Review

Yo Gabba Gabba!

Common Sense Media says

Music, dance, and good lessons for preschoolers.
Age
2
Quality
 

  • The show is more focused on teaching life-lesson tips than academics, but kids will learn about everything from nutrition to being a good friend.
  • The series enforces important life-lesson messages for preschoolers, including staying healthy, respecting others, taking turns, safety, and being friendly.
  • The characters model positive behavior -- like sharing, trying hard, and being polite. They sometimes need help learning how to do these things, but that's very relatable for kids.
  • Not applicable.

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this colorful preschool series highlights life lessons young viewers can relate to, like sharing, being a good friend, trying your best, and being polite. In short, there's nothing to worry about. The energetic puppet characters encourage kids to sing and dance along, and the series' pace and repetitive nature are well suited for 2- to 4-year-olds. All of that said, despite a roster of hip guest stars (like the Shins), some parents may not be quite as enchanted by the beat-driven soundtrack as their rockin'-out kids.


This review of Yo Gabba Gabba! was written by
Age
2
Based on 70 parent & educator reviews:
  • 44% say there are positive messages
  • 34% say there are positive role models
  • 33% say it's educational

Most useful reviews by all members

Kid, 7 years old
April 9, 2008
 
this show is supid
ok im 6 but this show is supid

Parent of 4 year old
March 12, 2011
 
Awful show - do not watch
I do not let my child watch this show. The characters are freaky looking and one of them looks very inappropriate (i.e. like an adult toy) in my opinion. I wish this show would get removed from the airwaves.

Parent of 2, 4, 10, and 11 year old
December 11, 2010
 
Creepy but great!
This has to be one of the weirdest kids shows ever, but they love it. The characters are definitely strange and kind of creepy. But it has positive messages and fun music so why not.

Adult
April 9, 2008
 
IT'S FRESH!!!
My family loves this show. The music is a FRESH departure from the watered down Barney tunes and the almost nonsense the Wiggles project. The characters are cute and relatable which makes the lessons they teach easier for kids to believe and accept. Yes the songs are addictive..and fun. I believe this show will cultivate creativity and also boost self confidence. I love the approach and the execution is perfect, composition and content are right on....and those beats are FRESH!!!

Parent of 2 year old
January 14, 2011
 
A fun, quirky show with an edge parents can appreciate!
Yo Gabba Gabba is my daughter's favorite show and my husband and I love it! It's focused on things preschoolers really need to know (i.e., don't bite your friends) with a realistic perspective for kids (i.e. it's nice to win, it's ok to lose). The non-sequitur cartoons alternate between retro and ultra mod, but either way are consistently fun and quirky. And although the music can be, well, mind numbing, the songs are surprisingly catchy and the lyrics are simple and repetitive enough for a toddler to really master them. As a plus for parents, hip bands and celebrity dancey dance friends are featured in every episode. And besides, who can resist the adorable sight of your preschooler attempting to beat box along with Biz Markie? Not this momma!

Parent of an infant
July 6, 2009
 
Great show for my whole family
We absolutely love this show as a family. Myself and my husband are generation-x-ers all grown up and this really strikes us as something seriously appropriate for our son, but also really cool. I think it sits well with adults without having any weird jokes to go over your little ones' heads. We love the songs. My husband wants to be Brobee. We love DJ Lance Rock. My son loves to dance to the music, and we love to dance with him. We think it's genius!

Parent of 2 year old
November 30, 2010
 
If you miss old-school Sesame Street, give Yo Gabba Gabba a try!
My 2 year old loves Yo Gabba Gabba and now sings many of the songs on her own, reinforcing the positive messages (e.g., please/thankyou, don't be afriad, keep trying, etc.). Sometimes I adapt these songs to new circumstances, for instance, "don't bite your friends" becomes "don't throw your toys" or "don't touch your poo." I also appreciate how the animated jingles also expose my child to various styles of art and design, much like Old School Sesame Street or 1960s-1970s children's picture books.

Parent of 2 year old
January 18, 2011
 
fun for kids and hip parents
i enjoy this program almost as much as my daughter. love the styling, the positive messages, and the cool guests. not as educational as other programs, but fun to get up and move to.

Parent of 2 year old
July 20, 2009
 
Perfect for little ones & parents!!!
LOVE IT! Super fun & I cannot tell you how many of these songs help us throughout our day! It's absolute crazy business.. very silly. My little girl loves it & I appreciate the thought the producers put in to the messages each episode. "Goodbye.." "Clean it up.." "Don't be afraid.." "Dancy Dance!!.." It's our fave! But probably quite annoying for older kids- it's def for the little ones.

Parent of 2 and 6 year old
May 14, 2009
 
Best Childrens Show to Come Along in a While
I knew the instant I saw the promo spots for Yo Gabba Gabba, that it would be one of my, I mean, my childrens' favorite shows. It is full of color, music, life lessons, and most of all: fun! Everytime it comes on, my 2 year old daughter gasps and squeals in excitement. She knows most of the songs and cannot be seen without one of her five favorite friends. :) And my six year old son gets such a kick out of the music and cool tricks. I recommend this to kids of all ages.

(Nick Jr.)

Bare-hand "puppets" will delight preschoolers.

(Disney Channel)

Singing, dancing, and great messages for kids.

(The Hub)

A "mooovelous" intro to reading for preschoolers.

(Disney Channel)

Popular band brings kid tunes, big ideas to TV.