Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Great messages and lots of fun in family-friendly comedy.
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Lab Rats
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 22 parent reviews
Parents say that this TV show is entertaining and enjoyable for children, with many praising its humor and high production quality. However, some express concerns over the portrayal of violence and snarky humor, as well as the underlying themes regarding experimentation on children, prompting mixed feelings among parents about its appropriateness for younger viewers.
- entertainment value
- humorous writing
- violence concerns
- snarky humor
- mixed parental reactions
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 81 kid reviews
Kids say this TV show is a hilarious and nostalgic comedy that combines action, funny characters, and heartwarming family moments. Many viewers appreciate its clean humor and positive messages about teamwork and family, although some criticize the portrayal of bullying and stereotypes among characters.
- funny characters
- clean humor
- family lessons
- nostalgic comedy
- critique stereotypes
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
LAB RATS is a comedy series about a charismatic but socially downtrodden teen named Leo (Tyrel Jackson Williams), who finds three bionic teens living in a secret lair in his inventor stepdad's house. Eager to befriend them, Leo offers to show them around the outside world, beginning with the unpredictable halls of his high school, where they unwittingly help his social status. When his stepdad, Donald (Hal Sparks), discovers the security breach, he fears for the safety of Adam (Spencer Boldman), Bree (Kelli Berglund), and Chase (Billy Unger) should their secret get out or, worse yet, should they lose control of their still-developing powers. Unfortunately, now that the teens have gotten a taste of real life, they're not willing to let it go, so Donald and Leo's mom, Tasha (Angel Parker), settle in for the long haul and take in the three superhumans as their own kids, glitches and all.
Is It Any Good?
Lab Rats is a truly family-friendly show that's almost as appealing for parents as it is for kids. It's a winning mix of the silly antics kids love and great messages about how family members relate to each other and why mutual trust and communication are important. The teens' bionic abilities raise some unique challenges, but ultimately this family tackles similar issues to the ones yours does: sibling rivalry, coping with feeling different, following family rules, and balancing the demands of parenthood.
It's easy to let your imagination run wild in a home that's filled with high-tech inventions, where interactive TV that lets you catch a home run ball in a major league park or a quick-witted "smart" house computer becomes a part of the family. What won't run wild, however, are these four teens. They're not perfect -- even the genetically engineered ones -- but they speak their mind, they learn from their mistakes, and they reflect the strong bonds that exist even within nontraditional families.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about family rules. How do your family's rules reflect your values? Do you understand the reasons for the rules you have? How do they change as you get older? What are the consequences for breaking those rules?
Kids: What characteristics set you apart from your siblings and your peers? What are some of your favorite aspects about yourself? If you could change one thing, what would it be? If you could have a super power, which one would you want?
In what ways does the family on Lab Rats reflect yours? What do you think defines a family? How is your family a source of comfort and strength for you?
TV Details
- Premiere date : February 27, 2012
- Cast : Billy Unger , Spencer Boldman , Tyrel Jackson Williams
- Network : Disney XD
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Superheroes , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , School ( High School )
- Character Strengths : Communication
- TV rating :
- Last updated : February 18, 2026
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