Teletubbies - Running Race (S1E7)
The Teletubbies run races, and each has a chance to win. Later, when the Tubby Phone rings, there's a race to reach it, too!
| Air Date | 2022-11-14 |
|---|---|
| Genres | Kids, Animation |
| TV Rating | TV-Y |
| Network(s) | Netflix |
Storyline
In this episode, the Teletubbies discover the joy of running races across the rolling hills of Teletubbyland. Each of the four friends—Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa, and Po—takes turns racing against one another, with every Teletubby getting a chance to cross the finish line first. The races are playful and noncompetitive, emphasizing participation and fun rather than winning or losing. The Teletubbies cheer for one another, laugh, and celebrate each race with their characteristic bouncing and giggling.
The episode's second segment introduces the Tubby Phone, which rings from inside the Tubby Dome. When the phone's cheerful jingle sounds, all four Teletubbies scramble in a friendly race to see who can reach it first. This spontaneous dash mirrors the earlier outdoor races, reinforcing the episode's theme of movement, excitement, and shared play. The episode concludes with the Teletubbies gathering together, content after their active day, before the familiar sun with a baby's face sets over the landscape.
What parents say
Parents frequently praise Teletubbies for its gentle, age-appropriate content designed specifically for toddlers and preschoolers. Many appreciate that the show uses simple language, repetition, and bright visuals to hold the attention of very young children without overstimulation. Parents note that episodes like "Running Race" model positive social interactions, as the Teletubbies take turns, cheer for one another, and never display frustration or anger when they don't win.
Some parents have expressed appreciation for the show's emphasis on physical activity and outdoor play, which encourages toddlers to get up and move. Others mention that the slow pacing and lack of complex narrative make Teletubbies ideal for the youngest viewers who are just beginning to engage with screen content. A few parents have commented that the repetitive structure can feel monotonous to adults, but they recognize that this repetition is developmentally beneficial for toddlers learning language and routines.
Parents also value the noncompetitive spirit of episodes centered on games and races, noting that the show avoids declaring clear winners or losers, which helps very young children focus on the fun of participation rather than the pressure of competition.
What kids learn
Children watching this episode learn about the concept of taking turns and sharing opportunities. Each Teletubby gets a chance to run and to win, demonstrating fairness and equality in play. Toddlers see that everyone can participate and that each person's turn is valued, which helps them understand the social skill of patience and the importance of waiting for their moment to shine.
The episode also introduces young viewers to the idea of friendly competition and good sportsmanship. The Teletubbies cheer for one another regardless of who finishes first, modeling positive emotional responses to both winning and not winning. This teaches children that playing together and having fun is more important than always being first, and that celebrating friends' successes is part of being a good playmate.
Additionally, the physical activity of running and racing encourages gross motor development and active play. Toddlers may be inspired to imitate the Teletubbies' movements, practicing running, stopping, and coordination. The episode reinforces that movement and exercise are joyful, natural parts of play, laying a foundation for a positive relationship with physical activity.
Parents' top 5 questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does this episode teach my toddler that winning is the most important thing? | No, the episode emphasizes participation and fun over winning. Each Teletubby gets a turn to win a race, and all four friends cheer for one another regardless of the outcome. There is no focus on being the best or fastest; instead, the races are presented as joyful shared activities where everyone is celebrated equally. |
| Will my child understand the concept of racing at this age? | Toddlers may not fully grasp competitive racing, but they will understand running from one place to another and the excitement of movement. The episode uses simple visuals and repetition to show starting, running, and finishing, which helps very young children begin to recognize these sequences. The playful tone makes the concept accessible without requiring complex understanding. |
| Is there any conflict or upset when a Teletubby doesn't win? | No, there is no conflict, disappointment, or negative emotion shown in the episode. The Teletubbies remain cheerful and supportive throughout all the races. Because each character wins at least one race, and because they celebrate together, the episode avoids any scenes of frustration or sadness, keeping the tone consistently positive and reassuring for young viewers. |
| Does this episode encourage my child to be physically active? | Yes, the episode models active outdoor play and running, which can inspire toddlers to imitate the Teletubbies' movements. The joyful, energetic tone associated with racing presents physical activity as fun and natural. Many parents find that their children enjoy mimicking the running and bouncing they see on screen, making this a good prompt for active play after viewing. |
| Is the Tubby Phone segment confusing or does it add educational value? | The Tubby Phone segment reinforces the racing theme in a new context, showing that friendly competition can happen spontaneously during everyday moments. It also introduces cause and effect—the phone rings, and the Teletubbies respond—which helps toddlers understand simple sequences. The segment is brief, visually clear, and consistent with the episode's playful, noncompetitive spirit, adding variety without confusion. |
Writing
Directing
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | The Tubby Custard Machine is making Tubby Custard bubbles — lots and lots of bubbles. And the Teletubbies are having fun chasing and popping them! |
| 1 | 2 | The Teletubbies wait for delicious Tubby Toast, then wait for Dipsy to come down the Dup Dup to answer the Tubby Phone and lead them in a dance. |
| 1 | 3 | The Teletubbies form a pop group and make music for everyone, with Dipsy on drums, Laa-Laa on trumpet, Po on piano and Tinky Winky on the mic! |
| 1 | 4 | The Teletubbies take turns saying hello and giving each other big hugs. Then they say hello to the flowers. Friendship is fun! |
| 1 | 5 | Tubby Custard goes everywhere when Laa-Laa brings a big orange ball down into Home Dome. Good thing the Noo-Noo is there to clean it up! |
| 1 | 6 | When the Tubby Phone rings, Dipsy comes down on the Dup Dup to answer it — then Dipsy goes back up again! Time for the Dipsy Tubby Phone Dance! |
| 1 | 7 | The Teletubbies run races, and each has a chance to win. Later, when the Tubby Phone rings, there's a race to reach it, too! |
| 1 | 8 | The Teletubbies play choo-choo and take turns being in front before following the Tubby Custard Machine on a spinny, bubbly Tubby Custard Ride! |
| 1 | 9 | After a fun waving game with the adorable Tiddlytubbies, the Teletubbies say goodnight and wave their little friends off to Sleepybyes. |
| 1 | 10 | The Tubby Custard Machine takes the friends on a Tubby Custard Ride that splats Tubby Custard all over the walls — and the Teletubbies, too! |
| 1 | 11 | It's party time! The Teletubbies celebrate with balloons, noisemakers and lots of sparkles before visiting the Tiddlytubbies and doing a fun party dance. |
| 1 | 12 | A funny joke makes Tinky Winky, Laa-Laa and Po laugh — but not Dipsy. When Dipsy does a silly dance though, the Teletubbies all laugh together. |
| 1 | 13 | When the Tubby Phone flashes purple, Tinky Winky answers and leads the Tubby Phone Dance! Later, the friends watch the Tiddlytubbies fall asleep. |
| 1 | 14 | Tinky Winky keeps standing between Laa-Laa and the beautiful flowers — but Laa-Laa likes looking at Tinky Winky just as much. |
| 1 | 15 | Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po do a roundy round dance that's so much fun they all fall down! Will the Tiddlytubbies like it, too? |
| 1 | 16 | The Teletubbies stand up straight to see who's the tallest and who's the shortest. Then, Tinky Winky and Po play a game with the Tiddlytubbies! |
| 1 | 17 | Tinky Winky puts Dipsy's hat inside the red bag, then the Noo-Noo vacuums them both up! Later on, the Teletubbies do a suitcase dance. |
| 1 | 18 | The Teletubbies love the Tubby Custard Ride that makes music — and yummy custard — and has fun, flashing lights! So they ask to go on it again and again. |
| 1 | 19 | Po makes funny sounds with the levers and buttons inside Home Dome. Then the Tubby Phone rings, sparking a silly Tubby Phone Dance! |
| 1 | 20 | After conga dancing over the hills, the friends conga into Home Dome to answer the Tubby Phone and do a special conga Tubby Phone Dance! |
| 1 | 21 | Four Teletubbies, four flowers — and four pieces of Tubby Toast! Counting to four is fun, especially when you're counting with friends. |
| 1 | 22 | The Teletubbies are tired after doing lots of exercise to stay fit. But after eating some Tubby Custard, they're ready for action again! |
| 1 | 23 | Tinky Winky can't sleep and goes outside to play so he doesn't disturb his friends. But his noisy footsteps on top of Home Dome wake them up instead! |
| 1 | 24 | When a red balloon floats into Teletubbyland, Po leads the Tubby Phone Dance in a special episode that's all about Po's favorite color. |
| 1 | 25 | Eh-oh! Dipsy's hat has fallen into a puddle and gotten wet. But soon the sun shines, the wind blows and Dipsy's hat is dry again! |
| 1 | 26 | The friends do a brand-new dance, first in pairs and then all together. The Teletubbies love dancing — and they love each other very much! |
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