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The Backyardigans

(Rated TV-Y, Children, cartoons, & animation, Starring Jonah Bobo, Zach Tyler, Jordan Coleman, Where to watch: Nickelodeon, DVD, Online)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 0, age appropriate for kids over 4; suggested age 4.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Animal friends find kid-friendly adventures.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 4 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The show's characters use their imaginations to create adventures.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Not an issue.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Backyardigans

Parents need to know that, since young children love repetition, this show might be fun for them. But for viewers older than about 5 or 6, the show's simplicity may not be quite as inspiring. The Backyardigans use their imaginations to create adventures, but there's not much interaction with the audience to encourage viewers to do the same.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about and imagine their own adventures. Where would kids like to go if they could travel anywhere in the world? Who would they meet there, and what would they do?

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Our Members Say

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  •  I think this show is

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See all 79 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    backyardigans rock all ages!

    I love this show and my daughter loves it! She's been a fan since she was 20 months. Loves the international/cross-genre music and dances along with the characters. Not only does she know most of the lyrics to the songs of the episodes we own, but she uses the language in day-to-day conversation. Whenever she comes out with something totally cute and precocious, I ask, 'where did you hear that?' invariably the answer is Tyrone, or Pablo. Did i mention that I too enjoy this show? We even went to see them live. Good, educational, musical fun.

  2. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Rhode Island
    I rate this title on for age 3 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Perfect for preschoolers and their parents

    My son has loved this since he was 3. Nice mix of music that's never monotonous, which is huge for the adults that watch. He loves to recreate the stories later on. Personally, I like how imaginative the stories are. Also, while there may be some sort of conflict/race/teams element to the story, there are never bad guys.

  3. I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    My favorite kids show on TV right now.

    I love how you can tell they are using their imaginations. I hate shows that spin themselves as educational (Dora) and then have episodes like "Dora Saves the Mermaids." I am big on clear lines between real and imaginary.

  4. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    My daughter LOVES this. Music and dancing is sophisticated and entertaining. Children of 2-4 are learning so much so fast that a little escapist entertainment that enters their dream life is healthy. Sometimes you have to let children just relax.

  5. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    I am 17+ at least twice, and I LOVE this cartoon! I long for more episodes, and want to be able to walk into a store and purchase the dvds! There is a sweet innocence reflected in this cartoon, that takes me back to my childhood days long gone by, that I want my great nieces and great nephews to experience. Our parents were struggling and often, could not afford the latest games and toys; this created a need for us to expand the reach of our imaginations, and boy, did mine ever expand! Recently, my cousin invited me to join her multi-level marketing, home-based business. My response was: "I'm not creative enough to market something like that effectively!" Her recall of the many games that I'd invented for the kids in our neighborhood, brought tears to my eyes. "You are the mother of imagination" she said. The Backyardigans remind me of that time when money and things were scarce, but childhood was carefree, simple and wonderful! I love The Backyardigans. And I pray God's richest blessings upon its creators!

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