Could Bluey Make You a Better Parent?

Baby Race is the Bluey episode that brought Ashley Edmond, mom of a five-year-old, to tears. In it, Bluey's mom Chilli reminisces about her time as a worried new mom. Bella, a mom of nine in Chilli's mom group, reassures her that she's doing a good job, making Chilli cry.

"It shows how much pressure we put on ourselves and our kids early on. We need just to let it be because we are all doing the best we can and the kids will be okay," she says.

"I’ve definitely teared up on a few episodes but The Sign was the only thing I’ve full-on ugly cried at since The Notebook," says Heather Griffin of the 28-minute episode released in April. The mom of two says "The Faceytalk and Grannies episodes made me helpless with laughter. Takeaway is hilarious parenting reality. Copycat is beautiful because Bandit’s parenting is flawed and he still comes through to figure out how to handle a tough situation in a loving honest way."

If your kids are into a show that you can't stand. It might be time to introduce them to Bluey.

What you need to know about Bluey

Bluey premiered in 2018. Now seven years old—the same age as its titular character, its popularity has exploded since then. In 2024 alone, American viewers spent 35 billion minutes watching the Australian show created by Joe Brumm.

Produced by Ludo Studio in Brisbane, Australia, Bluey episodes are about seven minutes long, making them a great length for young children. Each episode has an important lesson—often for both parents and children. The themes include life lessons all families face, like trouble sleeping, dealing with mean friends and separation anxiety. The show has even tackled infertility, premature birth and neurodiversity.

What is Bluey all about?

The show follows the adventures of the Heeler family, focusing on the "lovable, inexhaustible" main character. According to Disney Plus, "It showcases the joyful simplicity that can be found in families, by bringing to life how children learn and grow through play."

And it's not just parents who recognize how exceptional the show is. Besides an International Emmy Kids Award in 2019, the show has won a Peabody Award and three Logie Awards for Most Outstanding Children's Program.

Why Bluey is so popular with families

Blair Irwin, a mom two in Toronto, says, "Bluey is the best! It’s my favourite show my 3.5-year-old watches. I encourage it. It’s silly. It’s sweet. It shows real-life scenarios. It also reminds me to be a better, more patient parent on the daily."

"From a visual perspective, it's colourful, has pleasant music, and the characters are dogs with accents, which draws kids' attention," says Stefanie Peachey, a registered social worker and the founder and director of Peachey Counselling and Family Support.

"While children can learn from this show, so too can adults," says Stefanie Peachey, a registered social worker and the founder and director of Peachey Counselling and Family Support. She says the show demonstrates positive parenting techniques and ways to manage difficult emotions.

"I've heard from some people that the Bluey character is a bad influence on kids. But I think Bluey is just behaving like the average child," says Peachey. "It shows kids that silliness, disappointment, and frustration are all acceptable emotions."

"And that's okay. Childhood is a time for learning and growth. The show demonstrates how parents can support their children, and one another, during challenging times to facilitate this growth and resilience in children."

What makes Bluey different

Matthew Johnson, Director of Education at MediaSmarts, says that while Bluey isn't entirely different from kids' shows that came before it, a few things set it apart.

"Bandit, Bluey's father, frequently serves as the primary caregiver to the child characters. He is shown neither as a strict, masculine character nor as the "doofus Dad" stereotype," says Johnson. "While he's often in situations where he's made to look silly, this is presented as his choice and as a part and a consequence of his being a good dad."

"Research suggests that fathers are about as likely as mothers to determine what young kids watch on TV, so fathers in particular may be drawn to a representation that feels accurate and positive," he adds.

Meet the characters

Bluey

Whether she’s pretending to be a doctor, embarking on an adventure or inventing games like “Keepy Uppy,” Bluey’s creativity inspires kids to engage in active and imaginative play.

Bingo

Bluey’s younger sister, Bingo, is sweet, thoughtful, and hilariously relatable as the “little sibling.” Her moments of vulnerability and triumph resonate with younger viewers who see themselves in her shoes.

Bandit and Chilli

Bluey and Bingo’s parents, Dad Bandit and Mom Chilli are central to the show’s success. Bandit’s humour and playful parenting style often drive the family’s games. Chilli offers a balanced approach, showing patience and understanding. Together, they model the challenges and joys of family dynamics.

Brandy

Episodes with Chilli’s sister, Brandy, often highlight the complexities of family relationships. Her storylines touch on themes of connection, loss and healing.

Coco and Judo

Coco and Judo are Bluey's friends. Coco is a pink poodle with a confident, occasionally bossy personality. Bluey's neighbour Judo is a sweet yet sometimes shy pup. Her storylines often highlight the importance of empathy and kindness in friendships.

Fan-favourite Bluey episodes and where to watch them

The most popular episodes on YouTube

Bluey Seasons 1, 2, and 3 FULL EPISODES  Can't wait for the Bluey movie coming in 2027? The most-watched video on the official Bluey YouTube channel is almost two hours long. it includes popular episodes like Unicorse and Faceytalk. Pop this puppy on (pun intended) instead of a movie and enjoy it as a family.

Magic Asparagus This episode about manners from season one has 86 million views.

Faceytalk This adorably-titled episode shows Bingo and Bluey's cousins squabbling over hogging the screen in a video chat.

Favourite Bluey full episodes streaming on Disney Plus

The Sign This long-form (at 28 minutes) episode had 10.4 million views within a week of its April 14, 2024 release. The Sign explores a possible move away from Brisbane, Australia, for the Heeler family and an upcoming wedding.

Sleepytime This season two episode takes a bit of a departure from the show's usual format. It shows Bluey's dream as she explores outer space while in reality she's struggling to sleep in her own bed.

Dance Mode In Dance Mode, Bingo earns the right to make Bandit dance anywhere, anytime, after he eats her last chip. Laughs ensue as Bandit breaks into spontaneous dance moves in public.

Where can you watch Bluey?

Find Bluey on several streaming platforms and channels, depending on your location. (Streaming availability may vary by region, so it’s best to check specific platforms in your area.)

In the United States

• Disney+ (Seasons 1 and 2).
• Disney Junior and Disney Channel.
• DisneyNOW app (select episodes).

In Canada

• Disney+ and Apple TV.
• Episodes are also available for purchase on platforms like iTunes.

Fun facts about Bluey

• According to IMDB, "Bandit (dad) is an archaeologist. Chilli (mum) works part-time at the airport in customs. Both jobs are analogous to real-life dogs. Bandit digs up bones, and Chilli is a sniffer dog."
• Joe Brumm, the creator of Bluey, based the show on the imaginative games he played with his two daughters. The real-life parenting scenarios give the show an authentic feel.
• The voice actors for Bluey and Bingo are kept secret to protect their privacy. They are reportedly the kids of members of the production team!
• There are lots of easter eggs in Bluey. Keep an eye out for a long Daschund plush toy that often appears in the background. Or, like in the minisode Alongside, you can spot references to previous episodes. For instance, next to Bluey's bed, you can see her Magic Xylophone, the green hat from Sticky Gecko and puzzle pieces from Promises.

What parents need to know

Want to introduce your kids to Bluey? Johnson recommends that parents co-view with their children. "Research has found that co-viewing both reduces negative impacts from media and increases positive benefits. (In some cases, the positive benefits only occur when parents co-view.)"

When you watch shows with your kids, it allows you to ask them questions about what you watched. You can also highlight the parts you liked and the parts you didn't. This encourages kids to be active media users.

Experts

• Stefanie Peachey, a registered social worker and the founder and director of Peachey Counselling and Family Support
• Matthew Johnson, Director of Education at MediaSmarts