Bluey teams with Citymapper on kid-friendly routes

Bluey and Citymapper have launched a new "For kids" route option in the Citymapper app, available in more than 40 cities across the UK, US and Australia.

The feature gives parents child-friendly journey planning with shorter walking times, step-free routes and pram-friendly stations. As part of the partnership, Citymapper is also launching in Brisbane for the first time.

Rather than creating a separate product, the companies have added the option to the existing Citymapper app. Users plan a journey as usual, then select the Bluey "For kids" option alongside the standard route choices.

Travellers can also use Bluey-themed navigation icons and watch Bluey video clips integrated into journey planning. The app also directs families to Bluey games and activities designed to keep children occupied during trips.

The initiative brings together a children's entertainment brand and a transport planning app at a time when digital services are looking for ways to stand out in crowded urban mobility markets. For Citymapper, the Brisbane launch expands its city footprint while drawing on a local cultural brand with strong recognition among families.

Bluey, the animated series created by Joe Brumm and produced by Ludo Studio, has built a large international audience through stories centred on family life and play. BBC Studios distributes the brand internationally and has expanded it through licensing and partnerships.

The transport app operates in cities across the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia included in the launch. The feature is designed for journeys where parents may want routes better suited to travelling with young children.

Family travel

Family-focused journey planning has become more visible for transport and mapping apps as urban travellers seek route options tailored to accessibility, buggy use and shorter walking distances. While step-free filters are now common in many apps, packaging those options specifically for parents with small children is less common.

Here, the feature is also tied to a broader Bluey campaign called Play The Bluey Way, which aims to connect the brand with everyday family activities. The campaign has included digital experiences, creator partnerships, social content and public activations in several cities.

Aoife Owen, VP Global Brand and Marketing, Bluey at BBC Studios, said: "Play The Bluey Way is all about showing families that opportunities to play can be found in the everyday. By giving families access to child-friendly routes and built-in Bluey content, we hope we can make family journeys a little more playful."

The companies are targeting a common source of friction for urban families: the mismatch between standard route planning and the realities of travelling with prams, toddlers and time constraints. A route that appears efficient for an adult commuter can be less practical for a parent managing stops, stairs and longer walks.

Brisbane debut

Brisbane has a particular role in the launch because it is Bluey's home city and a new market for Citymapper. The app's debut there includes co-branded elements linked to the television series.

Citymapper, which is owned by Via, has built its reputation on urban journey planning across public transport, walking, cycling and other modes. The Bluey tie-up is intended to make the app more relevant to households travelling with younger children.

David Frances, Vice President of Product at Citymapper, said: "Travelling with young children often turns even a simple trip into a major operation. We are delighted to partner with Bluey to make travel a more playful experience for families. Whether you are navigating your daily routine or looking for a way to keep little ones entertained on a long journey, we are thrilled to make urban transport easier, smoother, and a bit more fun for families."