Bob Bilby and Unicorse Puppet: What Most Parents Get Wrong About These Characters

If you’ve spent any time in a living room with a toddler lately, you know that puppets in the Bluey universe aren’t just toys. They’re agents of absolute chaos. Or, in the case of Bob Bilby, agents of profound guilt for parents who realize they spend too much time looking at their phones. Then you have the Unicorse puppet, a white-and-purple menace that has single-handedly taught a generation of children to ask, "And why should I care?"

Honestly, it’s a lot to handle.

Most people see these two as just cute accessories. But if you look closer at how Ludo Studio uses them, they’re actually polar opposites of the same parenting coin. One represents the "perfect" educational tool we all feel pressured to live up to. The other? He's the manifestation of every intrusive thought a tired dad has ever had at 8:00 PM on a Tuesday.

The Bob Bilby Guilt Trip (And How to Survive It)

Bob Bilby first showed up in Season 1, Episode 12. He’s the kindy puppet. You know the type. He comes home in a bag with a scrapbook, and suddenly you're responsible for documenting his "adventures" so the other kids don't think your life is boring.

In the episode, Bingo brings him home, and the Heelers realize their "adventures" mostly involve sitting on the couch scrolling through tablets. It hits hard. Real hard. Bob just sits there with his big ears and his silent, judging eyes while the family ignores him.

The turning point is when they decide to actually do something. They take him to the park. They go down slides. They take photos. It’s a classic Bluey lesson about presence. But here’s the thing: Bob Bilby isn't just a lesson for kids. He’s a mirror for the adults.

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What the Bob Bilby episode gets right

• The Scrapbook Pressure: Every parent who has had to fill out a "Weekend with [Insert Name] the Bear" book knows the anxiety of trying to make a trip to the grocery store look like a safari.
• The Screen Trap: It doesn't lecture; it just shows how boring we look when we're staring at a glowing rectangle.
• The Puppet's "Sentience": Bingo tells Bandit to "fold his ears down" because Bob doesn't know he's a puppet. That’s a deep cut into how kids view their toys as living, breathing peers.

Enter the Chaos: The Unicorse Puppet

If Bob Bilby is the "Good Child," then the Unicorse puppet is the chaotic neutral uncle who shows up uninvited and ruins dinner. Appearing in Season 3, Episode 8, Unicorse is a hand puppet operated by Bandit. He is, by his own admission, the most annoying puppet in the world.

He eats a lawyer. He dances poorly. He has a lawyer (who is also a puppet).

A lot of parents actually hated this episode at first. They thought Bandit was being mean to Bluey or Chilli. But if you've ever been so exhausted that you've reached "silly" levels of tiredness, you get it. Bandit isn't being a jerk; he's using the Unicorse puppet to teach Bluey a very specific, very difficult lesson: you can't change people who don't want to change.

Bluey tries so hard to make Unicorse "good." She wants him to sit still and listen to the story. But Unicorse just wants to know if she likes "chickenrat."

"Aaaaaaaaand why should I care?"

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That line has become a mantra for fans. It’s the ultimate deflection. It's rude, it's hilarious, and it's exactly what a puppet should be used for—saying the things humans (or dogs) aren't allowed to say.

The voice behind the horn

While Bandit is the one wearing the puppet, the voice is, of course, Dave McCormack (who voices Bandit). Dave’s delivery for Unicorse is distinct—it's scratchier, more manic, and perfectly captures the energy of someone who has had way too much coffee and not enough sleep.

Real-World Merchandise: Can You Actually Buy Them?

For a long time, you couldn't get an official version of either of these. You had to be a DIY expert or a wizard with a sewing machine.

But things changed. Moose Toys eventually released an official Bob Bilby and Unicorse puppet 2-pack. They’re about 8 to 9 inches tall, which is small enough for a toddler’s hand but—be warned—a bit of a squeeze for an adult.

If you're looking for them now, here is what you need to know about the real-world versions:

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1. The Bob Bilby Plush: He's soft, he's got the signature long ears, and he's basically a stuffed animal with a hole in the bottom. He doesn't come with the scrapbook (sadly), so you'll have to make your own.
2. The Unicorse Hand Puppet: He’s got the single horn and the somewhat "shifty" eyes. He is surprisingly durable, which is good because if your kid is anything like Bluey, that puppet is going to be thrown across the room at some point.
3. The 2-Pack Value: Usually, these are sold together. It's a weird pairing because their vibes are so different, but it works for role-playing the "Good vs. Annoying" dynamic.

Why the Contrast Matters

Why did the writers give us these two specific puppets?

Bob Bilby represents the ideal. He is the catalyst for family bonding. He is quiet, respectful, and brings people together. He is the "Pinterest" version of parenting where everything is documented and beautiful.

Unicorse is the reality. He is messy. He interrupts. He makes mistakes. He is the "I'm just trying to get through the night" version of parenting.

Interestingly, there's a fan theory that Bandit actually learned his puppetry skills from watching Bingo with Bob Bilby. Think about it. In "Bob Bilby," Bingo treats the puppet as a real person. In "Unicorse," Bandit does the exact same thing, even when Chilli is glaring at him. He commits to the bit.

That commitment is what makes Bluey special. Whether it's a bilby or a unicorn, the Heelers don't half-butt their play. They go all in.

How to Use These Puppets at Home

If you've bought the Bob Bilby and Unicorse puppet set, or if you're thinking about it, don't just leave them in the toy box.

• Use Bob for "The Boring Stuff": If your kid hates brushing their teeth, have Bob "watch" and take a (fake) photo for his scrapbook. It works like a charm.
• Use Unicorse for "The Big Emotions": When a kid is frustrated, sometimes a silly, annoying voice can break the tension. If they're crying about a broken cookie, Unicorse asking "And why should I care?" might actually make them laugh (or at least confuse them enough to stop crying).
• The "Fold the Ears" Rule: Teach your kids that puppets have feelings too. It sounds silly, but it builds empathy.

Actionable Steps for Parents

1. Check for Authenticity: When buying a Unicorse puppet online, look for the Moose Toys branding. There are a lot of knock-offs that look like they were made in a dark room with leftover felt.
2. Limit the Unicorse Voice: Seriously. Don't do the voice for more than ten minutes. You will lose your voice, and your spouse will probably lose their mind.
3. Make a Real Bob Bilby Book: If you want a fun weekend project, grab a cheap notebook and actually take photos of the puppet doing chores or going to the grocery store. It’s a great way to look back at the "small" moments when your kids are older.
4. Watch the Episodes Together: "Bob Bilby" (S1E12) and "Unicorse" (S3E8) are best watched as a double feature. Talk to your kids about why Bob is "good" and why Unicorse is "annoying."

Ultimately, these puppets are just tools. Bob is a tool for connection; Unicorse is a tool for resilience. Both are essential parts of the chaotic, beautiful mess that is raising a human—or a blue heeler.