Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Friendly fish introduce preschoolers to ocean science.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 3+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Splash and Bubbles
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 18 parent reviews
Parents say the show is a mixed bag, with some praising its educational value and ability to engage young children while others criticize its lack of substance, poor songs, and animation style. Many parents find it entertaining for toddlers and appreciate the ocean facts presented, but a significant number feel it falls short compared to other educational programs and worry their kids are not learning meaningful life lessons.
- educational value
- mixed opinions
- poor songs
- engaging for toddlers
- lacks substance
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 5 kid reviews
What's the Story?
SPLASH AND BUBBLES follows two best friends -- a yellowback fusilier named Splash (voiced by John Tartaglia) and a mandarin dragonet named Bubbles (Leslie Carrara) -- on their far-flung adventures in their ocean habitat to learn about other species and their underwater surroundings. Their Reeftown home is a lively, colorful place, but Splash and Bubbles yearn for the great beyond and the secrets it holds, so they set off with their pals Dunk (Raymond Carr), a somewhat timid pufferfish, and Ripple (Aymee Garcia), a sensitive seahorse, to make new acquaintances and see the sights. Inevitably this leads them to discoveries about the ocean and its inhabitants but also about themselves.
Is It Any Good?
This charming series inspires respect for marine life and the ocean's diversity by pairing the characters' comical adventures with more traditional educational segments. Splash and Bubbles entices youngsters much the same way Finding Nemo's vibrant scenery and endearing characters did, bringing a certain intimacy to the vast expanse of the ocean through its friendly characters. Reeftown is a bustling community of all different kinds of marine life, but when Splash and Bubbles explore beyond its boundaries, they discover even more diversity and fascination.
What really distinguishes the educational quality of this show, though, is the pairing of the characters' stories with the live-action "Get Your Feet Wet" segments that reinforce the oceanography concepts. When an animated octopus shows how being an invertebrate lets him move in unusual ways, it doesn't resonate quite as much as does seeing an actual octopus squeeze into a narrow bottle, for instance. These close-up views of the wonders of marine life will amaze preschoolers and inspire curiosity about more wonders of the underwater world.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
How do Splash and Bubbles' adventures inspire your curiosity? What other character strengths and life skills do you think are important?
Families can talk about the different creatures Splash and Bubbles meet. What makes them similar? How do their differences help them survive in their unique surroundings? Why is diversity important even within the same habitat?
Do your kids like science topics? How does marine biology rank among their interests? What practical applications of science do you see in your own life?
TV Details
- Premiere date : November 23, 2016
- Cast : John Tartaglia , Leslie Carrara , Raymond Carr
- Network : PBS Kids
- Genre : Kids' Animation
- Topics : Adventures , Friendship , Animals ( Ocean Creatures ) , STEM
- Character Strengths : Curiosity
- TV rating :
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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