In this guide
What is GoNoodle?
GoNoodle is a digital platform that aims to turn screen time into something that motivates physical movement, rather than decreasing it. The platform provides users with interactive videos and activities that encourage children to dance, exercise and engage in mindfulness.
GoNoodle is free to use and is available on iOS, Android and through a web browser. Teachers often use the platform in the classroom, but parents can also use it at home to keep their children moving. The platform created the activities primarily for children aged 4-10 years old.
You can use the platform without creating an account. Creating one lets parents track how their child engages with GoNoodle and unlock exclusive content available only to account holders.
How it works
GoNoodle uses short form videos to encourage children to use their screen time for positive and productive reasons. These short videos are usually around between 1 and 5 minutes long, with the people in the video addressing the children watching to create an interactive experience.
The platform focuses on getting kids active and exercising by using guided dances and movement-based games that encourage children to move in order to earn points.
However, the app now offers lessons on other topics such as videos teaching kids how to cook simple meals or how to make friends.
Many of the active videos feature a lot of singing and shouting as well, which will further energise children. If the child is getting too loud, using a mindfulness or breathing video can calm them down.
When children use GoNoodle while signed into a free account, they can earn points and badges by completing activities. Earning these rewards will allow children to evolve their ‘Champ’, which is an animated character that each user receives and evolving these Champs is the main motivation system of GoNoodle. When a Champ fully evolves, the user receives a printable certificate showing they’ve graduated their Champ.
Outside of their own platform, GoNoodle also has a game on Roblox. In this game children play Hide and Seek with characters from GoNoodle. As playing this game will take children to the Roblox platform, it will expose them to any risks found on Roblox. To make your child’s experience on Roblox safer, read our Roblox parental control guide.
GoNoodle parental controls
GoNoodle does not have any parental controls. This is because all the content on the platform is appropriate for children aged 10 and under.
However, if you would like to limit how long your child spends on the app in order to manage screen time, you can do this by setting controls directly through the devices built-in parental controls.
Benefits of GoNoodle
- Free to use
- Positive screen time
- Gets children active
- Lessons in various topics
- All content is child-friendly
What to watch out for
There are very few risks for children using GoNoodle. This is because the content is designed for young children, and the platform includes no social features.
However, there are still some things that parents should stay aware of if their child uses GoNoodle.
While GoNoodle offers positive screen time, it still involves screen use. Because of this it’s a good idea to set limits on how long your child uses the app. GoNoodle has games that could be addictive, and the ability to earn badges and rewards could encourage children to spend more time on the platform than they should, so consider setting time limits on their device. Learn more about managing your child’s screen time.
Although GoNoodle does not have any social features or explicit content, the platform does have a link to the GoNoodle game in Roblox. Roblox does have these risks. To keep your child safe while using Roblox, set parental controls on the platform using our Roblox parental control guide.
Overall, GoNoodle is very safe and appropriate for children. There are some risks, but they are fewer than in most apps. The benefits of more movement and lessons in different topics make GoNoodle a good platform for kids.