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Buttons & Figs podcast cover art

Buttons & Figs

by a podcast for kids about playing with words

🎙️ 13 episodes✅ Kid-safeKids & FamilyComedy & Silly

From the publisher

Buttons & Figs is a podcast for kids about playing with words.

SpotifyApple PodcastsYouTube

What Buttons & Figs is recognised for

Silliest but Smartest

Tops this collection — the show whose reviews point at it most strongly, weighted by how well it's rated. One award per show, so this is the only one it holds.

Every distinction here is either computed from the whole catalogue or picked by us and labelled as such. How each one is decided

Good for

Collections Buttons & Figs landed in, based on what its reviews say.

B+
4.4/ 5

84 ratings · 28 written reviews

Grade B+ is our own scale — how we work it out

5★67
4★3
3★5
2★1
1★8

A decent number of detailed reviews to work from. Enough to spot patterns, not enough to be the last word. We summarise the 18 reviews long enough to describe the show, out of 28 in total — one-line raves don't tell you much.

What it's about

What comes up when parents describe it.

  • Humor & sillinessTop4
    See what they said
    • “I like all of the funny parts some of it though gets a bit…..”
    • “We just listened to the Sheila Summertime Zone episodes like 10 times over the weekend because they made us laugh so hard we had tears.”
  • Imagination & creativity4
    See what they said
    • “Love how kids can use their imagination and come up with crazy and interesting ideas while learning along the way.”
    • “Buttons & Figs is a very unique concept that does a great job in inspiring kids to use their voices, imagination and creativity.”

What it feels like

The mood parents describe.

  • EducationalTop7
    See what they said
    • “Thanks for an engaging and educational way to look at literature with new eyes!”
    • “They find a way to make learning words so much fun.”
  • Funny3
    See what they said
    • “I like all of the funny parts some of it though gets a bit…..”
    • “We just listened to the Sheila Summertime Zone episodes like 10 times over the weekend because they made us laugh so hard we had tears.”
  • Engaging2
    See what they said
    • “Thanks for an engaging and educational way to look at literature with new eyes!”
    • “Their sound effects are very engaging.”

Who's actually listening

From the 1 reviews that name a child's age.

  • Preschool (3-5)1

How to read this: each number is how many reviews raised that topic in their own words — not a percentage or a score. Bars compare topics within a box only, so the longest bar is whatever came up most here, marked Top. The dots above show how much evidence we have, not how good the show is.

This summarises what reviewers said. It isn't our verdict, and we don't write reviews ourselves. See exactly how every number is calculated.

Parent reviews (28)

Real reviews from real parents — the ones we gather from public sources link back to where they were written, and the ones written here are marked as such.

Listened to Buttons & Figs?

Tell other parents what you thought. It takes a minute and genuinely helps.

  • Apple Podcasts ↗

    Hi

    I love your podcast and I love the songs and nonsense poems!

    Hamsterbananah · May 2022

  • Apple Podcasts · AU ↗

    Cool

    I like all of the funny parts some of it though gets a bit….. well boring but it’s ok

    Miss tony k · Dec 2021

  • Apple Podcasts · AU ↗

    ❤️

    I ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ your podcast especially the summertime zone episodes 😁

    Gabmeadow · Aug 2021

  • Apple Podcasts ↗

    I can’t believe I haven’t yet said how much we love this show!

    My entire family loves this show and the fun with words so, so, so very much! Thank you for entertaining us so well! We just listened to the Sheila Summertime Zone episodes like 10 times over the weekend because they made us laugh so hard we had tears. The entire family as well as our childless friends were literally rolling on the floor laughing. Thank you!

    MomSlice1 · Jul 2021

  • Apple Podcasts ↗

    AWESOME

    This is one of my favorite podcasts! I would recommend this to anyone who likes comedy and wordplay.

    MyCatIsAutumn · Mar 2021

  • Apple Podcasts ↗

    To Ruby❤️💜🧡

    :) 🙂🙃🙂hehe

    The Real Luna(tic) · Mar 2021

  • Apple Podcasts ↗

    To Cat lover luna

    :)

    Ruby❤️💜🧡 · Feb 2021

  • Apple Podcasts ↗

    I love these

    They are so much fun. And my friend is in 2 of them

    oliverpwood · Sep 2020

Questions parents ask

How long are Buttons & Figs episodes?

Most episodes run about 11 minutes, so an episode fits comfortably into a school run or a bedtime routine.

Is Buttons & Figs any good?

It holds 4.4 out of 5 from 84 ratings, with 28 written parent reviews, which works out to a B+ on our scale.

Is Buttons & Figs appropriate for kids?

Buttons & Figs is marked clean, with no explicit content flag. Parents describe it as educational, funny, engaging.

Where can I listen to Buttons & Figs?

Buttons & Figs is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Amazon Music and other podcast apps. It's free to listen to.

Episodes

13 to play, newest first

  • Wordplay Zone Archives: Safety Video

    Apr 9, 2024 · 5 min

    Buttons & Figs is clearing the decks, taking out the trash, looking through the archives for gems that haven't yet be aired or heard or herded along or deserve to be heard again...hear here!

  • Wordplay Zone: Pantomime Hotcakes (aka The Hum Da Dumb Dumb Song)

    Mar 28, 2024 · 4 min

    Buttons & Figs was so excited to learn that you still hear here we wrote a new song! for our fans! but especially for Buttons & Figs superfan HANK! Here is Pantomime Hotcakes (aka The Hum Da Dumb Dumb Song) Beryllium, Pantomime, hum Hum, da, dumb, da, dumb, da, dumb, dumb Beryllium, Pantomime, hum Hum, da, dumb, da, dumb, da, dumb, dumb Geology, astronomy Crypto-zoology Telling ghost stories when it’s not halloween The kids on the street say that Sheila’s so mean (WHAT?!) She likes to lick rocks and also ice cream (YUM!) Pantomime hotcakes for everyone Pantomime hotcakes for everyone Pantomime hotcakes for everyone You can’t have them until they're done (Get it?!) Beryllium, Pantomime, hum Hum, da, dumb, da, dumb, da, dumb, dumb Beryllium, Pantomime, hum Hum, da, dumb, da, dumb, da, dumb, dumb We have a fan and his name is Hank, I don’t know why but you can take it to the bank (Cha-Ching!) Aloicious, Sheila and Jimmie are back (WHY?) Murder hornets, Bigfoot and Springheeled Jack Pantomime hotcakes for everyone Pantomime hotcakes for everyone Pantomime hotcakes for everyone You can’t have them until they're done (Get it?!) Beryllium, Pantomime, hum Hum, da, dumb, da, dumb, da, dumb,

  • Wordplay Zone Archives: The Dentist

    Mar 6, 2024 · 5 min

    Buttons & Figs is clearing the decks, taking out the trash, looking through the archives for gems that haven't yet be aired or heard or herded along or deserve to be heard again...hear here!

  • Bluebullet to the Rescue - Huzzah! - interview with author Dr. Drew Palacio

    Nov 17, 2022 · 30 min

    Huzzah! as Bluebullet likes to say! On this episode we share our interview with Dr. Drew Palacio, author of "Shrieks and Sounds and Things Abound - the Quiet Wants of Julien J." a fun-filled book of wordplay and nonsense, replete with Superhero advice for times of frustration, from Bluebullet himself - Huzzah! We also got the chance to share Dr. Drew's book with some of the students at Camelview Elementary School in Phoenix, Arizona and to record a few of their voices during their superhero night. You can find "Shrieks and Sounds and Things Abound - the Quiet Wants of Julien J. at most online booksellers, such as Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Shrieks-Sounds-Things-Abound-Julien/dp/1953021506 To see more of Apolline Etienne's illustrations visit: https://www.artstation.com/apollineetienne Thanks for this episodes go to Dr. Drew Palacio for sharing his time and talent, Thanks to Camelview Librarian Savannah Tranguch, for loving wordplay and inviting us in, and thanks to all of the kids and families who recorded with us at superhero night. A special thanks to students Ellie, Levi, Melany, Romel, Max and Grant for sharing your frustrations and for loving superheroes. SFX from Zapspla

  • Original Haunting Tales - Ages 8+

    Oct 29, 2022 · 21 min

    On this episode we share two original stories, written by the winners of the Independence High School scary story contest. These stories are not for young ears, they are for brave souls who like their stories to simmer slowly (recommend ages 8+). The first, read by author Nathan, is titled, "Plastic Eye" a story that will chill you cold. Next you'll hear a haunting tale by Graham titled, "The Singing Bay". This story will creep up on you, humming like the fog. Nathan (Senior) and Graham (Sophmore) are this year's winners of Independence High School's scary story contest, held by librarian Stephanie Ehrick. Independence High is located in Glendale, Arizona. Special thanks to Mark Peña, Independence High School educator and haunted house builder. May haunting tales surround you this Halloween. Happy Halloween from all of us at Buttons & Figs. Sound fx from Zapsplat Sea Shanty performed by Graham

  • A Halloween Night Symphony

    Oct 18, 2022 · 5 min

    Halloween Night. Your favorite night. If you could sit back and listen on that night, you might hear an elaborate symphony, where each movement brings to mind the anticipation, preparation, gathering, trick or treating and stories of the night…sit back and listen, as you anticipate the coming of Halloween Night. A Halloween Night Symphony I. Anticipation II. Preparation III. Gathering IV. Trick-or-Treating V. Allocation "A Halloween Night Symphony" was written and performed by Mark Peña and Pamela Rogers, (c) Buttons & Figs

  • The Scariest Story You've Ever Heard - interview with author Ron Keres

    Oct 3, 2022 · 24 min

    To kick off the Halloween season we have an interview with Ron Keres, author of "The Scariest Story You've Ever Heard", a Reader's Choice Book Award Gold winner. The coolest thing about Ron’s story is that he tells it without any pictures…just spooooooooky onomatopoeia words!!! So… let’s set sail in our sieve to meet Ron Keres, hear an excerpt from his book, and have a little wordplay fun by making our own spooky onomatopoeia sounds….oh, and don’t worry, if you have little ones who scare easily, this story isn’t too scary! Thanks to Buttons & Figs kids Owen, Graham, Emma and Gracie for their onomatopoeia wordplay and art. visit buttonsandfigs.com to see their wordplay. The Scariest Story You've Ever Heard can be founds at: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Scariest-Story-Youve-Ever-Heard/dp/B0B14JLKGL Target: https://www.target.com/p/the-scariest-story-you-ve-ever-heard-by-ron-keres-paperback/-/A-87109340?preselect=87109340#lnk=sametab Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/ip/The-Scariest-Story-You-ve-Ever-Heard-Paperback-9798985911237/688253049 A wonderful reading of The Scariest Story You've Ever Heard by Toadstools and FairyDust: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUUXNMjk9Ng Here is a lin

  • Book Recommendation and Musical Play from kid super reader Debra!

    Sep 16, 2022 · 26 min

    Join me and kid co-host Debra for our back-to-school book recommendation episode. This time we sail in a sieve to talk about the book "Lulu the Broadway Mouse!" Debra is a super fan of Jenna Gavigan's book, "Lulu the Broadway Mouse", which is about a mouse who LOVES Broadway musicals. Debra and I not only discuss the book, but Lulu's story sparks Debra to give some great advice for how to stick to your big dreams, even when you feel small. In this episode you'll also hear an original song written by Debra, inspired by Lulu! All of the musical tracks and lyrics to "Tiny Dreamer, Big, Big Dream" were written and created by Debra. (I just helped by pitching our voices a bit so we would sound like Lulu!) Jenna Gavigan: https://www.iamjennagavigan.com/ Lulu the Broadway Mouse by Jenna Gavigan: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/contributor/jenna-gavigan/ Thanks to Debra for sharing one of her favorite books and special thanks to her parents and grandparents for sharing her voice and talent!

  • Summertime - The Sheila Show - Sorry!

    Aug 22, 2022 · 14 min

    You are about to travel to the Summertime kid dimension to join the audience of The Sheila Show! The Sheila Show is a summer variety and nonsense sketch comedy show for kids, with skits, musical comedy, and vaudeville-style performances by the eponymous Sheila Carmichael III, along with members of her comedy troupe and various guest stars! Join us each week this summer for new nonsensical episodes! skits written and voiced by Mark Peña and Pamela Rogers The Sheila Show, Wait a Minute, and We're Not for Everyone music written and produced by Mark Peña and Pamela Rogers Say Wah written and produced by Pamela Rogers Physical Education music by freemidi.org, voiced by Mark Peña SFX by Zapsplat Artwork by Ann Pickard Graphic design by Elizabeth Burrill Background music by Pamela Rogers © Buttons & Figs

  • Summertime - The Sheila Show - Me?

    Aug 15, 2022 · 11 min

    You are about to travel to the Summertime kid dimension to join the audience of The Sheila Show! The Sheila Show is a summer variety and nonsense sketch comedy show for kids, with skits, musical comedy, and vaudeville-style performances by the eponymous Sheila Carmichael III, along with members of her comedy troupe and various guest stars! Join us each week this summer for new nonsensical episodes! skits written and voiced by Mark Peña and Pamela Rogers The Sheila Show, Wait a Minute music written and produced by Mark Peña and Pamela Rogers Say Wah written and produced by Pamela Rogers Physical Education music by freemidi.org SFX by Zapsplat Artwork by Ann Pickard Graphic design by Elizabeth Burrill Background music by Pamela Rogers © Buttons & Figs

  • Summertime - The Sheila Show - Ummm!

    Aug 10, 2022 · 12 min

    You are about to travel to the Summertime kid dimension to join the audience of The Sheila Show! The Sheila Show is a summer variety and nonsense sketch comedy show for kids, with skits, musical comedy, and vaudeville-style performances by the eponymous Sheila Carmichael III, along with members of her comedy troupe and various guest stars! Join us each week this summer for new nonsensical episodes! written and voiced by Mark Peña and Pamela Rogers The Sheila Show, Wait a Minute, Pro-Cave and The Ummm Song written and produced by Mark Peña and Pamela Rogers SFX by Zapsplat © Buttons & Figs

  • Summertime - The Sheila Show - Sit Down!

    Aug 3, 2022 · 9 min

    You are about to travel to the Summertime kid dimension to join the audience of The Sheila Show! The Sheila Show is a summer variety and nonsense sketch comedy show for kids, with skits, musical comedy, and vaudeville-style performances by the eponymous Sheila Carmichael III, along with members of her comedy troupe and various guest stars! Join us each week this summer for new nonsensical episodes! written and voiced by Mark Peña and Pamela Rogers The Sheila Show, Wait a Minute music written and produced by Mark Peña and Pamela Rogers Physical Education music by freemidi.org SFX by Zapsplat © Buttons & Figs