'' SpongeBob SquarePants '' aired its first episode , " Help Wanted " , along with sister episodes " Reef Blower " and " Tea at the Treedome " , on May 1 , 1999 , following the television airing of the 1999 Kids ' Choice Awards . The series later made its " official " debut on July 17 , 1999 with the second episode " Bubblestand " and " Ripped Pants "
1999 Kids ' Choice Awards
1999 Kids' Choice Awards
Help Wanted (SpongeBob SquarePants)