Gecko’s Family AdventuresGecko’s Family Adventures
Gecko’s Garage – Gay Dads in Preschool Animation
Gecko and his goofy robotic helpers the Mechanicals are ready to solve any vehicle’s problem in this cheerful, preschool-friendly animated series. This show, up until 2018, was one of my toddler’s favorite YouTube videos; it was educational, didn’t grate and had catchy songs. It also showed queer families in a positive way.
Gecko and the Mechanicals
Gecko’s garage is a colorful, cheerful animated show about a neighborhood mechanic and his goofy robot helpers. Created by Amalie and Christian Hughes, the show aims to teach young children about problem-solving, friendship, and working as a team.
Gecko and the Mechanicals are clearly a non-binary group as they use gender-neutral pronouns. However, when Blue Mechanical sews a rainbow heart patch on their vest, it becomes apparent that Gecko and the Mechanicals are indeed a LGBTQ+ group.
Gecko and the Mechanicals are a great example of how preschool shows are starting to show families of different configurations. This is a welcome change from the days when it was just Peppa Pig, Chip and Dale, and Nick’s Blue’s Clues who were showing gay parents on TV. Thankfully, more shows are starting to follow suit as Amazon Prime Video and Peacock offer shows like Modern Family and Parks and Recreation on their streaming platforms.
Gecko’s Mommy Trucks
The show is a fun educational series for toddlers that shows them how to interact with mechanical vehicles. Gecko and the Mechanicals work together to help out other vehicles in need. There is a lot of diversity in the characters with the non-binary Blue Mechanical sewing a rainbow heart patch on their vest and the Mommy Trucks (Green Mechanic and Tilly) being the first pair of female trucks to be seen with a relationship in children’s television. This is a great way to show young kids that the Mommy Trucks are not only strong but also loving and kind. You can watch the series on Amazon Prime Video or the new streaming service Peacock. Both services are excellent for kids shows and have lots of other interesting content.
Gecko’s Dad
Kids perform better on standardized tests, earn better grades and have more positive attitudes towards school when their parents participate in their education. That’s why it’s great to see gay dads featured in preschool shows like Peppa Pig, Chip and Potato and Gecko’s Garage.
Gecko’s dad, Martin Dickinson, is a mechanic and owner of Gecko’s Garage. He and his staff are always on hand to help their friends with any mechanical issues they have. The show is a fun way for kids to learn about cars and robots while having a good time with their friends.
It’s a shame that the show went downhill after 2018 because the previous uploads were very good toddler-friendly content with clear narratives, interesting mini-documentaries and catchy songs. The new version is a bit woke and boring, although it does have the same educational quality. Support independent artists by purchasing Gecko Dad-inspired t-shirts, stickers and other gifts. Each purchase puts money directly in the artist’s pocket.