Parents' Guide to

Hi-Jinks

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Kid-tested, parent-approved practical jokes.

TV Nickelodeon Reality TV 2005
Hi-Jinks Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

See all
age 8+

Based on 3 parent reviews

TimTheTVGuy
TimTheTVGuy Adult
February 6, 2013
age 8+

It's OK.

While it's not as good as America's funniest Home Videos,it's still an OK show.I used to really love this show,but now it's OK.It's still pretty funny,but also kind of boring.
Al Jackson
Al Jackson Adult
April 15, 2012
age 11+

Funny stuff!

This was a REALLY funny show! I'm sad it got canceled! Plz bring it back!
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

HI-JINKS provides a youthful spin on the old favorite TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes, putting kids and teens in the hot seat as jokes masterminded by parents are played on them. A typical episode finds the show's hostess posing as a scientist to introduce a 9-year-old boy to a telekinesis helmet. With the help of a props guy and a strong magnet hidden under a table, the unsuspecting victim becomes convinced that he has super powers and can make items move on the table. Another scenario tests the problem-solving skills of a group of girls who are made to believe that a box they moved into a room suddenly has grown too large to fit back through the doorway. It's impossible to resist chuckling as they scratch their heads at the mystery.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (3 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

As opposed to MTV's popular show Punk'd, whose pranksters take their jokes to a new level of cruelty, Hi-Jinks uses a selection of simple, everyday tricks to earn its laughs. Simple, innocent tricks provide the show's humor, and it's fun and easy to laugh along with everyone involved. In addition, no prank pushes the limits of the kids' patience, so when the truth comes out, everyone enjoys an honest laugh.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what it feels like to be the one in the spotlight while everyone else is laughing. What does it take to be a good sport? How should a person handle being the subject of a joke? Families also can talk about being sensitive to the feelings of others. When is it not OK to get a laugh at someone's expense? How can we know when a joke has been taken too far?

TV 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 suggesting a diversity 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