Parents' Guide to

Barney & Friends

By Andrea Graham, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 2+

Love him or hate him, Barney is a hit with preschoolers.

TV PBS Educational 1992
Barney & Friends Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 2+

Based on 9 parent reviews

MadV
MadV Adult
September 27, 2020
age 2+

Barney is the best kids show for pre-schoolers PERIOD.

I grew up LOVING Barney, the songs are catchy, the show can be educational and was inclusive of ALL kids from different cultures and races. It teaches about manners, hygiene, art, IMAGINATION. No show could match Barney from the early-mid 90’s for me as a kid. Also the movies were also classics from Imagination island to Barneys great adventure and Barney and the backyard gang: Waiting for Santa, my sister and I LOVED it. Do not listen to the ignorant haters. This show is so under-rated and i find it heartbreaking that people are so ignorant about this show. Barney taught me how to love EVERYONE and be creative. I’ll love you forever Barney! - I’m 26 now. :)
Katherine R.
Katherine R. Parent of 8, 10, 14, 18+, 18+ and 5-year-old
April 25, 2024
age 3+

See all 9 parent reviews

What's the Story?

BARNEY & FRIENDS is a well-loved veteran in children's television. In fact, you'd probably be hard-pressed to find a child who doesn't know the Barney theme song. Barney's world is set in a community playground where he and his friends dance, play, and learn about helping others in their neighborhood. While the show's set and cast of children have changed over the years, the core themes of the series remain.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (9 ):
Kids say (124 ):

Younger children will love Barney's colorful musical world. Every episode is filled with song and dance, and Barney really encourages little ones to get up and boogie along. Barney and his friends also love crafting and will likely inspire your child's creative side. Among all the fun, each episode is based on a pro-social theme such as respect, teamwork, and courtesy for others.

While Barney & Friends does offer quality entertainment for kids, parents should know that the show's songs have been criticized for being overly infectious and may wind up stuck in your head. And while preschoolers will love watching Barney's adventures, older kids may find the program's happy, sappy style a little too much. Nonetheless, Barney & Friends is a well-loved classic and will likely continue to delight preschoolers for years to come.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the importance of empathizing with others' needs in order to encourage children to play and cooperate with others and to appreciate others' differences.

  • Certain episodes (such as one about a missing cat) can help promote discussion about individual responsibility, coping with loss, and the importance of community service.

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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