Taking a look back and highlighting the funniest and wackiest things the Bates kids have said and done.

Bates Say the Darndest Things

Gil Bates

Kelly Jo Bates

Zach Bates

Whitney Bates

Erin Paine

Tori Smith

Michael Keilen

Carlin Stewart

Josie Balka

Alyssa Webster

Katie Clark

Nathan Bates

Warden Bates

Trace Bates

Lawson Bates

Isaiah Bates

Ellie Bates

Addallee Bates

Birthdays and Boyfriends

The Great Bates Clean-Up

It’s a season of change for the Bates family with new loves, new careers, and a new grandbaby on the way!  But when Gil undergoes a serious medical procedure, it forces everyone to contemplate what the future holds for them all.

Big Family, Big Changes

It’s Trace and Jeb’s birthday and there’s only one rule: no girls allowed! The brothers, who share a birthday and a special bond, plan a party for Bates boys only complete with go carts and ice cream! Meanwhile, Erin and Chad travel to South Carolina to speak to and encourage a group of young girls about female empowerment.

Bates Boys Birthday Bash

The whole family arrives at the Bates house to celebrate their favorite holiday, ‘I Love You Day’ AND there’s someone new at the table – Tori’s new beau!  The family is happy to see Michaella and Alyssa return home, as well as Nathan’s girlfriend, Ashley, who arrives for the celebration to have a very important conversation with Kelly Jo and Gil.  Later, at the family’s celebration someone in the family makes a very special announcement!

A LOVEly Day

While Alyssa, John, and Allie Jane may live far from the rest of the family, they’re never far from their hearts!  We check in with the Webster’s in Florida to see what life is like for the family of three – from their family business to their favorite pastimes.  Meanwhile, expectant moms Erin and Whitney, get together with Kelly Jo to talk about all things baby girl!

Sunshine State Bates

Change is afoot for all the Bates boys. Lawson travels to Nashville and makes exciting new plans for his music career, but when he shares his plans with the family, they worry he may have bitten off more than he can chew. Meanwhile, expectant couples, Zach and Whitney and Erin and Chad bond over their upcoming baby girls. And Nathan shares some unexpected news about his courtship.

Tough Decisions and Large Ambitions

It’s time to get cookin’!  The Bates family is reunited once again to perform at an event very dear to their hearts, the annual Volunteer Fire Department Chili Fundraiser.  As they wait for the married couples to arrive, Trace decides to get serious about his trick riding and enlists the help of Gil and Jackson to build a ring to practice in.  Later at the big event, the family gets nervous about their upcoming performance.  Without much time to practice, will they come up flat or be able to pull it together in time to hit a high note?

The Big Chili

It’s that time of the year again and the Bates are ready to clean house!  With a big family, Spring cleaning is no easy feat.  Kelly Jo leads the project and tries to convince the kids to get rid of their old junk and used toys.  But when Gil gets sentimental he may make a mess of the whole endeavor.  And while the family is working hard at home, Chad is hard at work at his job at the metal yard.

The Bates are back in Florida and are ready to party!  It’s the Bates girls’ turn this time to celebrate as Allie Jane and Carlin share a big birthday.  The family prepares for the birthday bash but quickly realize it’s a lot harder to plan a party for both a 1-year-old and an 18-year-old then they originally thought.  Then, Kelly Jo and Gil take advantage of their time in Florida when they decide to meet Tori’s boyfriend’s family.

The Bates kids are in charge while Kelly Jo and Gil take a much needed couples vacation to Niagara Falls. But when some of the kids get sick will they be able to handle the pressures without Mom and Dad around? Then some of the Bates kids head over to Zach and Whitney’s house for a rare treat...movie night!

Who’s In Charge?

It’s time to flip the tassel as Trace and Carlin get ready to receive their high school diplomas! But as the family prepares for the big bash they find themselves one man down when Kelly Jo falls ill, leaving Carlin to take the party planning lead. Will her siblings come to her rescue and help her pull off the greatest graduation party yet?

Bates Make the Grade

Ever wonder what it would be like to be part of the Bates family? Join the 20th Bates contest winner as they meet the family and embark on a day-in-the-life of a Bates. From doing chores to riding horses, our lucky fan will quickly learn that while it isn’t always easy being a Bates, it sure is fun!

The 20th Bates

Grandbaby Carson is turning 1 and the Bates are ready to celebrate! It’s Erin’s first time hosting the whole family at her house so she enlists everyone’s help to set up and decorate. But she quickly loses the boys to fun and games when Kelly Jo arrives with the party’s entertainment. And before the party starts, Katie and Josie hop behind the wheel for their first driving lesson under Kelly Jo’s watchful (and nervous!) eye.

Growing Paine

The family heads to an all you can eat buffet; Lawson works on his new album with inspiration from Emily Ann Roberts.

Bates Dish it Out

The Bates reflect back on the monster truck ride through the swamp on a Florida adventure.

From the Couch: The Bates Go To Florida

Jackson is turning 14 and it’s time to complete a Bates boy rite of passage - helping out on a tree job. Is he ready for this big step? Meanwhile, Erin and Chad have some family over to discuss their plans of recording a new lullaby CD. Then the guys come together to celebrate Jackson’s birthday with a rowdy game of paintball. But it isn’t too long before the Bates boys learn that you can’t spell paintball without PAIN.

You Can’t Spell Paintball without PAIN

The Bates boys are going to basketball camp. How will these homeschoolers do when they enter into organized sports for the first time? And in true Bates fashion, a competition emerges between the brothers to see who comes home a MVP. Meanwhile, Chad and Erin are expecting baby Brooklyn any day now! But they’re already thinking about adding another member to the family - a new puppy! Will they find a four legged pal to bring home?

Three Pointers and Puppies

Zach, Whitney, and the whole Bates family get ready to meet their newest addition, Kaci Lynn! But when Whitney has an ultrasound days before delivery, they find out that Kaci Lynn is breach and if she doesn’t turn, it could have dangerous consequences for mom and baby. When the time comes Zach, Whitney, and the rest of the family are holding breaths and saying prayers for a happy and healthy new Bates.

Meet Kaci Lynn Bates!

In this all-new SUPERSIZED episode, watch as Erin hosts Carson’s first birthday and two of the Bates girls receive a driving lesson!

SUPERSIZED: Extra Paine

It’s time to get dirty! The family goes on a messy adventure when they pack up and go mudding on fourwheelers. Can the family’s resident daredevil, Nathan, take it easy, or will he end up with his head in the mud? But when the weather takes an unexpected turn the family is in danger of losing their muddy good time. And later, Michaella and Brandon come into town to meet the Bates’ newest member, Kaci Lynn!

Muddy Buddies

Lawson is shining up his boots for a gig in Nashville! But even though his music career is growing, Lawson knows what pays the bills...his lawn care business. And when some of his sisters ask to learn the ropes of the business and make a little extra cash Lawson agrees to teach them everything he knows. Meanwhile, Jackson, Warden and Isaiah camp out in their favorite spot...the fort. And later, Lawson takes the stage at a venue in Nashville. But in a city full of aspiring musicians will Lawson stand out or fade into the crowd?

Nashville Nights & Country Campouts

Erin and Chad are days away from meeting their little girl and are in full prep mode! Erin heads to Nashville to finish her lullaby album. But before Erin and Chad bring Brooklyn home they welcome another new addition...a puppy! And as Brooklyn’s birth gets closer and closer, Erin recounts her struggles with Carson’s labor and even though it will be worth it when she has Brooklyn in her arms, she worries that she’ll face the same difficulties this time around.

And Baby Makes Five?

In this all new SUPERSIZED episode, get more birthday fun with Jeb and Trace!

SUPERSIZED: Extra Birthday Bash

In this all new SUPERSIZED episode, get more from the Bates as they attend an event at the fire station that saved Addallee’s life when she was a baby.

SUPERSIZED: Extra Chili

Join the Bates family as they re-live some hilarious and touching moments from their Thanksgiving at Papa Bill and Mamma Jane’s house. It’s an overstuffed episode you won’t want to miss!

From The Couch: Thanksgiving

In this all new SUPERSIZED episode, get more of the girls' birthday party and Tori's new boyfriend!

SUPERSIZED: Extra Birthdays and More Boyfriends

In this special year end episode, each Bates will tell us what their favorite moment has been from the past 4 seasons!

Year End Special

Twenty-seven years ago Gil and Kelly Jo Bates tied the knot with no plans to have kids. Fast forward 19 kids later and this tight-knit family, seemingly too good to be true, has a tremendous bond but are far from perfect. As you will see, when you have a house full of 19 children, from ages two to 25, daily chaos is multiplied exponentially, but so are the joyful and poignant moments that life can bring.

Bates Say the Darndest Things

Seasons10

Season 4 Episodes27

Cast18

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Episode Summary