Share Tig's friendship with Woolly, her cuddly toy spider.
It's all about exploring the feelings that children have when faced with new experiences.
Bear in the Big Blue house
A hit on CBeebies and other channels, the show, produced by the Jim Henson Company, featured Bear and his cast of puppet co-stars.
These included Treelo the Lemur, Tutter the Mouse, Ojo the Bear Cub, and Pip and Pop the Otters.
64 Zoo Lane
Now this is one of the theme tunes you're sure to remember.
Do you remember Lucy, from 64 Zoo Lane? And the 'one with a hump and one who can jump', you get the picture.
Lucy lives next door to the zoo at, you guessed it, 64 Zoo Lane, and shares stories with the animals.
Kerwizz
Don't forget the 'quiz with added whizz'.
The audience can answer questions and join the action as teams compete in Race World. What colour are you backing?
Let's Go For A Walk
Ranger Hamza and the Ramblers go on interesting walks to find places for fun activities.
Lazy Town
Pink-haired eight-year-old Stephanie and superhero Sportacus were just a few of the characters from the popular Lazy Town.
Of course the bad guy Robbie Rotten was always making an appearance to spoil their fun.
Nina and the Neurons
Ah, pig-tailed scientist Nina, who along with her trusty neurons are there to 'tell you what you need to know'.
There's lovely Luke, as well as Belle, Felix, Ollie and not forgetting baby Bud.
Zingzillas
Are you even a parent if you haven't air guitared to the Zingzillas? Didn't think so.
The main characters are primates Zak, Tang, Panzee and the youngest, Drum, and they are mentored by music guru DJ Loose.
The pressure is always on to create their unique ZingZilla sound just in time for their daily 'The Big Zing' performance.
Baby Jake
You know the one, the giggling baby with a million siblings hanging precariously from the windows of their windmill home.
Each episode sees Jake embark on an adventure with magical characters, including Toot Toot the Tractor and Nibbles the Rabbit.
It first aired in July 2011, so the boy who played Baby Jake is 12 this year. Now doesn't that make you feel old!
Bing
Bing, his carer Flop and all their friends have been a massive hit since premiering on CBeebies in 2014.
The series is based on the books by Ted Dewan.
My World Kitchen
Narrated by Ainsley Harriott, it featured talented young cooks taking over the kitchen and celebrating their heritage by cooking some very special recipes.
Treasure champs
Audiences are invited to join Barry and Kari as they explore what values are and what they mean.
Featuring stories from their friends about the different values.
Clifford the Big Red Dog
Way before the film was the CBeebies series, following the exploits of the biggest, most-beloved dog, his friends Cleo and T-Bone, and his owner, eight-year-old Emily Elizabeth.
Of course, both are based on the book series by Norman Bridwell, with each episode emphasising social-emotional skills and a curriculum that promotes early literacy and imaginative play.
There's way more to this series than meets the eye.
Do you have a favourite show to add to the list? Let us know in the comments here.
