 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
In the Night Garden
- The Hub
- Genre: Kids' Animation
Common Sense Media says
Gentle, sweet series aimed at very young preschoolers.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this gentle series is designed to ease preschoolers into a bedtime routine, and although the use of TV for this purpose isn’t recommended by experts, it certainly has its intended soothing effect on very young viewers. The bright, friendly characters interact in a way that tots will relate to, and the storylines center on kid-appropriate situations like trying to learn a new skill and helping a friend solve a problem. Rhymes and songs will get kids singing along, and some stories incorporate basic skills like counting.
What's the story?
IN THE NIGHT GARDEN is a British preschool series that centers on the colorful inhabitants of a fantastical forest. Each episode opens with a scene of a young child being lulled to sleep -- setting the scene for its soothing tone -- which leads into a visit to the garden where Makka Pakka (Justyn Towler), Igglepiggle (Nick Kellington), and Upsy Daisy (Rebecca Hyland) live and play among friends like the pint-sized Pontipines and the jovial Tombliboos. As the characters have very limited vocabulary (most of their speech is toddler-like babbling), their movements are narrated by Derek Jacobi.
Is it any good?
Parents surely will notice that this mild show bears strong resemblance to another British series that cast bright, costumed characters, and in fact In the Night Garden is produced by two of the creators of Teletubbies. The show emphasizes friendly, loving relationships, and its soothing tone ensures that it will bring preschoolers down from their naturally frantic pace.
This is intended to be a bedtime show that will relax kids for a restful night’s sleep, but the use of any TV show in this capacity is iffy at best. What’s more, the show’s decidedly juvenile characters and scenarios ensure it’s probably best suited for toddlers or young preschoolers, which then raises the weighty issue of when it’s appropriate to allow very young kids to watch TV at all.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about these unusual characters. Kids: Do you like Upsy Daisy, Makka Pakka, Igglepiggle, and their friends? Which are your favorites? How are they alike or different from the types of characters you see in other shows?
Kids: How does the characters’ lack of linguistic skills affect your ability to understand their actions? How does the narrator help you? What clues can you take from the characters’ movements or expressions to understand what they’re thinking?
Kids: How do the characters show that they are friends? What kinds of things do they do for each other to be helpful or friendly? How do you help your friends?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
VERY un-educational
I learned how to speak gibberish. This rots the brain. Upsy-Daisy is a very bad role model and kisses everyone she can find. The yellow midget tries to clean everything he can find. And Iggle-Piggle sucks on a blanket. My watched this and she STILL sucks on a blanket and she's five! Study has proved many toddlers learn words from television. Watching this is BAD FOR THEM! They will not learn to speak. PARENTS BEWARE!!!!!!!!!!!!
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AGE
horrror
this gave my kids nightmares for a month
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AGE
Great show for babies...
Good Teletubbies-like show meant for very young infants. In fact, it was co-produced by the same people that co-produced Teletubbies. In The Night Garden, like Teletubbies, is a unique way of putting your child to sleep. By that, I mean really young child. If this were made during my time, I would love it. However, in my opinion, it's not quite as good as Teletubbies, but it'll do.
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Kid, 12 years old
April 14, 2011
AGE
ughhhh my ears
THIS IS THE THE WORST PIECE OF **** EVER PRODUCED!!!
IT DOSENT TEACH ANYTHING IT DOESINT HAVE ANY EEFORT PUT INTO IT. AND IF I HAVE TO HEAR "MEMEMEMEME" ONE TIME IM GOING TO SHOOT THE THE IDOIT WHO MADE THIS
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Kid, 12 years old
February 16, 2011
AGE
Why would anyone watch this puke? It is worse than Teletubbies and that is saying something!
If you could understand what they say you might find it possibly bearable. I NEVER watch it because it makes me puke! If you have ever watched this POO you don't have a brain.
Thats the nicest thing I could say about you. I think they should go and climb back in their dumb garden pots and stay hidden for ever.
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Kid, 11 years old
March 26, 2012
AGE
Not the best, but it's a-OK!
It's one of my favorites on The Hub, but there are 2 things wrong with the show. The theme song is based on nighttime when the show airs in the daytime. And how come Iggle Piggle (my favorite character of the show) doesn't have a voice? All he has is a squeaky toy voice. By the way, I don't really know what "noticeable product placement" means. I checked off the circle that has a dollor sign because In the Night Garden has a ton of merchandise. My favorite are the "over-sized" plush characters. They are 19-29 inches tall. That's huge! Since I don't get The Hub on my TV, I have to watch In the Night Garden on YouTube. But, I used to get The Hub. Anyways, the show isn't my obsession, but it's definitely worth watching.
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Kid, 10 years old
February 6, 2012
AGE
Unnecessary Horror
I am ten and this show absolutely disgusts me by it's style and characters. I still have nightmares about this freaky show.
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy, puppets |
| TV rating: | TV-Y |
| Network: | The Hub |
| Cast: | Derek Jacobi, Nick Kellington, Rebecca Hyland |
| Genre: | Kids' Animation |
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