What to watch: Gabby's Dollhouse
Where to find it: Netflix
Run time: 24 min episodes
Best for ages: 2.5+
Why We Recommend Gabby's Dollhouse
My daughter, Everly, is a cat lover but I am quite allergic to them. We're talking sneezing fits, hives, and puffy eyes. So in order to get her cat fix, Everly will either seek out Simon, the friendly neighborhood cat or watch Gabby's Dollhouse on Netflix.
Gabby's Dollhouse is a bright and colorful show that features a girl who can magically shrink down to explore her dollhouse. But this is not just any dollhouse. In her dollhouse, the kitchen, playroom, bedroom craft room, bathroom, music room, and fairy garden are occupied by one of her animated cat friends who join in on her fun adventures. Together, they touch upon some early concepts of cooking, science, arts and crafts, music, gardening, and problem-solving. I've even overheard episodes that feature catchy songs and games that introduce young viewers to colors, shapes, and patterns.
Season 2 of Gabby's Dollhouse is newly available on Netflix.
Memory Match Game
Memory match games are great for preschool-aged children. In honor of Gabby's Dollhouse, we created a cat-tastic memory match printable for you to play with your kiddos.
Step 1: Download and print the free memory match game printable (above).
Step 2: Help your child cut each game card out. (If you printed these out on thin paper, you may want to color the backside or paste them to construction paper so they are not transparent.)
Step 3: Place the cards facedown in a grid. Take turns flipping over two cards at a time, trying to find a match. When a match is found, set it aside. The player with the most matches at the end wins.
Bonus: These cards can also be used to introduce patterns to your little ones. Get one started for them and have them complete it: pink cat, black cat, blue, blue, gray. Pink cat, black cat, blue, blue, gray.
Kitty Toast
Many of the episodes include activities that you can do at home. From cat ears to face masks, we have had fun trying many of them. A recurring favorite of ours is kitty toast. This healthy snack is easy enough for kids to help with. Just cut up some fruit, get out your favorite nut butter, and start creating. (In the show, they used pretzel sticks for the whiskers but we used apple slices.)
While you and your kids are having fun, you can boost their learning by sharing these fun cat facts:
Cats are in the same family as lions and tigers.
Baby cats are called kittens and they are born without the ability to see or hear. This changes between their first and second week of life.
House cats do not need baths as they are very good at cleaning themselves with their tongues.
Cats have retractable claws, meaning they are hidden unless they are excited or frightened. They also use their claws to climb and hunt.
Share the fun you are having with us on Social Media! Tag us @curiouscouchpotatoes when you try any of our activities.
Educational Insights:
Memory match games help kids build concentration, attention to detail, and short-term memory. For younger children, start with only 3-4 pairs, increasing as their skills develop.