It’s a question that has dominated conversations at barbeques for the past year and a bit. So we settle the debate once and for all. Which one is your fave?

The ABC Kids show is a winner for parents and little ones alike.

Wackadoo! Bluey is almost bark, we mean, back.

To celebrate the arrival of season two, we’re looking back at the first 52 episodes to answer the ultimate question: what’s the best episode of Bluey?

It’s a question that has dominated conversations at barbeques for the past year and a bit.

Bluey is a phenomenon that has swept the nation. Millions of Grannies have learnt how to floss in the process. But one thing is for sure: there’s no such thing as too much Bluey.

Season one just passed a significant milestone by passing 200 million plays (and counting) on ABC iView. It’s the rare kid’s show that appeals to both kids and adults because of its depiction of family life. You can watch an episode over, and over again and it never gets old.

So, let’s settle this once and for all. From our least fave to our most fave...

Which Bluey ep is your favourite? Image: ABC

52. Blue Mountains

Not the worst – come on, this is Bluey – but the one we want to watch the least. A different take on the Healers’ games that let’s Chilli have fun but hands exploring Bandit’s body has its... errr... limitations.

51 -Shaun

The squawking sound of Shaun tanks this one for us despite the episode’s wonderful lesson about the responsibility that comes with owning a pet.

50 - Early Baby

Oh sweet Rusty. When playgroup is in full swing it’s fun to see how the kids turn what’s going on at home into games. Calypso (voiced by Megan Washington) is the teacher we all wish we had, right?

49 - Shops

The importance of rules when playing games factors big in the series but it’s pushed to the limit when the kids plan playtime.

48 - Verandah Santa

A new Christmas tradition is introduced, which is either a blessing or a curse depending on how many times you played Veranda Santa during the festive season (and beyond). We get to see a little of Bluey’s mean streak in this episode but luckily, she realises her mistake.

47 - Horsey Ride

Who wants to watch the cricket? A visit from the cousins Muffin and Socks is always a treat but it’s exciting to see the relationship between brothers, Stripe and Bandit, who commit wholeheartedly to a horse wedding.

46 - Asparagus

An episode that taps into how parents get creative when getting their kids to eat vegetables. The animators at Ludo went above and beyond with the way the Healers take on the traits of each animal. Bingo’s penguin always cracks us up.

45 - Hide and Seek

When it comes to noisy toys Chattermax is too real! Nice to see a little mindfulness worked into this episode as Bluey battles her short attention span.

44 - Daddy Putdown

Another episode that showcases the way kids reflect the lives of their parents during playtime. The montage of Bingo and Bandit preparing dinner together is beautiful and the prawns look delicious.

43 - The Adventure

A mostly parent-free tale where Bluey and Chloe go on an epic quest together inspired by everything from Willow to The Lord of the Rings.

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42 - Chickenrat

Bluey excels at building stories around seemingly mundane aspects of family life. One of them is locating lost toys and this episode nails it.

41 - Spy Game

The relationship between Bluey and Bingo is tested during a family picnic. The way the siblings interact is one of the show’s most authentic touches.

40 - Mums and Dads

Again, the series uses the kid’s playtime to mirror the lives of their parents with Rusty and Indy showcasing the series’ approach to the shifting roles of mums and dads.

39 - The Doctor

The ailments are hilarious as well as the kid logic during this game of doctors but it’s Bluey and Honey’s friendship that’s at the core of this episode; the friend that always makes you laugh.

38 - The Dump

An episode that challenges Bandit as the all-knowing dad. The series tends to lean heavily toward Bandit for the fun stuff so it’s a relief to see him work through a mistake.

37 - Mount Mumanddad

The realities of parenting are ever present in Bluey and following a trip to a theme park it’s refreshing to see Bandit and Chilli exhausted. But there’s always room for a game and a lesson about teamwork.

36 - Pirates

We adore the parks in Bluey and how they capture the aesthetics of play equipment in Australia. A hammock swing becomes a pirate adventure in this episode, and it gets bonus points for a most excellent reference to The Goonies.

35 - Fairies

Going along with a game is a big part of parenting and the Healers allow Bingo’s imagination to flourish with a fairy invasion.

Fairies is great, but not the best one. Image: ABC

34 - Zoo

The game goes wild this time with everyone working overtime to entertain Bingo, which also highlights the primal bond between fathers and daughters.

33 - Neighbours

Suburban life put through the filter of Bluey and Bingo’s wonderful imagination.

32 - Kids

A fun role reversal where Bluey emphasises with Bandit.

31 - The Weekend

An episode that deserves cred for introducing us to the game magical statues and the wonderful little things we do to pass the time on the weekend.

30 - Hospital

It’s a rite of passage as a parent to play hospitals and Bandit is anointed in a hilarious way.

29 - Hotel

Like ‘Spy’, Bingo and Bluey clash over what it means to be ‘too bossy’ when playing a game. Another example of the authentic touches weaved into the show.

28 - Butterflies

When friends enter playtime it completely changes the dynamic. Bluey learns what it means to be a good sibling when their demanding neighbour Judo joins a game. When Bingo and Bluey fallout and then reconnect it’s always a heart-warmer.

Got a mega-fan at home? Here's what you need to know about the Bluey stage show and all about the new apparel range.

Butterflies is a cute ep. Image: ABC

27 - Work

Let’s be honest here, the world would be a better place if there were more dancing offices.

26 - The Claw

Life lessons contained within a claw machine. An episode that exemplifies the genius of Bluey.

25 - Magic Xylophone

Another two-hander episode that deals with the fun of the magic xylophone game and the frustrations that occur between siblings. We love it when Bingo stands up for herself.

24 - Wagonride

“Gotta be done” is one of the key mantras of the show and personified in this episode that doubles as a lesson for kids about patience.

23 - The Creek

A little old school magic is in this one as Bandit shows the kids the joys of a local creek he once played in as a kid.

22 - Daddy Robot

Lots of lessons are hidden within games on Bluey but in this episode there are multiple layers that show Bandit and Chilli are always three steps ahead of their kids.

21 - Markets

The aesthetic of a local market is completely nailed in this episode and it’s fun to see more of the dog community introduced.

20 - Bob Bilby

It’s rare for kid’s show to step back and critique the way technology invades our lives without being too preachy. Bob Bilby strikes the perfect balance.

19 - Taxi

A rainy-day game gone wild. We could write 10,000 words about the amazing music by composer Joff Bush across the series, but it shines the most in this episode.

18 - Keepy Uppy

An episode that encapsulates a classic childhood game with so many inventive flourishes.

17 - Yoga Ball

An episode that feels revolutionary with its depiction of the balance required when parenting and working from home.

16 - Backpackers

Rather than doing a flashback episode, Bandit and Chilli’s life before kids turns into a hilarious game. We adore these little ways Bandit ad Chilli are fleshed out more as characters beyond just being parents. Their history is as rich as the time they spend with their kids.

15 - Teasing

The difference between teasing and playing it discussed in this clever episode that helps kids understand boundaries.

14 - Copycat

Playtime can be a way for kids to process what’s happening in real life. The death of a budgie allows Bluey to come to terms with the parts of life that are out of her control. A beautiful episode.

13 - BBQ

Bluey and Bingo often operate as avatars for their parents when they play games. The subtle touch of BBQ is Bingo channelling the effort Chilli has put into arrange the family get together. A touching tribute to Chilli.

12 - Grannies

One of the funniest episodes but Bluey and Bingo clash again, this time over the question: do grannies floss? Bluey makes amends for her mistake in a beautiful way and we want more of the Healer grandparents!

Grannies is a good one too. Image: ABC

11 - Shadowlands

The definitive episode that outlines the ‘rules make it fun’ philosophy of the show.

10 - The Pool

Boring stuff is important, too. With Bandit hogging all the fun for most of the first season it’s important this episode steps back to acknowledge his shortcomings and how the couple complement each other.

9 - Bike

The premise is simple, but the emotional scope of this episode is huge. The little victories in a playground that culminate in Bluey learning to ride a bike is an emotional ride, highlighted, once again, by Joff Bush’s magnificent score.

8 - Fruitbat

Bluey realises the sacrifices Bandit makes to care for her and Bingo after a Yellow Submarine-inspired dream.

7 - The Sleepover

The fear of a kid skipping a nap is captured when Muffin (our favourite character) comes to stay. Up there with ‘Grannies’ when it comes to laughs.

6 - Calypso

The best parent-free episode where everything clicks into place perfectly under the eye of Calypso. Masterfully written by series creator Joe Brumm.

5 - Trampoline

Bandit passes on the knowledge to Bluey that it’s her job to keep making up games while he’s at work. We then see Bluey invent a game on her own and it’s one of the first season’s most touching moments that exemplifies the mantra of the series.

Trampoline is near the top. Image: ABC

4 - The Beach

If ‘Trampoline’ shows us what Bandit is passing onto Bluey, it’s in ‘The Beach’ that we see what Chilli shares with her daughter. The Australian beach is captured beautifully by the animators and it’s bursting with so much life.

3 - Bumpy and the Wise Old Wolfhound

Bingo is sick in hospital so Bluey makes her a film to cheer her up. But in true Bluey fashion, this is an episode that is so much more than just a funny homemade film. Using kid logic, we get to see Chilli’s story and how she dealt with Bingo being sick. It’s an absolute stunner. One of the first episodes to point to if anyone claims Bluey is just for kids.

2 - Take Away

The chaos of parenting is captured perfectly in a wait for spring rolls. The two wavelengths of Bluey are perfected in this episode: the playfulness of the kids and Bandit trying to manage the madness as a parent. But then they merge in a beautiful moment, thanks to a fortune cookie, where Bandit realises the joy of being a kid.

1 - Camping

The one that makes us cry. Every. Single. Time. Everything that makes Bluey great is contained within this episode but the bond between Bluey and the French Labrador Jean-Luc, which transcends a language barrier, speaks to those once-in-a-lifetime friendships. As Chilli says, “the world is a magical place,” and we’re lucky to have Bluey as a reminder.

Camping tops the list! Image: ABC

This article was originally published on 11.3.2020 and updated on 21.7.2020