 | 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. |
The Zula Patrol
- NBC, PBS, qubo
- Genre: Kids' Animation
Common Sense Media says
Engaging sci-fi cartoon for preschoolers.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this imaginative sci-fi animated series is an ideal pick for youngsters. Even though the show doesn't always distinguish scientific fact from fiction, it does a great job of passing on other concrete lessons -- particularly related to tolerance and non-violence.
What's the story?
THE ZULA PATROL chronicles the adventures of the citizens of planet Zula. Main characters Bula, Zeeter, Multo, Gorga, Wizzy, and Wigg travel the vast outreaches of outer space to learn about science while warding off galaxy-invading villains Dark Truder and Traxie. The series is partially built around a solid science curriculum: Kids will learn about the cosmos, asteroids, solar systems, and more. The characters also promote literacy, positive learning attitudes, tolerance, problem-solving skills, and finding solutions that don't involve violence.
Is it any good?
For the most part, Zula explains itself clearly, meaning parents don't have to be on hand to talk young viewers through each episode. The only point that might need clarification amid all of the science facts is that Zula and its alien citizens are fictional.
Kids will like that Zula Patrol doesn't have a slow-talking narrator stating the obvious and treating viewers like babies. Plus, the show's educational aspects are subtly nestled in the broader storyline and emerge through character dialogue. Thanks to those two elements, younger kids will feel like "big kids" while watching the show ... but still learn something! Overall, The Zula Patrol successfully mixes entertainment and education -- with impressive computer animation to boot.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about space science. What did kids learn from each episode? Are they interested in learning more about space? What do we know about our galaxy in general? Is Zula a real planet? Does life exist on other planets? If aliens do exist, what do you think they'd look like?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
Kid, 11 years old
January 2, 2011
AGE
execllent show truder's stupid!!!!!!!! weird.
This show is great. It has suspenseful moments and exicting adventures. The things you learn are things you'd never notice for kids and early teens sometimes. Nobody notices the slight realationship between bula and zeeter. First of all bula tells him to come along with him on missons.Second of all she sits next to her in the multopedia.Last of all you should see the way bula talks and looks at zeeter. The age range would be anybody under 10.
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AGE
A must for your space loving child
My 5 yo son loves this program. I love it too. The aliens are always kind, and teach him so much about space and science. They do different places in the universe to help out others in need, and along the way there are wonderful lessons in humanity and science. He's learned things that even I didn't know. Concepts that I wouldn't really think to teach him like how shadows change throughout the day, what simple machines are and how they work (lever, pulley, incline plane).
At pre-school on his day to "share" he brought in a placemat with the planets and proceeded to tell all his classmates about the planets (he named them all), which one had moons, which are gas vs. rock planets, why Pluto is on the "maybe" list of planets and so much more. It truly amazed me, and all the other moms too!!!! I didn't know he was absorbing so much from this show.
He still loves it, but has seen every episode so many times and there aren't lots of new episodes being added. He'll now request other shows that are new to him. But we still come back to Zula Patrol and he is still mesmerized by Captain Bula, Molto, and Zeter. I don't let him watch the Star Wars movies (that many of his friends do watch), so having all this information about space levels the knowledge field for him. His friends might know all the Star War characters, but he knows about space!
I actually put it on every now and then for review. I'm hoping that he won't forget all the science he learned on this program.
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AGE
My kids (especially my 5 yr old) adore this and it's a good one.
Unfortunately, the show is only on once a week - for us, it airs on one of the PBS stations and it also airs on a regular cable station, but with the latter, it airs with ads, so we don't DVR that because my kids don't watch any commercial television.
Each show has two episodes that are related to one science topic - for example, a recent episode had to do with rivers and tributaries. There is a "bad guy" who is more selfish than anything - he doesn't hurt anyone, but he'll try to cheat to win a race so that everyone will like him more. The Zula Patrol is a group of cute smart aliens that zoom in to save the day. Then there's pieces of the episode (like the Molto Moment - Molto is a brainy older character) where they go over the science part in a cute way.
My 2 1/2 yr old loves the music, the animated characters, and space. My 5 yr old loves the same, plus the science, and they both really get it. It doesn't dumb down things for kids, so I think even a 7 yr old who likes space & nature would enjoy the show.
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Kid, 10 years old
November 13, 2011
AGE
Uhhh..
Multo needs to give up his Multopedia. Out of all the planets they make Earth like a rude black woman and Venus rude and vain. Otherwise, I like this show and watch it on qubo because nothings on and I don't have cable.
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AGE
Another Spacey Show
I love this show, so good for all ages. This show is mainly meant to teach kids science topics, but yet, it can be absolutely funny!!! Like other spacey cartoons like Space Goofs (no longer airing, I want this show back) and Atomic Betty (how dare you Cartoon Network hooligans cancel this show, bring it back), Zula Patrol is also good and spacey (like SG and Atomic), not to mention, good wholesome (scientific) fun for all!!! I not letting ZP out of my sight, I don't want it to go the Cartoon Graveyard (where SG and Atomic ended up) too quickly.
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AGE
Zula Patrol--Out of This World!!!
The Zula Patrol blasts off every Saturday morning in our living room to bring us fun new ideas and adventures. It is on only once a week here, and we really wish it was on more often! Best loved are Wiggy and Wizzy the little space "bees" that save the day for Zula. Many good ideas that inspire the Multo Moment which teaches about astronomy and science . Very colorful and artfully combines silly and smart. (An apt combo for our family, and maybe yours too?)Villain DarkT is more funny than scary--which is good. He is always thwarted, and there is no violence other rhan a few big messes made. We love Dark T's talking toupee. (A sarcastic fuzzy pet who lives on his bald head.) Cute cute cute.
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AGE
Great intro to science, great values
I love this show. My daughter loves this show. There's a casual science component -- it feels like a natural, organic progression of the story line; and the emphasis on cooperation, critical thinking, and peace are so appealing to us. All this, and the theme song is great! :)
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AGE
meh
Its appropriate for for the age group but can be too cheesy and wimpy. I appreciate what its trying to do but my daughter does not seem interested in it at all.
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Kid, 12 years old
April 3, 2010
AGE
ADULT BEHAVIING, LANGAGE
Adult Behaviors (Pause): used the adult word of "$#*". Language (Pause): The Word "d@mn" and "crap" were used by 13+ (fewer of some) 16+ (fewer) 18+ (lot)
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| Topics: | space and aliens |
| TV rating: | TV-Y |
| Networks: | NBC, PBS, qubo |
| Genre: | Kids' Animation |
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