Peep and the Big Wide World - TV-Y

Preschoolers learn science with a pinch of humor.

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Common Sense rates it
4
Seen the show?
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details
  • TV Rating: TV-Y
  • Network: Discovery Kids
  • Genre: Children, Cartoons, & Animation

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that there are two stories per episode, each focusing on a problem that needs to be solved with science. The series is so friendly and funny that kids won't even realize they're learning. The cartoons are followed by filmed segments in which real kids work with the same concepts in ways that can be easily reproduced at home.

Families can talk about science and the many areas in which it is used. What are some scientific things around your house? Is there science in the kitchen? Parents can easily create learning experiments for their own kids to try at home.

Message

Social Behavior:

Teaches good lessons about solving problems with science.

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Violence

Sex

Language

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Sarah Wenk

Peep, Chirp, and Quack, three young birds living in a big park, encounter various problems that need to be solved with science. Quack the duck, for example, wants to prove that his pond is better than the new pond everyone's excited about, so the friends devise different ways of measuring the two ponds until they come up with a solution that satisfies Quack -- his pond has the most ducks.

Is it any good?

4
PEEP AND THE BIG WIDE WORLD feels special from the start. The animation has a friendly, hand-drawn feel and is narrated by Joan Cusack. What makes it fun is that the science isn't academic at all -- the little birds come up with the kinds of experiments real kids would come up with, get their answers, and are happy. Each story is followed by a filmed segment with real kids using the same concepts at home.

The combination of cartoons and real life makes the concepts very real and accessible. Peep is a great way to get young children excited about science without even realizing it.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 16 reviews.

5

Posted on 01/19/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 8

Peep and the Big Wide World

Peep is a funny show about a chicken, a robin, and a duck. My favorite character is Quack (the duck) because he is really funny! I think this show is really good for kids ages 3-14 because it has no violence and easy-to-understand words for toddlers and young kids, plus the humor for the big kids. A great show!
5


Posted on 10/17/07 by asmadro Adult contributor

Educational and entertaining

We started watching Peep about 2 years ago, when my children were 4 and 2. It has been a steady favorite ever since. They still think it's hilarious, and they frequently share the things they've learned about science with others. They have also conducted "experiments" similar to those done by the children in the live-action segments. The social messages included in the show (sharing, thoughtfulness, etc.) are appropriate for preschoolers, but are subtle enough not to turn off older children, even after repeated viewings.
5


Posted on 09/13/07 by jean v Adult contributor

very cute

This is educational, cute, and great for the little ones.
5


Posted on 04/14/07 by American Girl Adult contributor

My Grand Daughter's Favorite... Since She Turned One!

What a wonderful show for teaching my little pal words, walking, talking, concepts, manners, how to have fun (or not), animals,.... all about the world... She is ravenous for Peep, Chirp and Quack. As soon as she comes to see me she points at my box of Peep DVDs until I put them in the player, even though she's already seen them four times a week for three hours a day. She adores Quack and his Fish Museum. Peep is her buddy, she giggles at Quack, and she looks at me with a little smirk when Chirp frowns or rolls his eyes. We have a great time, we laugh, and the shows are fantastic teaching tools.
5

Posted on 03/02/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

A Happy and Funny Show

5


Posted on 11/07/06 by aidensmama Adult contributor
5


Posted on 09/21/06 by FranciJo Adult contributor
5

Posted on 07/14/06 by Anonymous Adult contributor

absolutely the best program on tv for preschoolers

This has become the only tv show I feel comfortable letting my son (almost 4) watch. There are no toys or breakfast cereals or anything with these characters on them-- it doesn't make him ask for anything, it just gently, quietly, introduces the scientific method (noticing a problem, coming up with a possible solution, testing it, assessing the results, etc.). The characters are clever and spunky, and the situations funny enough that my son doesn't notice it's an educational show. One of the best, and most rare, qualities that Peep and the Big Wide World possesses is a measured (slow but not too slow) pace, so that a preschooler can understand the dialogue and the plot.
5


Posted on 06/18/06 by jackg Adult contributor

Peep and friends are adorable and teach science!

This show is great for 2 yrs and older. It teaches a lot about science and the natural world.
5


Posted on 05/30/06 by eswanson Adult contributor

Love this show!

This is a really cute show that appeals to the entire age-range of preschool viewers - and their parents. This is actually my husband's favorite kid-show - Stanley is a close 2nd. The characters have distinct personalities, the show presents fairly complex scientific ideas in a non-condescending fashion, and there is ZERO violence. Don't miss it!

See all 16 reviews >

Adult Reviews

There are 15 reviews.

5


Posted on 10/17/07 by asmadro Adult contributor

Educational and entertaining

We started watching Peep about 2 years ago, when my children were 4 and 2. It has been a steady favorite ever since. They still think it's hilarious, and they frequently share the things they've learned about science with others. They have also conducted "experiments" similar to those done by the children in the live-action segments. The social messages included in the show (sharing, thoughtfulness, etc.) are appropriate for preschoolers, but are subtle enough not to turn off older children, even after repeated viewings.
5


Posted on 09/13/07 by jean v Adult contributor

very cute

This is educational, cute, and great for the little ones.
5


Posted on 04/14/07 by American Girl Adult contributor

My Grand Daughter's Favorite... Since She Turned One!

What a wonderful show for teaching my little pal words, walking, talking, concepts, manners, how to have fun (or not), animals,.... all about the world... She is ravenous for Peep, Chirp and Quack. As soon as she comes to see me she points at my box of Peep DVDs until I put them in the player, even though she's already seen them four times a week for three hours a day. She adores Quack and his Fish Museum. Peep is her buddy, she giggles at Quack, and she looks at me with a little smirk when Chirp frowns or rolls his eyes. We have a great time, we laugh, and the shows are fantastic teaching tools.
5

Posted on 03/02/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

A Happy and Funny Show

5


Posted on 11/07/06 by aidensmama Adult contributor
5


Posted on 09/21/06 by FranciJo Adult contributor
5

Posted on 07/14/06 by Anonymous Adult contributor

absolutely the best program on tv for preschoolers

This has become the only tv show I feel comfortable letting my son (almost 4) watch. There are no toys or breakfast cereals or anything with these characters on them-- it doesn't make him ask for anything, it just gently, quietly, introduces the scientific method (noticing a problem, coming up with a possible solution, testing it, assessing the results, etc.). The characters are clever and spunky, and the situations funny enough that my son doesn't notice it's an educational show. One of the best, and most rare, qualities that Peep and the Big Wide World possesses is a measured (slow but not too slow) pace, so that a preschooler can understand the dialogue and the plot.
5


Posted on 06/18/06 by jackg Adult contributor

Peep and friends are adorable and teach science!

This show is great for 2 yrs and older. It teaches a lot about science and the natural world.
5


Posted on 05/30/06 by eswanson Adult contributor

Love this show!

This is a really cute show that appeals to the entire age-range of preschool viewers - and their parents. This is actually my husband's favorite kid-show - Stanley is a close 2nd. The characters have distinct personalities, the show presents fairly complex scientific ideas in a non-condescending fashion, and there is ZERO violence. Don't miss it!
5


Posted on 02/04/06 by wahoosigma Adult contributor

A fantastically funny show for the preschooler

Peep is a funny, engaging show that gets full belly laughs from my three year old. The science concepts are wonderfully presented and completely appropriate for a preschooler. Joan Cusack is a great narrator, the theme song is totally catchy and overall this is a smart show that parents will enjoy as much as kids.
See all 15 adult reviews>

Kids Reviews

There are 1 reviews.

5

Posted on 01/19/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 8

Peep and the Big Wide World

Peep is a funny show about a chicken, a robin, and a duck. My favorite character is Quack (the duck) because he is really funny! I think this show is really good for kids ages 3-14 because it has no violence and easy-to-understand words for toddlers and young kids, plus the humor for the big kids. A great show!
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