Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
CGI enhances the magic of classic friendly characters.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 3+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Care Bears: Welcome to Care-a-Lot
What's the Story?
The world's most endearing bears return to TV in CARE BEARS: WELCOME TO CARE-A-LOT, a CGI-animated series starring classic friends like Tenderheart Bear (voiced by David Lodge), Grumpy Bear (Doug Erholtz), Share Bear (Stephanie Sheh), and Funshine Bear (Michael Sinterniklaaas), plus a curious new cub named Wonderheart Bear (Michaela Dean). Set in the bears' home in the clouds, the series centers on the characters' interactions and adventures and shows how they solve the problems that arise along the way. Often they're joined by a child who's magically transported to Care-a-Lot by Tenderheart, who senses the youngster's need to learn the day's lesson firsthand.
Is It Any Good?
Modern CGI does wonders for this colorful bunch, giving new dimension and detail to the characters and making the special powers of their trademark Belly Badges that much more magical in kids' eyes. Of course, the downside is that when the stuffed replicas of these adorable characters hit store shelves, your tots are bound to be even more drawn to their favorites.
But lovable, cuddly, and ever engaging, the Care Bears have delighted kids for decades by personifying the myriad of feelings familiar to preschoolers. Whether you're cheery, adventurous, or even a little grumpy on any given day, there's a bear who knows what you're going through, and watching how the circle of friends sees past their differences to embrace one another has positive social messages for tots. A likely fan favorite among the Welcome to Care-a-Lot cast is newcomer Wonderheart Bear, whose youthful curiosity gives a voice to all kinds of preschool-age questions.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about solving problems in Care Bears: Welcome to Care-a-Lot. What did the Care Bears learn from the problem they encountered? How did they rely on their friends to help them solve it? What did they learn from the experience?
Kids: Who's your favorite Care Bear? Why? Do you think you share some of his or her personality qualities? How do these qualities help make you a good friend to others?
Have you noticed the Care Bears' pictures on items in the store? If so, which ones? Does seeing their images on something make you more inclined to want it? Why?
How do the characters in Care Bears: Welcome to Care-a-Lot demonstrate compassion? Why is this an important character strength?
TV Details
- Premiere date : June 2, 2012
- Cast : David Lodge , Michael Sinterniklaas , Stephanie Sheh
- Network : Discovery Family Channel
- Genre : Kids' Animation
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Friendship , Arts ( Music and Sing-Along )
- Character Strengths : Compassion
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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