Common Sense Media Review
A block of short cartoons, some good, some weird.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 3+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
What's the Story?
TICKLE U is a block of programming for pre-K kids and their parents. There are seven shows, each about 10 to 15 minutes long, that rotate through the two-hour time slot. The overarching theme of the programs is to encourage a sense of humor and optimism, two qualities which most preschoolers already have in abundance, but a little more never hurt. The programs vary widely: There's Yoko Jakamoko Toko, about African animals; Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs, about a little boy with a big imagination; Gerald McBoing Boing, about a boy who doesn't talk; and others.
Is It Any Good?
Tickle U is extremely silly, but the animation is lovely, and little kids will crack up at the animal antics. In addition to the shows, Tickle U has messages that appear at the bottom of the screen throughout, conveying useful information such as "Your child loves to tell a joke and hear you laugh" and "Optimistic people relate better to other people," along with helpful statements such as "You're a pre-K parent if you wish you had stock in pudding" and "You're a pre-K parent if you see the diaper as half empty." These messages can quickly become annoying, even more so if you child asks you to read each one as it appears on the screen.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about some of this show's themes: Why is it important to be yourself, tell the truth, or ask for help when you need it?
TV Details
- Premiere date : August 22, 2005
- Cast : Ariel Winter , Tom Kenny
- Network : Cartoon Network
- Genre : Kids' Animation
- Topics : Animals ( Dinosaurs , Wild Animals )
- 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