← Back to show
The Adventures of Paddington - Paddington and the Fingertrap (S1E27)
Mr. Gruber gives Paddington a Chinese finger trap, Paddington gets attached to Mr. Curry and they are stuck together whilst auditioning for the Windsor gardens play.
| Runtime (min) | 11 |
|---|---|
| Air Date | 2020-07-03 |
| Genres | Animation, Family, Kids |
| TV Rating | TV-Y |
| Network(s) | Nick Jr., 5, M6 |
Storyline
Mr. Gruber introduces Paddington to a Chinese finger trap, a traditional puzzle toy that tightens when you pull your fingers apart and releases when you push them together. Fascinated by the clever contraption, Paddington eagerly tries it out but quickly discovers the tricky nature of the device. When he attempts to demonstrate the finger trap to his neighbor Mr. Curry, both of them end up with their fingers stuck inside the trap together, creating an awkward predicament.
The timing couldn't be worse, as auditions for the Windsor Gardens community play are happening that very day. With their fingers trapped together, Paddington and the grumpy Mr. Curry must navigate the audition process as an unwilling duo. The episode follows their attempts to perform while physically connected, forcing the usually cantankerous Mr. Curry to cooperate with the ever-optimistic Paddington. Through patience and teamwork, they eventually learn the secret to escaping the finger trap, discovering that sometimes the solution to a problem requires working together rather than pulling apart.
What kids learn
This episode teaches children an important lesson about problem-solving and the value of staying calm under pressure. When Paddington and Mr. Curry find themselves stuck together, children see that panicking and pulling harder only makes the situation worse. The finger trap becomes a metaphor for many real-life challenges where forcing a solution can backfire, while thoughtful cooperation and patience lead to success.
Young viewers also learn about the importance of working with others, even when those people might not be our first choice of companions. Mr. Curry is known for his grumpy demeanor, yet Paddington maintains his characteristic kindness and optimism throughout their predicament. Children observe how maintaining a positive attitude can help diffuse tension and turn a frustrating situation into an opportunity for connection.
The episode reinforces lessons about listening to advice and following instructions carefully. Mr. Gruber provides guidance about how the finger trap works, and the solution ultimately comes from remembering and applying what they've been taught. Children learn that sometimes the answers we need are already available to us if we take time to listen and think before reacting.
Parents' top 5 questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is a Chinese finger trap and is it safe for my child to try? | A Chinese finger trap is a traditional woven tube puzzle that traps fingers when pulled apart but releases when pushed together. They are generally safe toys made from bamboo or paper and are widely available as inexpensive novelties. The episode accurately demonstrates how they work, making it a good teaching opportunity. Supervise younger children to ensure they understand the gentle push-together motion needed to release their fingers and don't panic or pull too hard. |
| Does the episode show Paddington and Mr. Curry in any uncomfortable situations while stuck together? | The episode keeps the physical comedy light and age-appropriate throughout. While Paddington and Mr. Curry must stay close together during the audition, the humor comes from their personality clash and the awkwardness of performing while connected, not from any inappropriate situations. The show maintains its gentle tone, focusing on cooperation and problem-solving rather than embarrassment or discomfort. The predicament is resolved positively without anyone being humiliated. |
| Will my child understand the lesson about not forcing solutions to problems? | The episode makes the lesson quite concrete through the finger trap itself. Children can see directly that pulling makes things worse while pushing gently solves the problem. Paddington's characteristic patience and Mr. Gruber's gentle guidance help reinforce the message. After watching, you might discuss other situations where staying calm and trying a different approach works better than forcing things, helping your child connect the finger trap lesson to everyday challenges they face. |
| How does the episode portray Mr. Curry's grumpy behavior? | Mr. Curry displays his typical cantankerous personality, showing frustration at being stuck with Paddington. However, the episode doesn't reward his grumpiness. Instead, it demonstrates how Paddington's kindness and patience gradually influence even difficult people. By the end, Mr. Curry participates in solving their shared problem, showing children that maintaining positivity can help improve challenging relationships. The portrayal balances realism about difficult personalities with hope for positive change through cooperation. |
| Is there any cultural education about the finger trap's origins? | Mr. Gruber briefly introduces the finger trap as a Chinese puzzle, providing a light cultural touchpoint. The episode doesn't offer extensive cultural education but treats the object respectfully as a clever traditional toy. This can serve as a conversation starter about different cultures' toys and puzzles. Parents interested in extending the learning might research finger traps together with their child, exploring how different cultures create ingenious simple toys and puzzles. |
Writing
—
Directing
—
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Paddington nurses an injured bird back to health and discovers a new friend in Pigeonton. |
| 1 | 2 | Mr. Brown creates a list of chores for Paddington, who accidentally picks up the wrong list. |
| 1 | 3 | Paddington doesn't have a hobby, so Mrs. Brown helps him find out what he's good at. |
| 1 | 4 | Paddington gets his arm stuck in a mailbox while sending a letter to Aunt Lucy. |
| 1 | 5 | Mr. Gruber gives Paddington a box of Magic tricks, but Paddington cannot master the tricks until he learns to practice, practice, practice. |
| 1 | 6 | Mr. Curry is ill and Paddington decides to nurse him back to health with his own recipe for onion soup. |
| 1 | 7 | Paddington tries to save Pancake Day in the Browns' house when Mrs. Bird becomes injured. |
| 1 | 8 | Jonathan teaches Paddington football, but Paddington kicks the ball into Mr. Curry's garden. |
| 1 | 9 | The children want to camp out for the night in the treehouse. Mr. Brown is worried he won't get sleep as the kids will be scared. Paddington wants to prove him wrong, but a lightning storm means they have to come in doors. |
| 1 | 10 | There's a monster in Paddington's room and Mrs. Bird takes Paddington on a monster hunt. |
| 1 | 11 | Mrs. Brown can't find inspiration for her next artwork, so Paddington decides to help find her mojo. |
| 1 | 12 | Jonathan and Paddington dig up some broken pottery that turns out to be a statue made by Mrs. Brown. |
| 1 | 13 | Paddington is accidentally delivered inside a wardrobe to Mr. Curry's house and must get out before he is discovered. |
| 1 | 14 | Paddington tries to help Judy with her geography homework and ends up being the subject of it. |
| 1 | 15 | Paddington tries to help Judy with her geography homework and ends up being the subject of it. |
| 1 | 16 | Paddington decides to make a scrapbook of memories and tries to include all his friends to show Aunt Lucy. |
| 1 | 17 | Paddington decides to dig a Tunnel through the centre of the earth to Peru but ends up in Mr. Curry's green house. |
| 1 | 18 | Mr. Brown has forgotten to get Mrs. Brown a Birthday present, Paddington decides to hold a surprise party. |
| 1 | 19 | Paddington has three chances to take a photo of a meteor shower using Mr. Gruber's antique camera. |
| 1 | 20 | Paddington enters Mr. Brown into the Townhall talent contest. However, Mr. Brown gets stage fright and Paddington must come to the rescue. |
| 1 | 21 | Paddington meets Mateo’s’ dog “Lucky” he tries to teach him tricks but Lucky will not behave. |
| 1 | 22 | It’s Loveday in Windsor gardens, Mr. Brown has forgotten to book a table for Mrs. Brown at the Café and Paddington is on a mission to deliver loveday cards to all his friends. |
| 1 | 23 | Judy is looking after the School pet Gerbil which is accidentally released by Paddington. Paddington and Judy search the house and Mr. Curry’s garden looking for it. |
| 1 | 24 | Jonathan and Paddington must get their Ranger badges but Mr. Curry is not happy about having them in house. |
| 1 | 25 | It’s a perfect Windy day and Jonathan wishes to play Kite with his dad. Mr. Brown is stuck at home doing business, so Paddington takes Jonathan to the park to play Kites. |
| 1 | 26 | DAN Drainpipe Dan is on the loose stealing Mrs. Brown’s wedding ring. Inspector Paddington of the yard is on his trail. |
| 1 | 27 | Mr. Gruber gives Paddington a Chinese finger trap, Paddington gets attached to Mr. Curry and they are stuck together whilst auditioning for the Windsor gardens play. |
| 1 | 28 | Paddington, Jonathan & Judy are playing imaginary games in the park. Judy goes to the half pipe with Mateo, but they decide they might have more fun playing with Paddington and Jonathan instead. |
| 1 | 29 | Ms. Potts is missing home, so Paddington decides to hold a surprise Chinese New Year Party with dancing Dragons, Chinese food and special fireworks. |
| 1 | 30 | Mr. Brown is taking the kids to the Circus tonight but where are the tickets? Paddington and the kids must retrace his steps to find them but actually find out how thoughtful & caring Mr. Brown really is. |
| 1 | 31 | The Browns are having their annual Summer games will Paddington be good at any of them? Or will competitive dad Mr. Brown ruin it for the children again? |
| 1 | 32 | Mrs. Brown has bought an old camper van and decides to take the family on a camping holiday but they get no further than the park and then get locked in! |
| 1 | 33 | Mr. Gruber has been loaned a T-Rex Skeleton to do a talk at the town hall but Lucky the dog has stolen a priceless bone and buried it somewhere in Windsor gardens, Paddington goes on a hunt to find it. |
| 1 | 34 | The Kids decide to form a Rock band with Paddington, but what instrument should he play and what is Rock music? It’s too loud to practice in the house so where can they play? Will they break up before the grand performance in the Park? |
| 1 | 35 | The town hall is leaking and needs a new roof and Paddington must stay silent to raise the money, Will Mr. Brown really shave off all his hair for charity? |
| 1 | 36 | Are aliens out there? Will the strange radio messages Jonathan is receiving mean visitors are arriving from another world? Paddington forms a greeting committee to welcome them to earth! |
| 1 | 37 | Paddington is impressed by a safety talk from the local fire brigade and when there is a real emergency, it's Paddington to the rescue to save a cat stuck up a tree in the park. |
| 1 | 38 | When Mateo and Judy form a secret club in the treehouse, they won't let Jonathan and Paddington join without a password. |
| 1 | 39 | Paddington accidentally ruins Mr Brown's lovely lawn and must repair it, but the birds take a liking to the seeds, so he builds a scarecrow. |
| 1 | 40 | Paddington, Jonathan, and Judy try to find champion hide-and-seeker, Mrs Bird. |
| 1 | 41 | Mr Curry is invited by Paddington to stay with the Browns while his flooded house is being repaired, and he thinks that the Browns are too disorganised. |
| 1 | 42 | Paddington accidentally takes a banana from the cafe without paying for it and must return it before Sophia notices and calls PC Wells, but Mrs. Bird turns it into a cake! What will he do? |
| 1 | 43 | Paddington wins a raffle and first prize is a meal for two at Sofia’s café, but who is Paddington’s BEST FRIEND is it Jonathan, or Judy or Mateo or Mr. Gruber? It’s time to find out…how will he choose a best friend? |
| 1 | 44 | Pigeonton has nested in a Lamppost outside Mr. Gruber’s shop but the council have condemned it! Where will Pigeonton live now? Paddington decides to find him a new home! |
| 1 | 45 | It’s Halloween and Paddington goes Treat or Treating with Jonathan and Judy around Windsor gardens but Mr. Curry does not want to join in…or does he? And Why is Mrs. Bird not scared at all? |
| 1 | 46 | Why do the tress lose their leaves? It does not happen in Peru. Paddington discovers Autumn/Fall and a winter festival. |
| 1 | 47 | Paddington plays a game with Jonathan and Judy in the park, but Matteo can't because he is looking after the café, so Paddington says he will watch the café so Matteo can play. |
| 1 | 48 | Mr. Gruber gives Paddington a film camera to record his adventures in Windsor gardens to send to Aunt Lucy in the retired home for Bears in Lima. What will he film? |
| 1 | 49 | It’s snowing in Windsor Gardens; Paddington has lost a special wooly hat given him by Aunt Lucy and must find it. Will the brave Polar explores Jonathan, Judy and Paddington return? There are large snowy footprints in the park is it the Yeti? And who is wearing that awful jumper? |
| 1 | 50 | Paddington is given a metal detector by Mr. Gruber, and thinks he has found something, wondering if it is lost pirate treasure or just another rusty bottle cap. |
| 1 | 51 | Paddington has accidentally sent Jonathan’s Santa letter to Peru by mistake. He tries to find out what Jonathan’s wish list is. He sends Pigeont on to The North Pole with a new list but now he’s missing. A storm causes a power cut in Windsor gardens which means Christmas will be ruined for everyone. Mr. Curry ever the Eagle Ranger is always prepared so comes to the rescue and its turkey for all at the town hall. But what was Jonathan’s Christmas wish? |
| 1 | 52 | Paddington decides to protect his town as an unofficial policeman after a neighborhood watch meeting, and one day, he discovers someone has been littering. |
| 1 | 53 | Jonathan is upset when he loses his balloon, so Paddington decides to find another one for him, but he ends up stuck in the air, flying across London. |
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | Mr. Curry goes on holiday & gives Paddington the job of watering one plant, it looks almost dead, can he revive Ellie before Mr. Curry returns? |
| 2 | 2 | Paddington wants to take part in the CommunArty show, but what’s he good at? Pottery, Painting or sculpture? |
| 2 | 3 | Paddington accidentally destroys a squirrel’s nut store so invites him in to apologize, however he didn’t expect him to bring friends. |
| 2 | 4 | Judy gets a Toy Spy Kit, but why is Mrs. Bird being so secretive? There’s only one way to find out let’s follow her! |
| 2 | 5 | Paddington throws a Birthday party for Mateo but things don’t go to plan, will Mrs. Brown’s clown act save the day? |
| 2 | 6 | Paddington accidentally gives away Jonathan’s rare Tiny Robot card in a game of Imaginarium. How will he get it back? |
| 2 | 7 | It’s Mrs. Bird Day & Paddington wants to make a cake with a Special jar of Marmalade but no one can open it – how will he show his appreciation? |
| 2 | 8 | Paddington & Mateo form a table tennis team and the beat the table hogs so everyone can play! |
| 2 | 9 | It’s the annual fun run in Windsor Gardens park, Paddington however is not very fit so Mrs. Bird decides to train him! |
| 2 | 10 | Jonathan, Judy and Paddington accidentally break Mrs. Bird’s much-loved rocking chair! How will they fix it before she finds out? |
| 2 | 11 | On the last day of the school holidays Jonathan and Judy can’t agree on what to do so Paddington has the casting vote. |
| 2 | 12 | The Browns come back from a beach trip with more than sand in their hair—why is that shell moving on its own? |
| 2 | 13 | Paddington has a new caterpillar friend, and he and Judy learn that not all changes are bad! |
| 2 | 14 | The Browns take part in a very competitive game of The Floor is Lava, but who will win and will they make a good impression on an important visitor? |
| 2 | 15 | Who’s trying to steal Mr. Curry’s prized Giant Pumpkin? PC Wells & Paddington are on the case. |
| 2 | 16 | There’s an ice rink in the Park & Mr. Gruber teaches Paddington how to skate for the ice disco but will be brave the ice himself again after a past fall? |
| 2 | 17 | Join Paddington as he takes off & becomes the world’s first Bearonaut thanks to the Brown family! |
| 2 | 18 | Jonathan, Judy & Paddington pick all the blackberries in the garden, but Mr. Curry seems to think some are his- should they give them back? |
| 2 | 19 | Paddington’s excited about the grand opening of the city farm, but the animals escape when the gate is left open—will they find them in time? |
| 2 | 20 | Baaz teaches Jonathan & Paddington about upcycling but can the pair create something to earn a reward? |
| 2 | 21 | Paddington Jonathan & Judy are worried they’ve used up all of Lucky the dog’s luck—how will they tell Sofia? |
| 2 | 22 | Baaz’s niece Simi is visiting & he wants to create the perfect pizza to surprise her with, but it’s not easy with hungry animals around! |
| 2 | 23 | Judy loses a tooth, quite literally. Will it be found in time for bed and will the tooth fairy like marmalade? |
| 2 | 24 | Paddington becomes a work bear and helps Mr. Brown in the home office, but learns computers can be tricky things. |
| 2 | 25 | |
| 2 | 26 | |
| 2 | 27 | |
| 2 | 28 | |
| 2 | 29 | Paddington hurts his knee and goes to see Dr. Yasmin. When she steps out, he steps up and is mistaken for a doctor. |
| 2 | 30 | Paddington learns about bees and decides to help them make honey by planting a flower garden; there's a heatwave in Windsor Gardens and Mateo has sold out of ice-creams. |
| 2 | 31 | |
| 2 | 32 | Simi and Toq come to stay for the night. |
| 2 | 33 | |
| 2 | 34 | |
| 2 | 35 | |
| 2 | 36 | |
| 2 | 37 | |
| 2 | 38 | |
| 2 | 39 | |
| 2 | 40 | |
| 2 | 41 | |
| 2 | 42 | |
| 2 | 43 | |
| 2 | 44 | |
| 2 | 45 | Paddington opens Windsor Gardens' first ever pet hotel when Lucky stays over. |
| 2 | 46 | |
| 2 | 47 | |
| 2 | 48 | The kids are playing in the garden and make a prickly discovery. Something is not right so Paddington asks Baaz to help. |
| 2 | 49 | |
| 2 | 50 | |
| 2 | 51 | Paddington wishes he could have been at Mr. and Mrs. Brown's wedding after seeing photos, so they decide to do it all again. |
| 2 | 52 | |
| 2 | 53 | Whose story will earn them a camp fire story telling badge and will any of them be too scary. |
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 1 | Paddington makes Goo, but can he keep his promise to not make a mess when things get out of control? |
| 3 | 2 | Paddington and Simi go on a magical journey into the human body to see if an apple seed grows into a tree if you swallow one. |
| 3 | 3 | Mr. Curry is sure there's a monster in the park lake, and Paddington sets out to help him prove it. |
| 3 | 4 | It's Father's Day, but how will Toq let her dad know she's thinking of him all the way up in Space? Maybe the Browns can help? |
| 3 | 5 | It's World Book Day, and Paddington helps Mateo discover his favorite character to dress up as. |
| 3 | 6 | Paddington, Simi, and Jonathan are on a dinosaur hunt on the island in the park, but dinosaurs don't exist anymore do they? |
| 3 | 7 | When things go missing in Windsor Gardens, Jonathan believes a black hole is to blame, so Paddington goes on a space mission. |
| 3 | 8 | Simi and Paddington try to find the gold at the end of rainbow after they break Baaz's kaleidoscope. |
| 3 | 9 | Paddington build a robot called Paddingtron that requires a real friend to work. |
| 3 | 10 | Baaz invites everyone to celebrate Diwali with him, and Paddington is his helpful assistant, but will they both get to enjoy the fireworks finale? |
| 3 | 11 | Paddington has a race against time in order to enjoy his first ever solar eclipse. |
| 3 | 12 | Paddington accepts an inventor's award for Simi when she's too shy to step up, but why does she then feel jealous and sad? |
| 3 | 13 | The Browns are off to the beach for their holiday and meet Shantee the lighthouse keeper when they arrive. |
| 3 | 14 | Paddington, Jonathan, and Judy become trainee lifeguards and end up rescuing Mr Brown with Taylor the lifeguard's help. |
| 3 | 15 | What's making the strange noises in the cave? Jonathan thinks it's a mermaid, but Paddington isn't so sure! |
| 3 | 16 | Judy wants to find a fossil on the beach, but everyone else seems to be getting lucky except her. Can Paddington help? |
| 3 | 17 | Paddington learns that seagulls love chips and will do anything to get them, but can he deliver lunch while it's still hot? |
| 3 | 18 | The lighthouse light is broken and on a foggy night too. Can Paddington help save the boat at sea? |
| 3 | 19 | Paddington leads a treasure hunt to find Captain Green Beard's loot, but will they all remain friends and share? |
| 3 | 20 | Everyone is keen to win the sandcastle competition and enjoy a special ice cream prize, but teamwork is the key! |
| 3 | 21 | The beach is a mess. Will all the litter be cleared in time for the beach party that everyone has been looking forward to? |
| 3 | 22 | The summer holidays have come to an end, so it's time to say goodbye to their new friends. |
| 3 | 23 | Paddington and the Browns rescue pufflings, who get lost around the campsite instead of taking their first flight. |
| 3 | 24 | Paddington enjoys a diving adventure with Jonathan and Judy ‐ but where is her necklace? |
| 3 | 25 | A superfood cake creates some super heroes. |
| 3 | 26 | Paddington wants to become a Knight; but needs to complete heroic quests! |
| 3 | 27 | Windsor Gardens has two new heroes! |
| 3 | 28 | Jonathan is hailed a hero after saving a rare gnome. |
| 3 | 29 | Judy finds her inner hero on a camping trip. |
| 3 | 30 | Paddington befriends a speedy snail with a heroic future ahead. |
| 3 | 31 | Paddington and Robot Paddingtron enjoy being heroes |
| 3 | 32 | Paddington discovers how to be calm. |
| 3 | 33 | Paddington seeks the mystery hero doing good deeds in Windsor Gardens |
| 3 | 34 | Paddington gets stuck in an igloo. |
| 3 | 35 | Paddington struggles to choose a hero for a special photo wall in the park - maybe he needs to look closer to home. |
| 3 | 36 | Paddington becomes a heroic skateboarder, thanks to Mateo and a special mask - but how magical is the mask? |
| 3 | 37 | It's Halloween, but will a curse on the theatre stop the community putting on their special spooky play? |
| 3 | 38 | Taylor the lifeguard arrives in Windsor Gardens, and just in time to save the Mooncake festival with Paddington! |
| 3 | 39 | Taylor reveals it's his birthday, but how can his friends make it special when they had no idea? |
| 3 | 40 | It's Burn's Night and Mrs. Bird teaches Paddington about a rare creature called a Wild Haggis, but will it visit them? |
| 3 | 41 | It's Earth Day and Paddington has the important job of planting a tree, but will he find the perfect spot before it's too late? |
| 3 | 42 | Baaz holds a Spring Harvest Festival, and everyone enjoys bringing their own celebration along. |
| 3 | 43 | Who is Paddington's Special Visitor that Jonathan and Judy have helped come from afar? |
| 3 | 44 | It's the last night of Hanukkah and Mr Gruber's Hanukkiah breaks before he can light the final candle, how can another be found in time? |
| 3 | 45 | Paddington and his friends set out to help PC Wells solve the case of the missing Windsor, Ruby, Paddington and Aunt. |
| 3 | 46 | Thanks to Aunt Lucy's special recipe the Brown's set up a takeaway business from their home, but it's hard work! |
| 3 | 47 | Paddington has to choose between England and Peru before their football cup match, but he loves both places equally! |
| 3 | 48 | The time has come for Aunt Lucy to go home, but there's still time for one last adventure - or is there? |
This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.