Common Sense Media Review
A fun, frantic, and educational ride for kids.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 5+?
Any Positive Content?
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The Magic School Bus
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 19 parent reviews
Based on 30 kid reviews
Kids say this show is a classic that effectively combines entertainment with education, providing engaging science lessons, though some feel that certain content is outdated or not suitable for younger audiences. While nostalgia is a common theme among adult viewers, opinions vary on its appropriateness for all age groups, with some expressing that it may not appeal to older children today.
- classic educational show
- entertaining science lessons
- nostalgia for adults
- mixed age appeal
- outdated content concerns
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS is quite a vehicle. At the command of schoolteacher Miss Frizzle (voiced by Lily Tomlin), it can transform into any possible shape and size (including a "bathysphere" shaped like a bathtub) and carry a group of kids off to adventures in space, under the sea, or even inside the human body.
Is It Any Good?
There's lots of fun and learning along the way, though at times the pace is so fast that it can be easy to miss some of the educational value. Some of the effects used in the animation can be pretty strange, too -- the sight of a group of mussels with the heads of children, each wearing a jet pack, isn't something you see every day, but it will keep kids and parents entertained.
The Magic School Bus series strictly follows the formula of the book series created by Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen. From dinosaurs to beehives, kids get an inside peek into the inner workings, history, and function on a wide range of topics.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the explorations that the class goes on in each episode.
Also, what kind of field trips does your child go on? What would their dream field trip be? Ask your kids what they learned about at the end of each episode. Did they study that subject in school?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 10, 1994
- Cast : Lily Tomlin
- Networks : ION , NBC , qubo
- Genre : Kids' Animation
- Topics : Transportation ( Cars & Trucks ) , Adventures , Book Characters , STEM
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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