 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Dino Dan
- Nick Jr.
- Genre: Educational
Common Sense Media says
Young paleontologist teaches kids about Jurassic giants.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this series is a surefire hit for kids with a passion for dinosaurs, since its CGI subjects come to life right in front of their eyes. The twist that puts the great beasts in modern time rather than in their own time period gives the show an even more exaggerated feeling of innocence, and the lack of violence -- beyond the occasional head butt or tail slap -- makes it totally kid-friendly. In addition to exposing kids to a variety of dinosaur species, the show also includes science-based vocabulary words and their definitions.
What's the story?
DINO DAN centers on young Dan Henderson (Jason Spevack), an aspiring paleontologist who discovers that learning how dinosaurs lived is as easy as looking out at his own backyard. Unbeknownst to everyone else, Dan can see dinosaurs roaming the streets, parks, and school grounds amid the unsuspecting people, and by watching them interact, he learns a lot about how they lived so many years ago.
Is it any good?
CGI brings to colorful life these replicas of the Jurassic giants, and kids will delight in the chance to see what scientists believed them to look like during their heyday. Their physical appearance, size, and demeanor hold clues for kids to the way they lived, ate, and protected their young. In addition, each new story introduces kids to and defines science-based vocabulary words like “herbivore” in an attempt to increase their vocabulary.
Older kids will find the show a little cheesy and overacted, but younger kids who don’t know the difference will enjoy the chance to see these dinosaurs in action. The best news is that compared to other CGI dino tales marketed for kids, this one is completely harmless, since the dinosaurs’ interactions are brief and virtually violence-free.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about science. What aspects of science are your favorites? How does studying science help us understand the world around us? Why is it important to learn about extinct species like dinosaurs?
Kids: What are your favorite hobbies or interests? What books or other rescources help you learn more about these interests? How do they relate to your home or school life? Do your friends share your interests?
What kinds of fossils have been found where you live? What do they tell us about the creatures and people who lived here before us? Where can you go to see some of these items?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
What is up with Dino Dan????!!!!!?????
Clearly, Dino Dan is a paranoid schizophrenic that exhibits extremely lucid auditory and visual hallucinations. As a parent, I have a real concern for this kid's mental state.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Hate Dino Dan show
I was wondering what's wrong with Dino Dan until I saw this website. I hate the show, there are other ways to learn about dinosaurs, instead of making a child look schizophrenic and unadapted.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
best show ever
i always watch this show with my 4 year old sister it's so cute
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Take it off Nick Jr. or just get rid of it all together. It is a horrible show.
Why is it on Nick JR. I hate it and it scares my 9th month old to death!!! She loves watching Moose and Zee and all the other shows but when Dino Dan comes on she CRIES!!! What stupid person came up with this show. TAKE IT OFF!!!
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 11 years old
February 2, 2011
AGE
Too scary and shouldn't belong on a preschool channel
I can't believe this show goes on Nick Jr. That's a preschool channel! I really don't think that this show is for preschoolers. The dinosaurs are very realistic and dinosaurs are scary for young kids like preschoolers. Also, they show them fighting! Double scary...
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
awful acting and not for very young kids.
My four year old loves this show. I HATE IT. I can't stand watching it although I know its geared for kids and not adults. The acting is terribly poor and the dinosaurs can be a little scary. I don't think it should be on a pre-school channel imo.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
my kids love it...my 5 yr old is having nightmares due to the dinosaurs being so realistic, my 2 yr old loves it. i think they need to have dan play and interact more with his friends, he is too oppsessed about only dinosaurs...i understand that its about dinosaurs but maybe you can add other interests within the show. My son is talking like dan also...which i dont like... because dan talks like he has all the knowledge about dinosaurs and doesn't talk about anything else...
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Your little paleontologist will love it!
My four year old son has been in throws of dinosaurs so this show could not have come at a better time. It is extremely educational and fun. My two year old daughter watches it with her brother. It is geared toward older kids, but that is why it comes on later in the day. My friend has two girls who love the show and are not necessarily dinosaur lovers. No, it is not a show that I love to sit and watch, but have you ever tried to sit through a whole episode of Yo Gabba Gabba? Getting my teeth drilled on is more pleasant than that!
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 11 years old
April 16, 2011
AGE
Iffy...
Very educational, but it seems as Dan has some disorder... he is always talking about dinosaurs, and this show has mentally effected my sister, always talking about Dinos. It's annoying, and the dinosaurs can be scary.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Great educational show!
My 4 year old son loves this show and is one the shows that will hold his attention for the whole 30 minutes. He is fascinated by the series and has even learned to identify different dinosaurs in other shows and books.
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Topics: | dinosaurs, science and nature |
| TV rating: | TV-Y |
| Network: | Nick Jr. |
| Cast: | Jason Spevack |
| Genre: | Educational |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already seen it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
