Parents' Guide to

A Storybots Christmas

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 3+

One kid's big question leads to lots of holiday fun.

TV Netflix Kids' Animation 2017
A Storybots Christmas Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

  • A Storybots Christmas TV Special: Outside of Santa's Workshop.
  • A Storybots Christmas TV Special: Talking to one of Santa's Elves.
  • A Storybots Christmas TV Special: Bo talks to Santa.

Community Reviews

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age 6+

Based on 3 parent reviews

Jamshley
Jamshley Parent of 3-year-old
November 23, 2018
age 8+

Horrible depiction of Santa

Way to take the magic out of Christmas with a grumpy, negative, seemingly drunk Santa....what were they thinking? We had to turn it off.

This title has:

Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
1 person found this helpful.
Bored-er Collie
Bored-er Collie Parent of 5-year-old
December 10, 2022
age 7+

Santa drowning his sorrows in cookies

Agree with the review about drunk seeming Santa. I’m no teetotaler but I didn’t like the way cookies were used the way alcohol would be as an unhealthy coping mechanism for feelings of inadequacy. Like, yes, this is a common trope in adult shows and movies but is it something we should introduce to young kids? Also really didn’t like Santa calling himself dumb. Seems to perpetuate this old approach of male fragility — don’t upset Dad (/Santa) or he’ll turn to drinking (/cookies)! Really wish we hadn’t watched this.

This title has:

Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

A STORYBOTS CHRISTMAS is a holiday special featuring the Storybots, a group of robot-like friends who live inside computer parts. When a child asks them what their favorite Christmas presents have been over the years, bot Bo realizes her gifts haven't always gone over well. Along with her rainbow unicorn, she sets out on a journey to Santa's Workshop to learn how to make them better. But Santa is missing, and she must venture to the outer world to find him. Meanwhile, her Storybot friends are worried, and set out to find her before Christmas.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3):
Kids say (2):

This dynamic and positive special highlights the importance of sharing time with loved ones during the holidays. It does so by reminding both viewers and a rather forlorn Santa Claus (played by Ed Asner) that the festive season isn't about giving big or fancy gifts, but about offering gestures of the heart and sharing cheer with each other.

A Storybots Christmas relies on the series' trademark mixture of digital animation, claymation, puppetry, and live action to tell the story. However, the lessons it offers aren't broken down quite as simply as they are in the original show. Nonetheless, children who enjoy the series will love this special and the cheerful way it delivers positive messages.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the messages in A Storybots Christmas. How do the bots help curious kids? Why do you think curiosity is an important character strength?

  • A Storybots Christmas shares some important things to think about during the holidays. What are some of those things? Is getting presents one of them?

TV Details

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