Common Sense Media Review
By Joly Herman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fantastical, benign show meant for the very young.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 2+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Teletubbies
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 29 parent reviews
Parents say the show appeals to young children with its vibrant characters and silly antics, making it a favorite for parents looking to entertain their toddlers, although some find its lack of educational content disturbing. While many parents appreciate its innocence and humor for very young viewers, others express concerns about the show's nonsensical nature and the potential for it to scare kids, indicating a split opinion on its value and appropriateness.
- entertaining for toddlers
- lacks educational content
- concerns about appropriateness
- polarized opinions
- pure innocence
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 76 kid reviews
Kids say the show is primarily aimed at very young children, with several reviews noting its lack of educational value and a plot, describing it as mindless or boring. While some former viewers appreciate the show's colors and childhood nostalgia, many others find the characters creepy and the content pointless.
- educational value
- aimed at toddlers
- creepy characters
- nostalgia factor
- negative reviews
- no plot
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
First and foremost, the obvious question: What are these TELETUBBIES anyway? Aliens? Children? Nobody knows, and no explanation is offered. Dipsy, Laa-Laa, Tinky-Winky, and Po giggle like toddlers, speak in partially formed words, and apparently live together without parents in their mushroom-shaped cottage. They bounce around, playing and pantomiming, and plenty of kids are enthralled by them.
Is It Any Good?
Teletubbies, though gentle and mild in tone, might be confusing to the youngest viewers: It appeals to non-order just when kids most require order to organize their formative mind. On the other hand, the show is non-violent, multicultural, and curious. It embraces love and play. It's slow and gentle -- though its emphasis on watching the videos that play on the Tubbies' tummies is a bit redundant.
In the end, although Teletubbies is unique and fascinating, it's not necessarily educational or important. You may want to decide whether it serves as a treat -- or a distraction -- before letting your child watch more than twice a week.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why kids are so enthralled by the Teletubbies (and perhaps why a lot of parents aren't!). Is it the colorful characters? Their special language? Their bright, fantastical world? The fact that they repeat themselves so often? What do kids learn from these happy, giggly creatures?
TV Details
- Premiere date : April 6, 1998
- Cast : John Simmit , Nikky Smedley , Pui Fan Lee
- Network : PBS
- Genre : Educational
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- TV rating :
- Last updated : March 26, 2026
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