Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Friendly, curious bees have great messages for preschoolers.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 3+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Hive
What's the Story?
THE HIVE is a CGI-animated series from the UK that follows the adventures of a young bee named Buzzbee who lives with his family and friends in Honeybee Hive. Whether he's at home, at school, or playing with his sisters, Rubee and Babee, and his friends Jasper and Barnabee, Buzzbee finds that his adventures often lead to trouble of one kind or another. Fortunately he's got loving parents and a community of interesting characters who are always ready to guide him in the right direction.
Is It Any Good?
It's impossible not to like this vibrant series about chubby little bee kids whose jovial escapades are so in tune with preschoolers' natural curiosity and sense of mischief. The stories are true to real life, too, since their actions often have troubling consequences that hurt them or those around them. Through the characters' experiences, kids learn what it's like to be on the receiving end of teasing or sense the unhappiness that accompanies an argument with a sibling, and they will absorb the stories' excellent examples of coping with these kinds of issues is positive ways.
All things being even, though, none of this fantastic content would reach its young audience without the beautiful CGI packaging that makes it so enticing to young kids, and you'll see the finer details (hexagonal honeycomb patterns carried through the backgrounds of scenes, unique personalities given to the different insect characters) that might escape your kids' notice but that contribute to the completeness of this thoughtful show. Want another reason to like it? By personifying the traditionally "scary" bugs, The Hive might encourage your tots' interest in and respect for even the tiniest faces of nature.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about relationships. Who are the most important people (or bugs) in Buzzbee's life? How does he show them that he cares about them in The Hive? How does his relationship with his family compare to your own?
Kids: Do you like bugs? Are there any that you think are scary? What about them makes you feel that way? Why are these characteristics important to their survival?
Take this opportunity to get outside and take a closer look at nature with your kids. What jobs do the different creatures have? How would the world be different if they weren't around?
How do the characters in The Hive demonstrate empathy? Why is this an important character strength?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 10, 2010
- Network : Kidstream
- Genre : Kids' Animation
- Topics : Adventures , Animals ( Bugs ) , Friendship , STEM
- Character Strengths : Empathy
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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