Subject
The Cosby Show
Ages 6-9, Ages 9-11, Good Ol' Values, Recommended by Parents Television Council, Safe and FunWhat’s Smart About It: One of the first and maybe the best network programs that featured a professional African-American family. Great parents are raising respectful and interesting kids, and with every episode there’s a problem to overcome with some commonsense and a whole lot of love.
The Backyardigans
Ages 3-6, Good Ol' Values, Nickelodeon, Recommended by Parents' Choice Foundation, Safe and FunWhat’s Smart About It: These five silly animals have big imaginations, musical skills, funky dance moves and hope to keep your little ones moving and engaged int heir creative stories that start from…yup, their backyard. Get the song lyrics online and sing along.
Bone Detectives
Ages 9-11, Discovery, History, Recommended by Parents' Choice Foundation, ScienceWhat’s Smart About It: Science and history together in the same show! In every show there’s a mystery to unravel, a life to understand, a world to explore and a death to reveal.
Yo Gabba Gabba!
Ages 3-6, Good Ol' Values, Nickelodeon, Recommended by KIDS FIRST!, Safe and FunWhat’s Smart About It:DJ Lance Rock gets your little ones up dancing, moving and shaking while teaching lessons like forgiveness, friendship and healthy eating. Great colors and characters draw kids in to this fun and educational techno colored world.
Jeopardy!
Ages 9-11, Recommended by Parents Television Council, Safe and FunWhat’s Smart About It: Even though it seems TV has gotten progressively dumber over the years Jeopardy! hasn’t given in. It’s been the same tough answers (you have to provide the questions) for 25 years.
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.
Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?
Ages 6-9, Ages 9-11, Recommended by Parents Television Council, Safe and FunWhat’s Smart About It: It’s amazing to learn how much you forgot. This is a trivia game show that has adults competing against the kids. It’s simple, kind, good, clean fun.
Cool Fuel
Ages 6-9, Ages 9-11, Discovery, Recommended by Common Sense Media, ScienceWhat’s Smart About It: Did you know used french fry oil can power a truck? A wily Australian and his scrappy dog travel around the US on homemade zero emission vehicles and teach great lessons about energy and the environment. The science is easy enough for a child to follow but captures the interest of nearly everyone who watches.
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.
