tv shows for kids

Ever wonder what TV shows you should let your little ones watch? Or why they like certain ones more than others?

Of course if your child is watching, most cases so are you to some degree. You’ve probably found yourself doing a double-take sometimes because you can’t believe what you’re seeing or hearing on the tube. If you’re like us, you’ve either grown to love or truly despise certain shows and characters.

Here is our take (all in good fun!) on TV shows for young kids. Let’s call it a funny parents guide to preschool TV shows:

The Wiggles

Which Wiggle do you find to be the cutest? Since you’ll be watching this show for quite a while, you may as well have a crush on one of them. At first, it was a toss-up between Greg and Anthony but the new Wiggle Sam is definitely the cutest.

Yo Gabba Gabba

The host just makes me wanna put on a hot pink boa, platform boots and bop to techno music at a rave and dance on speakers.

Play With Me Sesame

Ernie and Bert are NOT gay.

In the Night Garden

The song lulls you into a beautiful tranquil moment, a hypnotic dreamy-like state, until you get jolted off of your couch by the strange-looking creatures. I wonder what it would be like to have one too many drinks and then watch this show…

Caillou

Thank you, Caillou, for teaching my kids the art of whining to get what they want. After my boys started to talk like Caillou, the show was immediately banned from my house.

Dora the Explorer

Dora must be on speed because the way she talks yells in that high-pitched annoying voice, can drive anyone to drink.

Go Diego Go

Your daughter will instantly develop a crush on this kid – it’s those big brown eyes and his adventurous, heroism that keeps us coming back for more. Your kids will undoubtedly want to be a veterinarian after watching an episode. And if they act up, you can always threaten to send them to the jungle.

Sponge Bob

He’s just plain creepy looking.

Max and Ruby

Why hasn’t Max clobbered Ruby yet? On the other hand, why hasn’t Ruby slapped out Max for being such a pest? We could learn a lesson about patience from dear ol’ Ruby, who is wise beyond her years.

And the question all of us parents have that has yet to be addressed – where the hell are Max and Ruby’s parents?! I guess they’re orphaned bunnies in a cruel bunny world.

Four Square

How can you not crack a smile when you see Phillipe wearing navy blue tights and NO bulge where there should be.

And when you start reciting poems and singing songs from the show, you may as well just slap yourself out.

Barnie

Would someone just kill Barnie once and for all?

This is Daniel Cook

Thank God for Emily Yeung!

I mentioned in my last post about my 5 year old being “tech savvy”.

Well now I’m faced with another change that I’m not sure I’m quite ready for.

Just the other day, I suddenly find Teletoon blaring on the television.

Let’s not get started on how much television children should watch, ok? I know it’s not meant to be a babysitter but when your kid is sick and won’t leave the couch, there is nothing like cartoons to keep them entertained.

As I was sayin’, Teletoon. I stop dead in my tracks. Wait a second… what happened to Treehouse? (For those of you who live in the U.S., Treehouse is the Canadian equivalent to Nick Jr.

No no no! Don’t tell me… the Boss has graduated from Treehouse already? I knew the day would come and I should probably be thankful that it lasted this long. The Boss has officially outgrown preschool shows and onto the big boy stuff.

Shows with funky people that carry swords and have evil voices. Distorted faces that I myself could have nightmares about. Characters that spew words that forces me to do a double-take. Young dudes with spikey hair and coloured tips.

Now he would prefer to watch Bugs Bunny and Tweety, which is fine and dandy. But Pokemon and Bakugans? I’m scared.

I’m not ready for this! I want to go back to the days when In the Night Garden lulled them to sleep or when Little Bear charmed their pants off. I haven’t had enough of Pablo and Uniqua breaking out in song and dance in the middle of the desert. Or DJ Lance Rock bopping to techo tunes. Heck, I’ll even take Dora’s screeching annoying voice any day.

Now it’s onto Pokemon and Bakugans. Johnny Test and the World of Quest.

Whoa, this is all happening too fast! I’m not ready. This is just the beginning of yet another new phase of parenthood. How will I explain to a five-year-old about aliens and superpowers? Which shows are appropriate? Which shows are forbidden for this age? I’m not prepared to answer some of these questions… I’m not even sure if I will know all the answers.

I guess I will have to immerse myself in a crash course of Ben 10: Alien Force and Transformers for the next few days. I’m computer savvy but a little behind on the latest technology so I think I’ll also need a tutorial on parental controls… and fast.

TV Guide for Kids Shows: Preschoolers

Treehouse to Teletoon: Kids TV Shows