Raising Dinosaur Train: what parents of kids 4–7 should know
Dinosaur Train is rated TV-Y, meaning designed for all children, on PBS's own episode pages, and the UK's BBFC rated the series U, saying there is no material likely to offend or harm. Common Sense Media, an independent nonprofit, lists it for ages 3 and up and finds no violence, language, or sex. The animated PBS Kids series ran from September 7, 2009, to April 2021. Buddy, a young T. rex adopted by a Pteranodon family, rides a time-traveling train to meet other dinosaurs.
Dinosaur Train at a glance
- –Official rating above age 7
PBS: TV-Y; BBFC: U - –Violence in rating descriptors
No descriptors in TV-Y or BBFC U series entry - –Scary content in rating descriptors
No descriptors in TV-Y or BBFC U - –Bad language in rating descriptors
No descriptors in TV-Y or BBFC U - –Sexual content, drugs, or alcohol in rating descriptors
No descriptors in TV-Y or BBFC U - –Rated 12 or higher in the UK or Germany
BBFC: U
Each flag is a yes-or-no fact from the sources on this page. The number is a count of flags, not a safety score. How we count. Rating reasons marked mild, very mild, or brief don't count.
| Type | Animated PBS Kids science series by Craig Bartlett and The Jim Henson Company, 2009–2021 source |
|---|---|
| US (TV rating) | TV-Y (designed for all children), per PBS episode pages source |
| UK (BBFC) | U (universal) — "There is no material likely to offend or harm" source |
| Common Sense Media | 3+ (an independent nonprofit's age guidance); some plugs for its website |
| Episodes | 5 seasons, 100 episodes; ended with a film, Adventure Island, in April 2021 source |
Checked October 2026. Ratings and settings change; check the official source before you decide. What do these ratings mean?
Facts for parents, not medical or legal advice. If you're worried about your child, talk to your pediatrician.
What is Dinosaur Train?
Short answer: An animated science series for preschoolers on PBS Kids.
Craig Bartlett created it with The Jim Henson Company. Buddy, a T. rex raised by Pteranodons, and his siblings ride the Dinosaur Train through the Mesozoic era and learn about different species. Each episode ends with paleontologist Dr. Scott Sampson explaining the science in a live-action segment. It ran 100 episodes over five seasons.
Dinosaur Train: what's in it
Short answer: It's rated for all children in the US and the UK.
- US: TV-Y on PBS.
- UK (BBFC): U for the series and DVDs. For the 2021 release Dinosaur Train: Adventure Land, the BBFC mentions very mild action, chases, and characters in danger who are afraid, but says it isn't scary.
- Common Sense Media: 3+.
Common Sense Media lists violence, language, sex, and drinking as not present and notes some plugs for the show's website.
Where to watch Dinosaur Train
Short answer: On PBS. PBS offers episodes at pbs.org and in its PBS Kids apps, with each episode available until a listed date, as of October 2026.
The habit kids may copy: "I have a hypothesis"
Buddy guesses what will happen, then checks it. It's a catchphrase in the show.
Try tonight: check the fear
If your child is afraid of something tonight, like a noise or a shadow, say: "Let's make a guess and then check it, like Buddy." Go look together. In our program, this is the lesson "True or Made Up": checking a fear against the facts.
Why you can trust this page: the main facts link to their sources, a separate reviewer checks each page before it goes live, and the date shows when we last checked. How we review · Report an error
FAQ
What is Dinosaur Train rated?
TV-Y on PBS, and U in the UK.
What age is Dinosaur Train for?
There's no age limit at TV-Y. Common Sense Media lists it for ages 3 and up.
Who is Buddy in Dinosaur Train?
A young Tyrannosaurus rex adopted by a Pteranodon family.
Where can I watch Dinosaur Train?
PBS offers episodes at pbs.org and in its apps, each for a limited time, as of October 2026.
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