• Is it age appropriate?

  About our ratings

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  Not age appropriate for kids under 0, age appropriate for kids over 3; suggested age 4.

• Is it any good?

  3.0

• Common Sense says

  Irresistible for fans of the show; ads aren't too obnoxious.

Why We Rated This for Ages 4 and Up

The good stuff

• Educational value:

  Basic activities, like matching games and coloring pages can be educational, especially if a parent is present to ask questions and point things out. Probably the most educational part of the site is the projects department which teaches sequencing through a step-by-step building process that kids control.
• Messages:

  Lots of socially positive projects, such as building a recycling center, wind farm, and community playground.

What to watch out for

• Violence:

  Not an issue.
• Sex:

  Not an issue.
• Language:

  Not an issue.
• Consumerism:

  There are icons on the top of each page that represent other PBS shows, like Thomas the Tank Engine and Agelina Ballerina. Clicking on any of these characters takes you to their respective Web sites. On every page there is an advertisment for a "free download" trial of Bob the Builder's newest CD-ROM game. These ads are clearly labeled as an "advertisment." Promos that are less clearly marked can be found within the site under the "Meet the Team" department, where you can scroll through a list of products and get information on a slew of products, everything from underwear to the Bob the Builder Live Show.
• Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

  Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

About Bob the Builder

Families Can Talk About