In the Night Garden... (2007–2009) User Reviews

A fantastic half-hour of relaxation.

[guttlesswonder · 8/10 · 21 March 2010]

Like any caring family member, I'm concerned about what my niece watches and what lessons she is learning especially at such a young age. I outright refuse to allow my Sister (her mum) to put anything on I consider wasteful and generally trash (cough spongebob cough).

I'm going to out right admit that at first I hated the Idea of ITNG until I actually saw the effect the show has on my niece. She is literally Mesemerized by the show, and sitting with her watching it I can see why.

The whole point of this show is not to be witty, educational or have some deeper meaning to it; it's simply there so parent/child, family/child can watch the show together for half an hour of calming TV before bedtime. All in all I believe my niece loves it so much because its really the time she gets to relax and enjoy being a kid.

I'm sorry, but If you are forcing your child to watch educational shows or learn something every minute of the day, you are awful, awful parents. You can't cram knowledge into your kids and expect them to retain everything. Is that how you learnt as a child? Relentless, unforgiving absorption of knowledge? Like hell you did.

The calm, quiet breaks and relaxing nature of ITNG are the periods that lets kids process the information they have learnt without burdening them with more things to try learn and understand. Stop forcing your own social inadequacies on your kids, and just sit back and enjoy some good old magical adventure with some colourful and enjoyable characters to watch. It's fun, you can sing along and generally enjoy being with your family without having to think about anything. And played about an hour before bedtime makes the task so much easier. I'd much rather put my niece to bed after watching half an hour of this peaceful, calming, magical TV show than force another round of learning to count/read/dance/understand the importance of the race-class divide in modern America (aka Sesame Street).

I will concede the education aspects are lacking (hence 8 stars). So here's a solution: don't have it be the Only show your kids get to watch. But don't dismiss it either simply on face value, because I can tell you; you'd be missing out otherwise.

Top marks for this one...especially Makka Pakka

[Gloobey · 8/10 · 11 January 2009]

The original remit for this show wasn't to entertain but rather to bridge the part of the day between learning and running around generally being a wee kid and bed time. This it does admirably. Besides, we shouldn't make the error of thinking that children's TV need always be educational. This desire to constantly bombard children (in this case pre-schoolers) with information is a bit tedious and its amusing to see the same tired arguments that were leveled at the Tellietubbies rolled out again. Kids aren't machines, they need a bit of nonsense from time to time the same way we adults do. Top marks for this one...especially

Like Telletubbies, a fantastic show for little kids - but do they learn much out of it?

[kalendra274 · 6/10 · 8 August 2008]

*** out of *****

3/5 6/10 stars

Hmm...this show is fun for little kids, very fun, but come on the already have Teletubbies! Little children may enjoy it and watch it on the all the time, but do they learn anything out of it? The "In The Night Garden" characters are really imaginative and funny, but they don't say real words. Such as, the character "Macka-Packa", my one year old sister kept on repeating his name and yes it's great, but it's not even a real word. This show is certainly not educational, which caused 4 stars to be knocked off the rating. I thought the whole point for these kids shows was for education and fun. Sure they got the fun part right, but what about the education part? This show is not right for kids if they want to learn something and be smart and I think parents should not let their children watch this all the time, making it a habit of saying words like, "Macka-Pack" and "Iggle Piggle" all the time.

Fun for little kids, but not educational at all.

Honestly one of the best written shows I've ever seen

[decster98 · 10/10 · 27 January 2018]

It's rare to come across a show that has the perfect balance of dramatic tension, comedic relief, and epic story-lines. The relationships between the characters never seem forced or pushed, they all develop naturally as the seasons progress. This show is very similar to Breaking Bad in a sense that what you get at the beginning is not what you'll have by the ending, similar also to Breaking Bad, 'In the night garden' is truly a show about the process of transformation, about going from one state to another, and I don't think I'm alone in saying that it did it better than BrBa. You'd be doing yourself a disservice to skip over this.

It's easy to draw comparisons to shows like 'Game of Thrones', 'Breaking Bad', 'Mr Robot', 'Doctor Who' and 'The Wire' but in the end, 'In the night garden' is a rare, unique gem, you'd be hard pressed to find another show that can add this many layers of tension and not crumble under the pressure it's put on itself. Every single episode (except for maybe some in the middle of season 3, the shows ONLY slightly weak spot), is absolutely fantastic and will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end, and let me tell you, the finale of the final season does not disappoint, all the differing story arcs collide together in an epic final episode which ties up every loose end and leaves you wanting more, but satisfied with the stories incredible, heart wrenching climax, expect tears. It's close to impossible to find another show with writing THIS consistently perfect.

With a series this tightly written, perfectly directed and incredibly acted, I just can't see any show stealing it's #1 spot for a very very long time. In a sense this is the pinnacle of all television, this is the finest example of the small-screen out-performing the big-screen. I personally can't wait to see what the creators do next. Do yourself a favour and watch this, this is literally the perfect show.

Proud to say that 'In the Night Garden' receives a perfect '10'

Inception

[tedg · 16 March 2014]

There seems to be quite a consensus that this doesn't have any educational value. Such a stance presumes that kids need explicit teaching and preaching. Either you need to include an alphabet in your song like Sesame Street or have some obvious moral conclusion. How silly.

Kids learn by what they see of how things are abstracted. If they are abstracted by nitwits, then they learn to be nitwits who cannot think critically. I don't have a TeeVee in my house, but I do allow my one and two year olds to watch this, because it has some very clever ideas in it.

Oh, the ideas are not in the story at all. Good ideas seldom can be; they are in how you get to the thing in the first place. Consider:

The thing is nested in a vignette of a toddler's hand being stroked to sleep. That hand morphs to a boat in another enclosing situation, one that is amazingly rich. A simple being pulls down his sail at the end of a day. The boat becomes his bed and the sail his blanket. in this level of reality, the boat then drifts and we transition to yet another layer under reality. The stars become blossoms that surround and cover the night garden, where most of our time is spent.

If you think kids don't get and appreciate this deep folding of reality, you haven't been around bright kids. It isn't what happens in the world of the story so much for them, but what that world is, how it works and how they get there.

Once in the garden, we have some events, which one could think of as a day in the life of these characters. Several things go on, only a few of these make complete sense. Many things that happen, just happen without cause or consequence. Again, think like a child and how they see the world.

Then finally we have the fourth inner world: the story we have seen in the abstract garden is recounted in drawings. This follows Ted's Law of abstraction: the abstract distance between those drawings and the puppet/animated world is the same as between that world and ours.

The crossover character, Igglepiggle once in his dream world has only a few expressive dimensions. he squeaks and he falls down. He alone seems to be able to communicate with the narrator, a sort of higher self.

Yes, some of the characters and objects have winning appeal, but it is the way this layered world is built that I think can teach my kids something worthwhile.

Ted's Evaluation -- 3 of 3: Worth watching.

Fantastic show for toddlers (and mums and dads!)

[moviemum45 · 10/10 · 18 April 2007]

This is a very strange show from an adult perspective, but after watching the entire first series, you actually start to like the characters and see far more depth than at first glance. However if you are aged 1-3, you will love this programme from the opening credits. The nursery rhyme theme tune and beautiful animation makes you actually take notice from the get-go.

The programme deals with a magical garden, that can only be visited at night, once you are asleep. There are several characters, but Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy and Makka Pakka are the one you see most often. All of them have their own song that they sing when they appear on the screen, making them even more endearing to the younger viewer.

There is no real message or moral to each episode, just a lovely adventure for the viewer, young and old, to enjoy each time you visit the Night Garden.

I love this show and so does my 2 and a half year old daughter. I would recommend to anyone with tiny children.

Truly a Masterpiece

[anedic-58151 · 6/10 · 6 January 2023]

In in the night garden, we see the dynamic duo of Igglepiggle and Makka Pakka - better than in seen ever in live television. They beat out Walt and Jesse from the mid show breaking bad. At least mid, compared to in the night garden. If i could, this show would be rated at least 15/10. The character development, mixed with the tension brings an exquisite watch for viewers of all ages. Accompanied with a beautiful story line, we have intricate side characters. This is easily seen with the effort provided in naming some of these characters - Tombliboo Unn, Tombliboo Eee and Tombliboo Ooo.

Comedy - Source in the Oxford dictionary says "In the Night Garden". This show outranks any sitcom on funny level. The Office US, Two and a Half men, Seinfeld cannot come close to the amount of laughs generated world wide. The life lessons may not be as good as breaking bad which teaches us to become a meth creator and get rich, but nevertheless are amazing. Makka Pakka teaches us defensive abilities when he defends off his bike (aka Rolls Royce)

Makka Pakka solos Goku.

Waste of the perfect learning age!

[cavalon · 1/10 · 6 November 2008]

Kids at the age there after (1-3) are constantly learning, and a brainless TV show like this, ware the characters constantly talk rubbish and the narrator keeps naming nonexistent things and creatures. Cannot be any good for the poor kids (even if them may like it).

This show is absolutely terrible! I review 1/10.-(no better than Teletubbies!)

I believe that shows like this may not just be a waste of the kids time but may have a negative for longer term learning.

As research shows TV can be vary bad for young kids, so why waste the little time that a kid can have, with such a pointless show. Especially when there are much better shows, like Playschool, Curious George, Shaun the Sheep

A wonderful children's program

[solarstorm-1 · 9/10 · 22 March 2007]

Our 2 year old niece recently started watching this program on BBC 2 and is loving every minute of it. There are not many children's programs that allow a child to sit and watch in complete silence for half an hour and be completely engrossed in it.

Derek Jacobi is a wonderful narrator and has a perfect gentle voice for a program like this.

The characters and the models are very well done and a lot of time and creativity has been put into thinking about creating unique characters and locations unlike any other children's program. The seamless transition of CG and real world sets are very well done and makes it a joy for even adults to watch and enjoy.

I can recommend this children's program for any child 1 to 3 years old and it is gentle and calm in every way a children's program should be.

The kid's love it, but it's the TV equivalent of soft-drink

[yilluppony · 4/10 · 15 August 2010]

My kids (2 and 4) both absolutely love this show. And I've tried, really tried, to see the value of them watching it. I've sat down with them, I've sung the songs, I'm not writing this review not knowing what I'm talking about.

But this show has almost no substance. Which sucks because the toys that you can buy with the ITNG characters on them are generally very good quality, open-ended and fostering a child's imagination.

Why do we feel the need to talk down to our kids? Why do we feel that we should talk to them the way they talk to us? Our kids are usually a lot more intelligent than we give them credit for. Even if they cannot speak clearly, they surely understand everything we say. So why is there a need for a show that has almost all characters talking in baby talk?

If a child had a choice they would eat chips and lollies all day, and they would drink soft-drink with every meal. As adults we are the ones who have to put a limit on these treats and insist they eat quality food that has a positive effect on them. Treats are fine sometimes, but not for every meal, and actually, not even every day would probably be best!

The same should go for the shows we allow our children to watch. In The Night Garden has very limited educational value. It doesn't give the child much except for time in front of the TV vegging. Which is fine, but only in small doses. Accept that this is a pretty pointless show and ensure it's kept to a minimum.

There are so many better things a child can do with you to get ready for sleep time - read a story, sing a lullaby with you, snuggle up on the lounge and talk about their day. There is no NEED for ITNG as a wind-down time.

Not educational: so what?

[sj2571 · 10/10 · 17 September 2008]

Who said children need to be educated 100% of the time? This show is just 100% entertainment for children, which is fine. They love it, I love it, it's great. Kids don't need to be taught something every minute of every day. What's wrong with the wonder and fantasy that this brilliant show brings? Let the children be children and enjoy the adventures. On a different note, if there's one thing I don't like about the show, it's the repetition. Too much of the same thing too often (the Ponti-Pines for example). Still, apart from that, the fantasy setting works extremely well, making me wonder where it's shot: must be someplace very beautiful, that's for sure!

Complete crap..

[leebarr-07108 · 1/10 · 3 November 2018]

This does nothing to teach young minds anything at all, works perfect if you want your child to watch to tv but they will get nothing education wise from it.

This Is The Way To The Garden In The Night

[zsofikam · 10/10 · 13 January 2019]

While it's somewhat easy to draw comparisons with Teletubbies, In The Night Garden is in a class of its own, a far better one in fact. The idea behind this show is to bridge the gap between running around and bedtime, which I think it does quite admirably. Episode begin with a scene of a young child being lulled to sleep which then shifts to series protagonist Iggle Piggle sailing his little boat to the Night Garden, a magical realm of fun and wonder. Besides Iggle Piggle, there's also Upsy-Daisy, Makka Pakka, the Tombliboos, the pint-sized Pontipines, and the big billowing Hahoos. There's also an assortment of activities that our cast gets into such as playing with the Ball or riding around on the Ninky-Nonk (a train) or Pinky-Ponk (a zeppelin). Makka Pakka also always finds a way to wash various things like the Ninky-Nonk, Pinky-Ponk, Ball, or his little bike and Upsy-Daisy will try to kiss everything and everyone. The overall atmosphere is just so restful and relaxing to the point where it sometimes makes this 22-year-old reviewer sleepy. Unlike the admittedly uncanny-looking characters in the oft-compared Teletubbies, this bunch actually looks soft and lovable, especially Iggle Piggle with his equally comfy-looking blanket and the pillowlike Hahoos. The narrator also provides a soothing, almost grandfatherly, presence. I wonder where this is filmed, it's beautiful.

Absolutely Wonderfull I Love It!

[deanhallrspb · 10/10 · 6 February 2019]

I absolutely love 'In The Night Garden'. The Characters of Iggle-Piggle, Makka-Pakka, Upsy Dasiy, The Tomilboos, The Pontipine Family (The rearly seen Wotingers who live next door to the Pontipines, The Ninky-Nonk, The Pinky-Ponk, The Harwhos and the Titifers. All these wonderful characters you can't help but love them. Set in a magical garden that only comes to life at night when your between a state of being awake and asleep. It really is a fantastic program for children but also wonderful for adults to watch with there kids. Now i myself have no children but I have always loved children's' programs (i've always been a big kid at heart). In The Night Garden is a wonderful program I absolutely love it and watch it ever single night on the Cbeebies channel I think it's much better and more entertaining then any adult program on tv. It's such a sweet, cute and beautifully made program. I like each of the characters songs and the things the have such as Iggle-Piggle's Blanket, Upsy Daisy's Bed that she sometimes pulls along, Makka-Pakka's trike called his 'Og-Pog', The funny Tomilboos Unn,Ohh and EE with there trousers hanging outside there tree-house home on there washing line. The way each of the characters interact with each other is always lovely to watch. I love the simple adventures, the songs and the stories all set in a forever sunny garden and it's all tied together with the great Derek Jacobi's narration (I don't think nobody could of narrated it better then him). It really is a gorgeous program and such a joy to watch every single evening. I'm surprised 'In The Night Garden' has never won any tv awards because it so deserves to. I certainly am a big fun of 'In The Night Garden', It's created by a chap by the name of Andrew Davenport who gave the world the equally wonderful 'Teletubbies'. Andrew's latest offering for the pre-school crowd is yet another wonderful and amazing program called 'Moon and Me' which only started on Cbeebies just a couple of days go.

In the Night Garden

[yggfan · 22 September 2019]

This program is not suitable for the age group it is put out to here on CBeebies. The program is in no way educational and teaches under 5 years old children nothing other than to speak gibberish and behave badly. Other more educational program's were taken off air for this garbage. Please take it off CBeebies we don't like it.

This program sends out a message to young children that costumed characters are OK and that behavior such as theirs is fun. This program does not encourage children to use their brain at all, Tweenies, Teletubbies, and Yo Gabba Gabba are what children should be watching, not a world of chaos and squawking. Children need to be shown how to solve problems, but not the problems this show provides. My family thinks it is stupid and misses the other educational programme that was removed.

This is an awful program and I rate it 0/10.

To be avoided

[michalkempa · 1/10 · 3 August 2020]

Certainly, the CBeebies shows are stupid and there is no point in raving about them immediately.

What's going on In the Night Garden: 1. The main character has three poops on his head. 2. The narrator pronounces meaningless texts. 3. Farting noises are heard. 4. Why is a soap a soap, a sponge a sponge and a dryer is AF-AF ?? 5. Washing stones and stacking them, which makes no sense at all. 6. The main character was getting ready to go to bed and to listen to a bedtime story, this bedtime story was an event that happened during the day.

Only time is wasted and you should set 1.

As good as a remote control for tiny tots - Brilliant !

[amremote · 10/10 · 2 March 2008]

I never really noticed until last week, that our 5 month old son was hooked on "In the Night Garden". One evening whilst getting him ready for bed and all the inevitable crying and tantrums, we put him in his bouncy chair in front of the TV screen when this program just happened to be on. I noticed him laughing, smiling, cooing and so on, and took notice of what/who/why this was happening. So, now, between 6.20pm and 7pm we put him in his small chair and watch as he is absolutely mesmerised by the show.

One only has to look at the programme as an adult to admire the abstract creativity and sheer quality and attention to detail to appreciate what a wonderful new tiny tots program this is. It also reminds me of the BBC's "Watch With Mother" programs in the 60's/70's with the similar tales played out daily by The Woodentops, and Trumpton.

I have read many other parents saying the same thing, although most will refer to their children's ages as between 2 and 3 yrs, and not many as young as 5 months, but there must be others surely ! The program is like a remote control for our son. If he throws a wobbly before or after normal bedtime, all we have to do is put a Night Garden DVD, or Youtube clip, on the screen and within 2 seconds he's staring at the screen in wonder. He reacts most to the Upsy Daisy character, but we have no idea why ! The programs all feature soft gentle themes, catchy tunes and sound effects, with a subtle elementary message about colours, sounds, simple choices, even elements of safety for when they are a little older.

If you are one of the few people who's pre-school children haven't seen this, then I totally recommend you try them out in front of The Night Garden.

This is brilliant stuff for tiny tots.

What A Great Show

[devanoff-1 · 10/10 · 13 July 2008]

I'm not sure who loves this show more - my 18 month old little girl or me! I love the colors, the characters, the stories, the music...it's so well done for a young child. It holds my girl's attention quite well, especially when she is getting tired. We record many of the episodes.

The first time I saw Iggle Piggle and Upsy Daisy toys in the store, I had to get them. Ya just wanna hug that Iggle Piggle to pieces!! My girl loves going to sleep with her new friends. Next time I will buy the bigger dolls for her.

I hope this show keeps on going and they make more episodes; what would be great if the characters went on tour and came to see us here in Canada.

A goodnight show

[namingjam · 10/10 · 29 July 2018]

I loved watching this right before the time hit 7 pm. I would sit there being amazed by the world in which such a being like Makka Pakka could live. All my hopes and dreams were fulfilled by a simple show that told us goodnight. 10/10

INCREDIBLE show, especially for CBeebies standards!

[callumosborne-44465 · 10/10 · 10 September 2022]

Let's admit, Teletubbies was weird. You got 4 humanoid babies with TVs in their stomachs and they live with a sentient vaccum cleaner. You've all seen the criticism. But what not all of you have seen is the amazing other popular show by Ragdoll, In The Night Garden...

In The Night Garden is this one children's series that gets pretty much everything right. The characters are likable, the music is awesome, the setting is beautiful... You get the idea. Instead of creepy humanoid babies, we have the cinematic masterpiece that is Igglepiggle! The star of this show is adorable. He's quite energetic and enthusiastic, pretty positive too, but like all toddlers, he needs a hand often and he gets that from his equally likable friends. Upsy Daisy is the generic girl overall, but there's just something unique about her. Makka Pakka is a car wash host- let's hope he never gets fired -, the tombliboos are cute, the Pontipine parents need to be fudging arrested and their children given to their neighbours, The wottingers.

If you want a change of pace In terms of characters in the show, just watch episodes where the Haahoos appear for some time. I swear they are the best characters in he show lol.

Then you have 2 vehicles but they don't matter really.

Anne and Andrew were GENIUSES when coming up with concepts for this. The bedtime theme is smart enough, but JUST LISTEN TO THE MUSIC! In fact, there's an ENTIRE ALBUM dedicated to this aspect of the series! There's something magical about this music that makes you refuse to not keep it stuck in your head. I even almost teared up when hearing the theme tune for the first time in a while.

In The Night Garden is a perfect watch for kids and adults alike. It's easily the best show from a children's network and it deserves to be my favourite show of all time. 10/10. COULDN'T RECOMMEND ENOUGH.

Fantastic show for toddlers!

[helendu79 · 10/10 · 4 April 2011]

My son started watching this show when he was about 10 months old. As soon as he heard the theme starting, he'd crawl to the TV as fast as he could. He would sit a whole half hour being engrossed with the show. I mean, the world could come to an end and he will still be sitting there watching "his" show. He's now 15 months and still loves this show. He likes to dance to the music and IgglePiggle is his favourite. I even decided to buy a boxset of DVD's for when we're going on a 5 week holiday, as I don't think he will sleep without watching In The Nightgarden first :o)

I believe this is the best show to use when a toddler doesn't want to go to bed and is too hyped up to sleep. Even I get tired and sleepy watching this show.

well as least its less creppier than the teletubies

[treykrumel · 9/10 · 27 August 2018]

Well you got it admit as least its not like the teletubbies when they roam all around the place like maniacs but one thing is for sure is a children's program so their is nothing to explain but at least is not like one of those shows that scar you for life.

Inspiration and uplifting cult classic

[dandyboothetta · 10/10 · 9 December 2021]

The various plot twists and turns had me hanging on the edge of my carboard box. The character development seen in Iggle Piggle's character changed my perspective on human nature and life as a whole. Additionally, Makka Pakka was a role model for me when I was enduring a mid-life crisis after a tragic divorce. The personality injected into such diverse and wonderful characters like Upsy Daisy and Tombliboo Unn also inspired me to become a successful entrepreneur. These factors helped me bounce back from these dark times. The tension created by the affairs, both romantic and action-related, really resonates with the events of my life. It has made me who I am, (William "Bill" Henry Gates III, an American business magnate, software developer, investor, author, and philanthropist.). Sadly, the series has drawn to a climatic close, but I encourage you to follow such an awe-inspiring series to the end. Sincerely, Bill.

Better than all of today's kids shows.

[jar-06630 · 10/10 · 12 December 2023]

In The Night Garden is a treat to watch. With bizarre yet funny characters such as Makka Pakka who lives under a bridge and loves rocks. Or Iggle Piggle, the main character of the show, who goes on numerous adventures whilst holding his cuddly red blanket. You simply can't criticise this show because it's so simple, it's amazing. You could argue that the size orientation makes absolutely no sense. One time you are absolutely huge and then the next you could step on it. But that's the charm. It's a show that doesn't need to be taken seriously. You can look back in your life and say: "I watched In The Night Garden" and you could talk about it for hours despite its simplicity. You can't compare a show like In the Night Garden with the brain rot of today. It's impossible, it's the truth. I'd rather watch a show about characters speaking gibberish and denying the laws of physics than a show that focuses more on the real world. Shouldn't schools teach kids about that anyway?

I've done this once, which is quite significant, but In the Night Garden is a 10/10 for me. I'm so glad they are still showing this today, 14 years on from its final episode.

Best kids show!!

[vishakhaaa · 10/10 · 22 August 2021]

I love this show soo much. I used to watch this as a kid. I used to wish that I could go to that garden. It was soo real for me as a kid. I wanted to visit that garden. Its lovely people. Brilliant show.