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The National Parks: America's Best Idea (PBS)

common sense media says

Breathtaking historical look at nation's favorite places.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this stunning historical look at America’s national parks from award-winning filmmaker Ken Burns is an excellent pick for families. More than just a collection of awe-inspiring sights, the series is also a gripping history lesson that touches on the economic, political, sociological, and geological forces at play during the formative years of America’s past. While its content is mostly appropriate for any age, it will be best appreciated by tweens and teens who already have some knowledge of American history.

Educational value: This unique view of America's past includes content of historical, geological, and sociological value and gives little-known figures in our country’s past their due for helping create this national treasure.
Positive messages: The series celebrates the American spirit and the equalizing effect of democracy -- as reflected in the concept that the country’s most spectacular treasures should belong to all citizens equally. The subject matter raises awareness of issues like deforestation and conservation. Though some content mentions the existence of indigenous people on the lands acquired by the government, not much time is devoted to describing how the change affected them.
Positive role models: The series makes heroes of average people-turned-visionaries who enabled the preservation of land for future generations.
Violence & scariness: Men and women are shown with guns in historical photos, and the narrative sometimes includes details of the physical hardships pioneers endured while navigating the wilds of future national parks.
Sexy stuff: Not applicable.
Language: Very rare use of "hell."
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
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More on The National Parks: America's Best Idea

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about how the media can be used as a teaching tool. Kids: What did you learn from this series? How has the media changed how we learn? In what ways does your school incorporate it in education?
  • Does this series change your view of conservation? If so, how? What responsibility do we have toward future generations when it comes to land use?
  • What aspects of our nation -- past and present -- reflect the philosophy that "all men are created equal"? How does this series illustrate the idea of democracy?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Yosemite, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, the Everglades. The names evoke visions of awesome natural splendor, but for all their fame, the tales of how they achieved their landmark standing are rarely told. THE NATIONAL PARKS: AMERICA'S BEST IDEA -- a beautiful documentary series from award-winning filmmaker Ken Burns and writer Dayton Duncan -- explores the history of America’s national parks, from the controversial infancy of the unique concept in the mid-1800s to the vast modern treasure that now belongs to everyone in the United States. The stories of the land are interwoven with tales of visionaries from all walks of life who helped preserve the sites that shape our modern parks system.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Once in a while a series comes along that reminds us of all the positive qualities of the media -- The National Parks is exactly that. It simultaneously entertains, teaches, and inspires, offering a whole new perspective on an American institution that most of us likely take for granted. If you’ve never visited one of these historic sites and felt a surge of pride, you will after you see them through the eyes of the people who fought for the parks’ existence and consqeuently added an important new chapter to U.S. history.

Apart from rare instances of salty language ("hell," mostly in historic accounts), this documentary series is well suited for family viewing. Kids probably won’t absorb too much besides the breathtaking scenery from, but parents, tweens, and teens may be inspired to discuss everything from politics to conservation.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-G
Network: PBS
Genre: Educational
Where to watch: PBS
This review was written by Emily Ashby
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

kalicwe
parent of 16 year old
7
 
Perfect for children of school age.
Wow! My 16 year old daughter was inspired to camp, become an active conservationist, and talked us into visiting Glacier National Park before the Glaciers melted! [Which we did in August 2010.] She developed an interest in some of the music used in the series, and learned to play it on her violin.
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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
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