In this episode, Bandit and Bluey head to the playground early in the morning where they meet Winnie and her dad, Fido. But while Bluey and Winnie immediately become good friends, Bandit and Fido are a bit more hesitant with one another in the way that adults are. Seeing the absolute truth of watching two dads forced into a social situation by their children is really, really accurate and maybe uncomfortably funny.

This isn’t an overwhelming hilarious episode, but it’s an example of something the series does better than pretty much any other show: perfectly capturing the humorous side of parenting, especially in juxtaposition to childhood.

OK, this will be a controversial entry because I know some parents really don’t like Unicourse, the intentionally annoying character Bandit creates for a hand puppet whose main purpose seems to be to annoy his wife. But personally I find Unicourse hilarious and I’m writing the list so... them’s the breaks. I even think his catchphrase is funny. (“Aaaaaand... why should I care?”)

There’s something just really funny about watching one parent try to get under the other’s skin in a playful way.

This episode is dedicated to any parent who’s attempted gentle parenting. Inspired by a new parenting book, Bandit is determined not to tell his children what to do, but to provide them with the resources they need to make good decisions. This... doesn’t go so well when they refuse to come out of the bath and go to bed. When Chilli steps in, annoyed and bemused by this turn of events, Bandit pleads his case.

“The book says to let them make their own choices!”

“They’re in preschool!” Chilli declares.

There’s a great satisfaction to see that parenting book in the garbage by the end of the episode.

Honestly, if someone made a list of the funniest episodes and just said “Any episode with Muffin,” I probably wouldn’t disagree. Muffin Cupcake Heeler, Bluey’s younger cousin, is pure, unadulterated chaos, and never is she more chaotic than in “The Sleepover.” In this episode, Bingo and Bluey are excited to have a sleepover with Muffin, especially because it means they’ll get to stay up late. But Muffin is going through an important milestone: giving up naps. And her lack of nap prior to the sleepover has left her incredibly punchy. Hilarity ensues, including the toddler shrieking “I am the Flamingo Queen!” after crashing a pedal car.

Temporarily “banned” from Disney+, this episode is all about the funniest thing in the world: farts. Or, as the Heelers call it “fluffies.” In this episode, Bluey accuses Bandit of “fluffying” in her face. Plaintiff and defendant each argue their case to Chilli, who presides over the meeting as a judge. When Bandit finally confesses (under duress), Chilli is aghast.

“... in your child’s face,” she admonishes.

“Her face is at bum level! It’s hard not to!”

Amazing.

While putting together this list, my son (a Bluey fan himself) looked over my shoulder and questioned the inclusion of this one. “It’s not that funny,” he argued.

He thinks that because he doesn’t realize this episode is all about parenting while hungover, and it’s absolutely hysterical.

Chilli and Bandit are worn out and feeling it after a raucous New Year’s Eve party. Unfortunately, parents don’t really get days off and the girls still want to play, with Bandit pretending to be a boat and Chilli acting the part of the whale they’re meant to observe in the wild. It goes about as well as you’d expect.

Also, Chilli getting her kids to bring her chips and sour cream as she pretends to be a whale is just A+ parenting. No notes.

This is another episode that’s much funny for the busy parents of the world than their children. Chilli is attempting to get the girls out the door for a playdate and, well, as anyone who’s attempted to herd children can tell you, it rarely goes smoothly. The girl’s outlandish (but familiar) antics and Chilli’s increasing irritation is a comedy of error and we are here for it.

Another Muffin entry!

In this episode, the Heeler’s neighbor Doreen is having a garage sale, but she’s not assertive enough to get fair prices for her various items. Meanwhile, Bluey and Bingo have decided to dust off their granny personas, Rita and Janet. Muffin decides to be Gladys, a grouchy granny, which is hilarious in and of itself. But when a real life grumpy granny attempts to bully Doreen into selling her electric scooter for too little, Muffin’s grouchy assertiveness saves the day. The haggling scene between the two is as funny as anything we’ve ever seen.

Any parent who’s ever underprepared (which is basically all of us at some point) feels this episode in their very bones. Bluey’s brother Stripe is out of town and has allowed Bandit and his family access to their pool. But over the course of the outing Bandit realizes he forgot basically everything they need, from sunscreen to floaties, to towels. While it’s a deeply annoying situation IRL, it’s funny to see a cartoon dog fall victim to this common parenting misstep.

Frankly, it would be irresponsible not to put this episode at #1. This is the first episode where we meet Bingo and Bluey’s alter-egos: elderly women named Rita and Janet. The two love reckless driving, shoplifting, and, it turns out, flossing!

This episode is full of hilariously memorable lines like,

“Just having a nap, dear...”

“Run, Rita!”

And, of course

“I slipped on my beans!”