4 Family-Friendly Documentaries From The Nature Of Things

Tune in to CBC’s The Nature Of Things for great family-friendly documentaries!

This fall, The Nature Of Things features a number of brand new documentaries about science, nature and adventure.

We’ve had a sneak peek at all the docs—and we’re excited to recommend four documentaries that make for great family viewing:

• Learn how a baby moose survives its first year
• See how scientists are learning more and more about giant giraffes
• Explore the science of sound by climbing into caves and visiting sand dunes, pyramids and other structures around the world
• Spend a whole hour with glorious, adorable puffins

Documentaries can be a wonderful way to learn new things together as a family.

With exciting stories, beautiful video footage and lots of learning and discussion moments, documentaries can be a wonderful way to learn new things together as a family.

Little nature fans will love watching animals and adventures, while older kids (and parents) may learn a few new things about the world around them.

Watch The Nature Of Things on CBC-TV (and online) on Thursdays at 8 p.m.

1. Moose: A Year In the Life Of A Twig Eater

The Nature of Things’ film crew spent 13 months with a moose calf and its mother in the spectacular wilds of Jasper National Park. This stunning nature documentary takes viewers deep inside the world of moose to experience the first year of a calf’s life—up close and personal.

Watch as the young calf grows up right before your eyes in some of the most striking scenery on the planet: a land of snow-capped mountains, grizzly bears and wolves.

Watch Moose: A Year In The Life Of A Twig Eater on CBC-TV and online at 8 p.m. on Thursday, October 15.

Warning: Moose: A Year In The Life Of A Twig Eater contains references to a secondary calf that doesn’t make it through its first year. This may be disturbing for younger viewers.

2. Giraffes: The Forgotten Giants

Giraffes are the world’s tallest living terrestrial animal—they’ve walked on Earth for millions of years.

See stunning footage of giraffes in the wild and learn about how scientists are investigating the giraffe’s unique biology and behaviour.

• Related: 14 Amazing Facts About Giraffes on Kids' CBC 2.

Watch Giraffes: The Forgotten Giants on CBC-TV and online at 8 p.m. on Thursday, November 5.

3. Sonic Magic: The Wonder And Science of Sound

Explore the science of sound with a trip around the world. Filmed in Canada, Italy, England, Australia and the US, Sonic Magic: The Wonder And Science Of Sound shows how sound affects our world in many fascinating and surprising ways.

Meet Daniel Kish, blind since 13 months of age, who sees (and even rides a bike) using echolocation—the same way bats see.

Sound is the sense that never sleeps. The brain even listens while you dream!  

Watch Sonic Magic: The Wonder And Science of Sound on CBC-TV and online at 8 p.m. on Thursday, November 12.

4. Puffin Patrol

It’s spring on the North Atlantic and millions of Atlantic Puffins are making their way home to breed. These glorious little clown-like birds are full of contradictions.  They spend eight months of the year living alone at sea, but are extremely social when they return to land, living in jam-packed colonies.

Welcome to the world of this amazing little bird! Puffin Patrol invites you to share in the intimate moments of puffin life.  See how puffins live in their burrows with footage from purpose-built burrow cameras—from egg inclubation to hatching to the busy feeding schedule that follows.  By season’s end, little pufflings leave home for the first time. How will they fare? Follow scientists as they explore the mysteries of this beloved bird.

Watch Puffin Patrol on CBC-TV and online at 8 p.m. on Thursday, November 12.