PBS
American Experience
Ages 9-11, History, PBS, Recommended by Common Sense MediaWhat’s Smart About It: Do your kids need a history refresher but don’t want to watch some “boring” documentary? PBS put together an excellent docu-series that combines reenactments, historical footage and commentary to paint America’s past with vibrant colors.
History Detectives
Ages 9-11, History, PBS, Recommended by Common Sense MediaWhat’s Smart About It: History is alive and well with this team of experts that track down the stories, people and places of objects that are brought to them. Letters, paintings, weapons, jewelry all have an interesting past on this show. Watch as experts, appraisers and researchers all work to uncover the real story.
Antiques Roadshow
Ages 9-11, History, PBS, Recommended by Common Sense Media, Safe and FunWhat’s Smart About It: This parent’s favorite just might get the kids hooked on antiques and history. The slower pace of the program might be difficult for some younger viewers but there’s nothing like guessing the right price of a 18th century French oak desk.
The National Parks: America’s Best Idea
Ages 9-11, History, PBS, Recommended by Common Sense Media, SubjectWhat’s Smart About It: Take a stroll through America’s most amazing places with a story teller that provides the incredible histories of the people and events that helped create our National Parks.
Time Team America
Ages 6-9, Ages 9-11, History, PBS, Recommended by Common Sense Media, ScienceWhat’s Smart About It: Want a reality show but can’t stand the trash? What about a reality show that has teams using the latest technology to excavate historic sites around the nation? Get your metal detector and shovel, you’ll feel like you’re working right next to them
Sesame Street
Ages 3-6, Arts and Reading, Good Ol' Values, PBS, Recommended by Common Sense Media, Safe and FunWhat’s Smart About It: It’s not just about letters, numbers, shapes and colors on Sesame Street. Big issues are tackled as well, such as, missing a family member, loneliness, even poor self esteem. In the end the messages are always positive and helpful. Sesame Street has been on for 40 years and has introduced children to everything from different cultures, people and ideas, to the fuzziest Muppets of all time.
WordWorld
Ages 3-6, Arts and Reading, PBS, Recommended by Common Sense MediaWhat’s Smart About It: A group of animal ‘WordFriends’ teach preschool kids how to solve problems by building the right word. Words come alive and characters in this animated children’s show.
NOVA
Ages 9-11, PBS, Recommended by Common Sense Media, ScienceWhat’s Smart About It: What isn’t smart about NOVA on PBS? If only our kids wanted to watch it all the time!
Sid the Science Kid
Ages 3-6, PBS, Recommended by Common Sense Media, ScienceWhat’s Smart About It: Developing an interest in science and exploration. Learning things like why birds fly, but we can’t.
Between the Lions
Ages 3-6, Arts and Reading, PBS, Recommended by Parents' Choice FoundationWhat’s Smart About It: Learning the elements of reading! Catchy songs, videos and cartoon will even help you refresh your own basics of the silent E saying it’s name, the sounds that W makes.
