Sesame Street: Elmo's Magic Numbers (2012)
Synopsis:
When Max the Magician visits Sesame Street, Elmo and his friends are treated to an exciting magic show filled with appearing scarves and disappearing cards. As Max performs his tricks, Chris helps the gang discover that magic is really about math, specifically addition and subtraction. This mathematical adventure continues with a second story called "Hat Day," where Elmo and Zoe compete to see who can wear the most hats, learning to count, estimate, and count by fives along the way. Both stories are presented as full-hour episodes featuring beloved segments including Elmo's World, Murray Had A Little Lamb, and The Adventures of Bert and Ernie. The collection also includes the counting-themed spoof "30 Rocks" and classic favorites like the Pinball Number Count series, making math fun and accessible for young viewers through the magic of Sesame Street.
Where To Watch: Sesame Street: Elmo's Magic Numbers
Parental Feedback
Sesame Street: Elmo’s Magic Numbers offers a gentle, educational experience with a lighthearted tone that maintains the classic Sesame Street pacing families know well. Parents can expect two full-length episodes centered on math concepts like addition, subtraction, counting, and estimation, presented through playful scenarios involving magic shows and hat-wearing contests. The humor is age-appropriate and silly, with familiar characters guiding young viewers through mathematical ideas without any intense or emotionally challenging moments.
Why Kids Should Watch Sesame Street: Elmo’s Magic Numbers
This educational program provides multiple opportunities for young children to engage with foundational math concepts in an entertaining format.
The magic show segment cleverly demonstrates addition and subtraction through Max the Magician's tricks, helping children understand these operations in a concrete, visual way. When Max makes scarves appear and cards disappear, Chris explains the mathematical concepts behind the illusions, making abstract ideas tangible.
The "Hat Day" story encourages counting skills through a fun competition between Elmo and Zoe to see who can wear the most hats. Children learn to count, estimate, and even practice skip-counting by fives in an engaging, relatable context.
The inclusion of beloved Sesame Street segments like Elmo's World, Murray Had A Little Lamb, and The Adventures of Bert and Ernie provides variety and maintains young viewers' attention. Bonus features including the "30 Rocks" counting spoof and classic Pinball Number Count series offer additional educational value.
Guest appearances by Will Arnett as Max the Magician and cameos by David Beckham add fresh energy while familiar voices like Kevin Clash as Elmo and Caroll Spinney as Big Bird provide comforting continuity for regular Sesame Street viewers.
Why Kids Shouldn't Watch Sesame Street: Elmo’s Magic Numbers
While generally appropriate, some parents may have specific considerations before choosing this program.
The extended runtime of nearly two hours may be too long for very young children with shorter attention spans. Parents might prefer breaking the viewing into smaller segments rather than watching both full episodes consecutively.
Children who struggle with math concepts or have math anxiety might feel frustrated if they cannot keep up with the counting and estimation activities. The emphasis on competition in the hat-wearing contest could potentially stress some sensitive viewers.
Families seeking more diverse content beyond math education may find the heavy focus on numbers and counting repetitive, as both featured episodes center primarily on mathematical themes rather than offering a broader range of social-emotional learning topics.
Verdict: Parent Approved
Sesame Street: Elmo’s Magic Numbers is a parent-approved choice that successfully combines entertainment with solid early math education in the trusted Sesame Street format.
What Parents Should Know About Sesame Street: Elmo’s Magic Numbers
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does this Movie model positive behavior that my child can understand and repeat? | Yes, characters demonstrate enthusiasm for learning, friendly competition, and cooperation while exploring mathematical concepts together. |
| Does this Movie include emotional moments my child might find confusing or intense? | No, the content maintains a consistently lighthearted tone with no emotionally challenging or confusing moments. |
| Does this Movie show consequences for unkind or unsafe behavior? | The program focuses on positive educational content rather than addressing behavioral consequences, as all characters interact kindly throughout. |
| Does this Movie reinforce helpful social skills like sharing, apologizing, or teamwork? | Yes, characters work together to understand math concepts and engage in friendly activities that model cooperation and mutual support. |
| Will my child come away with any clear moral or message? | Yes, children learn that math is fun and accessible, and that learning new concepts through play and exploration is enjoyable. |
The Overall Sentiment From Parental Feedback
Parents generally appreciate this program's educational value and its ability to make math concepts accessible to preschoolers. Many caregivers note that the familiar Sesame Street format helps children feel comfortable while learning addition, subtraction, and counting skills. The combination of two full episodes provides substantial content, though some parents mention that the length requires breaking viewing into multiple sessions for younger children. Families value the trusted characters and age-appropriate humor, finding that children often want to practice counting and math activities after watching. Overall, parents view this as a solid educational resource that successfully blends entertainment with meaningful early mathematics instruction.
Official Sesame Street: Elmo's Magic Numbers Trailer
Why Kids Love Sesame Street: Elmo's Magic Numbers
Max the Magician arrives on Sesame Street with scarves appearing out of thin air and cards vanishing in a flash. Elmo, Big Bird, and Rosita watch wide-eyed as each trick unfolds, gasping at every surprise reveal. The bright, colorful street becomes a stage for magical mayhem that keeps little eyes glued to the screen.
The hat-stacking contest between Elmo and Zoe turns into hilarious chaos as towers of hats wobble and teeter. Each character tries to balance more and more hats on their heads, creating silly moments when the piles topple over. The friendly competition fills the street with laughter and playful energy.
Familiar furry friends sing catchy number songs that get stuck in your head for days. The gang dances through counting games while animal pals join the fun with their own goofy moves. Every segment bursts with bright colors and cheerful music that makes kids want to bounce along.
Bonus segments like "30 Rocks" and classic Pinball Number Count add extra bursts of entertainment. Elmo's World brings even more silly surprises with its signature playful style. The whole adventure proves that teamwork and helping friends makes everything more exciting on Sesame Street.