MOONBUG TAKEOVER

We’ve all heard the nursery rhyme “Old MacDonald” a thousand times, but kids all over the world have listened to the familiar tune while watching JJ and his grandpa enjoy a day at the farm on the CoComelon YouTube channel more than a billion times.

CoComelon is one of the most popular animated series for toddlers and preschoolers. The YouTube channel has an A++ ranking from Social Blade, boasting 114 million subscribers and more than 104 billion video views. And, kids can watch CoComelon on other platforms, too, including NBCUniversal’s streaming network, Peacock.

So who are the geniuses behind this mega hit? Moonbug Entertainment is a global entertainment company that launched in 2018. It produces and distributes incredibly popular kids’ shows including CoComelon, Blippi, Little Baby Bum, My Magic Pet Morphle, T-Rex Ranch, and more. To date, Moonbug has more than 550 hours of content in its library, according to a press release issued by the company. Its shows and content can be found on more than 100 streaming platforms on a global scale, including Netflix, Hulu, Apple TV, Roku, and Amazon Prime Video.

While kids are clearly obsessed with Moonbug’s shows, parents support the addiction, largely thanks to the educational nature of the content. Caitlyn Perez, mom of two from Festus, Missouri, says her kids typically watch 2-3 hours of CoComelon per day, mostly during car rides on long country roads. “[The videos] are mostly about using manners and a new take on nursery rhymes. I like that they include children being sassy sometimes and don’t make everything picture perfect,” she says.

“Moonbug is a values-driven organization, and every decision is made through the lens of our core values of compassion, empathy, and resilience,” says Simon Philips, senior in-house advisor at Moonbug.

And it’s not just the shows that exhibit these values — it’s the toys and licensed products, too. “We take into account the physical, emotional, and cognitive life skills at every stage in a child’s development and ensure that all of our products help to enhance and educate our fans around the world,” Simon says. Perez says she’s already purchased a few CoComelon toys for her daughter, including a doctor’s kit and a toy phone.

Toys based on CoComelon and Blippi launched last year from Jazwares, a major toy company that’s been making playthings since 1997. The toymaker led the holiday season with My Buddy Blippi, a soft doll that features Blippi-inspired sounds and phrases; and the CoComelon Musical Bedtime JJ Doll, which was the No. 1 most-Googled toy for kids during the fourth quarter last year, according to Google. This year, there’s even more educational, interactive toys on the way.

“Our goal is to expand imagination through play,” says Jeremy Padawer, executive vice president and partner at Jazwares. “Some brands are ripe for educational toy extensions — young preschool properties that communicate colors, letters, [and] the basics of reading can be emulated through play, and when given that opportunity, we jump on it to both expand imaginations and educate — the best of both worlds!”

This fall, kids can roll into fun with Jazwares’ new Blippi Excavator Truck and Blippi Fire Truck, which each come with exclusive Blippi figures. Plus, Jazwares will expand its CoComelon offerings with the Interactive JJ Doll, the Deluxe Family House playset, and a Holiday Calendar that has nine unique CoComelon figures.

And it won’t be slim pickings when it comes to choosing toys based on Moonbug shows this holiday season: Kids will see toys from Just Play, eKids, MGA Entertainment, Wow! Stuff, and more.

While Blippi and CoComelon are perfect for preschoolers and toddlers, MGA’s line of Little Baby Bum toys under its Little Tikes brand skews even younger. “We are expanding into infant/baby-aged products to address a younger audience,” says MGA Entertainment’s CEO and Founder Isaac Larian. “Little Baby Bum’s brand attributes — including music, bright colors, and fun characters — create moments for babies and toddlers around the world when they can learn

and have fun at the same time!”

Moonbug has also signed multiple licensing partners in categories beyond toys, including Roshambo for a collection of Blippi sunglasses, Disguise for Blippi costumes, Simon & Schuster for CoComelon board books, Centric for CoComelon pajamas, and Sprout Organics for CoComelon snacks. This year, kids can practically eat, sleep, and breathe their favorite Moonbug shows.

In addition to more hours of entertainment and expanding licensed offerings for its well-established trio of shows including Blippi, CoComelon, and Little Baby Bum, there’s even more on the horizon for this new-age entertainment giant, thanks in large part to partnerships with more than 120 licensees. “We will be releasing licensed toy programs for other Moonbug shows, including Arpo, Morphle, and some other new exciting shows on the horizon that have yet to be announced — stay tuned for more,” Simon teases.

For Moonbug, it’s all about presenting kid-safe content in a fresh, innovative way. And from backpacks to vitamins, the fun and joy that Moonbug shows provide extends far off the screen and into every aspect of kids’ lives. ✪

LITTLE TIKES LITTLE BABY BUM TWINKLE PLUSH (MGA ENTERTAINMENT)

The perfect nighttime buddy for your baby, Little Baby Bum Twinkle the Star Plush sings the song “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” while helping to create a soothing sleep routine. This snuggly plush toy is great for quiet-time play and soothing nap time relaxation.

Ages: 6 MOS.+ MSRP: $14.99 Available: Amazon, Walmart COCOMELON MUSICAL LEARNING BUS (JUST PLAY)

Kids can engage in their own early learning adventures with JJ. Begin the musical bus ride by pressing JJ to play educational songs and nursery rhymes, including “The Alphabet Song” and “The Wheels on the Bus.” The brightly colored shapes on the top of the bus even light up to the music. Little learners can slide the melon on the side of the bus to select one of four educational modes: Letters, Sounds, Words, or Numbers. It even features a built-in handle, so kids can play and learn on the go.

Ages: 3+ MSRP: $24.99 Availability: Walmart, Amazon (October)

COCOMELON: THE WHEELS ON THE BUS BOARD BOOK (SIMON & SCHUSTER)

This school bus-shaped, interactive, novelty board book has wheels that really turn and will get readers giggling with its fun take on the classic song. Kids can pretend to ride on the bus and sing along with JJ and his pals as the driver opens and shuts the school bus door, the wipers swish, the lights blink, the horn beeps, and more.

Ages: 0-5 MSRP: $7.99 Available: Walmart (September) BLIPPI EXCAVATOR (JAZWARES)

Inspired by a fan-favorite Blippi episode, this freewheeling Excavator features a working arm dig and playable sound effects, including “The Excavator Song.” With the free-wheeling feature, kids can really take the vehicle for a spin. The Excavator includes six themed accessories such as traffic cones and an exclusive, 3-inch articulated Blippi figure that can hold an assortment of construction tools.

Ages: 3+ MSRP: $24.99 Available: Amazon, walmart.com, target.com (September)

BLIPPI TODDLER BOYS VELCRO STRAP SNEAKERS (GROUND UP)

These Blippi-inspired sneakers feature a pull-tab, velcro closure. Kids can celebrate their Blippi fandom with these blue, orange, and heather grey shoes, complete with Blippi’s iconic glasses. They feature a cushioned footbed and a durable outsole, and come in sizes 5-10.

Ages: 2+ MSRP: $32.00 Available: groundupshop.com