June 25, 2025
Ketnet introduces "Timbalo", a thoughtful animated series for growing minds
Ketnet Junior proudly presents Timbalo, a new animated series following the daily adventures of Pepe, Zaza, Toto, and Mimi in a peaceful village. From sunrise to sunset, kids follow these four charming characters through their homes, the village shop, the café, the garage, the police station, the farm - and most importantly, the village square where their worlds connect. Tailored to the developmental needs of young children, Timbalo stands out with its immersive pacing, vibrant design, and original music to encourage active engagement. Kids don’t just watch Timbalo, they live it.
A gentle world where young minds flourish
In a media landscape often dominated by fast-paced visuals and overstimulation, Timbalo emerges as a thoughtful alternative for the youngest among us. Created by Bert Smets, the mind behind Hopla, Timbalo continues the tradition of simplicity and serenity, now enhanced with modern visuals and music that resonate with today’s youngest viewers.
Timbalo invites toddlers into a calm, colorful world that mirrors their own. It explores a wide range of relatable themes that help children make sense of the world around them, from animals to music, transportation to holidays and leisure, and celebrations to daily routines. By presenting these themes in a structured way, Timbalo helps children build knowledge, vocabulary, and confidence in navigating their environment.
Telidja Klai, developmental psychologist Ketnet: “The programme, much like Ketnet Junior, offers a response to all the fast-paced, fleeting children’s series that tend to be somewhat addictive. These types of shows have already caused many parents concern - especially because they never seem to pause or break continuity. Yet, intros, outros, and sequences with a clear beginning and end are essential for children. That’s exactly what flashy clips lack: they’re just a constant stream of new images in bright colors."
Structured for development, designed for discovery
Timbalo is more than just a series. It is a carefully structured developmental experience. Each five-minute episode is composed of seven sequences - three fixed and four variable - that repeat across episodes to foster familiarity and learning. Every sequence is designed to activate cognitive, motor, emotional, and social skills through activities such as counting, shape and color recognition, sorting, comparing, collaboration, orientation, language initiation, daily rituals, role play, and movement.
It is important for kids to understand the concept of time. That is why each episode begins with a view of the village in the morning and ends when the lights go out in the evening.
Whether used at home or in educational settings, Timbalo offers a valuable resource for families and educators seeking meaningful screen time for young children. The programme reminds of the beauty of slowing down - and the power of storytelling to nurture young minds.
