Parents' Guide to Play It Forward

Play It Forward TV show poster: Different sports' balls go up in the air after a lacrosse stick lifts sand off a soccer field.

Common Sense Media Review

Fernanda Camargo By Fernanda Camargo , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 7+

Reality show uplifts communities with sports resources.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 7+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

What's the Story?

Renee Montgomery and Kel Mitchell are community helpers in PLAY IT FORWARD. They search for local sports teams that need things like new nets, better balls, and even wheelchairs for playing. With the help of their friends and partners, they make sure kids have what they need to become the best athletes they can possibly be.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say : Not yet rated

The idea of paying it forward and helping communities find better opportunities through sports is great—what's not to like? But as a TV show, Play It Forward falls a bit short in connecting emotionally with the audience. There's a lot of great intentions and physical comedy that younger kids might enjoy, but older kids—especially those used to reality TV and user-generated content—may find the conflicts and drama a bit fake, which could make them lose interest. That's a shame because the show does offer insights into different sports and encourages viewers to make a difference by contributing to the programs in their community.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what it means to "play it forward." What do you think that saying means?

  • Are there sports programs in your community or hometown? Do you know if they need help? What are some things you can do to help?

  • Why is it important for athletes to have access to good resources?

TV Details

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Play It Forward TV show poster: Different sports' balls go up in the air after a lacrosse stick lifts sand off a soccer field.

What to Watch Next

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