The series was based upon a live-action pilot titled "Me and My Friends", which was filmed at Nickelodeon Studios Florida in 1998. The pilot featured life-sized mascot costumes and puppets who danced to songs on an indoor stage. In 2001, Nickelodeon Digital in New York retooled the concept into an animated pilot, using motion capture techniques to animate the dances. The newer pilot was greenlit, and the series entered production. Animation for the first season started at Nickelodeon Digital in New York, but as a cost-cutting measure, animation services were eventually relocated to Nelvana, Pipeline Studios, and Guru Studio. Nickelodeon called the show "a home-grown Nick Jr. property," as "the whole creative team... been part of the Nick Jr. family for years."