Today we’re mixing things up and talking about the one and only Bluey! It has taken the world by storm and we love it!

Warning: there are spoilers ahead so proceed with caution!

What is Bluey?

If you already know Bluey, you’re probably hooked too, but if not, you’re probably wondering what Bluey is and why the heck we’re talking about it.

It is the most wholesome, best kids’ cartoon show there is. People joke that it’s a parenting show that kids watch too. Honestly, we know a ton of people that don’t have kids that watch it. It’s truly THAT good. I (Xan) was skeptical too- but I’m on board now.

The show is about a family of dogs (Dad: Bandit, Mom: Chili, Daughter Bluey (6), and Daughter Bingo (4)). 

It’s a beautifully made show that celebrates family, relationships, getting outside (and putting down devices), and innocent fun. It honestly teaches kids to use their imagination while teaching parents how to be better parents. But it does it all through showing, not moralistic, heavy-handed telling. You just have to experience it. 

We also love that it shows a radically intentional family. Bandit (dad) works but is super involved with the kids and helps around the house. Chili (mom) has a part-time job where she works from home a good amount but can hold her own and has her own hobbies outside of the family (like field hockey). 

At the same time, it doesn’t try to pretend that there is no difference between Bandit and Chili. Bandit is clearly the male father figure while Chili is clearly the female mother figure. 

The Gospel Coalition released an article on Bluey and this is what they had to say: “Bluey doesn’t make a big deal of gender dynamics or go out of its way to reinforce “traditional family values.” It simply reflects what’s normal and recognizable to most people. And in an age like ours, insisting on the beauty of “normal” is an artistically radical choice.”

The storytelling is fantastic, the background music is phenomenal, the message is pure, it celebrates the joy of family and innocent fun, it shows how parents can be more intentional, and it demonstrates how kids can have fun just being kids. There is nothing not to like. 

#1: Bike

The Plot

Bluey is at the park with her dad, her sister Bingo, her cousin Muffin, and a friend named Bentley. Bluey is trying to learn how to ride her bike, gets frustrated, quits, and sits by her dad.

After sitting by her dad, she sees Bingo trying to get a drink from the water fountain (bubbler if you are from Wisconsin or Australia), her cousin Muffin struggling to get her backpack on, and her friend Bentley trying to do the monkey bars but being too short. 

Bandit tells Bluey to watch the other three try to solve their problems. All three try to do what they want to do unsuccessfully and get upset. Bluey is going to go help her sister get a drink when her dad says to hold up and wait a minute. Then all three come up with out-of-the-box ideas to accomplish what they want to do. Bingo holds down the button on the water fountain until it overflows and she is able to drink it off the ground (remember, she’s a dog). Muffin lays down and crawls backward into her backpack, and Bently climbs the post to reach the monkey bars. At the conclusion of the episode, Bluey is inspired to try to learn to ride her bike again.

Why do we love it?

It teaches kids perseverance and to think outside of the box. They should keep trying even when it doesn’t work the first, or second, or third time. And they should try to think of unorthodox solutions. 

It teaches parents not to jump in and just help their kids with what they are trying to do.

Too often we as parents can just jump in and help our kids. It’s hard to watch them struggle! It also is a lot faster if we just help them. But when we do that we rob them of the valuable life skills of persevering through difficulty and thinking for themselves. 

#2: Pass the Parcel

The Plot

The kids have a game called “Pass the Parcel” that they play at every birthday party. A present is wrapped with multiple layers, and when the music stops they unwrap a layer. Inside of every layer is a small present and the parent controlling the music makes sure to stop on every kid so they get a small present. There is some humor when one of the dads mistakenly stops on a kid twice and chaos ensues. 

That same dad changes it up at his own kid’s birthday and plays by the old rules (there is only one big prize in the middle). When he does this, all the kids get upset, and the other parents are upset too. (The only kid not upset is the kid who won the giant prize).

The kid who won the giant prize is the next birthday and he wants to play by the old rules. Slowly but surely, throughout the different birthdays, the kids start to love that version. 

Bingo never wins the big prize, but she learns how to lose well, and she learns to be happy for her friends when they win the big prize. Also, Bingo’s parents always say “Maybe next time”. They don’t buy her a consolation prize, and they encourage her that she is learning to lose well.

At the end of the episode, Bingo finally wins a big prize and is super excited.

Why do we love it?

We love this one for so many reasons!

When everyone gets a prize, the prize is devalued. 

When Bingo is sad, her parents don’t buy her a consolation prize, they say “Maybe next time.” Their reaction goes a long way to Bingo’s growth. Through losing, Bingo builds character. She also learns how to be happy when her friends get the big prize and are happy.  

Sometimes, kids don’t know what is best for them. At first, the kids were all sad they didn’t each get a prize, but that was actually for the best (it built character, and they ended up eventually loving it). It’s a lesson in playing the long game.

At the same time, the parent who originally did it by the old rules also grew. At first, he was adamant that they were raising a “nation of squibs” and that he was putting his foot down (they had to play by his rules). By the end, he says “They can play however they want, let them have fun.” Parents don’t have to be so dogmatic or rigid. 

#3: Rain

The Plot

There are maybe 10 words spoken throughout this entire episode. It is truly a show and not tell episode. 

This episode only has Bluey and her mom. It starts to rain, and Bluey plays in the rain and comes up with the idea of trying to stop the rain on the sidewalk and get the water to go completely from one side to the other by building a barrier with objects from inside and her paws. She runs inside multiple times to get objects (making a mess each time). Every time she does, her mom cleans up the mess and tries to keep Bluey from running inside again to no avail. Eventually, Bluey’s mom sits down exacerbated and done because she keeps cleaning and Bluey keeps making a bigger mess.

As she sits down on the porch she sees Bluey in the rain and her whole mood and perspective change. She sees the joy and innocence Bluey has and she eventually joins Bluey playing the rain and building a barrier to stop the water. Unfortunately, it stops raining right before the water reaches the other side, but the sun comes out and there is a rainbow. Then the episode ends with it raining again and Bluey and her mom running out to build another barrier.

Why do we love it?

Sidenote: this is also one of Emory’s favorites. 

You can sense Chili’s exasperation. (I would have been the same way!)  

There is so much innocent fun that Bluey has, playing in the rain. Chili can be upset about the mess (which most people naturally would be) or she can choose to join in the innocent fun, and she does. 

Parenting (and grandparenting) gives us the opportunity to see life through the eyes of a kid again. Sadly, adult responsibilities (cleaning, work, practicality) or distractions (phone, tv, hobbies) can get in the way.

This episode reminds us to be a kid and engage in fun, silly behavior with our kids.

Honestly, (hopefully, this isn’t too heretical), it almost reminds me a little bit of Mary and Martha. Too often as adults with kids, we can get so caught up with adult activities that we miss out on the joy and fun that comes from interacting and playing with our kids. 

#4: The Creek

The Plot

Bluey, Bingo, and their friend, McKenzie, are at the park with Bandit. They get bored of the playground so McKenzie suggests they go to the creek, and Bandit agrees to take them.

At first, Bluey is scared and wants to stay at the playground. But they convince her to go.

There are a lot of fun little things: Bluey falls down the hill and says her knee hurts so Bandit responds, “I guess I just gotta chop the leg off” and Bluey runs. Bluey slips on a rock and swallows mud and freaks out, Bandit responds “It’ll do you some good kid.” 

Bluey starts to overcome her fear of the unknown and enjoys the creek, it’s beautiful!

Why do we love it?

For the kids, it shows Bluey getting over fear, and teaches that it’s ok to slip and get bruises, the mud is fun, etc…

For parents, it would have been a lot easier for Bandit to sit on his phone at the playground, but he takes them to the creek, gets muddy with them, allows the kids to give him a mud facial, etc…

What’s easiest is not what’s most enjoyable in the end.

#5: Bob Bilby

The Plot

Bingo gets to take home a stuffed animal, Bob Bilby, from her school and document all they do over the weekend and put it in a scrapbook (all the kids get to do this at different times).

They take Bob Bilby home, but spend a lot of time on the tablet, watching tv, cartoons, etc… Chili and Bandit take pictures of them doing all this and then Chili calls the girls over to say the scrapbook was ready, and it’s only pictures of them on devices. They realize that it was boring and that “Bob Bilby would never want to come back.” 

They then put devices away and then pull out an old-fashioned camera and do fun activities (bike ride, park, fireworks, etc…).

Why do we love it?

It really teaches us to put down our phones and be present. Using tablets and devices is certainly easier, but they inhibit genuine fellowship and relationships. Ultimately, it’s often times more boring. 

But it does it all through showing and not telling. If they just told us this lesson, we would be like “Yeah, yeah,” but instead, they show us how easy it is to allow our devices to prevent quality time. 

We are not a “never use devices” family, but we seek to be intentional to use them wisely. 

Bonus: Baby Race

The Plot

Chili tells Bluey about what she was like as a baby and how she hit her milestones slower than a lot of other kids, especially Judo.

Bluey rolls over super early and people compliment Chili that it was really early for Bluey to be rolling over, and Chili takes great pride in this. But then Bluey sits up late, crawls late, and pulls up and walks late. Chili gets obsessed with trying to make sure Bluey catches up and “wins the baby race” 

Eventually, Chili comes to realize that babies develop at their own pace and Bluey finally walked.

Why do we love it? 

So often, we can compare ourselves to others and societal expectations. We also take great pride in things that absolutely do not matter. 

I (Nathaniel) remember when we had Emory, she lifted her head super early, and it was this big deal. But then we felt like failures when she didn’t walk until 13 weeks. 

But guess what- it does not matter. And now Emory walks and talks and is awesome!

Babies develop at their own pace and we should be intentional to not compare our kids to others. 

Success does not look the same and does not come at the same pace for everyone. 

Honorable Mentions

Camping, Dirt, Dance Mode, See Saw, Ice Cream, Onesies

One Degree Shift

Start watching Bluey, and put into practice what you learn!

Want to Stay a Little Longer?

• Listen to these other episodes on why what you watch matters, biblical parenting, and how to be intentional in parenting little kids.
• Download this guide to get started on going deeper into reading your Bible!
• Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, we deliver one theological thought (among other things), once a week
• Follow along on Instagram for even more education, news, and fun!