Common Sense Media Review
By Xamara Carrillo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Whining, adapting to change in heartwarming reality show.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Back to the Frontier
What's the Story?
The reality TV show BACK TO THE FRONTIER places three families in a experiment where they learn to live like people in the 1800s U.S. Giving up everything they know and love, including technology, makeup, and everyday items, the families go through a journey of growth and adaptability. The show follows the families as they leave behind their lives to live in an undeveloped area, where they have to farm, harvest, feed, and work together to survive in a new environment. A historian and a modern homesteader add their expertise to the experience. Will these modern families adapt to a pioneer lifestyle?
Is It Any Good?
This heartwarming, comedic, and relatable TV show offers good laughs and focuses on adapting to change. In Back to the Frontier, the three families all go through challenges but ultimately learn a lot from the experience of being able to live as people did in the 1880s. This show does a great job with meshing history and the present day. For history lovers, this show mentions the Homestead Act a couple times, and it recreates the living situation as it would have been in pioneer times.
Lots of overwhelming emotions, tears, and drama happen, adding to making the show an exciting watch. Having a Black family, a gay couple, and kids of different ages make the show relatable to a range of viewers, plus all the families ultimately face different challenges. The show can spark conversations about the differences between the past and how we live in the 21st century. Overall it's a fun watch for family reality TV and has valuable lessons parents and kids can take away.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the challenges the show's participants face. What repercussions do their actions have, and how does it affect them?
How do the parents and kids show courage? Why is that an important skill, and how can you apply that skill to your life?
Could you see yourself being a part of this show? If so, in which circumstances would you thrive, and where would you struggle?
How realistic do you think Back to the Frontier is? How do you think it could be made more realistic?
TV Details
- Premiere date : July 10, 2025
- Cast : Melissa K. Norris
- Network : HBO Max
- Genre : Reality TV
- Topics : Adventures , Family Stories , Friendship , History , STEM ( Nature ) , Fantasy ( Time Travel ) , Travel
- Character Strengths : Courage , Curiosity , Teamwork
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 3, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
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