Sponsored Post: Annedroids on Amazon
Have I mentioned recently that I had a baby? No? You missed that?
Newsflash: I just had a baby. And if there is one thing you really want to do when you have a newborn, it’s find fun, educational, enriching activities for your 5 and 3 year old to do.
No, wait. That’s the LAST thing you want to do. The first thing you want to do is take a nap. Then take another nap. Then sit on the couch and eat something before cuddling your baby and taking another nap.
Let’s just say that even with some of my family here to help the kids have been using the iPad a lot more than I usually allow. And I’m not the strictest when it comes to iPad use, so the level of technology-as-babysitter is close to 100%. But because I don’t want their brains to rot completely I’m making an effort to monitor WHAT they watch – fewer animated ponies and more educational stuff.
Recently, Amazon Studios released a new live-action show aimed at 4-7 year olds called Annedroids. It’s directed by JJ Johnson, whose name you might recognize if you’ve seem a certain other show featuring a child scientist who imagines prehistoric creatures in his neighborhood. For the record: there are no imaginary creatures on Annedroids – just cool robots. Which are way better.
According to my children, the show is about Anne who has robot friends named Hand and Eye and Pal. They do science stuff with their human friends. Evan says his favorite part is when Pal throws water balloons at someone who has clothes on. (Then he laughed for 5 minutes because that is apparently the most hilarious thing a person – or robot – can do.) According to me, any show with a female scientist as the main character is good. There is also a noticeable lack of anything pink or sparkly and NO SINGING, which was a wonderful change of pace after our summer line-up so far.
I watched the first 2 episodes with them, and while Caroline might be a little young – there was a slightly scary moment in the first one (not that it bothers my fearless daughter) – Evan loves it. LOVES. He doesn’t even notice that it’s educational and encourages critical thinking and creativity. All he knows is the rest of the afternoon was well-spent building his own “Annedroids” out of Legos and just now he came to me and asked for more “robot show”. I pretended I was reluctant and that it was a special treat when really I am thrilled he wants to sit quietly for 20 minutes.
We have the Amazon Prime app on the iPad and on the TV, which means we can watch all the episodes on streaming. The first episode is available now for everyone. I give it two thumbs up for low-guilt television/technology time.
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
Tags: annedroids, clever girls, evan, ipad, kids, sponsored, technology, tv
That show may not be scary but robots like that just plain freak me out.