Horrible Histories YouTube
Of all the history programs I’ve evaluated, Horrible Histories stands out as one of the most engaging, historically rich, and entertaining series available that resonates with both children and adults. Developed by author Terry Deary and brought to life through a vibrant television adaptation, this program was designed to transform history from a stale subject into a thrilling exploration of the past's most fascinating and often absurd events. Featuring a dynamic blend of comedy sketches, songs, and animations, Horrible Histories delves into historical events with a refreshing twist that captivates young audiences and educates them beyond the usual dates and facts.
What sets Horrible Histories apart is its commitment to presenting history in an enjoyable format that encourages critical thinking and a deeper understanding of the historical context. It’s particularly well-suited for children who enjoy storytelling and creative learning approaches. However, while its comedic style makes history accessible, it occasionally risks oversimplification or exaggeration for entertainment’s sake.
For parents aiming to fully leverage Horrible Histories for educational benefit, I recommend supplementing the show with discussions or additional reading to enhance understanding and balance the program’s lighter take on historical events. Horrible Histories is available for streaming on platforms like BBC iPlayer and YouTube, offering flexible viewing options for busy families.
Grades: Most appropriate for 1st-6th grade, but accessible to all learners, including adults
Cost: Free, with options to purchase through on-demand streaming on BBC or DVDs.
The in-depth review
History is crucial because it helps us understand our past, which in turn allows us to understand our present. By studying history, we learn about the origins of our societies and cultures and the evolution of human behavior and decision-making. It teaches critical thinking, empathy, and the complexities of human nature. One of the main challenges parents face in finding quality history programs is ensuring the content is engaging enough to capture their children’s attention while still being educational. Many educational programs can be either too dense and not engaging, or too superficial, focusing on entertainment without depth in content. Additionally, parents must find programs that are age-appropriate and present historical content in an unbiased, accurate manner.
About Horrible Histories
Horrible Histories is a British children’s television series based on the books by Terry Deary. The show was created to make learning about history entertaining and accessible for children. It uses a mixture of humorous sketches, songs, and animations to explore historical events and figures in a way that is engaging for young audiences. Since its debut, Horrible Histories has received numerous awards, including a Royal Television Society award for best children’s program and recognition for its unique educational content delivered through a comedic format. The show has also been praised for its ability to engage both children and adults.
Why I recommend Horrible Histories
Horrible Histories strikes a perfect balance between education and entertainment. It uses comedy and catchy songs to make historical facts memorable. Moreover, it addresses historical misconceptions and presents the yuckier, more intriguing sides of history not often covered in traditional classrooms. The show has been influential in making history accessible to a younger audience, and its popularity has led to spin-offs, including books and a stage show. This widespread appeal speaks to its effectiveness as an educational tool.
Who Horrible Histories is for
Primarily aimed at children aged 6 to 12, Horrible Histories appeals to anyone with a curiosity about history. Its humorous approach makes it particularly appealing to students who might find traditional history lessons less engaging.
How it works
The show utilizes sketches, parodies, and songs to explore historical themes—ranging from the Stone Age to the post-war era. Each episode focuses on different historical periods or themes, presenting them in a fun and palatable way for children.
What it covers
Horrible Histories covers a broad range of historical periods and topics, including the Rotten Romans, Terrible Tudors, and Awful Egyptians. It dives into the bizarre, gruesome, and often overlooked aspects of these periods to captivate the viewers' interest.
Updates and Additions
A new version of the show launched in 2015 and they are still releasing new episodes. Horrible Histories maintains its relevance by continually updating its content and format. The transition to online platforms like YouTube and the consistent addition of new sketches and songs help keep the content fresh and engaging.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Horrible Histories
What Parents Like about Horrible Histories
Educational Content: Parents appreciate that the show provides a lot of historical facts in an engaging and memorable way, often covering topics not deeply explored in school.
Humor and Entertainment: The comedic approach keeps children engaged and makes learning fun, with many parents noting that even adults find it amusing.
Catchy Songs: The musical segments are particularly well-received, with songs that are both educational and catchy, making historical facts easier to remember.
Family-Friendly: It’s suitable for viewers of all ages, making it a great option for family viewing time.
Encourages Interest in History: Many parents reported that their children became more interested in history as a subject because of the show.
What parents dislike
Historical Accuracy Concerns: Some parents are concerned about the accuracy of the historical information presented, particularly with the more comedic sketches.
Occasional Inappropriate Humor: A few parents find some of the humor to be a bit crass or inappropriate for younger children.
Changes in Cast and Quality: There is some dissatisfaction with later seasons, especially after the original cast was changed, which some believe led to a decline in the show's quality.
Too Fast-Paced: A few parents mentioned that the show sometimes moves too quickly through topics, which might confuse younger viewers.
Special Needs
Engaging for Diverse Learning Styles: Parents of children with ADHD have mentioned that the show’s fast pace and vibrant presentation hold their children's interest effectively.
Visual and Auditory Learning: The combination of visual sketches and auditory songs helps cater to different learning needs, making it accessible for children who might struggle with traditional learning methods.
Tips from Parents on how to get the most out Horrible Histories
Interactive Viewing: Discuss the episodes with your children after watching, asking them what they learned and if they have any questions, to reinforce the information.
Supplemental Learning: Use the show as a jumping-off point for deeper exploration into history. Look up additional resources like books or documentaries on topics of interest.
Selective Watching: Focus on episodes from earlier seasons if concerns about content appropriateness or historical accuracy arise, as these are generally more favored.
Repetition: Encourage children to rewatch their favorite segments or songs, as repetition can help reinforce the facts and details learned.
Creative Activities: Engage children in drawing or writing projects based on episodes, which can help solidify their understanding and retention of historical facts.
Select Reviews from Parents and Teachers
"Such fond memories of watching this show as a child, especially during the late ‘00s early-mid 10s era. Learned so much more than I ever could have at school"
"My favourite song was King Charles II rap. My favourite segments HH TV sports, Stupid death, HH TV news (because Bob always goes crazy in the end) And Historical hospital (because while saying some historical doctors are crazy also proving not all are)”
“Absolutely hilarious! My own children watched this when they were small and as a teacher I always use this for history. Surprisingly children tend to remember these historical facts due to the catchy songs and sketches, which are very relatable and funny”
"I love horrible histories! It brings history to life in a brilliant comedy framing all the prominent people as they might of been. I love the brilliant witty humour of it all and particularly the way that it doesn't show any biases”
"I think it is the best show ever to be made, it’s funny for all ages and honestly just really funny. I also love how Terry Deary often makes jokes about headmasters, PE teachers and just how bad historical education is in school
Why Trust Me
As a teacher with over 20 years of experience in diverse educational settings—including major cities like New York City, Paris, San Francisco, and conflict regions in the Middle East—I bring a wealth of practical insight into the learning needs of various student archetypes. My background in performing arts in film and TV complements my teaching, enabling a dynamic and engaging learning environment. I have also been deeply involved in the secular homeschooling community for more than seven years, teaching students of all ages and coaching parents. My passion for history drives my dedication to finding the best educational resources that are not only informative but also inspire a love for learning.
What I Looked For and How Horrible Histories Stacks Up'
When evaluating educational content, I prioritize the following criteria:
Secular: Horrible Histories is designed to be secular, focusing on historical facts without any religious bias, making it suitable for a diverse audience.
Accurate: Generally, the show is accurate with the historical content it covers. However, it occasionally simplifies or exaggerates details for comedic effect, which means it may need to be supplemented with more detailed studies for complete accuracy.
Inclusive: The program makes an effort to include a wide range of historical perspectives and cultures, though its primary focus tends to be on Western history. It does attempt to present history from various angles and includes lesser-known historical narratives.
Mastery-Based: Horrible Histories is more episodic and thematic rather than structured in a way that builds upon previous knowledge in a systematic manner. It's best used as a supplementary resource rather than a standalone educational curriculum.
Fun and Engaging for Kids: This is where Horrible Histories excels. The show is highly engaging, using humor, songs, and lively sketches to make historical learning enjoyable and memorable for children.
Who is it an ideal fit for?
Horrible Histories is ideally suited for children who are visual and auditory learners and enjoy a humorous take on educational content. It's particularly effective for those who may find traditional history lessons dry or difficult to engage with. The program's lively sketches and songs make it a compelling tool for younger learners and those new to history, making historical facts accessible and entertaining.
Who is it not a fit for?'
Horrible Histories may not be the best fit for learners who require a highly structured or traditional educational approach. It's more of a supplement than a comprehensive curriculum and might be overwhelming for children who are sensitive to portrayals of the more gruesome aspects of history. While it provides an honest view of history, the comedic framing could detract from the gravity of certain events for some learners.
Alternatives and supplements to Horrible Histories
Children who prefer books may enjoy the colorful series that inspired the show.
Learners Needing Structured Learning: Might benefit from Curiosity Chronicles, which offers a more systematic approach to history.
High School Students Needing Depth: Crash Course on YouTube offers high-quality, in-depth reviews of world history topics, suitable for older or more advanced learners.
Younger Students Focusing on U.S. History: Liberty's Kids provides an animated, engaging narrative of American history that is more gentle than some of Horrible Histories' content.
Learners Interested in Social Justice: Zinn Education Project offers a range of free resources that provide perspectives often omitted from traditional textbooks, focusing on the contributions and struggles of working people, people of color, and organized movements.'
An even more weird and wonderful option is Drunk History for those who like edgy and amusing content. (But probably more for teens than the younger crowd!
Value for the Money
500 episodes and clips of Horrible Histories are completely free on YouTube, so the value couldn’t be better! In the UK, it’s included in on-demand viewing for BBC.
Top Episodes
From the viewer feedback, several episodes of "Horrible Histories" stand out as favorites among different audiences, both children and adults. Here are some of the most beloved episodes and segments based on the reviews:
Stupid Deaths
The segment featuring various humorous depictions of bizarre historical deaths is consistently mentioned as a favorite. For example, the "Stupid Deaths - Titanic" sketch is particularly remembered for its dark humor.
Historical MasterChef: This segment, which parodies the cooking competition show by featuring historical figures, is also highly praised for its creativity and humor.
The King Charles II Rap: This song is frequently highlighted as a memorable favorite for its catchy tune and witty lyrics, making a historical figure relatable and entertaining.
William Wallace, Kings and Queens, Highway Man Songs: These musical segments are noted for their engaging and educational content, with catchy tunes that make learning about historical figures and events enjoyable.
Episodes focusing on specific characters: Episodes that center on historical figures like Henry VIII are popular for their detailed exploration of these characters, providing both education and entertainment.
Ways to Get Horrible Histories
Horrible Histories can be accessed through several platforms:
BBC iPlayer: For viewers in the UK, the complete series is available on demand.
YouTube: Selected episodes and clips are available for free, which provides a good preview of the series.
DVDs and Blu-rays: These are available for purchase from major retailers and online stores like Amazon.
Affilate Disclaimer
While I offer reviews and recommendations, please note that I may earn a commission on purchases made through links from my suggestions. However, my reviews are unbiased and focused solely on providing the best possible advice for educational needs.
Sources
Reviews: Horrible Histories - IMDb
How Horrible Histories became a huge hit | Culture | The Guardian
Horrible Histories TV Review | Common Sense Media
Horrible Histories Thread on Reddit
Horrible Histories Series on Amazon
Teaching Hard History | Southern Poverty Law Center
More History Resources to Explore
Discover IllumiNative, a groundbreaking Social Studies curriculum that brings Native American histories and cultures to the forefront. Ideal for K-12 education, this program uses authentic narratives to enhance understanding and respect for Native perspectives. Access to most resources is free, making it accessible for all educational settings.