Summer TV Highlights
New programs your preschooler will want to watch on ABC Kids.
BY HEJIRA CONVERY, KINDICARE
The holidays are almost here, and although you’ll have a packed program of sliding, swinging, scooting, swimming and other summery activities, a bit of down time is good too!
So, put ABC Kids on your radar.
They have a whole range of preschooler-friendly shows that you can watch on demand (yep, that includes Bluey); and they’re also rolling out some special screenings for the summer hols.
All their shows are ad-free, so check out the programming highlights below.
Then tune in on the day, or whenever you’re back from that family outing with a small child who’s ready to chill.
Ginger and the Vegesaurs: Season 4
Whether your preschooler is obsessed with dinosaurs, or they just love colourful characters, this show is always awesome, and it’s back for a Boxing Day Special and a whole new series.
Ginger the Tricarrotops and her baby Pea-Rex friends will be facing off with a speedy Radishraptor, bouncy Lycheemodus, cheeky Baby Bananaraptor, and stinky Onion-Rex – which means excitement all round!
The Boxing Day Special episode airs on Friday, 26 December, 6am on ABC iview and 8:05am on ABC Kids.
Then catch Season 4 from Monday, 19 January at 6am on ABC iview and weekdays at 8:05am on ABC Kids.
And to bust boredom in between eps, dig your claws into these Ginger and the Vegesaurs activity sheets.
Gardening Australia Junior: Season 3
Costa and his crew bring such a great vibe to Gardening Australia Junior, and Season 3 keeps the feel-good factor, with kid-friendly flora and fauna, and lots of hands-on learning.
There are tiny ants, beautiful bugs, ancient trees and ‘Dirt, dirt, glorious dirt!’ all in the mix, and your preschooler will be inspired to explore, create and have a giggle in the garden.
Season 3 is available from Thursday, 1 January at 6am on ABC iview (happy New Year!) and Fridays at 7:05pm on ABC Kids.
And if you want to flex those green thumbs now, this native festive wreath is fun for Christmas, and there are loads more project ideas here.
Gurtha ŋhärana Lullaby with King Stingray
After a busy day of sunshine and fun times, your little one will be very ready to lie back and soak up this lullaby. So, enjoy!
In mid-January, King Stingray’s Gurtha ŋhärana Lullaby will transport your tired bunny to the saltwater Yolŋu Country in North-East Arnhem Land for sleeping and dreaming by the campfire.
There’ll be lots to look at, and listen to, as the fire slowly fades, the friendly moon rises, the wind blows, and the waves crash.
And all in all, your child is in for a beautiful wind-down when this lullaby premieres on Monday, 12 January at 6am on ABC iview, then at the bedtime-friendly time of 7:25pm on ABC Kids.
Dance with Tom
Once your preschooler is all refreshed, they’ll be excited to learn traditional Indigenous dances, inspired by the land, animals and elements.
Tom is a First Nations storyteller and dancer who’ll take them through everything, and the Dance with Tom show combines live action and animation to transport your child to the Yugambeh Language Region and move in meaningful ways.
Start watching from Monday, 2 February at 6am on ABC iview and weekdays at 8:55am on ABC Kids.
Play School
Although we don’t have too many details just yet, there’s a new Play School series coming in mid-February, and A Very Play School Christmas is available now to watch on demand.
Bluey
Joe Brumm is focusing on the Bluey movie at the moment, instead of another TV series, but there are lots of classic Bluey eps to enjoy on ABC iview.
We particularly recommend Bluey: Verandah Santa and Bluey: Christmas Swim to get that festive feeling.
And it’s not too early to get excited for 2027, when the Bluey feature film will hit cinemas, before airing on ABC iview and ABC Kids.
Wackadoo!
