PBS KIDS is encouraging kids to Explore the Outdoors!

The two things my boys love most in the world are playing outside and watching TV so when I heard that PBS KIDS was partnering with the National Recreation and Parks Association (of which my dad is a 30+ year member!) I was intrigued to learn more.

Through April 20, PBS will present four weeks of themed on-air programming and online content designed to inspire kids and families to get outside and discover nature.  Locally, National Recreation and Park Association member parks, along with local PBS member stations, will be hosting events where kids are invited to experience the environment with fun and educational activities from PBS KIDS. 

 

I feel pretty lucky to have a retired park ranger and recreation director for a dad and some of my best childhood memories are being outside with my family. My dad was constantly pointing out hawks, trees, snakes, plants (hello poison ivy!) and one time we encountered a super-cool beaver dam!

And I'm grateful that both our boys love being outside, too. All they need is a stick and some dirt or mud and they'll happily get filthy and entertain themselves for a long time!

As happy as they are to be outside, though, I'd be lying if I didn't mention how much my boys LOVE watching TV! PBS KIDS is our go-to station and so it's great to know that there will be shows encouraging them to actually turn off the TV and get outside to explore! 

Here are the details:

Explore the Outdoors Programming

Leading up to Earth Day, PBS KIDS will present four weeks of “Explore the Outdoors” themed programming from popular series including WILD KRATTS, DINOSAUR TRAIN, THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT!, and CURIOUS GEORGE. Premieres include new episodes from WILD KRATTS, THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT!, CURIOUS GEORGE and a new Earth Day themed episode of ARTHUR, airing Monday, April 16.  On Friday, April 20 (the Friday before Earth Day), PBS will also present a special line-up of environmentally-themed programs to gear kids up to celebrate Earth Day. Themed weeks include:

 

WILD KRATTS “Backyard Adventures Week” - March 26-30

This special week features five episodes all about venturing outside to explore the wonders that are as close as your own backyard. The week concludes with the premiere of a new episode, “Flight of the Pollinators,” on Friday, March 30, which explores the amazing delivery system of plants and their animal partners.

 

DINOSAUR TRAIN “Nature Trackers Week” - April 2-6

This encore presentation of four “Nature Trackers” episodes of DINOSAUR TRAIN includes “Stargazing on the Night Train/Get Into Nature!,” “Shiny and Snakes/Tiny Flowers,” “Buddy Explores the Tyrannosaurs/Rainy Day Fight” and “That’s Not a Dinosaur/Tiny’s Garden.” The storylines follow Buddy, Shiny, Tiny and Don as they make their own discoveries in nature.

The episodes encourage kids to get outside, get into nature and make their own discoveries.

 

THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT! “Nature’s Know-How Week” - April 9-13

The Cat, Nick and Sally go on a variety of outdoor adventures this week, including journeys to Drippety Dry Desert and Splishy Splashy Pond.  Two new episodes premiere: “Super Cleaner Uppers/Itty Bitty Water” on Monday, April 9, and “Amazing Eyes/Water Walkers” on Thursday, April 12.

 

CURIOUS GEORGE “Explore Your World Week” - April 16-20

During this special week, everyone’s favorite monkey dabbles in a range of activities – from radio DJ-ing, to painting, to building a home for a squirrel.  The week includes three premiere episodes – “DJ George/Curious George Paints the Desert” on Monday, April 16, “No Knowing Gnocchi/Here Comes the Tide” on Wednesday, April 18, and a special Earth Day episode, “Junky Monkey/Jumpy Warms Up,” on Friday, April 20.

 

 

Online and Mobile Resources for Families

Kids can continue their environmental exploration online at PBSKIDS.org/outdoors  to find environmental and outdoor themed games, activities and videos and on mobile through the PBS KIDS Video App for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.

 

PBS Parents will provide resources for parents to explore the outdoors with their own families on PBSParents.org/outdoors. The site will provide activities from the on-air episodes, listings for PBS KIDS Day in the Park events, and ideas and resources that families can use to explore the outdoors any time.

I was not compensated in any way for this post. We're just big fans of PBS KIDS and the National Recreation and Parks Society in our family so I am happy to pass along this great info!

Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!