If you grew up in the nineties, you probably have a blurry, tracking-lined memory of a giant yellow bird trying to do the jitterbug. It was 1997. Sony Wonder and Children’s Television Workshop released the Sesame Street Get Up and Dance VHS, and honestly, living rooms haven't been the same since. It wasn't just another video. It was a 30-minute survival tool for parents.
Big Bird and his friends basically threw a dance party in a colorful studio. They weren't just singing; they were teaching rhythmic movement. It worked. Kids didn't just watch it. They moved. They jumped. They crashed into coffee tables.
The Weirdly Great Tracklist of Sesame Street Get Up and Dance VHS
Most kids' media today is hyper-active and loud. This tape was different. It felt grounded. The "Get Up and Dance" video featured a mix of classic Sesame Street hits and some deeper cuts that focused specifically on motor skills. You had the "Birdland" segment, which is a masterpiece of early childhood jazz appreciation.
Then there was "Do the Dog."
Barkley the Dog—that massive, shaggy puppet that required two people to operate—was the star here. It’s a simple song. You bark. You wag. You jump. But for a three-year-old, it’s basically Coachella. The choreography in these segments wasn’t about being a backup dancer for Beyoncé; it was about "gross motor skills." That's the technical term child development experts like those at the Harvard Center on the Developing Child use to describe using large muscle groups. When Big Bird tells a kid to "stretch to the sky," he's actually helping them develop balance and coordination.
The video also included "A Very Simple Dance," which is exactly what it sounds like. It’s repetitive. It’s slow. It’s perfect for kids who are still figuring out how their legs work. Unlike modern YouTube "brain breaks" that use fast cuts and flashing lights, the Sesame Street Get Up and Dance VHS used long takes. You could actually see the puppets' full bodies. This helped kids mirror the movements more effectively than they can with a 2D animation where the physics don't make sense.
Why the 1997 Release Felt Different
By the late 90s, Sesame Street was competing with Blue’s Clues and Teletubbies. They had to pivot. They needed more "active" content. This VHS was a direct response to the growing concern that kids were becoming "TV zombies."
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You have to remember the era. Digital Video Discs (DVDs) were just hitting the market, but the VHS was king. The tape itself was sturdy. You could drop it. You could sticky-finger it. It would still play. The Sesame Street Get Up and Dance VHS usually came in that iconic white plastic "clamshell" case that smelled like ozone and nostalgia.
The Hidden Educational Value of Giggling
Is it just dancing? No.
Researchers have long pointed out that music and movement are linked to language acquisition. When Elmo (voiced at the time by the legendary Kevin Clash) leads a dance, he’s using rhythmic patterns that mimic speech. This isn't just fluff. A study published in Early Childhood Research Quarterly suggests that children who engage in rhythmic movement shows better phonological awareness.
Basically, dancing to "The Birdland Jump" might actually help a kid learn to read later on.
The "A-List" Puppet Cameos
What made this specific tape a staple in the "My Sesame Street Home Video" line was the cast. You didn't just get the "core four." You got a wide variety of characters:
- Big Bird: The tall, slightly clumsy host who makes mistakes so kids feel okay making them too.
- Elmo: At the height of his "Tickle Me Elmo" fame, providing the high energy.
- Grover: Bringing that frantic, lovable chaos to every step.
- Telly Monster: The neurotic one who represents the kid who is a little afraid to try a new dance move.
Telly is the secret MVP of the Sesame Street Get Up and Dance VHS. He often worries he's doing it wrong. In one segment, the characters reassure him that there is no "wrong" way to move. That’s a massive psychological win for a toddler. It lowers the "affective filter," a term coined by linguist Stephen Krashen, which basically means if you're not stressed, you learn better.
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Finding This Relic in the Digital Age
You can't just go to a store and buy a new copy of the Sesame Street Get Up and Dance VHS anymore. Well, you can, but it’ll be from a guy named "VideoVince99" on eBay, and it’ll cost you $15 plus shipping.
Is it worth it?
If you still have a working VCR, maybe. There is something tactile about the "thunk" of the tape sliding in. However, most of the segments have been digitized. You can find "Do the Dog" and "Birdland" on the official Sesame Street YouTube channel or on various streaming compilations like Sesame Street: Dance Party.
But something is lost in translation. The original VHS had a specific flow. It had those weird, colorful interstitial segments. It had the "stay tuned for more fun" promos at the end. It was a self-contained experience that lasted exactly 30 minutes—the perfect length for a parent to fold a load of laundry or stare into the middle distance while drinking lukewarm coffee.
The Problem with "New" Dance Videos
Modern kids' content is often designed for the "scroll." It’s designed to keep them clicking. The Sesame Street Get Up and Dance VHS was designed to be finished. It had a beginning, a middle, and a cool-down.
Cool-downs are underrated.
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The tape didn't just end on a high note and leave the kid vibrating with energy. It slowed down. It brought the heart rate back to normal. This is a nuance that many "CoComelon" style videos miss. They keep the adrenaline high, which leads to a meltdown when the screen turns off. Sesame Street writers in the 90s understood the "arc of a toddler."
How to Recreate the Magic Today
If you’re a parent or a nostalgic collector looking to revisit the Sesame Street Get Up and Dance VHS vibes, you don't necessarily need the tape. You need the philosophy.
- Don't just watch; do. If Big Bird jumps, you jump.
- Focus on the big movements. Forget the "Baby Shark" hand motions for a second. Try the "whole body" movements found in the 1997 tape.
- Use real music. The "Birdland" segment used actual jazz arrangements. Don't underestimate a kid's ability to appreciate good composition.
- Embrace the mistakes. Like Telly Monster, it’s okay to trip. That’s part of the dance.
The Sesame Street Get Up and Dance VHS remains a gold standard for "active" media. It wasn't trying to sell toys—okay, maybe it was a little—but its primary goal was to get kids to realize that their bodies are capable of amazing, silly, rhythmic things. It’s a 30-minute masterclass in pedagogical entertainment.
If you happen to find a copy at a garage sale for fifty cents, grab it. Even if you don't have a VCR, that white clamshell case is a piece of history. It represents a time when TV asked kids to get off the couch instead of sinking into it.
Actionable Next Steps for Parents and Collectors
- Check Local Libraries: Believe it or not, many libraries still have "Legacy Media" sections. You might find a copy of the Sesame Street Get Up and Dance VHS there for free.
- Curate a Playlist: If you're on Spotify or YouTube, look for the "Get Up and Dance" tracklist. Search for "Birdland Sesame Street" and "Do the Dog."
- Monitor the Tracking: If you are playing an original tape, remember to adjust the tracking manually if the screen flickers. Most younger parents have forgotten this "skill," but it’s essential for the true 1997 experience.
- Assess Motor Development: Use these songs as a fun way to see if your child can follow two-step directions (e.g., "Clap your hands, then touch your toes"). It’s a low-stress diagnostic tool.
The era of the VHS is long gone, but the need for kids to move their bodies hasn't changed. The Sesame Street Get Up and Dance VHS wasn't just a tape; it was an invitation.