Parents' Guide to

Octonauts

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 4+

Friendly adventurers teach kids about marine life, teamwork.

TV Disney Channel Kids' Animation 2010
Octonauts Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

  • Octonauts TV Show: Scene #1
  • Octonauts TV Show: Scene #2
  • Octonauts TV Show: Scene #3
  • Octonauts TV Show: Scene #4

Community Reviews

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age 3+

Based on 31 parent reviews

Red P.
Red P. Parent of 5, 6 and 13-year-old
March 24, 2023
age 2+

I adore this show! Educational, fun, cute!

I love this show, and I have since it came out. I learned so much from it and I still do every now and then. It inspired me to start marine biology studies and it is super educational. It's super diverse and nobody is treated as less than others and there's no villains, just other creatures who also have wants and needs they can work out. There's so many characters of different genders and identities and expressions and it's wonderful. I'm neurodivergent and this has been my hyperfixation for forever, I recommend it. There's representation for everybody and their lives and there's a lot they let you interpret to make your own. There's many lovable characters and every one has something new to teach your child. All of my kids love it, even the 13 year old who also likes marine biology because of this.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
1 person found this helpful.
About I.
About I. Adult
April 24, 2023
age 5+

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
Too much consumerism
See all 31 parent reviews

What's the Story?

OCTONAUTS is a preschool series about an eclectic team of underwater adventurers who take it upon themselves to ensure the safety of their colorful neighbors. Whether it's a giant squid with an empty stomach or a young lobster seeking shelter from a storm with his family, no creature (or problem) is too big or too small for the Octonauts' help. The eight-member team -- led by Captain Barnacles (voiced by Simon Greenall) and his sidekicks, Kwazii (Rob Rackstraw) and Peso (Paul Panting) -- keeps tabs on the underwater happenings from its headquarters, the Octopod.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (31):
Kids say (37):

This preschool series is a bit like what you'd expect if you mixed Finding Nemo with Star Trek. There's a lot of imagination in the characters and their rescue gadgets (especially the multi-appendaged, mobile Octopod), and kids will happily get on board with how the creative style inspires their own imagination. When they're tackling a problem, the team members have designated roles and jobs to do, which sends positive messages about individuality and the power of cooperation.

All of this is great, but what kids probably will like best about Octonauts is the window it provides to life under the sea. The animation isn't on par with Pixar's Nemo, of course, but it's still appealing enough to sweep viewers along on a tour of the sea floor and introduce kids to its diverse inhabitants, teaching them about creatures' features and habits in a fun, energetic manner.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the world's diversity. How do animals adapt to their surroundings? What signs of adaptation do you see in the underwater creatures in Octonauts? How would they need to change if they lived on land?

  • Kids: Is it fun to be part of a team? How must teammates work together to achieve a common goal? What happens if no one listens to the leader? How does that compromise the team's success? Can you name some teams to which you belong?

  • The Octonauts enjoy helping their neighbors and friends. In what ways do you do the same in your family or neighborhood? How can you show others that you care? How does doing a good deed make you feel?

  • How do the characters in Octonauts demonstrate teamwork? Why is that an important character strength?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

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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