Raising Is Caillou bad for kids? What parents of kids 4–7 should know
Is Caillou bad for kids? We don't give verdicts, so here are the facts. The 2024 CGI Caillou is rated TV-Y, meaning designed for all children, on Peacock, and Common Sense Media, an independent nonprofit, lists the original series for ages 3 and up. PBS Kids announced in January 2021 that it was ending its run of the show after more than two decades. A CGI reboot from WildBrain premiered on Peacock in February 2024.
Caillou at a glance
- –Official rating above age 7
Peacock: TV-Y - –Violence in rating descriptors
No descriptors in the TV-Y listing - –Scary content in rating descriptors
No descriptors in the TV-Y listing - –Bad language in rating descriptors
No descriptors in the TV-Y listing - –Sexual content, drugs, or alcohol in rating descriptors
No descriptors in the TV-Y listing - –Rated 12 or higher in the UK or Germany
No BBFC or FSK series rating found
Each flag is a yes-or-no fact from the sources on this page. The number is a count of flags, not a safety score. How we count. Rating reasons marked mild, very mild, or brief don't count.
| Type | Canadian animated series about a 4-year-old boy (1997), rebooted in CGI in 2024 source |
|---|---|
| US (TV rating) | TV-Y (designed for all children) for the 2024 CGI series on Peacock; Apple TV's store lists the original as TV-G source |
| Common Sense Media | 3+ — deals with fear, anger, loneliness and anxiety; no violence or language listed |
| PBS Kids | Announced January 5, 2021, that Caillou was leaving after more than two decades source |
| Reboot | WildBrain and Peacock ordered 52 CGI episodes (announced June 2022); premiered February 15, 2024 source |
Checked October 2026. Ratings and settings change; check the official source before you decide. What do these ratings mean?
Facts for parents, not medical or legal advice. If you're worried about your child, talk to your pediatrician.
What is Caillou?
Short answer: An animated series about Caillou, a 4-year-old boy, and his family.
The original began in 1997, per Apple TV's listing. The 2024 CGI series is described as "the home and social life of a sensitive and imaginative 4-year-old boy," with family and friends who help him with big feelings.
Is Caillou bad for kids? What the ratings say
Short answer: We don't give verdicts. It's rated for all children, and Common Sense Media lists 3+.
- US: TV-Y for the 2024 series on Peacock; Apple TV's store lists the original as TV-G.
- UK and Germany: we couldn't find a BBFC or FSK series rating.
- Common Sense Media: 3+. It says the show deals with fear, anger, loneliness and anxiety in a straightforward way, and lists no violence, language or sexual content.
Why did PBS Kids drop Caillou?
Short answer: PBS Kids announced on January 5, 2021, that Caillou was leaving, after more than two decades, TVLine reported.
PBS Kids shared the news on social media along with tips for parents on telling young fans. TVLine wrote that the news was well received by many parents online. We couldn't confirm a reason from PBS beyond its announcement.
The 2024 Caillou reboot
Short answer: A CGI Caillou premiered on Peacock on February 15, 2024.
WildBrain and Peacock announced it in June 2022: 52 new 11-minute episodes plus five 44-minute family specials, Kidscreen reported. Peacock lists the series and its specials, such as Rosie the Giant, as TV-Y.
The habit kids may copy: big feelings out loud
Caillou shows his feelings out loud, including fear and anger. Common Sense Media notes the show takes them on directly.
Try tonight: ride the wave
Draw a wave with your child: low, high, low. Next time a big feeling comes, point to the drawing and say: "It's at the top now. It'll come down." In our program, this is the lesson "The Wave": big feelings rise, peak, and pass.
Why you can trust this page: the main facts link to their sources, a separate reviewer checks each page before it goes live, and the date shows when we last checked. How we review · Report an error
FAQ
Why was Caillou cancelled?
PBS Kids announced on January 5, 2021, that Caillou was leaving after more than two decades. We couldn't confirm a reason beyond its announcement.
What age is Caillou for?
The 2024 series is TV-Y on Peacock, and Common Sense Media lists the original for 3+.
Is there a new Caillou?
Yes. A CGI Caillou from WildBrain premiered on Peacock on February 15, 2024.
Where can I watch Caillou?
The 2024 CGI series and its specials are on Peacock in the US.
More from “Is it good for kids?”
Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood
Animated preschool series on PBS Kids by Fred Rogers Productions, since 2012
Peppa Pig
British animated series for preschoolers, about 5 minutes per episode, since 2004
Bluey
Australian animated series, about 7 minutes per episode, since 2018
5-Year-Old Tantrums: Temper Tantrums at 4–6 and What Helps
5-year-old tantrums and temper tantrums at home: how common they are at 4–6, why they happen, what to do before, during and after, and when to worry.
Read next →Raising Stoics is a 12-week program for ages 5–6, built on Stoic philosophy and developmental psychology. One lesson is "The Wave": big feelings rise, peak, and pass.