PBS KIDS Helps You Celebrate Halloween with Fun Activities

 

With celebrations, school, and work pushed into virtual and socially distanced formats, normal can be tough. Holidays, like Halloween, will look a bit different this year. That doesn't mean it can’t still be spook-tastic and fun for children of all ages!

Check out these tried and true activities from PBS KIDS to help children and their families safely get in the spirit this year.

• Make Halloween Treat Bags to drop off on porches of friends and family members in your neighborhood
• Throw a virtual Halloween party and decorate your house with glowing ghost jugs, hand print spiders or pipe cleaner pumpkins
• Carve a pumpkin (or two) to jazz up your front porch with these PBS KIDS pumpkin carving templates
• Create your own Daniel Tiger, WordGirl or Wild Kratts costumes for an at-home Halloween costume parade 

Even when life is different, you can count on PBS KIDS to be there to help. 

Get Kids Ready for the Election with PBS

 

We are three weeks away from the 2020 presidential election. Some may wonder how to tackle this challenging topic with their children as they prepare for an election year like no other. 

PBS LearningMedia and PBS KIDS provides many resources for parents and educators to successfully engage children – young and old – on the topics of voting and civics. 

• Explain how grownups vote with Daniel Tiger: To help young children understand voting and the process of doing so, what better way for them to learn than alongside their neighbor, Daniel Tiger? If voting in-person this year, this video resource can familiarize young children with the voting process before they join their parent at the polls, with a step-by-step guide on how grownups vote.
• Share a history lesson and make informed predictions with The Election Collection: Parents and educators of middle and high school-aged kids can help them not only keep up with election news, but also learn about the history and process of presidential elections with this collection of videos and activities. The interactive Electoral Decoder, for example, allows learners to explore electoral college results from previous elections, and predict the outcome of the upcoming election.
• Talk about civics in an age-appropriate way: This guide provides parents and caregivers of children aged 2-8 tips and tricks to best talk with their young about voting and civic engagement, all the while improving their reading, art and math skills in the process. 

PBS KIDS has been providing parents, caregivers, and educators resources for decades. As we all adjust to new ways of learning, what better way than to turn to PBS KIDS for ideas, activities, and information. 

Fall Guide to At-Home Learning from PBS

Teaching kids from home isn't always easy for parents and caregivers. Thankfully, PBS KIDS and PBS LearningMedia have created new and updated resources to support parents as they facilitate learning through the end of the year.

Check out this sample fall syllabus with activities and resources tied to holidays and major events from October to December.

October

• INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY (OCT 12): Explore Alaska Native culture this Indigenous Peoples’ Day in the kitchen by making a new recipe with PBS KIDS’ MOLLY OF DENALI
• THE ELECTION: Help your child learn about civics, voting and elections as we near the 2020 presidential election with this handy guide
• HALLOWEEN: Celebrate Halloween at home while working on your child’s skills in art, reading and more

November

• VETERAN’S DAY (NOV 11): Explain the origin of Veteran’s Day and discuss with your child how you can honor the veteran in their life
• THANKSGIVING (NOV 22): Practice gratitude as a family and teach your child the accurate version of history this Thanksgiving

December

• COLDER WEATHER: Use the change in weather as a way to teach your kid about how the tilt of the earth affects climate and the change in seasons
• HOLIDAYS: Help kids understand the many different holidays celebrated around the world this winter through this collection of videos

You can sign up for the PBS KIDS for Parents newsletter for timely, curated resources, including video content, digital games, DIY activities, and parent-directed information to support at-home learning as it evolves. In addition, parents can find the latest tips, printables, and other tools to Learn at Home with PBS KIDS.

Going on A Road Trip? Entertain Little Ones with These PBS KIDS Educational Apps!

Now that we are stuck in the house more than we expected, many families are turning to road trips to avoid going stir-crazy. On-screen entertainment is a must for long trips ... unless you enjoy hearing, "Are we there yet?" from the backseat. Parents can use these free PBS KIDS educational apps to engage little ones while tapping into their art, math, science, engineering and design skills. You'll find nearly 200 educational games that can be downloaded for offline play anytime, anywhere.

Here are a few examples:

• Scribbles & Ink, a character-driven interactive series that teaches kids, ages 4 to 8, drawing techniques as they move through six different worlds. Kids can let their imaginations run wild as they become part of the friendship between the beloved cat and mouse duo.
• The Daniel Tiger’s Storybooks app offers a library of interactive stories narrated by Daniel Tiger. The stories show Daniel learning life lessons, like sharing with friends and being a helper. Each book, available in English and Spanish, includes a familiar song, charming animations, and a simple game to encourage children to play about the theme of the story.
• NEW: The Cat in the Hat Invents mobile app encourages young children to learn more about STEM subjects through fun activities such as designing their own robots, exploring different worlds and navigating challenges. Developed with the Next Generation Science Standards in mind, this app allows players to use voice command when selecting specific tools to help characters Nick, Sally and the Cat in the Hat improve their robot.
  
• The Play and Learn Engineering app brings little ones the opportunity to design roller coasters and problem solve through the twists and turns of obstacle courses. It empowers Preschoolers to develop a better understanding of the world around them and experiment with new tools and techniques. This free app is fully bilingual in English and Spanish.
• My personal favorite is Wild Kratts Rescue Run where you can run, jump, fly, and swim through 24 action-packed levels, rescue animals to unlock information about each one in the Creaturepedia, and face-off against villains to keep the animals safe from harm. Learn about animals and their habitats while using problem solving skills to choose different creature power suits, each with their own unique creature power.

Don't leave home without these free educational apps from PBS KIDS.

PBS KIDS for Parents Launches Play & Learn Engineering App

With distance learning growing across the country, you can count of PBS KIDS for Parents to help.

Developed through a collaboration with childhood experts, the PBS KIDS for Parents Play & Learn Engineering App is made to assist parents in helping three- to four-year-old children explore engineering concepts through play, both on screen and off. Users can design and test roller coasters, use simple tools to problem solve their way through an obstacle course, build clever contraptions to deliver food to hungry animals, and construct boxy towers to rescue a kitten from a tree. Activities include tips for parents to engage young players in conversation and extend in-app learnings to the real world. What a great parent-child engagement resource!

The app includes:

• Eight engaging games that encourage kids to design and test solutions to solve problems while exploring STEM concepts
• Parent section with English and Spanish localization helps to guide children’s learning while in and outside of the app
• Within the parent section are tips for how parents can engage with kids as they are playing the games in order to enhance learning

The app will be featured in the Amazon App Store, and is available in the iOS App Store, Google Play Store, and online at PBS KIDS.

PBS KIDS Launches Thank You Neighbors Campaign

Your family can celebrate essential workers in your neighborhood with the help of the PBS KIDS Thank You Neighbor Campaign, a month long celebration of teachers and essential workers. 

The Thank You Neighbors Campaign highlights and resources include:

• Fill-in-the-blank digital cards for families to complete and share with the hashtag #ThankYouNeighbors
• Printable coloring sheets with thank you prompts that can be emailed to community helpers, or posted for them to see
• A virtual game which allows kids to create essential worker heroes like postal carriers, utilities workers, first responders, doctors and more
• Videos that help children explore the neighbors and helpers that make up a community
• Resources for parents to help with conversations about essential workers 

 

Throughout the month on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, pbskids.org and the PBS KIDS Games app, you'll find tons of resources and games to help you encourage an attitude of gratitude.

The PBS KIDS for Parents website features articles to help parents teach their children about essential workers in their communities and how to be a good neighbor.

You'll also find a Thank You Neighbors playlist from your PBS KIDS favorite series on PBS KIDS YouTube.

Join PBS KIDS in saying #ThankYouNeighbors on social media.

Odd Squad: Odds and Ends Premiers on PBS KIDS January 21

Fans of the Odd Squad will be thrilled to hear that PBS KIDS announced a new Odd Squad movie that premiers on January 21.

Odd Squad: Odds and Ends will feature agents Olympia, Otis, Ms. O and Oona on the case to solve a string of break-ins at headquarters. When Olympia accidentally exposes a deep secret about Otis’ past, it sets off a series of events with the potential to unravel the entire agency.

The movie will air on PBS stations’ primary channels and on the PBS KIDS 24/7 channel (check local listings).  Odd Squad: Odds and Ends will also be available to stream for free starting January 21 on  pbskids.org and the PBS KIDS Video App, which is accessible on a variety of mobile devices and platforms.

“Since its premiere, Odd Squad has been a family favorite with its smart and funny approach to learning,” said Linda Simensky, Vice President, Children’s Programming, PBS. Each month, Odd Squad reaches 9.3 million viewers on-air*, and averages 17.8 million streams digitally**. Research has shown that Odd Squad positively impacts children’s math skills, including concepts such as algebraic thinking, as well as increased knowledge in numbers and operations.

Odd Squad is created by Tim McKeon (Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, Adventure Time, The Electric Company) and Adam Peltzman (The Electric Company, The Backyardigans, Wallykazam!), and produced by Sinking Ship Entertainment and Fred Rogers Productions.

* TV Source: Nielsen National Toolbox NTI Oct’17 – Sep ‘18, L+7 Avg Mo Reach, Std Mo. Unif, 1+min.
** Digital Source: Google Analytics streams & users, Oct’17 – Sep’18

Product Review: Children's Toys from PBS KIDS

As you are shopping this holiday season and wondering how you can give back and make a difference, consider purchasing one of these adorable PBS KIDS toys sold exclusively at Whole Foods locations nationwide.

An Imperfect Christian Mom was privileged to receive the following three samples:

Isn't this fuzzy little one too cute for words? A perfect stocking stuffer, she has a little clip so your child can attach it to a backpack, bag, or belt loop. 

Next comes the Narwhal. Not only does this make your child think of the Kratt Brothers and their narwhal episode, this plush toy comes with a tag that shares information about narwhals. 

Finally, is this colorful Numbers in Space wood puzzle. I can't tell you how many days were spent with the kids working on puzzles like this when they were little. The puzzle pieces have little notches to make it easy for tiny fingers to lift them out and reveal the picture underneath. 

The best part of purchasing these toys: 100% of the net proceeds PBS receives from purchases of these toys will support PBS KIDS’ mission to empower children to succeed in school and in life.

I would highly recommend this new line of PBS KIDS toys and applaud their partnership with Whole Foods Market. 

I received free samples of these products from PBS KIDS. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

New on PBS Kids: Let's Go, Luna!: Luna's Christmas Around the World Premiers Tomorrow

I just got a chance to preview the new Let's Go, Luna!: Luna's Christmas Around the World episode that will air tomorrow on PBS KIDS. When the Circo gets stuck at the South Pole on Christmas eve, Leo, Andy, and Carmen are convinced that Santa will never find them. With the help of their friend Luna, the kids endeavor to save Christmas, learning about holiday traditions from around the world along the way. This is a one-hour special event.

What a fun show that is educational and entertaining. I wish my girls were still little, because they would love it.

Let's Go, Luna!: Luna's Christmas Around the World premiers Monday, December 10, and will also air December 12, 14 (on PBS KIDS Family Night), 20, 24, 25. Check your local station for times.

Here are some other holiday favorites airing in December:

Arthur's Perfect Christmas
Airs December 10, 11, 14 and 21 (on PBS KIDS Family Night), 24, 25

Wild Kratts: A Creature Christmas
Airs December 10, 12, 14, 18, 21 (on PBS KIDS Family Night) 24, 25

The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About Christmas!
Airs December 10, 13, 17, 21 (on PBS KIDS Family Night) 24, 25

Peg + Cat + Holidays
Airs December 10, 13, 14, 24, 25

Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas
Airs December 10, 12, 14, 19, 24, 25

New on PBS Kids: Let's Go Luna Premiers on November 21

PBS KIDS recently announced episode destinations and a holiday special from its new animated social studies series, LET’S GO LUNA! It premieres tomorrow, November 21 nationwide on PBS stations and the PBS KIDS 24/7 channel. Want a sneak peek? Catch eight stories from the series that can now be streamed on pbskids.org and the free PBS KIDS Video app. Featuring countries, cultures and customs from around the globe, LET’S GO LUNA! encourages kids ages 4-7 to learn about world cultures while developing social skills.

LET’S GO LUNA! follows the adventures of three animal friends – Leo, a wombat from Australia; Carmen, a butterfly from Mexico; and Andy, a frog from the U.S. – as they traverse the globe with their parents’ traveling performance troupe. At each stop, the trio learns about the differences and similarities of the countries they visit – from language and music, to food and art – with the help of their friend Luna the moon, voiced by Judy Greer. The series takes kids on an informative and imaginative exploration of global culture to make connections between communities all over the world, integrating concepts of anthropology, history, ecology, geography and sociology.

“LET’S GO LUNA! has an important role to play in helping children explore world cultures and learn about all the ways we’re both different and the same,” said Judy Greer. “LET’S GO LUNA! helps kids develop an appreciation for cultural diversity while exploring the fun facets that make up our global community. I’m thrilled to be part of such an impactful and imaginative show that will delight everyone from age 2 to 100!”

Each LET’S GO LUNA! episode consists of two 11-minute animated stories based in a single country, joined together by an interstitial featuring a traditional folktale associated with each location. Two consecutive episodes – a total of four stories – are dedicated to a single city or country, to help kids better understand and retain the deep and vibrant culture that makes up each destination. While the locations are different, the core lessons and experiences of the characters are relatable – leading children through funny and entertaining storylines with friends all over the world.

LET’S GO LUNA! Season 1 Destinations:

• Mexico City, Mexico
• Moscow, Russia
• Cairo, Egypt
• Beijing, China
• London, England
• Delhi, India
• Sydney, Australia
• Tokyo, Japan
• Paris, France
• Juneau, Alaska
• Istanbul, Turkey
• Barcelona, Spain
• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Munich, Germany
• Nairobi, Kenya,
• Qosqo, Peru
• Bangkok, Thailand
• New Orleans, Louisiana
• Rome, Italy
• Antarctica (Christmas Special)

PBS KIDS will premiere a one-hour LET’S GO LUNA! holiday special on Monday, December 10: “Luna’s Christmas Around the World.” When Leo, Andy and Carmen get stuck at the South Pole with the performance troupe on Christmas Eve, the friends are convinced that Santa will never find them. With help from Luna, the kids endeavor to save Christmas, learning about gift-giver traditions and holiday customs from around the world along the way. 

Working closely with a team of cultural anthropologists, each episode of LET’S GO LUNA! is meticulously researched to ensure cities and regions are authentically and respectfully portrayed. One of the few storyboard-driven shows for preschoolers, writers work with storyboard artists to create visually-driven narratives that highlight each city’s distinctive landscape and features.

Created by Emmy Award-winning animator, writer and artist Joe Murray (“Rocko’s Modern Life,” “Camp Lazlo”), the series pulls artistic inspiration from vintage travel posters, the UPA, retro style found in timeless animated shows from the 20^th century and Murray’s popular animation style. The show is produced by 9 Story Media Group’s award-winning animation studio Brown Bag Films.

For TV schedules on their local PBS station, viewers can check local listings. LET’S GO LUNA! will offer a variety of games at pbskids.org and on the PBS KIDS Games App, including Chef Leo’s Crazy Kitchen, launching the week of November 21, as well as clips and full episodes across PBS KIDS’ streaming video platforms, including the PBS KIDS Video App.

Wild Kratts: Creepy Creatures Premiers and Live Streams Today!

Was so excited to hear about this new WILD KRATTS special. All my kids love the Kratt brothers.

On October 22, PBS KIDS will premiere the all-new, one-hour movie, WILD KRATTS: CREEPY CREATURES on PBS stations and the PBS KIDS 24/7 channel and live stream. It will also be available for free on pbskids.org and the PBS KIDS Video App. In this special movie event, the Kratt Brothers decide to celebrate Halloween by searching for "creepy cool" creatures, but will Zach and the other villains get in their way and ruin Halloween? Additionally, PBS KIDS will premiere new Halloween-themed episodes from READY JET GO! and PINKALICIOUS & PETERRIFIC®. Families will be treated to special Halloween-filled Family Night programming and specials the last two weekends of the month on the PBS KIDS 24/7 channel and live stream.

The spooky fun continues on digital platforms, where PBS KIDS will offer a variety of Halloween-themed games on the free PBS KIDS Games App and pbskids.org, including a new game from WILD KRATTS. This will debut in addition to favorites such as Arthur’s Tricks and Treats, Curious George Pumpkin Boo, Daniel Tiger Dress Up, The Cat in the Hat Corn Maze Craze and Peg + Cat Parade. A new Spooky Street and Halloween design contest will launch on PBS KIDS’ popular virtual world, Kart Kingdom, and the Nature Cat Art Box and Cyberchase Watts of Trouble games will have Halloween themed updates. Hands-on activities, including pumpkin-carving templates with favorite PBS KIDS characters and spooktacular treat recipes, are available on PBS KIDS for Parents.

“Halloween is a great time for families and teachers to encourage children’s imagination and creativity,” said Linda Simensky, Vice President, Children’s Programming, PBS. “With new specials and episodes from WILD KRATTS, READY JET GO! and PINKALICIOUS & PETERRIFIC®, as well at returning favorites, PBS KIDS will offer themed content and educational resources to help do just that.”

PBS LearningMedia will offer PreK-12 teachers an easy way to integrate Halloween themes into their instruction with a range of curriculum-aligned videos, lesson plans, and games. Teachers can use these resources to kick-start classroom discussions and enhance homework assignments. These free resources cover a range of subjects and are available to teachers nationwide on pbslearningmedia.org. Featured resources include Shadows Can Be Scary Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, All About the Holidays: Halloween, Frankenstein, M.D. and The Zombie Autopsies. Find these resources and more in the Halloween collection.

Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood Movie to Premier September 17 on PBS

Are your kids fans of DANIEL TIGER'S NEIGHBORHOOD? Then be sure to catch the first-ever DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD Movie, premiering on September 17 on PBS KIDS. THE DANIEL TIGER MOVIE: WON’T YOU BE OUR NEIGHBOR? features a family that has just moved to the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, leaving it up to Daniel and his community to welcome the newcomers with open arms.

THE DANIEL TIGER MOVIE: WON’T YOU BE OUR NEIGHBOR? will repeat throughout the week of September 17 (check your local listings) on PBS KIDS and the PBS KIDS 24/7 channel and live stream. It will also be available for free on pbskids.org and the PBS KIDS Video App. Additionally, two new episodes from DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD will debut throughout the week of September 17. The movie and episodes will explore themes such as making new friends and navigating unfamiliar social situations.

Jodi's First Day at School/Daniel Plays at Jodi's House
Premieres September 18

“Jodi’s First Day at School” - Jodi is nervous on her first day at a new school, so Teacher Harriet explains to Jodi that she can find something or someone she knows to help herself feel better. She spots Daniel Tiger, who is someone she knows! Daniel takes on the duties of “First Day Friend” to help Jodi feel comfortable at her new school.

“Daniel Plays at Jodi’s House” - Daniel goes to Jodi’s house after school. At first, Daniel feels a little nervous because he’s never played at Jodi’s house after school before. Then Daniel finds things he knows—like blueberries—to make himself feel better at Jodi’s house.

A New Friend at School/A New Friend at the Playground
Premieres September 20

“A New Friend at School” - Daniel can’t wait to race the crafty car he made at school with Prince Wednesday! But Prince Wednesday is busy playing with Jodi now. Is Prince Wednesday still Daniel’s friend? Of course he is.

“A New Friend at the Playground” - Daniel and Miss Elaina are playing together at the park. When their new friend Jodi shows up to play, Daniel worries that Miss Elaina likes Jodi more than him, but then Daniel is reminded that they’re all still friends.

This new movie and these shows are destined to help kids face the challenges of adjusting to new environments, like coping with a big move or starting at a new school.*


* No compensation was provided for this post. 

PBS KIDS Announces Annual Writing Contest!

The PBS KIDS Writers Contest is designed to promote the advancement of children’s literacy skills through hands-on, active learning. The contest is open to children in grades K-3 and encourages creative thinking and storytelling, while building literacy skills through the creation and illustration of original stories.

To enter, kids can submit stories to their local stations, and local winners will then be entered into the national contest. National winners will be announced during the summer of 2015, and the winning stories will be featured on pbskids.org/writerscontest.

This year, the judges include acclaimed writers, producers and children’s media creators, including Marc Brown, author and illustrator of the ARTHUR book series, and the Kratt Brothers, Martin and Chris, from the PBS KIDS show WILD KRATTS. The national winners will receive prize packages including ARTHUR books and a personal technology device courtesy of PBS.

To enter the contest and for more information on entry rules and contest resources, visit pbskids.org/writerscontest or your local PBS station website.

Coming January 26th and 27th!: PBS KIDS PREMIERES SPECIAL DOWNTON ABBEY-INSPIRED EPISODE OF ARTHUR

- Join Arthur and his friends for a drama-filled adventure airing January 26 on PBS KIDS and available on DVD January 27 -

Boston, MA and Arlington, VA, January 8, 2015 – Ever wonder what secrets and stories your family history holds?  This is the question posed to everyone’s favorite aardvark and his friends in “Fountain Abbey,” an all-new, Downton Abbey-inspired episode of ARTHUR, premiering January 26 on PBS KIDS (check local listings). “Fountain Abbey” will also be available on DVD January 27 through PBS Distribution.

In the drama-filled “Fountain Abbey,” Muffy finds herself absolutely devastated when she learns her great-great grandmother, Mary Alice, wasn’t royalty at all.  She was a common maid – oh, the indignity!  However, through reading Mary Alice's diary, Muffy is transported back in time to the famous English estate where her ancestor worked. There she discovers the surprising story behind her humble roots.

"An abbey in jeopardy, a lady's maid causing trouble, and the Dowager Countess unimpressed by all. Sound familiar? We hope ‘Fountain Abbey’ will be a show the whole family can enjoy together!" says Carol Greenwald, senior executive producer of ARTHUR.

“PBS is committed to engaging families with content that is educational and entertaining and this new episode of ARTHUR is no exception. ’Fountain Abbey’ promises to delight not only children, but an entire generation of ARTHUR fans that grew up with the series and can appreciate the humor and fun of the DOWNTON ABBEY-inspired references,” said Lesli Rotenberg, General Manager, Children’s Media, PBS.

The “Fountain Abbey” story is paired with “Arthur Calls It,” a story in which Arthur must deal with peer pressure from his classmates, causing him to doubt his decision to call his best buddy Buster “out” during a baseball game. Is that a foul play, or should Arthur stick to what he believes is right?

The week of ARTHUR continues with funny storylines about everyday life and tongue-in-cheek homages to The Wizard of Oz and The Tell-Tale Heart. In each episode, the characters learn valuable lessons about honesty, empathy, and determination.

Produced by WGBH, the Emmy Award-winning PBS KIDS series ARTHUR explores childhood challenges with heart and humor, while teaching problem-solving and pro-social skills. On the ARTHUR website, kids, parents, caregivers, and teachers can access a variety of fun and educational games, lesson plans, and activities. Families can also keep up with Arthur and his friends on the new ARTHUR Family Health Website — a resource that helps caregivers and children build and maintain healthy living habits.

For images, episode descriptions, and more information on ARTHUR, visit PBS PressRoom.

DVD Information

Title: “Arthur: Fountain Abbey”

Run Time: Approx. 56 minutes

SRP: $6.99

“Arthur: Fountain Abbey” DVD, available January 27, includes the following four stories:

“Fountain Abbey” – Muffy’s devastated when she learns her great, great grandmother Mary Alice wasn’t royalty, but a common maid. The indignity! However, Mary Alice’s old diary reveals a more interesting story.

“Arthur Calls It” – Pressure from his classmates has Arthur doubting his decision to call Buster out during a baseball game. Will he succumb to peer pressure, or stick with what he believes is right?

“Whip. Mix. Blend.” – When Rattles’s mom starts dating Archie Vanderloo, Rattles finds himself spending lots of time with Archie’s kids. The problem is, Rattles doesn’t have anything in common with these twins! Can this blended family learn to get along?

“Staycation” – Arthur offers to babysit so that his parents can enjoy some peace and quiet in the backyard. What could go wrong? With D.W. on the loose…just about everything!

DVD Special Features: Printable coloring pages and activities.

About ARTHUR

ARTHUR, based on the best-selling books by Marc Brown, is television's longest-running children’s animated series. Over the past 18 seasons, ARTHUR has remained one of the highest-rated weekday children’s series on PBS among children 4-8. ARTHUR has won numerous awards, including the George Foster Peabody Award, a BAFTA, and seven Daytime Emmys®-four for Outstanding Children’s Animated Program. ARTHUR is produced by WGBH Boston and 9 Story Entertainment. Executive producers are Carol Greenwald (WGBH), Vince Commisso (9 Story), and Marc Brown (Marc Brown Studios). Directed by Greg Bailey. Funding for Arthur is provided by public television viewers. Corporate funding is provided by Chuck E. Cheese’s®. For more information, visit pbskids.org/arthur and follow ARTHUR on Facebook and Twitter.

About WGBH
WGBH Boston is America’s preeminent public broadcaster and the largest producer of PBS content for TV and the web. Television channels include WGBH 2, WGBX 44, and the digital channels World and Create. WGBH Radio serves listeners across New England with 89.7 WGBH Boston Public Radio; 99.5 WCRB; and WCAI, the Cape and Islands NPR® Station. Find more information at wgbh.org.

About PBS KIDS
PBS KIDS, the number one educational media brand for kids, offers all children the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, online, mobile, and community-based programs. Kidscreen- and Webby-award winning pbskids.org provides engaging interactive content, including the PBS KIDS video player, now offering free streaming video accessible on computer- and mobile-device-based browsers. For more information on specific PBS KIDS content supporting literacy, science, math, and more, visit pbs.org/pressroom or follow PBS KIDS on Twitter and Facebook.

About PBS DISTRIBUTION

PBS Distribution is the leading media distributor for the public television community, both domestically and internationally, extending the reach of these programs beyond broadcast while generating revenue for the public television system and our production partners.

PBS Distribution offers a diverse range of programming to our customers, including Ken Burns’ films, documentaries from award-winning series such as NOVA, FRONTLINE, AMERICAN MASTERS, NATURE, and AMERICAN EXPERIENCE, dramas from MASTERPIECE, as well as films from independent producers and popular children’s programming. As a multi-channel distributor, PBS Distribution offers consumers high-quality content in multiple formats including DVD, Blu-ray, digital download, and digital streaming. PBS Distribution is also a leading source for factual content for international broadcast, cable and satellite services.

Contacts

Mandy Miller, WGBH, 617-300-5334, mandy_miller@wgbh.org
Maria Vera, PBS KIDS, 703-739-3225, mvera@pbs.org

PBS KIDS Survey: Less $$ More Family This Holiday

FAMILY TIME IS NUMBER-ONE AS MILLENNIAL PARENTS GET READY FOR THE HOLIDAY, ACCORDING TO SURVEY FROM PBS KIDS

Millennial parents want a simpler season, with less shopping and more family fun 

ARLINGTON, VA, December 4, 2014 – Fatigued by a myriad of "hot gift" lists, millennial parents say that fewer gifts and more family fun top their holiday wish lists, according to the Millennial Parent Holiday Survey from PBS KIDS, the results of which were released today. The survey of millennial parents (ages 18 – 33) found that 82% crave more family time and 80% want to spend more time playing with their kids this holiday season. Conversely, many of these younger parents want to dial back gift prep and shopping, with 37% saying they would like to spend less time shopping. Even more parents (45%) would like to spend less time assembling gifts.

Learning and Eco Factors Rank High

When millennial parents do go shopping, more than half (54%) say that “hot toy” or “hot gift” lists aren’t as important in the purchasing decision as other factors. Almost all millennial parents (97%) want to buy their children gifts that will stand the test of time and toys that provide learning opportunities (another 97%). That’s especially true for parents of toddlers and preschoolers (68% of parents of kids 2 – 6 compared to 58% of parents of kids 7 – 8), according to the Millennial Parent Holiday Survey. The eco factor is top of millennial parents’ minds, too, when selecting gifts for their children: 70% say it’s important to purchase eco-friendly toys, and 61% are more likely to purchase an eco-friendly toy this year than in holidays past. 

Playful Family Holidays 

Technology is a big part of entertaining children and staying organized during the holidays, but millennial parents, especially moms, are also looking to balance technology with a broader array of playful solutions. This includes a return to the basics of creative, open-ended play, to connect with their children in fun and meaningful ways¹. Based on the survey, almost all of millennial parents (95%) think it is important to give their kids toys that the family can enjoy together.  Millennial parents place high importance on playing with their children and actively participate in learning experiences, especially during the holidays.

Greener Dads

Interest in eco-friendly toys is even higher among dads, with 31% reporting that it is very important to purchase toys made from eco-friendly materials. This compares to 17% of moms who find it important. Dads are also more likely to purchase eco-friendly toys this year than in years past (74%), compared to 59% of moms. 

Millennial Parents Get Cooking!

Along with spending more time with family, topping the list of activities millennial parents want to do more of this season are cooking/baking (69%).

"We learned from this survey that during the holidays parents value quality family time and educational resources for their kids,” said Lesli Rotenberg, General Manager, Children’s Programming, PBS. “At PBS KIDS we share these core values, and are dedicated to providing families with educational content and resources that they can enjoy together, not just during the holidays, but all year-long.”

Tips to Simplify the Holidays 

The spirit of the holidays can sometimes get lost in the hectic holiday season. But there are easy ways for parents to help their family simplify and embrace the season, including these tips from PBS Parents:

 Downscale holiday plans and expectations.  Keep the focus on family, on meaningful traditions and simple activities that replenish rather than exhaust. 

Ask your children what they most love about your family's holiday.  You may be surprised by their answers. 

Whether you're decorating, baking cookies, or making gifts for grandma, remember that the process is more important for your child than the outcome.  Keep it simple, and you and your child will enjoy it more. 

Create small special moments in every day. Go for a sledding adventure or a winter nature walk outside. Turn off every light in the house at dinner time, light candles, and invite everyone to be perfectly still and perfectly silent for a minute. 

Celebrate the holidays as a season of giving and doing for others.  Grab the kids and head next door to shovel an elderly neighbor's walkway; make Christmas cards together for the mail carrier; deliver soup to a friend with the flu and focus on gifts that give back. Watch as your children begin to discover the secret pleasure of small kindnesses, offered with love. PBS KIDS provides a unique solution for parents looking for presents with a purpose, offering a new line of sustainable toys in partnership with Whole Foods.

PBS KIDS Millennial Parent Holiday Survey Methodology

The 2014 PBS KIDS Parent Survey was conducted by Smarty Pants, November 14 - 17, 2014. A sampling of 500 US parents ages 18 – 33 with children ages 2-8, participated in the online survey.

About PBS KIDS PBS KIDS, the number one educational media brand for kids, offers all children the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, online, mobile and community-based programs. Kidscreen- and Webby-award winning pbskids.org provides engaging interactive content, including the PBS KIDS video player, now offering free streaming video accessible on computer- and mobile-device-based browsers. For more information on specific PBS KIDS content supporting literacy, science, math and more, visit pbs.org/pressroom or follow PBS KIDS on Twitter and Facebook.

CONTACTS: 

Atiya Frederick, PBS, 703.739.5147 / anfrederick@pbs.org

Caitlin Melnick, 360 Public Relations, 617.585.5775 / cmelnick@360pr.com

Seasonal Family Favorites on PBS KIDS!

‘Tis the season for family favorites on PBS KIDS! On November 26, PBS KIDS will kick off the holidays with the return of CURIOUS GEORGE: A Very Monkey Christmas. In this fun-filled one-hour special, families can join their favorite monkey and the Man with the Yellow Hat as they count down the days until Christmas.

The holiday fun continues throughout December with new episodes from other PBS KIDS series. Viewers will help Otto and Olive solve a reindeer case in an all-new episode of ODD SQUAD, celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah with Peg and Cat in a one-hour PEG + CAT + HOLIDAYS special, spread cheer with new engine friends Gator and Reg on THOMAS & FRIENDS and go on a winter adventure featuring The Nutcracker Ballet with DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD.

Overstock Kid Zone from Overstock and PBS KIDS

Overstock.com believes in a bright future for all children. To support its commitment to children’s education, health, happiness and well-being, Overstock has partnered with PBS KIDS to create the Overstock Kid Zone, a curated shop within Overstock.com that includes hundreds of children’s products across many categories. A portion of the proceeds from every sale in Overstock’s Kid Zone will go to support PBS KIDS’ mission of educating children.

The Kid Zone is made up of several shop categories, including “School Essentials,” providing the perfect opportunity to purchase supplies for the school year while supporting PBS KIDS. The page also provides links to PBS KIDS videos and fun family activities.

PBS DISTRIBUTION to Release PBS KIDS "PEEP AND THE BIG WIDE WORLD: PEEP DISCOVERS" This July!

From PBS DISTRIBUTION - Lovable characters, charming plotlines, humor, and science all come together in the fun and engaging program PEEP and the Big Wide World. From learning about mud, to exploring the many uses of a drinking straw – blowing bubbles, breathing underwater, spying on Quack – “PEEP DISCOVERS” features our favorite chicken uncovering more and more about the Big Wide World! In the adventure Fair Shares, Peep and his friends encounter a problem – two crackers, divided by three birds, equals one big headache. In Marble Mover, Peep discovers that if you ever need help getting a marble up a hill, all you need to do is “Ask a Duck.” In addition to featuring eight fun-filled learning adventures, this DVD includes printable activities and coloring pages. All the stories on this DVD are available in English and Spanish!

PEEP and the Big Wide World gives wings to the innovative idea of teaching science to preschoolers. Set in and around a pond, a bush, and a tin can, the show follows a newly hatched chicken named Peep, and his friends Chirp and Quack (a robin and a duck), on their adventures. Surrounding them is a large urban park – a place of great wonder and mystery, a place they are forever eager to explore, a place they call “the big wide world.” The program is narrated by Joan Cusack (“Toy Story 3”).

Runtime: Approximately 100 minutes.

Available Now!: THE NEW WILD KRATTS DVD “TINY TROUBLE” from PBS Distribution

PBS KIDS® Series WILD KRATTS Combines Science Education with Fun and Adventure

PBS Distribution recently released two episodes of PBS KIDS’ popular WILD KRATTS series on the new DVD “TINY TROUBLE.” Join brothers and wildlife explorers Martin and Chris Kratt (creators of the award-winning WILD KRATTS, KRATTS’ CREATURES and Emmy-winning ZOBOOMAFOO) as they explore nature, meet up with cool creatures from around the world, and witness never-before-seen wildlife moments. The two episodes featured on this DVD – “Termites vs. Tongues” and “Bugs or Monkeys” – are filled with humor, excitement, and science!

WILD KRATTS transforms Martin and Chris Kratt into animated versions of themselves, allowing the real-life zoologists to visit wild animals in their little-seen habitats and to showcase key science concepts along the way. Geared toward kids ages 6 to 8, each episode of WILD KRATTS presents developmentally-appropriate science inspired by the natural abilities of the animals that the Kratt brothers – and young viewers – meet. The series premiered on PBS KIDS in January 2011 and is part of PBS KIDS’ ongoing commitment to STEM – science, technology, engineering, and math – education for kids. WILD KRATTS airs weekdays on PBS KIDS (check local listings).

“TINY TROUBLE” will be available on June 10, 2014. The DVD run time is approximately 50 minutes and its SRP is $9.99. In addition to featuring two fun-filled, laugh-out-loud adventures, the DVD also includes special features – coloring pages and activities.

“Termites vs. Tongues”
Synopsis – When a miniaturized Aviva and Koki are carried away by termites, Martin and Chris must infiltrate the termite ranks – as both termite and termite predator – to get them back.
Learning Goal – Predators and prey develop specific attacks and defenses to counter each other.

“Bugs or Monkeys”
Synopsis – While arguing over their next adventure, Chris and Martin meet a group of spider monkeys! But when a miniaturized Martin is carried away by a baby monkey, the rest of the Tortuga crew must work to find him.
Learning Goal – Certain animals have unique anatomical features adapted to maneuver in particular environments.


About PBS KIDS
PBS KIDS, the number one educational media brand for kids, offers all children the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, online, mobile and community-based programs. Kidscreen- and Webby-award winning pbskids.org provides engaging interactive content, including the PBS KIDS video player, now offering free streaming video accessible on computer- and mobile-device-based browsers. For more information on specific PBS KIDS content supporting literacy, science, math and more, visit pbs.org/pressroom, or follow PBS KIDS on Twitter and Facebook.

About Kratt Brothers Company
Kratt Brothers Company, founded in 1993, has created and produced over 225 episodes of television, including award-winning series: Kratts’ Creatures, Zoboomafoo, Kratt Brothers: Be The Creature and Wild Kratts. Through its full service animation studio, Kratt Brothers Company is currently in production on its fourth season of the twice Emmy-nominated hit, Wild Kratts. www.krattbrothers.com

About PBS Distribution
PBS Distribution is the leading media distributor for the public television community, both domestically and internationally, extending the reach of these programs beyond broadcast while generating revenue for the public television system and our production partners.

WILD KRATTS: TINY TROUBLE
Street Date: June 10, 2014
Genre: Children’s
Run Time: Approximately 50 Minutes
SRP: $9.99
Format: DVD

Available Now!: “WORDGIRL: MONKEY BUSINESS” FROM SCHOLASTIC MEDIA AND PBS KIDS®

PBS Distribution announces four stories from PBS KIDS’ popular WORDGIRL™ series on the new DVD “WORDGIRL: MONKEY BUSINESS.” WORDGIRL® is the critically-acclaimed and award-winning animated series from Scholastic Media, a division of Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company. The show follows the life and superhero adventures of WordGirl as she fights crime and enriches vocabulary usage.

In this new DVD, WordGirl and her sidekick Captain Huggy Face fight the good fight against dastardly villains and bad vocabulary! The super duo faces everything from a meat portal to a peanut butter gun, saving the day and instilling a love of language in children all at the same time. Get ready to be filled with zeal (n., great energy and enthusiasm) when you catch a glimpse (n., a momentary view) of this new DVD!

WORDGIRL airs weekdays on PBS KIDS (check local listings).

“WORDGIRL: MONKEY BUSINESS” will be available on DVD June 10, 2014. The DVD run time is approximately 50 minutes and its SRP is $9.99. DVD special features include interactive games, video shorts, and coloring pages. Details about the adventures featured on this DVD are below.

“Monkey Business”
After a battle, WordGirl accidentally leaves Captain Huggy Face behind (again). So he spends the day doing all of his favorite things. When an overzealous Chuck strikes, it’s up to Captain Huggy Face to single-handedly save the day.

“The Meaty Dimension”
The Butcher discovers the portal where all of his meat is stored and concocts a plan to trap Huggy and WordGirl so that he can take over the city. Will WordGirl and Huggy be able to outsmart the butcher and get rid of his meat portal for good?

“Whammer Anniversary”
Mr. and Mrs. Botsford leave Becky to babysit TJ so they can celebrate their anniversary at a local ice cream parlor. When the Whammer can’t get the sundae he orders he starts whamming. Becky has to find a way to save her parents, babysit TJ, and keep her secret identity intact.

“Peanut Butter Battles”
Chuck adds a new condiment to his arsenal – peanut butter! The highly sticky substance envelops its victims into a giant ball. When WordGirl gets hit with a peanut-buttery blast and Huggy has to roll her around town, will she still be able to save the day?


About PBS KIDS
PBS KIDS, the number one educational media brand for kids, offers all children the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, online, mobile and community-based programs. Kidscreen- and Webby-award winning pbskids.org provides engaging interactive content, including the PBS KIDS video player, now offering free streaming video accessible on computer- and mobile-device-based browsers. For more information on specific PBS KIDS content supporting literacy, science, math and more, visit pbs.org/pressroomtwi, or follow PBS KIDS on Twitter and Facebook.

About Scholastic
Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books and a leader in educational technology and related services and children’s media. Scholastic creates quality books and ebooks, print and technology-based learning materials and programs, magazines, multi-media and other products that help children learn both at school and at home. The Company distributes its products and services worldwide through a variety of channels, including school-based book clubs and book fairs, retail stores, schools, libraries, on-air, and online at www.scholastic.com.

About PBS Distribution
PBS Distribution is the leading media distributor for the public television community, both domestically and internationally, extending the reach of these programs beyond broadcast while generating revenue for the public television system and our production partners.

PBS Distribution offers a diverse range of programming to our customers, including
Ken Burns’s films, documentaries from award-winning series such as NOVA, FRONTLINE, AMERICAN MASTERS, NATURE, and AMERICAN EXPERIENCE, dramas from MASTERPIECE, as well as films from independent producers and popular children’s programming. As a multi-channel distributor, PBS Distribution pursues wholesale/retail sales, consumer and educational sales through PBS-branded catalogs and online shops, and international broadcast and video sales. PBS Distribution is also a leader in offering programming through digital platforms including internet and mobile devices.


WORDGIRL: MONKEY BUSINESS
Street Date: June 10, 2014
Genre: Children’s
Run Time: Approximately 50 Minutes
SRP: $9.99
Format: DVD