Civilisations AR – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Civilisations AR

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

app2023

91%

WISE Score

4.6

App Store

BBC's AR app that drops museum-quality art and artifacts into your living room—walk around ancient sculptures and examine Renaissance paintings in 3D.

Civilisations AR

app

Everyone, 2023

91%

WISE Score

4.6

App Store

BBC's AR app that drops museum-quality art and artifacts into your living room—walk around ancient sculptures and examine Renaissance paintings in 3D.

Jump to

Also rated on

Where to Find

App Store

Google Play

Screenwise Verdict

This is what educational technology should be—using AR to solve a real problem (museum artifacts are far away and behind glass) in a way that actually enhances learning. The BBC nailed it here.

Kids can walk around a full-scale Egyptian sculpture in their bedroom, zoom in on brushstrokes in a Renaissance painting, or examine ancient pottery from angles impossible in a real museum. It's the kind of thing that makes a kid go 'whoa, that's actually cool' about history.

The classical art nudity is worth a heads-up but it's genuinely educational and contextual—same as taking your kid to the Met. If you're comfortable with art museums, you're comfortable with this.

No ads, no purchases, no social drama—just BBC doing what BBC does best: making learning accessible and engaging. This is a keeper for families who want screen time that actually builds knowledge.

Age Fit

Best for ages 8-16 who are curious about art, history, or how things looked in different time periods. Younger kids (6-7) can enjoy it with parent guidance, especially the 3D exploration aspect. Teens studying art history will find it genuinely useful.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

BBC-produced educational app showcasing human art and history through AR. Family-friendly tone with minimal concerning content beyond occasional classical art nudity (e.g., Rodin's The Kiss) that you'd find in any museum. No violence, toxicity, or inappropriate themes. The app is designed for learning and exploration with a respectful, educational approach.

Imaginative

Uses augmented reality to place historical artifacts and artworks directly in your physical space—you can walk around a 3D Egyptian sculpture in your living room or examine Renaissance paintings at scale. This is genuinely innovative use of AR technology for education, inviting curiosity and exploration of human creativity across millennia. The 3D viewing capability and ability to see pieces from multiple angles sparks wonder about art history in a way books can't match.

Safe

BBC-produced educational app with kids mode available. No ads, no predatory monetization, no social features or chat. The only content concern is occasional classical art nudity (sculpture, paintings) that parents would encounter in any art museum—Common Sense Media notes this is 'largely family friendly.' No data privacy red flags from a BBC educational initiative. Safe, straightforward educational tool.

Enriching

This is educational technology at its best—brings museum-quality art and historical artifacts into homes and classrooms via AR. Kids can examine real pieces of human history up close, learning about different civilizations, artistic movements, and cultural achievements. Common Sense Education reviewers specifically praise how it gives students a 'realistic look' at history. Pairs with BBC's Civilisations documentary series for deeper learning. Genuinely builds art literacy and historical understanding.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely innovative use of AR—place life-size historical artifacts in your space and examine them from all angles
BBC quality educational content covering human art and civilization across millennia
No ads, no in-app purchases, no social features—just pure learning
Pairs with BBC's Civilisations documentary series for deeper dives
Actually makes art history tangible and exciting for kids who'd zone out in a museum

⚠

What to Watch For

Some classical art includes nudity (think Rodin sculptures, Renaissance paintings)—same as you'd see in any art museum
Requires AR-capable device and enough physical space to walk around virtual objects
Best for kids who have some baseline interest in art or history—won't convert total skeptics

Conversation Starters

"Which civilization's art style do you like best? Why do you think they made art that way?"
"If you could bring one artifact from history into our house permanently, what would it be?"
"What do you notice about how art changed over time? What stayed the same?"
"How do you think people felt when they first saw this artwork in real life?"

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic