Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Cute toy-inspired shorts are heavily commercialized.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 5+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Shopkins
What's the Story?
SHOPKINS is a series of animated shorts starring anthropomorphic grocery store items who live in a supermarket in Shopville. Each 90-second episode shows an assortment of the characters involved in a singular task inside the store, like climbing a freezer shelf or pondering what mysteries lie beyond the automatic doors. Though the characters are numerous, central figures include Apple Blossom, Strawberry Kiss, Kooky Cookie, and Lippy Lips.
Is It Any Good?
These webisodes are little more than extended commercials for the Shopkins figurines and accessories they represent, but they are fun, comical, and occasionally sweet. There's something oddly appealing about giving human characteristics to unlikely objects, and these fruits, veggies, and beauty products are no exception. It's a bonus that the stories are clever, usually with a fun spin on the supermarket setting and the unknown world beyond.
If your kids already know and like the Shopkins toys, there's no harm in giving them the OK on this cute short-form show. Seeing the characters' personalities might even inspire their own imaginative play as well. But if this is your kids' first introduction to the products, be forewarned that getting to know the characters is bound to draw their attention to the tiny replicas and accessories on your next stroll down the toy aisle.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the appeal of the Shopkins characters. Kids: Are you drawn to Shopkins toys? Does their miniature size make them more appealing or less? Why is it fun to see inanimate objects with human traits?
Kids: Do you have other favorite shows with accompanying toys? Does this kind of relationship influence what you're drawn to in the store?
Who are some of your kids' favorite TV characters? Are they based in fantasy, or are their realistic aspects to their stories? Are any good role models? If so, why?
TV Details
- Premiere date : January 1, 2014
- Network : YouTube
- Genre : Kids' Animation
- Topics : Adventures
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate