SerpaDesign – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

SerpaDesign

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

YouTube2013

85%

WISE Score

2.0M

Subscribers

Tanner builds stunning living ecosystems in glass boxes—part Bob Ross, part Bill Nye, all mesmerizing.

SerpaDesign

YouTube

2013

85%

WISE Score

2.0M

Subscribers

Tanner builds stunning living ecosystems in glass boxes—part Bob Ross, part Bill Nye, all mesmerizing.

Jump to

Also rated on

2.0M

Screenwise Verdict

SerpaDesign is one of YouTube's gems—a channel that genuinely enriches rather than just entertains. Tanner's projects are slow, intentional, and beautiful, teaching real science and design while modeling patience and care for living things.

The educational value is off the charts: kids learn about ecosystems, the nitrogen cycle, plant propagation, animal husbandry, and spatial design. The builds are aspirational but accessible—you don't need a PhD, just curiosity and time.

The main caveat is practical: these projects require tools, money, and adult oversight. A 10-year-old can absolutely help build a terrarium, but they shouldn't be operating a circular saw or ordering dart frogs unsupervised. Also, it's YouTube, so you'll want to manage what plays next.

Overall, this is the kind of screen time that leads to less screen time—kids inspired to get their hands dirty, literally. Highly recommended for nature-loving families.

Age Fit

Best for ages 8–99. Younger kids (6–7) can watch with parents and enjoy the visuals, but the detailed explanations and long project timelines suit older elementary through adult hobbyists. Appeals to nature-loving kids, aspiring biologists, and anyone who finds aquascaping or terrariums meditative.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Tanner's gentle, patient teaching style models curiosity and care for living things. The channel celebrates craftsmanship, nature appreciation, and the meditative process of building ecosystems. Tone is consistently calm, encouraging, and free of drama or negativity. Projects emphasize responsibility for animal welfare and environmental stewardship.

Imaginative

SerpaDesign turns glass boxes and plywood into living art installations, blending biology, design, and engineering. Each build invites viewers to think spatially, problem-solve drainage and lighting, and envision their own nature-indoors projects. The channel demonstrates how limitless the medium is—from desktop terrariums to backyard ponds—sparking genuine creative ambition.

Safe

Content is family-friendly with no mature themes, profanity, or toxicity. Comments are enabled but the community skews toward adult hobbyists and respectful DIY enthusiasts. Primary safety consideration: projects involve power tools, sharp implements, and live animals, requiring adult supervision if kids attempt replication. No manipulative design, clickbait, or inappropriate content.

Enriching

Rich educational value across biology (nitrogen cycle, plant care, animal husbandry), design principles, and practical engineering. Tanner explains the 'how and why' behind each choice, building genuine understanding of ecosystems. Teaches patience, planning, and long-term thinking—some projects take years. Inspires STEM skills and environmental awareness through beautiful, accessible demonstrations.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Teaches real biology, design thinking, and patience through gorgeous terrarium and vivarium builds that take months or years to complete
Calm, encouraging teaching style makes complex projects feel achievable while modeling care for living things
Bridges art and science beautifully—kids see that STEM skills create actual beauty, not just solve problems
Inspires hands-on projects that get kids off screens (ironically) and into nature, even if they live in apartments
Strong engagement (1.98M subscribers, 271M views) means there's a huge community of fellow hobbyists to learn from

⚠

What to Watch For

Projects involve power tools, glass cutting, silicone, and other materials that require adult supervision—don't let a 9-year-old grab the table saw
Live animal care is a serious commitment; videos may inspire pet ownership that families aren't ready for (dart frogs need specific humidity, temps, and live food)
It's YouTube, so autoplay will inevitably serve up random content afterward—watch together or use restricted mode
Some builds are expensive (custom glass, specialty lighting, rare plants) which may frustrate kids who want to replicate immediately

Conversation Starters

"What kind of terrarium would you want to build? What plants or animals would live in it?"
"Tanner talks about the nitrogen cycle—why do you think that matters for keeping fish or frogs healthy?"
"Some of his projects take years to finish. What's something you've worked on for a really long time?"
"If you could bring one piece of nature indoors, what would it be and how would you take care of it?"
"Why do you think he uses certain materials like drainage layers or false bottoms? What problems are they solving?"