In a world crowded with loud, fast paced overstimulating children’s shows all vying for attention, A new gentle series with a cast of lovable, relatable dogs called Bluey, came out of the blue. (Pun intended?)
Bluey has consistently been called the best kids’ show of our time (VanArendonk, 2024) **and for good reason. This Australian series about a family of blue heeler dogs has taken the world by storm, beloved by both children and adults alike.
Critics and educators praise Bluey’s sharp humor, heartfelt storytelling, and perhaps most importantly, its authentic portrayal of open-ended play. Episodes consistently model “play-supported creativity” (Scott et al., 2023), showing viewers what genuine, imaginative play looks like and why it matters.
What sets Bluey truly apart is its rare ability to create a “double-vision” viewing experience, equally engaging for parents and children. Modern parenting often calls for adults to be not just authority figures, but active playmates, a dynamic that Bluey captures with warmth and nuance (VanArendonk, 2024).
While there is already compelling evidence of Bluey’s positive influence on child development, less explored are the ways its success might translate into the realm of child-computer interaction (CCI).
This paper explores the design, narrative, and engagement elements that makes Bluey standout and extracts actionable design principles asking: what does Bluey get right, and how can those lessons inform the next generation of digital experiences for children?
What makes Bluey stand out in this lineage is its rare combination of all these strengths. The show weaves together critical thinking, imaginative play, and emotional scaffolding, all while staying grounded in everyday family life.
Every decade or so, a children’s show arrives that delivers something new and hits the ball out of the park. Series like Sesame Street, Miffy and Friends, Paddington Bear, Blue’s Clues, and Dora the Explorer each brought something new: creative problem-solving, emotional growth, social skills, or a focus on friendship and family.
A motivational poster from Bluey
Extensive research supports the idea that playful learning experiences are especially effective for fostering a range of dynamic, interconnected skills in children, defined as the “6 Cs”: collaboration, communication, content, critical thinking, creative innovation, and confidence (Blinkoff et al., 2023 ; Golinkoff & Hirsh-Pasek, 2016).
For example engaging in free play such as children inventing games on a playground, playing pretend or roleplaying serves a ground of developing the “6 Cs”.
When children adapt materials for new purposes, they exercise creative innovation. Questioning rules develop critical thinking, and taking on new roles builds confidence. Even foundational academic skills, like math and language, are strengthened as children naturally integrate them into play (Blatchford & Baines, 2010; Hirsh-Pasek et al., 2020).
Bluey effortlessly and holistically adopts the model of free play, consistently supporting children’s creativity, encouraging the use of everyday materials for imaginative play, and helping children process emotions through playful experiences (Scott et al., 2023).
As Bandit (the dad) remarks in Season 1, Episode 33 (“Trampoline”):
Making up games is more important than you think.