Pingu (1986)

The original 1986 series, a Swiss clay-animated penguin and his family who speak only in a babbling nonsense language. Because there are no words to translate, it works in any household and any country, and the physical comedy is pure silent-film slapstick that adults laugh at as readily as toddlers. Episodes are about five minutes, perfect for a short attention span or a quick bargaining chip. Many parents watched it themselves as children, and the matte Plasticine look has aged far better than most early CG.