Bluey is quite possibly the best television show for kids and parents to sit and watch together. If any creative team is worth their weight in gold, look no further than creator and writer Joe Brumm, voice actors Melanie Zanetti and David McCormack as Mom and Dad, Ludo Studio, and the incredible animation team.
With three seasons and over 150 episodes, 139 currently available on Disney+, Bluey presents genuine questions, problems, and fun adventures kids and parents experience in the real world. From pretending to be robots, to learning how to share, to using magic for good – or evil (muh ha ha) – this animated series is hands-down the best show my kids have asked me to watch with them.
Each episode is between 8 and 10 minutes long, which makes watching one after the other easy and very enjoyable. And even thought there are so many episodes, there are some that stick out to this geeky parent. You, too, can watch Bluey whenever you get the chance (and I highly encourage it), which is currently available on Disney+, Disney NOW, and Disney Junior. Now, let’s dive into some of those great episodes!
Imagination Station
“Helicopter”
Season 2, Episode 45
Pretend play is a wonderful way for kids to imagine what it would be like to be something or someone else. Perhaps Dad is pretending to be a horse for horsey rides or maybe the kids open a restaurant for their parents to have a wonderful dining experience. Maybe, just maybe, the magic of a tree stump transforms Bluey into a helicopter pilot.
Bluey loves pretending to fly around, but her imagination starts with strict rules on what can happen in her helicopter. When asked by a friend to fly or take them to their dad’s house, she replies, “I say where we go and what we do. But you can be the passenger.” The soon-to-be-bored passenger decides to exit, which then transforms the flying adventure into a rescue as Bluey informs, “You can’t just get out of a helicopter in the middle of the sky.”
Unsure of where to go, she takes the original suggestion of her friend’s dad’s house and drops her passenger safely in the deep end of the pool. Slowly, Bluey lets her friends experience their own adventures as she settles in as pilot – and even makes changes to her strict rules to help her friends live out their imaginations. From letting someone else be the pilot, even if just for a minute, pretending to crash, and turning the helicopter into a plane, Bluey adapts her playful surroundings to help her friends have fun.
“Magic”
Season 3, Episode 9
There are times when parents do not want to use their imagination or play, especially after doing a bunch of chores. Sometimes, our kid’s response after telling them “no” to playing with them might be, “So?” Children might not understand the amount of energy needed to play games, build forts, or any other sort of activity. Unfortunately, even when parents do not want to play, their kids can force them to play with magic.
Beware all parents: Kids will use any and all magical means to make their parents play with them. You will not be able to control your limbs or prevent any actions from being controlled by the youngest sorcerers in your family.
I will warn you now: Do not let them watch “Magic” in the newest season of Bluey. You will be helpless to the whimsical wrath of your children after they watch this diabolical episode. On the other hand, if you want to learn how to dance with a rose in your mouth or perform a Dirty Dancing lift, then watch this episode.
Breaks for Parents
“Sheepdog”
Season 3, Episode 11
Parents need breaks. It happens. Plain and simple. It is not always easy to admit that, because parents want to give everything to be there for their kids. But there are times when a parent just needs time to step away and recenter themselves. In those instances, a parent’s spouse may go to extreme measures to make sure their partner gets that much-needed TLC.
In Bluey’s “Sheepdog,” Bandit (the dad) does everything in his power to ensure that Chilli (the mom) gets 20 minutes of rest when there aren’t any kids distracting her in that timeframe; even if that means Bandit pretends to be a sheepdog so the kids have to watch over him. It might be a harsh reality for kids to understand, but there are moments when parents need a small stretch of time to close their eyes, listen to some music, or do anything that might recharge their batteries enough to become fully (or even partially) engaged again.
“It can be hard work looking after kids. Sometimes, mums just need 20 minutes.” It is a simple message in the season 3 episode of Bluey, but it’s important for kids to recognize people sometimes need breaks in life. It’s important to recognize limits and this is especially important for kids to understand, so they can realize this very important step for themselves as they get older.
“Daddy Putdown”
Season 1, Episode 51
There are times when a parent has commitments to friends, which means stepping away from parental duties. In this instance, Mum attends a baby shower and won’t be there to tuck them in for bedtime. With the break in routine, it is important for kids to experience change in normalcy, so they can learn to adapt to changes.
In this case, Dad must find a way to help distract his kids from the fact that their mom will not be there during their usual nighttime routine. In this case, dear old Dad attempts to play “follow the leader” as his kids seemingly decide to play hide and seek every time he turns around to look for them. A simple maneuver makes an easy game more enticing for the kids as they temporarily forget about their favorite mom being away.
Throughout the episode, several different ideas are needed to help the kids cope or help distract them from missing their mom. In this episode, Bandit has to find various activities to help his kids adapt to Mum not being around for bedtime. It also highlights how kids find ways to help themselves deal with a parent’s absence by understanding similar circumstances, such as pretending what a baby shower might be like.
“Daddy Putdown” highlights how kids can deal with a parent’s absence differently, but each way has its own place for each child. It is okay to miss someone and it is also okay to imagine what it’s like to be in a parent’s shoe when they step away from their kids.
Understanding Positive Relationships
“Butterflies”
Season 1, Episode 15
It can be very difficult to navigate interpersonal relationships at any age, let alone being a young child. It’s important for kids to see how other kids can make them feel even if those feelings are negative. In “Butterflies,” Bluey and Bingo must navigate Judo and her wanting to lead the charge with their playtime – even if that means leaving someone else out.
This season 1 episode is a great way for kids to see that others might put their needs first, while also highlighting that assumptions might not always be right or okay. Judo assumes Bingo is too young or slow to play games, but doesn’t take into consideration her feelings or capabilities. In the end, all three of them address each other and discuss how they want to be treated moving forward.
If we’ve learned anything through our years, it’s to “treat others how you want to be treated.” This Bluey episode epitomizes that sentiment, and it’s a classic episode to put on again and again.
“Café”
Season 2, Episode 37
Bluey meets Winnie at a playground, and it is a great way to highlight how easy it is for kids to meet others and share good company with kindness. It also highlights how difficult it can be for parents to branch out and find friends. In this episode, Bandit meets Fido as they become customers for their kids’ playtime entrepreneurial status as café owners.
As a parent, seeing your kids have fun is an obvious win on a variety of levels. On the flip side, it might not be easy to connect with other kids’ parents. It can be difficult to open up, share work or personal history in a short timeframe, and then expect a long-term reciprocal relationship. On top of time being an expensive commodity in the world of parenting, sharing that time with other parents as potential friends means (potentially) taking time away from spending it with your kids.
It is not easy to explore activities or friendships beyond our parental roles. In a way, these relationships mean spending time away from your kids, and as a parent who wants their kids to know they’re the most important thing to their dear old mom and dad, it’s not always easy to express this desire to have some “me time” that doesn’t involve them.
Although Bandit and Fido are playing a role in their kids’ coffee shop, they are able to connect on similar commonalities. “Café” presents a unique opportunity for two different parents to bond and establish a relationship where friendship is possible beyond the bond formed by their children.
Do you have favorite episodes or moments from Bluey? Was I too late to warn you about “Magic,” and were you already controlled by your children’s enchantments? Do you also want to see more lists on the GPG? Share your thoughts in the comments below or show us some love over on Facebook and Twitter by liking and sharing this article with all your geeky friends.
Until next time, friends, happy parenting and happy geeking.
