BROWSE CAR REVIEWS BY:
MAKE
MODEL
Click on a car body type for search results.
 |
 |
| SUVs (two rows) | SUVs (three rows) |
 |
 |
| Crossover | Minivans |
 |
 |
| Sedan | Hybrids |
 |
 |
| Wagons/Hatchbacks | Just for Fun |
Downloadable Cartoon is Great for Short, Long Car Trips
Nov 07 2008 by Courtney Messenbaugh
As a mom of an infant and a toddler, it seems like everything I’ve written about lately revolves around making my life easier, my kids happier, my car rides calmer and — if we’re lucky — expanding our minds at the same time (tall order, huh?). I’ve found a children’s TV show that accomplishes all of the above: It’s the “Big Green Rabbit,” and it’s my latest object of affection and my son’s latest obsession.
You might have seen “BGR” on your local PBS channel. It’s geared toward 2- to 6-year-olds, and aims to teach them about the environment, healthy habits and how shakin’ their booty isn’t only fun, but also good for them. The show’s great music, dancing and imagery engages wee ones while Charlie, the BGR himself, captivates older kids with his buck-toothed grin and infectious curiosity.
The best part about “BGR” is that you can get it to go. Visit www.biggreenrabbit.com or iTunes to download the episodes (about 25 minutes long) and music videos (about 2 minutes long) for your iPhone or iPod. It’s an ingenious move, especially if you don’t have a DVD entertainment system in your car (which I don’t because I kick it old school!).
You might be saying, “OK, but there are other shows that I can download for my kid. What’s so great about this?” “BGR” covers concepts such as dinosaurs and extinction as well as exercise and burning calories. Your child can watch an episode about dinosaurs or rhinos on the way to the museum or the zoo, thereby giving him a fun introduction to the exhibits he’s about to see. On a more practical level, “BGR” is ideal for trips to the grocery store. A quick “BGR” song about what it means to choose organic food changes the whole shopping experience for the better. My son watched this video as we headed to the market, then we turned it into a game in which he has to find the organic products in the store. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that “BGR” has even encouraged him to more willingly eat fruits and veggies!
Downloads of “BGR” videos and episodes are $1.99-$2.99. For something that keeps my child entertained in the car, is educational and might even get him to eat his greens, it’s a bargain at twice that. And the final bonus is that your child might pick up some “BGR” dance moves so that when you get home, you can have a big green dance party with him, perhaps even burning off some of those calories from the organic ice cream you’ve both indulged in!
