Good episode for introducing Star Trek to children?

[USS Triumphant]

I don't know. "The Man Trap" has nice scary bits, but there's a lot of mushy stuff with Nancy Crater that might bore small children. And you don't really see the monster until the end.

"Tribbles," of course, is a natural.

He said these kids like Doctor Who, and, as much as I like that show myself, I also took this to mean they are fairly immune to boredom.

But I take back what I said, and second your suggestion. That episode has everything - Klingons and a Klingon ship, the Enterprise, a space station, a fist fight, and little lovable plush fuzzballs.

P.S. I just experienced that surreal moment when you're replying to someone online and simultaneously get an email from Amazon suggesting you buy a book... by the person you're talking to. LOL.

 

[Greg Cox]

P.S. I just experienced that surreal moment when you're replying to someone online and simultaneously get an email from Amazon suggesting you buy a book... by the person you're talking to. LOL.

What's funny is that amazon keeps suggesting my own books to me!

 

[Mojochi]

I'd agree that TOS & TNG are probably your best suited shows. If you're looking for something light, then why not The Trouble With Tribbles. It's a classic

A couple light TNG intros might be Rascals, or A Matter Of Time

 

[Shane Houston]

I would recommend the Voyager episode Once Upon a Time . I have two 8 year old nieces, twins, and introduced them to Trek with that episode. They loved it, especially the Flotter holographic program. It's also a good lesson for kids on honesty.

 

[Kirks_Flying_Wig]

A good TNG episode for kids is "Data's Day." My dad, who hated scifi, actually enjoyed that episode. It has humor and is also accessible to kids, who often misinterpret comments made by adults the way Data does.

I agree with this. I'd use the episode as an intro to Trek for anyone, not just kids. Any episode that features a character narrating who the characters are and what the plot is is immediately accessible to anyone.

 

[Atticus]

Shore Leave is a good one too.

 

[nightwind1]

Show them all of TAS to star with.

 

[indranee]

Depends on the kid. My niece rates the Trouble with Tribbles highest. She's 10 but an old hand at Trek now.

I'd start with that one and also perhaps Little Green Men (DS9) for the older kids.

 

[klingonhybrid]

DO NOT start them off with TOS....That would be a TERRIBLE mistake and they wouldnt ever watch star trek again. most likely anyway.

I am 25, and I grew up watching TNG, as it was on TV in 91-93 when I was 5-8.
The special effects of that show were current, and so my interest was grasped.
I definately would have appreciated TOS, since that was in the early 90's.

A child of 7-12 years of age now, should probably be introduced to TNG, DS9, or VOY.
At that point its your call. I'd choose an episode that plays sort of like a mini movie, with alot of drama and comedy, and less technical sci-fi.......
From there, hopefully they will become attached to the characters and off you go....they are future trek fans...whom will breed trek fans......muuuhhahhaha

Also, dont discount a movie night with one of the Trek movies....

 

[Botany Bay]

The episodes my 4 year old boy requests most often :

• Savage Curtain
• Tribbles
• Friday's Child
• Catspaw
• Errand of Mercy
• Devil In The Dark
• Arena
• Squire of Gothos
• Shore Leave
• TVH, TFF

So, basically anything with movement, klingons and/or monsters

He's seen all of TOS and TAS (except for TOS Season 3 - unreleased here on Blu Ray, and TWOK - too adult for him).

He's never seen any of the other series, but his favourite characters are Gowron and Martok after he met them wearing their full Klingon outfits at a convention, and they called him up on stage to talk to him. He talks about that constantly

 

[Infern0]

Terra Nova from Enterprise season 1

They will be fans for life!

 

[klingonhybrid]

I feel like its probably mostly american kids nowadays that would get bored with TOS right away....for instance, I tried showing my nephew (who is 5) an episode of TOS, and he lost interest pretty quickly...

I showed him the new movie and he loved it. I plan on starting him off with specific TNG, DS9, and VOY episodes, but I have to find episodes that have sufficient comedy and LOTS of action. Im thinking lots of klingons....

The thing is, nowadays, american kids have more than one entertainment source, if they dont like what you are watching, they can go watch tv in the other room...too much stimulus...
Back when I was a kid, it was star trek or nothing, and that allowed me to focus on the show and realize that it was awesome...(although I think as soon as I heard the intro music I was a fan)

 

[JiNX-01]

Well I thought the Void was entertaining but also interesting with a nice and hopeful message at the same time. I hope you aren't offended for me saying this, but Arena is kind of crude. It's basically a glorified wrestling match. Star Trek can do much better than that.

No offense taken! But I do remember that it was one of my favorite episodes when I was a kid.

You can't go wrong with giant lizards. Just ask Godzilla.

How about "Devil in the Dark" which is another good "monster" episode? And with a positive message no less.

I wouldn't use Devil in the Dark for young children.

Scenes like this might be disturbing.

For young kids: How about the Corbomite Maneuver? The "bad guy" is played by a kid and turns out to be friendly.
Also Tribbles would be a good one. Lots of tribbles and silliness.

 

[MHT1138]

How about And the Children Shall Lead oh, wait, maybe not

Maybe some of the first season DS9 episodes featuring Jake and Nog or episodes with Klingons, from any series, maybe The Magificent Ferengi or Little Green Men from DS9. From TNG I'd go with Datalore, or Conspiracy, Pen Pals, Peak Performance, QPid. It depends on both the age and gender of the child, at least somewhat.

Just some ideas

 

[cblmc1296]

While a positive message is always a good thing, I think the focus should be on finding something fun and entertaining for the kids to watch. If they enjoy it, they'll eventually watch other episodes and the morals and messages will start coming through.

Heck, I didn't start getting the "messages" until I was older anyway. If two of the kids you're going to introduce to Trek are 5 and 7 - try something light hearted like "Trouble With Tribbles" or the animated episode "Practical Joker".

 

[MagGu]

When I was young, Rascals was my favorite episode of TNG! I loved that they became kids, it was just fascinating to me, as a young person, (I was 12-13 when I first saw it) that the captain becomes a kid, and still saves the day!

 

[Kelthaz]

I loved Rascals as a kid too. I still like it quite a bit as an adult too.

I think the thing you need to remember is that we're talking about kids here. Showing them an episode that encapsulates the values of the Federation and presents a positive message for the futu-- blah blah blah. Show them explosions, horror, comedy, or action. Yes, kids aren't stupid, but their tastes are a little more shallow. They aren't going to enjoy "City on the Edge of Forever" or "The Inner Light" for example. And they sure as hell don't care about the Federation beyond "that's where the good guys live". Here are my suggestions:

TOS:

Arena, A Piece of the Action, Trouble With Tribbles, The Enemy Within, The Savage Curtain, Mirror Mirror, The Naked Time

TNG:

Rascals, Best of Both Worlds, Chain of Command (seriously), The Enemy, Clues, Power Play, Time's Arrow, Schisms, A Fistful of Datas, Gambit, Lower Decks, First Duty

 

[nightwind1]

DO NOT start them off with TOS....That would be a TERRIBLE mistake and they wouldnt ever watch star trek again. most likely anyway.

I am 25, and I grew up watching TNG, as it was on TV in 91-93 when I was 5-8.
The special effects of that show were current, and so my interest was grasped.
I definately would have appreciated TOS, since that was in the early 90's.

A child of 7-12 years of age now, should probably be introduced to TNG, DS9, or VOY.
At that point its your call. I'd choose an episode that plays sort of like a mini movie, with alot of drama and comedy, and less technical sci-fi.......
From there, hopefully they will become attached to the characters and off you go....they are future trek fans...whom will breed trek fans......muuuhhahhaha

Also, dont discount a movie night with one of the Trek movies....

Well, I'm 50, and I started with TOS (when it wasn't TOS), and it is what hooked me on Star Trek.

 

[cblmc1296]

DO NOT start them off with TOS....That would be a TERRIBLE mistake and they wouldnt ever watch star trek again. most likely anyway.

I am 25, and I grew up watching TNG, as it was on TV in 91-93 when I was 5-8.
The special effects of that show were current, and so my interest was grasped.
I definately would have appreciated TOS, since that was in the early 90's.

A child of 7-12 years of age now, should probably be introduced to TNG, DS9, or VOY.
At that point its your call. I'd choose an episode that plays sort of like a mini movie, with alot of drama and comedy, and less technical sci-fi.......
From there, hopefully they will become attached to the characters and off you go....they are future trek fans...whom will breed trek fans......muuuhhahhaha

Also, dont discount a movie night with one of the Trek movies....

Well, I'm 50, and I started with TOS (when it wasn't TOS), and it is what hooked me on Star Trek.

Same here. When TOS was in its first run I was a mere toddler and I liked it then. When I was able to watch it in syndication during my grade school years, I liked it even more! Nevertheless, unlike some people my age, I found it relatively easy to get into TNG as well. Although, I haven't become quite as involved with DS9, VOY, or ENT, I think they all have good storytelling in common.

 

[indranee]

Terra Nova from Enterprise season 1

They will be fans for life!

I sincerely hope you're joking.