Common Sense Media Review
By Joly Herman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Engaging fun for young ones (and parents, too!).
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 3+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Blue's Clues
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 45 parent reviews
Parents say the show is a nostalgic favorite among families, offering engaging and interactive educational content for preschoolers. However, some viewers express disappointment with the transition from the original host, Steve, to Joe, finding the new songs and format less appealing.
- nostalgic favorite
- interactive education
- host change issues
- engaging content
- family-friendly
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 88 kid reviews
What's the Story?
In every episode of BLUE'S CLUES, the human host, Steve -- and later, his brother, Joe -- leads his young viewers through the show while encouraging them to help him find the clues that will solve the conundrum that beleaguers him. Blue, the loveable animated dog that helps Joe decipher the clues, is the picture of loyalty. She can \"skidoo\" into magical places and situations without distracting from the educational message.
Is It Any Good?
Not only is this show colorful and fun, but it allows young viewers to interact in the problem-solving challenges. Some puzzles may require sounding out words. Others may involve numbers, shapes, or even geography and physiology. The plots are generally good quality, and are always interactive without being bothersome. In other words, though Blue's Clues is suitable for the youngest viewers, it does not lie flat -- there is some complexity to the lessons at hand.
On top of it all, the sets are very creatively fashioned, often appearing to be collage or multi-media in nature. The background soundtrack plays a gentle jazz that doesn't condescend to the viewer, and Joe sometimes gestures in American Sign Language to match what he is saying. The discerning eye will discover many such details. In fact, Blue's Clues does a very fine job of treating its young viewers as the multifaceted individuals that they are.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether Blue is an imaginary friend or a real dog in Blue's Clues. Can imaginary friends be as much fun as Blue?
What kind of things would Blue say to Joe if she could talk all the time?
How do the characters in Blue's Clues demonstrate curiosity, communication, and teamwork? Why are these important character strengths?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 8, 1996
- Cast : Donovan Patton , Steve Burns , Traci Paige Johnson
- Network : Nickelodeon
- Genre : Kids' Animation
- Topics : Friendship
- Character Strengths : Communication , Curiosity , Teamwork
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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