Deedee Doodle dresses in purple and pink and plays a funky keyboard that's attached to a shoulder strap.

Moe Doodle is the drum player and wears yellow, orange and red.

Then there is Rooney Doodle. You can't miss him. He's the guy who plays guitar and dresses in nothing but blue.

The colorful characters, who make up the popular Canadian children's band the Doodlebops, are coming to Watertown in July for two performances sponsored by the Disabled Persons Action Organization.

The Doodlebops Live! shows, which will be held in the Watertown Municipal Arena at the Alex T. Duffy Fairgrounds, is part of the Dealmaker/DPAO Summer Concert Series.

Proceeds will benefit developmentally disabled children and adults and their families in Jefferson and Lewis counties.

The Doodlebops are a hit among the very young. Their primary target audience is children ages 18 months to 5 years, according to their Web site, www.doodlebops.com.

Cookie Jar Entertainment and the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. produce their television show, which airs on stations throughout Canada and the United States, including the Disney Channel.

The stars of the band are Lisa J. Lennox, who plays Deedee, Chad McNamara as Rooney and Jonathan Wexler, who plays Moe.

But it's not just fun and games.

The show is aimed at encouraging "critical thinking skills, pro-social behavior, music appreciation and movement," according to the Web site.

The "zany exploits" of the "world's most fun band" are designed to encourage television viewers to interact with the characters through song and dance.

The shows offer a mix of music, dancing, humor and skits designed to "teach social lessons," as well as provide a basic understanding of the elements of music and dance.

Anything that gets children off the couch these days is a step in the right direction, said Megan E. Dyer, director of New Day Children's Center, 327 Franklin St.

"Their colorful costumes, their face paint and their hair draw attention," she said. "Any singing or dancing also attracts children."

Children quickly pick up the lyrics of the group's songs, as well, Mrs. Dyer said.

"They catch on to anything that has rhyme and rhythm," she added.

While most child-care professionals advocate turning off the television and sending children outside to play, programming such as the Doodlebops that encourages "a lot of music and movement" can be an option for parents during inclement weather, Mrs. Dyer said.

The show is also aimed at helping youngsters discover new things by learning from the successes and problems that the Doodlebops encounter, according to the Web site.

Interactive TV programs can help to get children "up and running around" instead of "sitting and zoning out in front of the television," said Claudia F. Whitmire, director of the Jefferson/Lewis Childcare Project.

Although it's better to have children engage in other activities throughout most of the day, including reading and writing, an occasional television show or live performance can be a "special treat" for a child, she said.

"There are not a lot of opportunities for parents in this area to take their children to live entertainment," Mrs. Whitmire said. "It's very exciting."

Co-sponsors of the event include M&T Bank, Labatt Blue Light, Kinney Drugs Foundation, Jreck Subs and the town of Watertown.