If you grew up watching Man vs. Wild, you already know the drill: Bear Grylls drops into a hostile environment, eats something that should definitely not be eaten, and finds his way back to civilization.

In Running Wild, the formula gets a Hollywood upgrade. Instead of being "alone," Bear takes a celebrity guest—think Channing Tatum, Brie Larson, or even Barack Obama—on a 48-hour journey through mountains, deserts, or jungles. It’s less about "how to build a lean-to" and more about "how does a Marvel actor handle sleeping on a cliffside?"

It’s survival-flavored celebrity therapy. While they’re rappelling down waterfalls or skinning a goat, Bear asks the kind of deep, searching questions that usually require a therapist’s couch and a $200 co-pay.

There’s a reason survival content is exploding across platforms like YouTube and TikTok. From MrBeast spending a week buried alive to the endless "survival" mods in Minecraft, kids are fascinated by the idea of testing their limits.

Learn more about why kids are obsessed with survival challenges

Let’s be real: this is TV. If you’re looking for a hardcore survival manual, this isn't it.

Bear Grylls has faced criticism for years about the "staged" nature of his shows. In Running Wild, the celebrities aren't actually in danger of starving to death or being eaten by lions. There is a massive production crew, professional safety riggers, and medical staff just out of frame. Sometimes, the "remote" locations are surprisingly close to luxury resorts.

However, that doesn't mean it's "fake" in the way a scripted drama is. The celebrities are actually rappelling. They are actually eating the bugs. They are actually cold, wet, and tired. For a parent, the "staged" part is actually a great talking point about media literacy. You can watch an episode and play "spot the camera angle"—if Bear is climbing a "virgin" cliffside, who climbed up there first to film him from above?

Check out our guide on teaching media literacy to middle schoolers

Beyond the gross-out stunts, Running Wild offers some of the best lessons on resilience and growth mindset currently available on major streaming platforms.

Ages 5-8: Probably too intense. The "peril" might feel too real for younger kids, and the gross-out moments can be legitimately stomach-turning. Stick to something like Wild Kratts for this group.

Ages 9-12: The Sweet Spot. They are old enough to understand that it’s a TV show but young enough to still find the adventure thrilling. This is a great co-viewing age.

Ages 13+: They might start to find Bear’s "intense" persona a bit "cringe" (to use their word), but they’ll still enjoy the celebrity cameos and the physical stunts.

In our community, we see about 22% of parents reporting that their middle-schoolers are watching survival-themed content. It’s a growing trend that often leads to kids wanting to buy "tactical" gear or survival kits.

If your kid starts asking for a "survival knife" after watching an episode, don't panic. Use it as an opportunity to teach them about resource management and preparedness. You could even pivot this interest into a family camping trip or a game of Catan, which is all about managing resources to survive and thrive.

Ask our chatbot for the best survival-themed board games for families

If your family has binged every episode of Running Wild with Bear Grylls, here are a few other ways to keep the adventure going:

If Running Wild is the "pop music" of survival, Alone is the "hardcore metal." Ten people are dropped in the wilderness with 10 items and no camera crew. They film themselves. It is raw, difficult, and shows the real toll of isolation. Ages 12+.

This is a more "chill" version of the celebrity-in-nature trope. Zac travels the world looking for sustainable ways to live. It’s less about eating bugs and more about eating healthy, local food and learning about the planet. Ages 10+.

For a literary connection, this book (and its sequels) explores what happens when a robot has to survive in the wild. It’s a beautiful meditation on nature vs. technology that hits many of the same emotional beats as Bear’s show. Ages 8+.

A great place for kids to dive into the actual science behind the animals and environments Bear visits. It’s interactive and safe.

Running Wild with Bear Grylls is solid family entertainment, provided you take the "danger" with a grain of salt. It’s one of the few shows that manages to be "cool" enough for a 12-year-old while still providing moments of genuine character-building and emotional intelligence.

It isn't "brain rot." It’s a high-production-value look at the human spirit, wrapped in a gross-out survival package.

Next Steps:

Check out our guide to the best nature documentaries for kids