Parents' Guide to

Chuggington

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 3+

Young "trainees" teach preschoolers important social skills.

TV Disney Channel Kids' Animation 2010
Chuggington Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

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age 3+

Based on 19 parent reviews

Joey B.
Joey B. Parent of 2-year-old
March 1, 2023
age 3+

Good show, colorful, toddler friendly, differentiating between right and wrong but rip off of Thomas.

So. My two year son loves this show. Some folks say that it is a rip off of Thomas and others say it doesn’t teach a lesson because in ONE episode the character bullies another character and then that character who was the victim says: that’s okay. Which it isn’t okay but that was ONE episode. Which was why I gave the show 4 stars instead of all 5. However we normally skip that episode and move onto the next one. So other than that episode we actually like it and see that consequences are given for actions; both good and bad! In the episodes following that one we see: if I do this I get a talking to, if I do this I don’t, if i do this i could get hurt, but if I do this then I don’t nearly fall off the tracks, if I do this I lose a sticker on my sticker chart, but I do this and I get another sticker, if I do this then nobody will want to play with me but if I behave nicely then and so on. We actually see consequences happen in this show. Now I am a firm believer in not only children needed a spanking for bad behavior, children needed a hug or getting to do what they want for good behavior, but also children given second chances: in on episode where the brother and sister earned a gold wheel for helping out, lost it which was basically their spanking because they made a mess, we also see them clean their mess up and earn that wheel back, in another episode we see an older train misbehave, they lost the chance to carry a VIP, but then they were given the second chance to change their behavior and they did and they got to take the VIP because they learned their lesson. Overall this show teaches kids things such as taking care of something, time management, being a good helper without being asked, telling the truth, learning from mistakes, handling fear, believing in yourself, trusting your friends, patience, following instructions and so on. All while teaching them right and wrong, actions have consequences and sometimes everyone deserves a second chance to make things right. Overall I like this show a lot and think that there is nothing wrong with it. Oh and also what I like is that it’s not only just giving the children a simple answer but actually teaching them to make the problem more manageable.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
JudeWinstonn49
JudeWinstonn49 Parent of 6 and 11-year-old
May 15, 2022
age 7+

Not so bad

Pros: The show has many humorous things in it Cons: They sometimes use the word stupid
See all 19 parent reviews

What's the Story?

At the heart of the bustling town of CHUGGINGTON is a train depot that's home to Wilson (voiced by Morgan Overton), Brewster (Charlie George), and Koko (Brigid Harringon): three young locomotives learning the ropes of riding the town's rails. The "chuggers," as they're known, have a lot to learn about their trade, but with the gentle guidance of the railroad workers and experienced locomotives and their own eager determination, these three "trainees" are sure to earn their stripes in no time.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (19):
Kids say (11):

Chuggington caters to preschoolers with age-appropriate stories and appealing CGI animation. Kids will easily relate to what the characters go through to master new skills, and the show even goes so far as to assign Wilson, Brewster, and Koko individual learning styles and challenges, reminding kids that while not everyone absorbs information the same way, we're all capable of conquering new tasks with a little determination.

The show's dedication to social and emotional development is underscored by stories that celebrate the importance of good listening practices, patience, honesty, and friendship. Add to that pre-reading skills like colors and direction, and this series is a sure-fire winner for preschoolers.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how the trainees solve the problems they encounter. What types of challenges do Brewster, Wilson, and Koko experience? How do the locomotives use their knowledge to help them out of jams?

  • Kids: Who do you turn to for help when you're struggling with something? How do parents, teachers, and other role models help you work through problems? What problems have you faced lately that required others' help?

  • Kids: What do you want to be when you grow up? What special skills do you think you'll need to do your job? How will you get those skills? What do you think you'll like about that job?

TV Details

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Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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