First of all, if you haven’t discovered Bluey on Disney+, just stop reading this blog post and go watch it right now. Seriously, right now. (And if you don’t have Disney+, I’m telling you, it’s worth the $6.99/month just for this show!) You’ll be hard pressed to find any cartoon that is just as enjoyable for parents as it is for kids. It’s been playing on our TV for nearly two weeks straight, and I’m still not tired of it. Not to mention, I got way more excited than my kids when I discovered that Target and Walmart carried Bluey toys. (Hellooooo Christmas presents!) After watching the Grannies episode, I immediately proclaimed my love for this incredible Australian cartoon on social media, only to discover I was not alone. So just in case I’m not the last one on the planet to discover Bluey, I needed to share it with the world.
Here are ten reasons why Bluey is THE Best:
1. The episodes are less than 10 minutes long. They are perfectly written, succinct, and I have absolutely no guilt when I tell my kids they can watch *one* more episode before bed – after all, it’s only about seven minutes!
2. They keep it real. Let’s talk about the mess in the backseat of their jeep. There is food and random junk all over the backseat of the car, and it looks just like mine! And nothing is more real than the “Takeaway” episode. I won’t spoil it for you, but there is no more episode relatable to a parent.
3. “Is there some game where I just lie really still on a comfy bed or something?” – Bluey’s Dad. This is the moment I truly felt seen as a parent. I don’t always want to play with my kids when they ask. This show has inspired me to be a better parent and find more creative ways to play with my kids, even when I don’t feel up to it. Last weekend, I took the time to make my kids an awesome fort in our living room for a “fort movie night” and they were beside themselves.
4. Speaking of creativity, the show has had an incredible impact on my children. The core of the show is about imaginary play and games. It has sparked new levels of imaginary play in both my seven-year-old and three-year-old. They play together so well and often spend more time entertaining each other than playing with the toys in their rooms. I absolutely love it when I see them recreating games and scenes from the show.
5. My kids aren’t the only one benefiting from educational tidbits. I have learned what a pademelon is and what a rockmelon is.
6. The humor and banter are spot on! In the episode of “Neighbors,” when Bluey asks dad to join in on the imaginary play by moving next door to Mum, Mum responds, “Well, there goes the neighborhood.” BURN.
7. The parents are all about teaching their kids lessons. In “Magic Claw,” the kids want to play with an imaginary claw machine (Bluey’s Dad), and instead of just letting them win toys with imaginary money, he makes them work for it. “The machine does not take imaginary coins. Go and get a job and earn some real ones.” HA! But they do just that and perform chores around the house to earn coins to play the Magic Claw. Aren’t you jealous you didn’t think of that first?
8. I don’t want to overlook the intro to the show. Paw Patrol, Bingo and Rolly, Vampirina — just to name a few — have intro songs that can drive a parent batty in just a few episodes. Two weeks into Bluey, and I’m still jamming out and dancing along to the intro song. Thank you cartoon composers!
9. What’s a great show without some life lessons? From “Camping” to “Markets” to “Bumpy and the Wise Old Wolfhound,” there are so many endearing moments that warm my heart but also teach an important lesson to my kids. Who am I kidding? They teach me a lesson as well.
10. Last, but certainly not least, I love the relationship between Bluey and her little sister Bingo. My favorite episode, “The Grannies,” is the perfect example of a sibling relationship and how kids can go from playing together perfectly in one minute to a disagreement the next. Yet somehow, they always get through it. The entire family dynamic is pure joy.
We are on day 263 straight. I was laughing so hard yesterday and today. It is the best.