Parents' Guide to Dr. Panda's Bus Driver

Dr. Panda's Bus Driver Poster Image

Common Sense Media Review

Mieke VanderBorght By Mieke VanderBorght , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 3+

Simple, fun simulation game puts kids in driver's seat.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 3+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 2+

Based on 1 parent review

Privacy Rating Warning

  • Unclear whether personal information is sold or rented to third parties.
  • Unclear whether personal information are shared for third-party marketing.
  • Unclear whether this product displays personalised advertising.
  • Data are collected by third-parties for their own purposes.
  • User's information is used to track and target advertisements on other third-party websites or services.
  • Unclear whether this product creates and uses data profiles for personalised advertisements.

What's It About?

Kids are in the driver's seat in this driver-simulation game. They choose a view (through the windshield or above the bus) and a travel speed and steer using a finger (though the bus follows the road even without steering). Kids can choose to stop when they see a sign appear, sometimes to let on a passenger, other times to let a pedestrian cross the road. Kids also can stop to fill the gas tank and wash or paint the bus. The scenery is randomly generated, so it constantly changes, which makes every driving experience unique.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 1 ):
Kids say : Not yet rated

DR. PANDA'S BUS DRIVER is fun, has great graphics, and is easily accessible, even for young kids. Kids will enjoy playing driver, as they're in charge of letting cute animal passengers get on the bus or cross the street. The scenery is interesting, and it's fun to admire the mountains, cute towns, drawbridges, and more. It would be nice if kids' actions (or inaction) had realistic consequences. For example, if kids choose not to stop to fill the gas tank, the bus could eventually stop driving, or a tire could be damaged if kids went over a speed bump too quickly. It might also be frustrating that kids have no control over what activity is offered. That is, if kids want to re-paint their bus, they have to wait until the opportunity is randomly cycled through. Overall, though, Dr. Panda's Bus Driver is an engaging simulation game for young kids.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about road safety. Why is it important to stop for pedestrians, not speed through a town, keep your vehicle clean, and so on?

  • Ask questions about the scenery. What kind of place do you think the bus is driving around in? Does it remind you of anything you've seen before or anywhere you've been?

  • Kids can learn more if parents help extend some of the themes by asking questions or drawing connections to things that have happened or could happen in kids' lives.

App Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by

Dr. Panda's Bus Driver Poster Image

You May Also Like...

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate