Kick Buttowski Age Rating: Is This Daredevil Show Right for Your Kid?
TL;DR: Kick Buttowski is rated TV-Y7 (appropriate for ages 7+), but the constant slapstick violence, dangerous stunts, and occasional attitude might make some parents want to wait until 8 or 9. It's basically a love letter to extreme sports and fearlessness that can be genuinely funny, but also makes you wonder if your homeowner's insurance covers cartoon-inspired injuries.
Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil ran on Disney XD from 2010-2012, following 10-year-old Clarence "Kick" Buttowski, a suburban kid obsessed with becoming the world's greatest daredevil. Every episode features Kick attempting increasingly ridiculous stunts—jumping buses on his bike, launching himself from homemade catapults, basically treating his entire town like a Tony Hawk level.
The show has 52 episodes across two seasons, and it's currently streaming on Disney+. It was created by Sandro Corsaro, who worked on shows like Family Guy and The Simpsons, which... explains a lot about the humor style.
The TV-Y7 rating means the content is designed for children age 7 and older. This rating typically indicates:
- Mild fantasy violence or comedic violence that's clearly not realistic
- Themes that require some emotional maturity to understand context
- Situations that might frighten younger children but are handled in age-appropriate ways
For Kick Buttowski specifically, the rating comes with an additional FV (Fantasy Violence) tag, which is Disney's way of saying "this kid crashes into things... a lot."
The Stunts Are Non-Stop
Every. Single. Episode. Features. Dangerous. Stunts.
Kick is constantly jumping off buildings, launching himself through the air, crashing through walls, and generally defying physics and common sense. The show makes it look cool, fun, and consequence-free (aside from the comedic crashes).
If you're worried about imitation, this is a legitimate concern. The show doesn't include "don't try this at home" warnings, and while the stunts are clearly cartoonish, they're also just grounded enough in reality that a kid might think "I could totally jump my bike off the garage."
The Violence Is Slapstick, But Constant
Characters get hit, crashed into, flattened, blown up, and generally pummeled in classic cartoon fashion. Think Looney Tunes or Tom and Jerry—nobody ever gets seriously hurt, they just peel themselves off the pavement and keep going.
The difference? Those classic cartoons are clearly fantastical. Kick Buttowski takes place in a recognizable suburban setting with (mostly) realistic physics until the moment of impact. It's a weird middle ground that might normalize violence more than purely absurdist cartoons.
The Attitude Can Be Grating
Kick isn't exactly a role model for respectful behavior. He:
- Regularly ignores rules and authority figures
- Dismisses safety concerns as "for wimps"
- Can be selfish and single-minded about his goals
- Sometimes treats his nerdy best friend Gunther as a sidekick rather than an equal
His older brother Brad is an outright bully who actively tries to sabotage and humiliate Kick. Their relationship is basically one long sibling war with minimal consequences.
That said, Kick does show loyalty to his friends, determination in pursuing his goals, and occasional moments of growth. He's not a terrible kid, just one who prioritizes adrenaline over common sense.
The Humor Is Actually Pretty Clever
Despite all the crashing, the show has legitimately funny writing. There are pop culture references, visual gags, wordplay, and character-based humor that goes beyond just "kid falls down." The animation style is distinctive and energetic, with a retro aesthetic that's genuinely appealing.
The voice acting is solid (Charlie Schlatter from Diagnosis Murder voices Kick), and the show has a kinetic energy that makes it fun to watch—even if you're cringing at the stunts.
The appeal is pretty straightforward:
Pure wish fulfillment. What kid hasn't wanted to turn their neighborhood into a personal stunt course? Kick does everything cautious parents say no to, and he's celebrated for it.
Fast-paced action. There's rarely a dull moment. The show moves quickly, with multiple stunts and gags per episode.
Underdog story. Kick is a little kid in a helmet taking on bigger challenges and bigger kids. He's fearless in a way that's empowering.
Friendship dynamics. The relationship between Kick and Gunther (his loyal, anxious best friend) is genuinely sweet beneath all the chaos.
Ages 5-6: Probably Too Young
The constant violence (even if cartoonish) and dangerous stunts are a lot for this age. Kids this young are still developing their understanding of cause and effect, and the show's "consequences are for quitters" attitude isn't great messaging.
Ages 7-8: Depends on Your Kid
This is the official rating range, and it can work for:
- Kids who clearly understand cartoon logic vs. reality
- Children who already have strong safety awareness
- Families who are comfortable having explicit conversations about why we don't imitate TV stunts
Skip it if your kid:
- Is particularly prone to imitating what they see on screen
- Gets anxious about characters getting hurt
- Already pushes boundaries around safety
Ages 9-11: Generally Fine
Most kids this age can handle the content and understand the distinction between cartoon stunts and real-world consequences. They're also more likely to appreciate the humor beyond just the crashes.
Ages 12+: Might Seem Babyish
The show is clearly aimed at elementary-aged kids. Tweens might find it too juvenile, though some might enjoy it nostalgically or appreciate the animation style.
If you're trying to gauge whether Kick Buttowski fits your family's standards, here's how it stacks up:
More intense than: Phineas and Ferb (also features wild inventions and stunts, but with more problem-solving and less violence), Gravity Falls (has some scary moments but less constant physical comedy)
Similar to: The Fairly OddParents (similar attitude and slapstick), Johnny Test (also features a reckless kid and constant action)
Less intense than: Teen Titans Go! (more chaotic and sometimes meaner humor), The Amazing World of Gumball (more absurdist and occasionally darker themes)
If you decide to give Kick Buttowski a try, here are some strategies:
Co-view the first few episodes. Get a sense of whether the content aligns with your family's values and whether your kid is reacting appropriately.
Talk about the stunts explicitly. "That looked cool in the cartoon, but what would really happen if someone jumped their bike off a roof?" Help them think through actual consequences.
Point out when characters make bad choices. "Kick didn't listen to the safety rules. What do you think could have happened?"
Discuss the sibling relationship. Brad's bullying of Kick is pretty extreme. Talk about how siblings should treat each other and what to do if someone is being mean.
Set clear boundaries about imitation. Make it explicit: "This is fun to watch, but we don't do stunts like this in real life. If you want to try something that seems risky, you need to ask first."
If Kick Buttowski feels like too much for your family, here are some shows with action and adventure but less concerning content:
- Bluey (ages 2-8): Imaginative play and family relationships without the violence
- Avatar: The Last Airbender (ages 7+): Action and adventure with genuine character growth and consequences
- Hilda (ages 6+): Adventure and some scary moments, but with more thoughtful storytelling
- The Dragon Prince (ages 8+): Fantasy action with more complex themes and character development
- Craig of the Creek (ages 6+): Outdoor adventures and imagination without the constant crashes
Kick Buttowski is rated TV-Y7 for good reason—it's designed for elementary-aged kids who can distinguish cartoon violence from reality. The show is energetic, sometimes funny, and clearly appeals to kids' desire for excitement and freedom.
But it's also basically 52 episodes of a kid doing dangerous things without real consequences, wrapped in a package that makes it all look awesome. If your family values align with cautious risk-taking and you're confident your kid won't try to recreate the stunts, it can be harmless fun.
If you're already fighting battles about bike helmets and climbing too high on the playground equipment, maybe skip this one for now.
The show isn't going to rot anyone's brain, but it's also not going to teach anything particularly valuable beyond "determination is cool" and "crashing into things can be funny." It's junk food TV—fine in moderation, but not something you'd want to build a media diet around.
Ultimately, trust your gut. If you watch an episode and find yourself saying "oh hell no," that's your answer. If your kid can watch it, laugh at the absurdity, and still make safe choices in real life, then it's probably fine.
Want to explore more age-appropriate action shows? Check out our guide to adventure shows for elementary kids or how to talk to kids about cartoon violence.