Is Blippi Good for Kids? A Clinical Psychologist Weighs In

In case you missed it, Blippi is a children’s entertainer who became popular through YouTube, creating videos designed for toddlers and preschoolers that feature his colorful personality. Blippi dresses in bright orange suspenders, a blue-and-orange hat, and a bow tie, and presents himself in an exaggerated, animated way, whilst teaching kids things about basic things that this age group tends to be interestd in—like construction vehicles, animals, colors and shapes—through songs, skits, and field trips.

Blippi’s personality might seem a little extra to the average adult viewer, but “Blippi’s popularity with children comes down to how carefully his content taps into the way young minds develop and engage with the world,” says Dr. Mazer, adding that “preschoolers are highly responsive to rhythm, repetition, and exaggerated expression.”

It’s no wonder that Blippi is such a hit with the little ones, because his animated and super enthusiastic persona is, well, contagious. The expert also notes that the consistency of his costume and appearance is a form of familiarity that breeds trust and brings comforts to younger children.

It’s not just a cult of personality, though. Per the expert, there’s also the element of exploration: “Blippi shows kids ‘virtual field trips’ to farms, zoos, construction sites, and museums. Kids get to experience the thrill of discovery without the danger of information overload. The lessons are divided into short, simple chunks that match the short attention span of the preschool years. He may not win points for style with parents, but to a child, he's non-threatening. He seems like an older kid, just one with a lot more experience.”

It’s worth noting that Blippi’s rise to fame also coincided with pandemic years when things like real field trips weren’t in the picture and a lot of learning did happen virtually. But even now, this kind of guided play still speaks to kids, albeit through a screen.

Like most forms of learning that involve screen time, whether Blippi is good for kids depends on how it is used. “The program can be helpful in moderation because it introduces young children to numbers, colors, shapes, and everyday environments in a way that feels fun and easy to follow,” says Dr. Mazer, adding that “the repetition, music, bright visuals, and exaggerated expressions are very effective for preschool learning.” In other words, there is educational value to be found in this show.

As for concerns that this type of high-energy show might be a tad too overstimulating for little kids, well, that’s where the recommended screen time guidelines come in. For the audience that Blippi is most likely to appeal to (i.e., kids ages two to five), that means one hour per weekday, or three hours on the weekend. Dr. Mazer also emphasizes that “it is important for parents to remember that shows like Blippi should add to a child’s learning but never replace real-world experiences, since social skills, emotional growth, and language develop most strongly through play, conversation, and interaction with family and peers.”

Bottom line: Blippy can be a positive tool, so long as you keep viewing sessions short to avoid overstimulation, and, whenever possible, watch together and find ways to connect the educational content to things that happen in your child’s daily life outside of screen time.