Sneak Peek Review of the Children's DVD Set Barney: Play Date Pack

This is a sneak peek review of the children's DVD set Barney: Play Date Pack. This product comes from Lionsgate and HiT Entertainment and is due to be released on April 5. Barney: Play Date Pack was provided to me for review, but I was under no obligation to recommend it. My observations are my own.

Synopsis of the Children's DVD Set Barney: Play Date Pack

Three DVDs make up this product. The first video is called "Let's Pretend with Barney." Barney throws a paper airplane that lands in the midst of the park and some kids. The kids get the idea to create their own large airplane made up of everyday items found around the home while they sing and dance about flying, and dress up in costumes to act like the pilot and passengers. The second story from this video sees a little girl draw a picture of an island, which inspires the purple and green dinosaur to create a make believe tropical island in the caboose, where the children dress up and act like pirates. The notable extra feature in this video is another story called "Who's Your Neighbor?" where Barney and the children learn about and act out various neighborhood adult jobs, including the police, fire, and mail delivery personnel while sharing some tips on being healthy and safe.

The second video in Barney: Play Date Pack is called "Can You Sing This Song?" Barney plays game show host in front of a live audience to contestants BJ and Baby Bop as they are given many questions about sounds, songs, and actions, which the two young ones take turns answering, though if they get an answer wrong, there's the chance to get it right so as to advance to the end. The right answers are further highlighted through song and dance routines where children's favorites like "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," "Itsy Bitsy Spider," and "Hickory Dickory Dock" are performed. The notable extra in this video is a Bob the Builder short where Muck comically deals with being in the dark.

Lastly, "Come On Over to Barney's House," contains a classic showing from 2000. Barney actually has a colorful and magical house, and while baking cookies, some children come over and hang out with him, BJ, and Baby Bop. The rooms of the house contain things like bubbles and butterflies. Various activities like household chores, making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, surfing the internet, and coming up with a dino dance are focused on while some nursery rhyme characters like Jack and Jill plus Wee Willie Winkie briefly stop by. BJ has some kids participate in his rock band and Baby Bop sings about being three. The notable extra is another feature which takes place at Barney's house where musical video clips from other Barney shows are shown via a "Happy Dancing Music Machine."

More about the Children's DVD Set Barney: Play Date Pack

Each of the DVDs contain extras like read-alongs, games, and music videos (broken up from the stories). I recommend these videos because children will have a feast of entertaining yet values-oriented programming to learn through Barney and Friends about creativity, imagination, taking turns, and being active.

This children's DVD set runs about 159 minutes in length and has English and Spanish language choices. Barney: Play Date Pack has a Suggested Retail Price of $19.98, and will be available at retail outlets like Amazon.com on April 5. For more information about Barney, go to the purple and green dinosaur's website here