Hi-5 : Hey Presto product reviews

We became owners of Hey Presto by accident. We borrowed it from the library and lost the DVD. We paid for it and then found it nearly a year later. I am however very pleased that we have it as both my girls (4.5 and 3 years) love it. It is also, very importantly, something my husband and I can tolerate listening to over and over. I can't say that about too many children's DVDs.

The DVD has Hi-5's usual mix of big dance numbers involving all 5 members, solos and duets, along with a story and of course the puppets (Chats and Jup-Jup). When I asked my daughters they said their favourite part of the DVD was they both replied "The Hey Hey Presto song." For me it is the Dancing Bus song which is a good thing because it tends to get stuck in my head.

Hi-5 is definitely aimed at girls around the same age as mine and it has everything they love, singing, dancing, a mischievous puppet and great friendships. Our hi-5 DVD collection continues to grow and we also borrow them frequently from the library. I also admit to slowing falling for the Hi-5 magic too.

"One two three four..." oh go away!!!
After several replays thanks to Mr2, I had definitely had enough of the latest Hi 5 show! From an adult's point of view, the Hi 5 program hasn't gotten any better or more bearable over the years. In fact, it's gotten worse. It's still over the top, cheesey, and silly, but now with a crew whose out-of-tune singing, silly giggles, and overly bright smiles make me cringe. They certainly don't have the naturally relaxed kiddie-friendly talent the previous five did.

I will admit though, this Hi 5 cast have come quite far from the first DVD I saw them in, and have finally started to look more natural during the show. When I first saw them, in "Fun With Friends", they were so stiff and awkward, their smiles and laughter quite obviously forced, and it just seemed as though they were acting, not really relaxing and having fun with it. This time around, in "Hey Presto" it's clear they've become comfortable with their roles, and things flow a lot more naturally in this DVD.

However!!! If you look at it from the point of view of someone under 5yrs old, then it's the perfect show. Magic, dancing, singing, bright colours, stories, make believe... it's all there. What more could a little one want? It's a fun way for kids to learn all their basics: colours, shapes, letters, numbers, animals, sounds, etc, and a great way for energetic youngsters to burn off a bit of that extra steam if they join in with the easy to follow dance moves.

This DVD is filled with magic, fairies, and clowns, and you have the choice of watching the whole lot, or only a section of it... the stories, or the songs (which have the lyrics displayed on screen for older children who are learning to read), or, if you can only handle a snippet of the show and you child has a favourite cast member, then you can just select the main parts of the show they were in.

If you're needing half an hour or so spare to get things done without energetic children constantly demanding your attention, then this is the ideal DVD to grab. Just make sure you are off in another room of the house, with the tv volume turned down low, otherwise you too will have to deal with the torture of having Hi5 songs stuck in your head for HOURS! ;-P