VeggieTales Presents: 3-2-1 Penguins!
By KJ Dell Antonia,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Penguins deliver heavy morals in a light way.

A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
Where to Watch
Community Reviews
Based on 2 parent reviews
3-2-1 Penguins review by Logan Strohl
Report this review
Wrong TV Rating
Report this review
What's the Story?
In VEGGIETALES PRESENTS: 3-2-1 PENGUINS, twins Jason and Michelle discover a toy spaceship and a handful of penguin figurines that come to life and take them for a series of adventures -- always with a kid-appropriate, clearly delivered lesson at the end.
Is It Any Good?
The journeys -- led by penguins Zidgel, Midgel, Fidgel, and Kevin -- are funny, and the episodes are unusually well done. The mandatory adult-appeal humor rarely sails over kids' heads, making this the rare show for very young viewers that can be enjoyed by parents and other grown-up caregivers as well.
That said, 3-2-1 Penguins is hardly subtle in the way it delivers a lesson at the end of each episode. And while the gentle humor of a planet full of vacuum cleaners or the bumbling penguins themselves will amuse a willing adult, it's not going to do much for kids over 6. Even sophisticated younger viewers may not stay interested while the main character delivers the applicable biblical verse, proverb, or old adage.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how fantasy and reality both come into play in this series. Was the main character daydreaming, or did everything really happen? Elements of daily life always filter into the fantasy segments, nicely blurring the line. Families can also discuss the message at the heart of each episode.
TV Details
- Premiere date: September 9, 2006
- Cast: Buddy Lewis, Ron Smith
- Networks: NBC, qubo
- Genre: Kids' Animation
- Topics: Adventures, Space and Aliens
- TV rating: TV-Y
- Last updated: September 20, 2019
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 suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
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