Common Sense Media Review
By Christy Matte
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Wealth of pet-themed activities keep preschoolers engaged.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
VTech InnoTab Software - Bubble Guppies
What's It About?
VTECH INNOTAB SOFTWARE - BUBBLE GUPPIES is all about the world of pet care. Kids can read the ebook about Gil and his friends as they learn how to care for a puppy. The story is read out loud page by page, and kids can tap on words to hear them. Words appear in color if they have a glossary entry for kids to visit. They can head to the \"Story\" area, where they choose from activities related to the grooming, housing, and feeding of pets. Each one has a quiz-type game wherein kids decide which objects are right for the pet in question. Players also can go \"shopping\" to collect a certain object with a shopping cart. In the end, they're invited to play a game or do an activity, such as decorating Bubble Puppy's doghouse.
Kids also can play the seven mini-games and activities separately through the Mini-Games menu. They will unlock objects for decorating Bubble Puppy's house and flashcards to help with reading practice. When kids are feeling creative, they can head into Picture Time, where they can take pictures with wigs and hats or with frames and characters.
Is It Any Good?
VTech InnoTab Software - Bubble Guppies features characters that young kids know and love in games they will enjoy. Preschoolers can't help but enjoy feeding Bubble Puppy (counting out pieces of food as they go), giving him a bath, and leading him through an obstacle course. The Bubblestorm quiz game requires some knowledge preschoolers may not have (where specific animals live, what they eat, and what they play with), and there's a missed opportunity to explain why an answer is incorrect. It also requires holding an object with the stylus and dragging, which may be tricky for younger kids. A game called Fishketball has similar control challenges, asking kids to "flick" a ball with the stylus. This requires not only fine motor skills but good timing. In the end, kids will be charmed by the characters and, with seven mini-games, should find plenty of replay value, even if they don't enjoy a few of the games.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Discuss the care of your own pet. What types of food, toys, and environments do they prefer?
Visit different pets (belonging to friends and family) to see how they're the same and different in terms of care.
Practice simple math skills such as counting and sorting by color or shape.
Game Details
- Platforms : InnoTab , InnoTab 2
- Subjects : Language & Reading : letter or word recognition , reading , vocabulary , Math : counting , shapes , Hobbies : pets
- Skills : Thinking & Reasoning : applying information , Creativity : making new creations
- Pricing structure : Paid
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : VTech Electronics
- Release date : July 1, 2013
- Genre : Educational
- Topics : Animals ( Ocean Creatures ) , Numbers and Letters
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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