Sprout Online (http://www.sproutonline.com/)

common sense media says

Videos, activities for preschool fans of TV channel's shows.


parents & educators say
  • 43% say there are positive messages
  • 43% say it's educational

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Sprout Online is an extension of the PBS Kids Sprout cable channel for preschoolers. Most of the content comes directly from the channel's popular shows, including the videos, but you can upload your own photos and videos here, too. The site is fun and visually notable so that kids won't mind seeing the same stuff online. The games are straightforward enough for most preschoolers to play unassisted after an adult reads the directions to them (though we still recommend sitting with preschoolers at the computer), and there are lots of printables and offline activity ideas like recipes and birthday party ideas.

Educational value: There is a lot of educational content that goes beyond academics -- like practicing sign language, thinking about healthy food choices, and learning about sea life.
Positive messages: In the games, activities, and videos there are positive messages about the importance of family, developing a love of learning, and healthy eating. Also, there's lots of activities here to print out and color or create by hand, sending the message to kids that they can have just as much fun offline.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: The site runs ads and promotes PBS shows and characters -- many of which, like Bob the Builder, have become pretty commercialized.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Privacy & safety: To register on this site, parents must provide their own date of birth, full name, email, and full mailing address. There are two boxes to uncheck if you don't want to receive email and snail mail from PBS Sprout and their advertising partners. If you sign up for your child's birthday email it "may be announced during Sprout television programming or on SproutOnline.com and you may receive a birthday message to share with your child via email, this website, or postal mail." Your child’s first name and birth date information that you provide on the registration page will not be shared with third parties for any other purpose. Parents can create a password protected area for their kids' artwork created on the site that only they can see, choose whether or not they want their child's birthday to be recognized publicly, and add people to their contacts list to allow communication with them via Sprout Mail.

More on Sprout Online

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about setting computer time limits so kids, especially in the preschool years, don't spend too much time online.

  • Families can talk about Internet safety so even the youngest kids start becoming aware of good online behavior.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

SPROUT ONLINE's content is entertaining and fairly well done for the preschool set. As the companion website to the 24-hour cable channel PBS Kids Sprout (dedicated to preschool kids ages 2-5), young kids will find many of their favorite Sprout characters on this site. But the real stars are the crew from the Good Night Show, as well as old standards like Barney, Bob the Builder, and Thomas the Train. Most of the site's video content is recycled directly from the channel's popular shows. The games section offers simple, age-appropriate activities from almost all of Sprout's shows. Some of the games link off to other sites (often to PBSKids.org), and most require a bit of reading to get started.

Online interaction: Sprout "Mail" allows you to send and receive messages from people that you put on your family’s contact list.


This review was written by Dana Villamagna
 
 

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What parents & educators say

4
Based on 30 parent & educator reviews:
  • 43% say there are positive messages
  • 43% say it's educational

Most useful reviews by all members

sproutgril
kid, 11 years old
 
sprout is awsome
i love this website it is raelly fun to watsh it my favorite show is callu

3triplets
parent
 
GGGGGGGGGGGGreat
I think that it's great my triplets love it

08c08
kid, 10 years old
 
With all the options you have there,Sprout Online is the perfect website for 4-year olds and up.

lil serenity
kid, 2 years old
 
sprout channel is wonderful for all ages
my daughter is 10 months old and the sprout channel is her favorite and she loves chica and pajanimals and she is learning sign channel which is a positive thing cause her uncle is deaf

butterfly8i88i88i8
parent of 7 year old
 
wonderful shows
My children love it

MoMnDaD
parent of 3 year old
 
great

reeree32060
parent of 2 year old
 
great for the pre-school children..
I'm a grandmother and watch Sprout with my grand-sons .we enjoy your programs very much..Happy G-Ma!,

VForNoVendettas
kid, 10 years old
 
Obviously fine
To everyone who says its dangerous PLEASE LEAVE THE SITE FOREVER, I mean it, parents this is fine for all your kids

alexisboyce5
kid, 6 years old
 

MissAngieGordon
parent of 3 year old
 
Night routine
My son watches Nina and star every night after he does his nightly routine=+)

Porn Fan
teen, 14 years old
 
NOT FOR PEOPLE WHO IS NOT A MIDDLE SCHOOL KID OR ANY OLDER.
I HATE PEOPLE WHO PUTS STUPID NAMES, Gunshots on Pictures, Smoe Accounts having S*x, The P--n, the language, i don't recommend having your account if you are an elementary school kid or any younger, on the "only parents may join", ignore it,ok? thanks,people who lies on their age who has an account. ok for hi. schoolers but sometimes for jr. hi. kids.

avemaria
parent of 4 year old
 
great for kids
please bring back Dragod Tales and Noddie. My child is lost without them. She always ran to sing the noddie song with us every time it came on.

You are crazy 123
kid, 12 years old
 
There's a password or stuff kids have parentlocks. Parent tips....the rules or so. The channel is better for 10 and under I watched it.., all the time since 9-10. Made since 5. School rule? This site handles hhmmm ummmm Parent tips for... Daycare/Preschool Kids... The Wiggles to Sesame Street even other preschool shows, A must-see for babies 0-7. Elementary School Kids...can handle the safety issues. Middle School Kids...can handle the consumerism. 13 yr olds may add some bad words they don't say on noswearing*. High School Kids...well 16-17 year olds can handle profanity very few without H@m@|$&#ual talk. Adults...full access, no parent tips. I found this site since 10 1/2 So I am not gong to let them be on *SproutOnline* until over 11 or 12 years.

alexthegreat
parent of 5 year old
 

Funny Bunny
parent of 2 year old
 
Kids are happy to see sprout
My kids love sprout and will sit and watch it allday and night.good shows to lean with.

LINDSEY76
parent of 4 year old
 
common sense media please look at it more carfully
there are ads on every page

emily45644
kid, 10 years old
 
emily is so nice
emily its cold over here in morristown tn in 9

memedawn
parent of 4 and 7 year old
 
perfect for children ages 2 and older
I have a 2 year old son and he loves watching the sprout channel (especially Chica on the good morning show), and I think it is perfectly fine. I don't have to sit and monitor it at all times

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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