Summary

• Discover how child characters added cuteness and fun to Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes, enhancing the storyline.
• See how various young characters like Wesley Crusher and Alexandra influenced main crew and contributed to the plot's success.
• Trek through different episodes showcasing children like Timothy, Clara, and Molly, who bring unique perspectives and charm to the series.

Despite Captain Jean-Luc Picard's (Patrick Stewart) dislike of children, the USS Enterprise-D encountered its fair share of kids in Star Trek: The Next Generation. Unlike the Starship Enterprise of Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner), Captain Picard's ship had families aboard, including many young children. Although these kids do not appear in most episodes, some storylines allow the children of the Enterprise to take center stage. As the youngest member of the main cast, Wil Wheaton's Wesley Crusher featured in many episodes, often helping the senior staff find unconventional solutions to problems.

In a couple of instances on Star Trek: The Next Generation, the Enterprise-D and its crew encounter alien children, who prove crucial to the story of the week. Besides Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden), most of the main Enterprise-D crew don't have children until later in TNG's run or until Star Trek: Picard. In TNG season 4, Lt. Worf (Michael Dorn) learns of a son he didn't know he had, and secondary character Chief Miles O'Brien (Colm Meaney) has a daughter later in TNG season 5. The kids of TNG often added an element of cuteness and fun to the show, and here are 9 of the best child characters who appeared in Star Trek: The Next Generation.

9 Alexandra

Star Trek: TNG Season 1, Episode 17 - "When the Bough Breaks"

In the first Star Trek: The Next Generation episode to feature children other than Wesley Crusher, the residents of the planet Aldea kidnap several children from the Enterprise, as they can no longer bear children of their own. Alexandra (Jessica & Vanessa Bova) is the youngest of the children taken and she's also the most adorable. Soon after arriving on Aldea, Alexandra and an Aldean named Rashella (Brenda Strong) form a quick bond, but the kids soon begin to miss their parents.

"When the Bough Breaks" reinforces Captain Picard's dislike of children.

As the oldest of the children taken, Wesley steps up to look out for the kids as he works to find a way back to the Enterprise. After the children are rescued, Alexandra offers a flower and a hug to Captain Picard as a thank you, which Picard awkwardly accepts. "When the Bough Breaks" reinforces Captain Picard's dislike of children, although he would eventually come to change his mind.

8 Timothy

Star Trek: TNG Season 5, Episode 11 - "Hero Worship"

When Lt. Commander Data (Brent Spiner) rescues a young boy named Timothy (Joshua Harris) from a damaged research ship called Vico, the boy begins to mimic Data as a way to suppress his own grief. Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) urges Data to share with Timothy why he wants to be human, and Data says he would take the negative aspects if it meant he got the good parts, too. Eventually, Timothy reveals that he believes he accidentally killed his crew by leaning against a control , but Data assures him this was not the case.

The Enterprise soon gets hit with the same shock waves that destroyed the Vico, and Timothy's memories of the event help the Enterprise avoid the same fate. In the end, Timothy begins to move past his grief and s the other children at school. Timothy is not the first or the last child who connects with Data, and these TNG stories set up Data's eventual friendship with a Ba'ku boy in Star Trek: Insurrection.

7 Marissa, Jay Gordon, & Patterson

Star Trek: TNG Season 5, Episode 5 - "Disaster"

When the Starship Enterprise suddenly shuts down, Captain Picard finds himself trapped in a turbolift with three children, Marissa (Erika Flores), Jay Gordon (John Christian Graas), and Patterson (Max Supera). The turbolift suddenly dropping causes Picard to injure his ankle, and the kids begin to panic. Jay Gordon announces that everyone must be dead and proclaims that they are going to die, too, which certainly does not help matters.

Watching Picard slowly warm up to the kids is at turns funny and charming.

Picard's first attempt to calm the kids results in more crying, but he eventually grants them honorary command roles and encourages them to work together. Picard talks the kids through climbing out of the turbolift and they refuse to leave him behind. As they climb, Picard leads the kids in an adorable rendition of “Frère Jacques," and they all make it out safely. Watching Picard slowly warm up to the kids is at turns funny and charming, and Jay Gordon's constant pessimism never gets old.

6 Clara

Star Trek: TNG Season 5, Episode 22 - "Imaginary Friend"

In Star Trek: The Next Generation's "Imaginary Friend," a young girl named Clara (Noley Thornton) creates an imaginary friend for herself due to her loneliness on the Enterprise. Clara names her imaginary friend Isabella (Shay Astar), and she is surprised one day when Isabella comes to life. As the two girls get into mischief on the ship, Clara eventually grows fearful of Isabella and her abilities.

When Isabella attacks Counselor Troi, the Enterprise crew discovers that the girl is actually an energy-based life form who lives in a nearby nebula. Although Isabella wishes to get rid of the adults on the ship, Captain Picard explains the roles of adults and children to her. Like many of the children on this list, Clara is adorable, and actress Noley Thornton brings a lot of personality to the role.

5 Jean-Luc Picard, Ro Lauren, Keiko O'Brien, & Guinan

Star TreK: TNG Season 6, Episode 7 - "Rascals"

After a transporter accident turns them into children, Captain Picard (David Tristan Birkin), Guinan (Isis Carmen Jones), Ensign Ro Laren (Megan Parlen), and Keiko O'Brien (Caroline Junko King) must work together to save the Enterprise from Ferengi pirates. The twelve-year-old Picard has difficulty convincing his crew to take him seriously, and Keiko struggles to connect with her adult husband, Chief Miles O'Brien.

The child actors in TNG's "Rascals" do an irable job embodying their adult counterparts.

Guinan convinces Ro to embrace their temporary return to childhood, and they spend their time playing. When Ferengi pirates take over the Enterprise, the kids help Commander William Riker (Jonathan Frakes) retake the ship. After the ship is secure, the children use the transporter to return to their adult selves, but Ro decides to remain a little girl for just a bit longer to make up for her unpleasant childhood. The child actors in TNG's "Rascals" do an irable job embodying their adult counterparts, and it's fun seeing them all run around the ship.

4 Sarjenka

Star Trek: TNG Season 2, Episode 15 - "Pen Pals"

In TNG's "Pen Pals," Data answers the plea of a young alien girl named Sarjenka (Nikki Cox), drawing the Enterprise into a mission that violates the Prime Directive. On the planet Drema IV, Sarjenka used her family's radio to send out a message asking: "Is anyone out there?" When Data answered, the two became fast friends, and their friendship would later be responsible for saving Drema IV and its entire population.

When Data brings Sarjenka up to the Enterprise, she refuses to leave his side, even trying to hold his hand while he works on the bridge. Sarjenka's friendship with Data is endearing and adorable, and the young girl's curiosity is infectious. "Pen Pals" marks an important step in Data's journey to explore his humanity, and Sarjenka is one of Star Trek's best child guest stars.

In non-canon Star Trek tie-in fiction, Drema IV eventually makes with the Federation and Sarjenka goes on to attend Starfleet Academy.

3 Molly O'Brien

Star Trek: TNG Season 6, Episode 7 - "Rascals"

The daughter of Miles and Keiko O'Brien (Rosalind Chao), Molly (Hana Hatae) was born in Star Trek: The Next Generation's "Disaster," with Lt. Worf (Michael Dorn) acting as midwife. Molly made her first appearance as a toddler in TNG's "Rascals," when she struggled to see the twelve-year-old version of Keiko as her mother. Molly only had one brief scene in "Rascals," but she remains one of the most adorable Star Trek kids.

When Miles and Keiko transferred from the USS Enterprise-D to space station Deep Space Nine, Molly, of course, went with them, and she appeared in more Star Trek: Deep Space Nine than TNG. Molly occasionally traveled with her mother while Miles was working as Chief of Operations on the station. From reading bedtime stories to coloring pictures to throwing up on her father, Molly had some delightfully charming and funny moments on DS9, and her family is one of Star Trek's most realistic.

2 Alexander Rozhenko

Various episodes of Star Trek: TNG Seasons 4 through 7

Worf's son, Alexander Rozhenko (Jon Paul Steuer), first appeared in Star Trek: The Next Generation season 4, episode 7, "Reunion," when Worf's former flame, K'Ehleyr (Suzie Plakson), showed up with the young boy in tow. After K'Ehleyr was tragically killed, Worf sent Alexander to live with his own adoptive parents on Earth. Alexander (Brian Bonsall) later moved back to the Enterprise to live with Worf in TNG season 5, episode 10, "New Ground."

Alexander remained with Worf and the adorable young Klingon appeared in six more episodes of TNG. Having been raised around humans, Alexander initially wanted little to do with Klingon culture, but Worf helped introduce him to his heritage. Not always the best father, Worf wanted to change Alexander, but began to accept his son when he was visited by an adult Alexander (James Sloyan) from the future in TNG season 7, episode 21, "Firstborn."

Alexander later appeared in two episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, having ed the Klingon Defense Forces to fight in the Dominion War.

1 Wesley Crusher

Series regular until Star Trek: TNG season 4, episode 9, "Final Mission"

Star Trek: The Next Generation as a teenager, and ended his tenure on the show as a former Starfleet cadet turned celestial Traveler. Having lost his father at a young age, Wesley lived with his mother, Dr. Beverly Crusher, on the Enterprise-D. Wes was considered a genius and knew just as much about the Enterprise's systems as many of the officers.

After dropping out of Starfleet Academy, Wesley ed the mysterious group known as the Travelers to explore space and time. He made a brief appearance in the Star Trek: Picard season 2 finale as a more experienced Traveler.

TNG's writers did not always know how to write for Wesley, too often having him come up with solutions that had eluded the more experienced officers around him. Still, Wesley served as an entry point for young viewers of TNG, and many could relate to Crusher's journey. Wesley grew a lot throughout his time on Star Trek: The Next Generation, experiencing normal teenage things like first crushes while also going on extraordinary space adventures.

Star Trek: The Next Generation is streaming on Paramount+.