Good Morning Lovelies, 

When I was younger, I delighted in coming home from preschool and watching TV. Sitting with my mum, eating star or heart shaped jam sandwiches, whilst enjoying every minute of the shows that Playhouse Disney, CBeebies and CITV would air. 

Snuggled up in their charms, I felt like the world was a really safe place, as I often learnt something new from them in every episode. Whether it was on how to stay safe when crossing the road or why we needed to add certain ingredients into a recipe to make different meals, they were some of the most educational parts of my life at times. Times that actually brought a lot of joy too. 

With the return of Balamory being a smash hit, which I am not afraid to admit that at 30-years-old and with no kids I binged hard on, I thought I would go back in time and share some of the classics that I wish would come back. Children’s TV, apart from Bluey, has never been as good as when these were on our screens…

TotsTV: Sharing the antics of three puppet like children, they would go on adventures every episode that would educate us all on certain areas of our lives. From trips to the dentist and why we need to clean our teeth to how to look after our homes, they made me not so scared to get my teeth checked out. Even now, when a clip comes up on my social media, I get that safe feeling inside. 

Come Outside: I don’t think there is any British child from the 90s/00s who didn’t watch this! Popping out with her dog Pippin in her spotty plane, Aunt Mabel would share how things were made and why we have them. Whilst it may not be the most economical way of getting to the supermarket now, at the time, it was so interesting to see how something was made. I remember going on and on at my parents about what I had learnt after each episode. 

The Tweenies: When I say that I was obsessed with The Tweenies, I mean I was obsessed! I had a playmat that was based on them. I wanted to have my hair styled like Fizz’s so much that I would force my mum to sit and plait it for me each week. I just loved it! The show taught so many of us about the wonders of friendship and how everyone is different, all through the wonders of music, sounds and sensory moments.  

Out Of The Box: Sometimes I think I am the only one who remembers this show! None of my friends know about it, yet, it was the highlight of Playhouse Disney for me. It only run for two series but left a huge impact on me. Following two nursery leaders, they would start each episode building a playhouse out of cardboard boxes, which they would then go inside to teach us all something new. Every time we would be sent something in a big box, I would beg my mum to try and recreate the house. I still want to do it now! 

Big Cook, Little Cook: I still sometimes sing the song that they used to sing when tidying up the kitchen when I make something now. This show used to be on first thing in the morning and I loved the way that it showed how simple ingredients can make a special meal. Kids today would find this so useful still I feel.

I know this might be a bit controversial to say lovelies but I honestly don’t think kids TV has been as good as it was when I was little! These shows made so many of us and whilst there have been some amazing new additions, I would love little ones today to have shows like this again to help educate them the way that they did us! For now though, we will all just have to binge on Balamory and pray for their return soon! 

Joey X