PBS Kids Video (http://pbskids.org/video)

common sense media says

Quality, ad-free PBS shows (but it's still screen time).


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that PBS KIDS VIDEO gives kids access to hundreds of video clips and full episodes of their favorite PBS shows. Currently 14 different preschool and early elementary-appropriate PBS shows like Dinosaur Train, Clifford, and Mister Rogers' Neighborhood are listed on this video portal site. Videos range from two to more than 20 minutes long, and they're searchable by name and topic.

Educational value: Shows like Super Why, Sid the Science Kid and Sesame Street can't be beat for engaging, quality educational television for kids. But it is still television, and research strongly suggests that preschoolers learn best by direct interaction, not passive viewing. 
Positive messages: PBS does an excellent job of organizing video clips and shows by positive themes, like "family," "eating right," "team work," "sports," and "reading."
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: This online version of PBS Kids does an even better job than the televised version of keeping "corporate sponsorships" (otherwise known as ads) to a minimum. 
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Privacy & safety: Parents don't need to register on this site for kids to be able to watch the videos. If a parent wants to share a video clip with someone else, they must enter their email address and the recipient's email address.  

More on PBS Kids Video

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Why PBS shows are good, quality shows. Ask your preschooler why they like some of their favorite PBS shows, and tell them why you like them, too. Read about how a PBS Kids series helped lower income kids learn to read.

  • Discuss why television time is still television time, whether watching it on a flat screen or a computer monitor. 

  • Consider clicking on the "Games" portion of the video site with your child and take their love of a particular show into the more interactive realm of PBS Kids' educational games.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

From using the word "Big" instead of "Maximize" to increase the size of the video currently playing, to listing the time of each clip or full episode, PBS creates both a child- and parent-friendly video portal site. Most parents clearly don't want their preschoolers or young grade-school age kids exploring YouTube or other video sites. But the PBS Kids Video site can be easily navigated even by preschoolers (but parents should always sit with kids this age when they're using the computer). One caveat: Once a show is selected, each clip will run consecutively into the next, so if parents aren't paying close attention, a child could easily be sucked into far too much screen time without even noticing.


This review was written by Dana Villamagna
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

Gelivia
teen, 16 years old
 
As long the kid knows how to get online and stuff, you get the site (:


kid, 12 years old
 
shame on you, PBS Kids Videos, i think this site is supposed to be all ages because it's for kids to go on
just see adult videos on there


teen, 14 years old
 
shame on you, PBS Kids Videos, i think this site is supposed to be all ages because it's for kids to go on
just see adult videos on there


kid, 11 years old
 
shame on you, PBS Kids Videos, i think this site is supposed to be all ages because it's for kids to go on
just see adult videos on there

JasonsWebsite
kid, 12 years old
 
ok for us
bad ones b@sta!d

darkstarshadow
parent of 6 year old
 
Great!
Great for kids 3 and up. Positive attitude.

CupcakeLuverxox101
kid, 12 years old
 
Great and educational!
PBS Kids is such a fun website! I go on it myself and I'm 10! You can follow your favorite characters from T.V and play educational games with them! I don't see why not 2 year olds can't play. That is one of the biggest times where they need to LEARN. Go PBS kids!

Jaquelin Reyes
kid, 7 years old
 

WebCriticGirl76
teen, 18 years old
 
Educational, But SUCKISH
PBS can be educational, but I hate the website. It is stupid, worthless, and has no value. I do not recommend this. It is boring, too.

qsdfg
kid, 12 years old
 
PBS Kids
I've been on it loads of times and have never seen a problem about it! It's great for younger kids. (And I still watch a lot of the shows! For example, Fetch, Wild Krats and Wordgirl)

Charlie The Cat
parent of 5 , 6 , 7 , 10 , 10 , and 17 year old
 
Over age 5 will hate it

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About our rating system
ON: Content is 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