Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
YouTube star unboxes friends, not toys, in fun family show.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 5+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Ryan's Mystery Playdate
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 61 parent reviews
Based on 34 kid reviews
Kids say that this show is overly commercialized and primarily serves as a platform to sell toys, leading many to view it as lacking in educational value and substance. While some point out that children enjoy the energetic nature and challenges, the overall consensus reflects feelings of annoyance over the show's repetitive format, the portrayal of consumerism, and concerns regarding the exploitation of the young star and his parents' behavior.
- commercialism
- annoying characters
- not educational
- repetitive format
- poor role model
- exploitation concerns
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In RYAN'S MYSTERY PLAYDATE, YouTube star Ryan and his parents tackle physical challenges and solve puzzles to earn hints to the identity of a surprise guest. Using elements of imaginative play and creative problem solving, the tasks force Ryan and his parents do things like catapulting mailing packages from one side of the room to the other and retrieving toy frogs from a pool of slime to throw to a waiting partner. After three hints are retrieved, they bring them to the Mystery Guest Box to unveil the day's visitor, who then plays with Ryan.
Is It Any Good?
As leaps from viral fame to TV fame go, Ryan's is a fairly successful endeavor. The YouTube megastar brings with him his trademark enthusiasm and natural ease in front of the cameras, as well as the likable rapport he has with his parents onscreen. The show also plays on the "unboxing" format that has been Ryan's bread and butter in his viral videos, leaving space for some brief suspense and excitement to build before clues are uncovered and the big reveal exposed.
There's not much substance of note to Ryan's Mystery Playdate, but all of the tasks challenge Ryan and his parents either physically (jumping, rolling, throwing, etc.) or mentally by way of puzzles, and they seem to genuinely enjoy the experience of playing and working together. The bottom line? If screen time with your kids is on the agenda, then watching Ryan and his parents have fun and work together is a decent viewing option.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the appeal (or lack thereof) of a show like this one. Does it entertain you and make you want to watch more? How do the challenges encourage imagination? Problem solving?
Kids: Did you know who Ryan was before watching this show? If so, did you want to watch because of that? How are our viewing habits influenced by the stars involved? Who are some of your favorite YouTube stars?
How do Ryan and his parents demonstrate teamwork? Do they always work well together? Is working with family more or less difficult than working with other people?
TV Details
- Premiere date : April 19, 2019
- Cast : Ryan Kaji , Bradley William Smith , Loann Kaji , Shion Kaji
- Network : Nick Jr.
- Genre : Comedy
- Character Strengths : Teamwork
- TV rating :
- Last updated : August 16, 2024
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