Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Outdoor adventures mix science, engineering, and fun.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 3+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Darwin & Newts
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
DARWIN & NEWTS is an animated series that encourages children to explore and discover the world around them using the basic rules of science and engineering. The New Zealand import features young Maori siblings Darwin (Sarah Hart) and Newts (Sara Stone) playing outside and having lots of adventures sparked by their imaginations. With the help of friends like next-door neighbor Heni (Faith Gunn), Wapiti the deer (George Henare), grumpy frog Burpee (Mark Hadlow), and Kea, Heni's pet bird, they spend their time having fun while learning about all sorts of outdoor phenomena. They sometimes face some challenges, but with Darwin's science smarts and Newts' creativity, they work together to find solutions and build what they need in order to make it through.
Is It Any Good?
This colorful and lively series is designed to introduce young viewers to basic science and engineering principles while encouraging them to go outdoors and have some fun. Each 11-minute installment features the siblings engaging in activities like fishing, zip-lining, and riding tricycles, all of which form part of a larger adventure full of exploration and discovery. They also encourage imaginative and creative thinking and building in order to problem-solve. Adding to the show are the cultural Maori references they occasionally offer throughout the process. Ultimately, Darwin & Newts offers an entertaining way of inspiring kids to spend some time offscreen finding other things to do.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the interesting things Darwin and Newts learn about when they are outdoors. What kinds of interesting things can you learn about when you are playing outside?
What kinds of science and engineering lessons does Darwin & Newts offer?
TV Details
- Premiere date : May 18, 2018
- Cast : Sarah Hart , Sara Stone , Faith Gunn
- Network : Online
- Genre : Kids' Animation
- Topics : STEM , Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Character Strengths : Curiosity , Perseverance , Teamwork
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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
Suggest an Update
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