SpongeBob: Get Cooking – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

SpongeBob: Get Cooking

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

game2022

74%

WISE Score

A surprisingly clean SpongeBob cooking game that ditches the usual mobile-game nonsense thanks to Netflix.

SpongeBob: Get Cooking

game

2022

74%

WISE Score

A surprisingly clean SpongeBob cooking game that ditches the usual mobile-game nonsense thanks to Netflix.

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Where to Play

Google Play

App Store

Screenwise Verdict

This is what mobile games for kids should look like: no predatory monetization, no ads interrupting every 30 seconds, just straightforward gameplay. It's not going to blow anyone's mind—it's a time-management cooking game with SpongeBob slapped on it—but it's competent and safe.

The Netflix exclusivity is both a blessing and a barrier. If you already have Netflix, this is a solid option for car rides or waiting rooms. If you don't, it's not worth subscribing just for this game.

It'll hold a SpongeBob fan's attention for a few weeks, maybe a month if they're really into customizing their restaurant. After that, the repetitive gameplay loop will likely wear thin. But for what it is—a casual, wholesome time-waster—it does the job without any of the usual mobile game toxicity.

Age Fit

Best for ages 5-10, though the Facebook parent mentioned their 5-year-old playing successfully. The time-management aspect might challenge younger kids, but the SpongeBob theme and simple tap mechanics keep it accessible. Older kids will likely find it too repetitive after a while.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

SpongeBob's signature cheerful, goofy energy translates well to this cooking sim. The game centers on cooperation, serving customers, and building up your restaurant—all positive themes. The time-management mechanics can get frantic but not in a chaotic, overstimulating way. It's the Krusty Krab without the Plankton scheming.

Imaginative

Restaurant decoration and customization offer some creative outlet, and the 'expanded SpongeBob universe' suggests exploring familiar Bikini Bottom locations. But fundamentally this is a time-management cooking game—you're following recipes and filling orders on a timer, not inventing new gameplay or stories. It's imaginative within its lane, but that lane is pretty narrow.

Safe

Exclusive to Netflix members means no ads, no in-app purchases, no loot boxes, and no online chat. This is a remarkably clean mobile game experience. The web search results mention a similar game (Krusty Cook-Off) had frequent IAP ads, but this Netflix version strips all that out. Just pure cooking gameplay.

Enriching

Time-management and multitasking skills get a workout, and one kid reviewer noted you 'kind-of learn how to make certain foods.' But let's be real—this is a casual arcade game about tapping burgers in the right order. It's entertaining and mildly skill-building, but not exactly enriching. Fine for downtime, not a learning experience.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Zero ads, zero in-app purchases, zero manipulation—Netflix membership strips out all the predatory mobile game garbage
Time-management gameplay builds multitasking skills without being overwhelming
SpongeBob's wholesome vibe and familiar Bikini Bottom setting make it approachable for younger kids
Restaurant customization adds a light creative element beyond just tapping orders

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What to Watch For

It's still a pretty shallow cooking sim—don't expect deep gameplay or lasting engagement beyond a few weeks
Time-pressure mechanics might frustrate kids who prefer slower-paced games
Requires Netflix membership, so not accessible without that subscription

Conversation Starters

"What's your favorite dish to make in the game? Have you ever tried making it in real life?"
"If you could design your own restaurant like SpongeBob, what would it look like?"
"Why do you think customers get upset when their orders are late? How does that feel when you're waiting for something?"

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