 | 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. |
Dinosaur Train
- PBS
- Genre: Educational
Common Sense Media says
Young dino's travels teach kids about science and diversity.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this series encourages preschoolers’ curiosity about the world around them as it introduces them to basic scientific principles and several species of prehistoric creatures. Each story exposes kids to science terms like "hypothesis" and "herbivore," illustrating their meanings in kid-friendly ways. In addition to its educational quality, the show also celebrates differences and encourages respect for others, as Buddy’s travels lead him to make many new friends whose lifestyles and appearances are very different from his.
What's the story?
DINOSAUR TRAIN centers on a young Tyrannosaurus Rex named Buddy (voiced by Phillip Corlett) and his adoptive Pteranodon family, who live in a giant nest near the sea. Inquisitive Buddy is always on the lookout for adventure, and there’s no shortage of it when he and his siblings Tiny (Claire Corlett), Shiny (Erika-Shaye Gair), and Don board the Dinosaur Train and speed through time to meet other prehistoric creatures. As questions arise, Buddy comes up with theories and eagerly makes discoveries that will solve the scientific riddles he faces. The show also includes live-action segments starring paleontologist Scott Sampson, who chats with kids about science and fun dinosaur facts.
Is it any good?
This delightful series combines typical preschool interests like trains, dinosaurs, and a healthy appetite for adventure -- and the resulting tales feed kids’ vivid imaginations. Through Buddy’s travels within the Mesozoic era, young viewers learn about different species’ lifestyles, diets, and unique characteristics. Kids are also encouraged to think critically about the world around them; comparing dinosaurs’ traits to those of modern animals, for example, and learning to classify different species by size, appearance, and lifestyle habits.
And the show’s value isn’t limited to early paleontology education or its fun take on basic scientific processes. There are also plenty of positive messages about tolerance and respect for differences. Buddy’s adventures introduce him to a range of species with obvious differences, and his curiosity allows him to discover not only the unique traits that separate him from his new friends, but also the basic similarities that make them all alike.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about how the dinosaurs lived. Kids: How was the Earth different during their time? How did different species adapt to their surroundings? What traits differentiated the species?
How do scientists work to answer our questions about the past and the future? What tools do they use to uncover and piece together clues? How do modern inventions improve our lives?
Kids: What did you learn from this series? What questions do you still have about prehistoric creatures? What other shows have you seen that teach you something about science?
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- Teens & kids
Parent of 2 year old
January 8, 2010
AGE
I LOVE THIS SHOW... as does my 2 yr old son. I hope they make some DVDs/ toys soon!!!
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Parent
June 10, 2011
AGE
What happened to "All GODS creatures"/
I love this show and so does my 8month old, as soon as he hears the opening song he turns towards the TV and starts bouncing. However, I noticed this morning that the mother does not say "We are all GODS creatures" in the opening song. That bothers me VERY much.
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Parent of 4 and 6 year old
May 9, 2010
AGE
Wonderful show for 3-5 year olds, great values, non-violent
Great show - my four year old's favorite. My six year old finds it boring but will watch it as a compromise. The premise is sweet - a mother dinosaur finds an extra egg that hatches with a different-looking dinosaur, but she declares it's hers in every way and she'll love the boy as her own. Then the kids find themselves with a question that the mom and dad answer by traveling through time on the dinosaur train.
Great premise, terrific educational value, and great overall family values. Now if we could have an older kid version about dinosaurs that was also ad free, that would be even better!
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Parent of 2 year old
January 15, 2010
AGE
teaches kids to accept differences in people and more
I was skeptical but started watching it with my 2 1/2 year old son who loves it. I really love this show for the following reasons:
1) encourages kids to accept peers (and family members) that may be different from them, for example Buddy is not the same species as his brothers and sisters
2) does a great job of explaining new terms, such as "herbivore," and again expresses how animals can be different from each other (herbivore versus carnivore versus omnivore)
3) as the review says, it also teaches patience. All the adult dinos are patient, and they teach the kids to be that way, too.
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Parent of 2 and 3 year old
January 14, 2010
AGE
Wonderful Educational show for Pre-schoolers!
My 3 year old boy LOVES this show and has learned so much dinosaurs (as have I). My 2 year old also likes, more because it is colorful and has fun songs. It is mostly over his head, but my 3 year understands most of it and tells us all about dinosaurs, knows which ones are herbivores, carnivores and omnivores (and proudly annouces that he is an omnivore!) It has also helped me learn how to pronouce many of the dinosaur names that I struggle with while reading dinosaur books to my children.
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Parent of 2 year old
April 21, 2011
AGE
Excellent Show!
Best show for preschoolers! Even though my daughter is too young to say 'corinthasaurus' it still holds her attention. Not too flashy, fun music, educational and the best part? My husband and I love to watch it too! I wish I could find more shows like this!
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Teen, 14 years old
November 3, 2010
AGE
Good show but might not be too apporite for 2 year olds.
Now, this show is good but there was one bad episode I saw with my 2 year old sister and my 5 year old cousin called "Dinosaur poop", made me sick to my stomach and my 2 year old sister was confused but my 5 year old cousin was not bother by that. But that episode made me freaking sick and really confused my sister. So this show is fine but dont watch that "Dinosaur poop" episode unless your child is over 3.
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Parent of 3 year old
March 16, 2010
AGE
Prefect for Preschoolers!
I love this show- it is every kids dreams- the combination of trains and dinosaurs which are 2 things my 3 year old loves. Some of it might be a bit over a 2 year old's head but they can still enjoy the show. My 3 yr old daughter has learned the names of all different dinosaurs and some facts about them thanks to this show.
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Parent of 3 year old
April 1, 2011
AGE
Content more for kindergarden age...
The show is educational when it comes to content on the "dinosaur-era" and such. What I like are the excerpts after each segment with the palentologist explaining a few key things about the dinosaur or plant highlighted in the episode. It may be a bit much to take in for those younger than kindergarden age content-wise, but the style of animation and characters seem geared more towards the preschool and younger age. My son is 3 and loves the show for the dinosaurs, their games and of course the train. He seems to enjoy learning the different names of the dinosaurs, but I'm not sure he thoroughly understands all the details and such. On the "dinosaur poop" epsiode, we have yet to come across that one ourselves, but I have a bit of an idea of what it may be about and I'm wondering why anyone would be seriously freaking out about it. Some people worry about an episode as such, but not about reading a book about little kids going potty or explaining to their child about "poop" when it comes to potty training. It's all a part of life people.
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Parent
February 2, 2011
AGE
Both my kids loved watching this show. The oldest has just turned away from it now (he is 7) and that is only because he hasn't seen anything new lately.
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| Topics: | dinosaurs, friendship, science and nature, trains |
| TV rating: | TV-Y |
| Network: | PBS |
| Cast: | Claire Corlett, Ellen Kennedy, Phillip Corlett |
| Genre: | Educational |
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