Parents' Guide to Head Games

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Common Sense Media Review

Emily Ashby By Emily Ashby , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 10+

Science trivia show offers brainy fun for families.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 10+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 10+

Based on 1 parent review

What's the Story?

HEAD GAMES is a trivia-based game show that challenges contestants' knowledge of scientific history, facts, and concepts. In each episode, three participants answer a series of quirky questions about the natural and laboratory sciences. Typical topics include oddities like the intricacies of mummification, the long-term effect of vinegar on eggs, and the liquid that's most helpful in jump-starting a dead battery. After three rounds, the two highest-scoring contestants face off in a lightning round to determine the winner, who takes home a cash prize.

Is It Any Good?

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

Hosted by comedian Greg Proops and produced by Whoopi Goldberg, Head Games is the Science Channel's first game show. Its unique blend of comedy and gritty factual knowledge will appeal to families, who are sure to enjoy both Proops' comical one-liners and the curious nature of most of the question topics. And the show's use of video and audio clips breaks any potential monotony and keeps viewers interested the entire time.

Both parents and kids are sure to learn something new every time they tune in, and apart from some mild sexual innuendo, there's no iffy content to worry about. That said, most of the scientific concepts addressed in the show are too advanced for young kids, so save this one for your tweens and teens.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the media's role in education. Tweens: Do you think TV can be used as a learning tool? Why or why not? Which shows have taught you something? Can television offer anything that textbooks can't?

  • How much does the Internet play a role in how and what you learn? Do you use it as a tool for research and homework? What would you do without it? What are the dangers of the Internet? What rules does your family have for Internet safety?

  • How does science affect our daily lives? What advancements do you rely most heavily on? What aspects of scientific study intrigue you?

TV Details

  • Premiere date : October 17, 2009
  • Cast : Greg Proops
  • Network : SCIENCE
  • Genre : Game Shows
  • TV rating : TV-PG
  • Last updated : February 15, 2023

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