Boohbah
By Betsy Wallace,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Move, solve, think, & talk with active learning.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
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Community Reviews
Based on 10 parent reviews
Deep.
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HATERS GONNA HATE, BUT LOVERS GONNA LOVE BOOHBAH
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What's the Story?
BOOHBAH can, upon the first few viewings, appear so silly and strange that parents might conclude it could very well have a detrimental effect on their kids. But the odd-looking creatures are in fact atoms of energy that live in a glowing ball of light. The content of the show aims to help children develop movement, math, problem-solving, and language skills while also engaging their imaginations. This is achieved through predictable segments that feature the Boohbahs warming up with some dance moves and real children demonstrating different kinds of movement. Each episode also includes a visit to Storyworld, where human characters solve a simple problem, such as how to get a bunch of colored balls into a wheelbarrow.
Is It Any Good?
Boohbah tries to give kids opportunities to participate in what happens onscreen. As in Blue's Clues, off-screen children help control the action. "Active viewing" is a philosophy prominent among today's children's programming. Shows aim to get children to use their brains and bodies rather than just passively watch a show. It's an admirable goal, but the real test is whether or not the show works with your kid.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the characters found solutions to their tasks, reaffirming problem solving. Recreate the segments from the show by having your child dance to his/her favorite song or "actively" help clean up toys.
TV Details
- Premiere date: September 26, 2005
- Cast: Alex Poulter, Cal Jaggers, Emma Ainsley
- Network: PBS
- Genre: Kids' Animation
- Topics: Numbers and Letters
- TV rating: TV-Y
- Last updated: September 20, 2019
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