“Fetch! with Ruff Ruffman” is one of my children’s favorite shows, and it’s one I certainly don’t mind letting them watch. It’s a game show and a reality show wrapped up in one, but it’s educational, too, and I really like that.
Fetch is an animated dog who talks (just what every game show host wishes they could be) and he’s a little sassy. He interacts with real children in his studio and asks them various questions based on stunts or experiments he assigns them. They earn points based on the things they have learned, their ability to complete the assignments, or for things they build using the information they have gathered.
Sometimes the contestants leave the studio and go on site to complete their tasks, and other times, they stay in the studio, depending on the nature of their assignment. At the end of each show, they are given a daily point tally, which is added to points gathered from previous shows. The contestants are the same for an entire season, and at the close of the season, new contestants are brought on board.
This show has a great assortment of characters. Ruff has relatives, an assistant, and a crush – she’s a poodle and she lives next door, but she’s accused Ruff of having bad breath and wants him to stop sending her love letters. There’s a good mixture between the drama taking place in the animated world and the game-show aspect going on in the real world, and you never get too bored of one scenario or another.
My kids have learned a lot about science, the environment, carpentry, arts and crafts, and math from watching this show, but it’s so fun, they hardly realize they’re being educated. Tune in to PBS Kids Go! and give this unique show a try at your house.
Tristi’s Score – Education: 10 Entertainment: 10 Parental Annoyance Factor: 0
Related Blogs: