This Earth Day, join WETA Kids and America’s favorite monkey for a new one hour Curious George special: Curious George Swings into Spring. From spring fever to spring cleaning, from a canoe ride to a hot air balloon journey, George and his friends get WETA Kids ready to explore the outdoors this Earth Day. Tune into WETA Kids Monday, April 22 for the premiere and throughout the week to swing into spring with George again, and again!

You know it must be springtime if a curious monkey named George is dancing on the balcony at sunrise! The Man with the Yellow Hat is sure that George has spring fever, so he takes George to the park to experience all the wonders of spring. George is so excited about spring that he wants Hundley the dog to have spring fever, too, but Hundley and the Doorman are busy trying to win the Mayor’s spring cleaning prize. When a broken water pipe floods the building, Hundley has to stay with George in the country, and George tries to make sure Hundley enjoys spring, too. Even blooming flowers, baby animals and a canoe ride can’t make Hundley love spring. What’s worse – Hundley gets lost in the country! Searching for his lost friend, George accidentally launches a hot air balloon rally and, piloting a balloon, sails over the countryside. Luckily George manages to grab Hundley from a hilltop along the way. Together they balloon triumphantly to the city. The Man with the Yellow Hat and the Doorman stage a daring rooftop rescue. Not only are George and Hundley saved, but they manage to win the coveted Spring Building Prize! Finally, to George’s delight, Hundley now has spring fever, too!

Watch the trailer here!

WETA’s Start with a Book offers adults engaging ideas for getting kids into books and reading. The free resources from Start with a Book build on topics that children already like — dinosaurs, building, animals, sports, superheroes and music — so that parents, camp counselors, and others can have fun and interact meaningfully with children while helping to strengthen their reading skills.

In conjunction with the WETA Kids special episode Curious George Swings into Spring, WETA’s Start with a Book has three resource topics that relate to the show:

• Our Green World
• Bugs, Birds, Animals
• Gardening

Check out these resources and head to your local library to begin exploring!

The WETA Kids Block Party showcases every episode of all your favorite shows from the week, back-to-back in a special block on Saturdays and Sundays. If you’re up late on Saturday, watch every WordGirl episode from the previous week from 10:30pm – 1:00am or DVR it for Sunday morning!

But coming next week, we have something extra special for WordGirl fans: March-Enemy Week! Everyone’s favorite vocabulary-slinging super hero squares off against a cavalcade of evil-doers in WordGirl: March-Enemy Week! From March 11-15, WETA KIDS has five brand-new WordGirl episodes including the two-part Dinner or Consequences. The title of this week’s theme is a play on “arch enemy”. This means every episode is action-packed with an encounter between WordGirl and some of her most nefarious foes: Chuck the Evil Sandwich-Making Guy, Birthday Girl, Tobey, The Butcher, Granny Mae, The Energy Monster, and, of course, Dr. Two Brains.

Click here to watch a preview of WordGirl: March-Enemy Week!

Be sure to tune in March 11-15 for five all new WordGirl episodes and stop in every Saturday from 10:30pm – 1:00am for The WETA Kids Block Party: WordGirl.

For more WETA Kids Block Party information, check out our blog post on The WETA Kids Block Party Curious George, The WETA Kids Block Party Dinosaur Train, and The WETA Kids Block Party Wild Kratts!

Day at the Museum / Best Fan Club Meeting Ever

The WETA Kids Block Party has every episode of your favorite shows from the past week back-to-back on Saturdays and Sundays. Tune in every Saturday from 3:00pm – 5:30pm to watch an entire week’s worth of Dinosaur Train! 

Click here to watch a video preview of Dinosaur Train: Submarine Adventure!

family want to follow some friends on an undersea fishing trip, the conductor unveils a new invention – the Dinosaur Train Submarine! On its maiden voyage, Otto Ophthalmosaurus guides the sub deep into the ocean using his big eyes that can see in the dark. Then, the family meets Shoshana Shonisaurus, an enormous marine reptile that’s something between a dolphin and a whale, and Maisie Mosasaurus, a huge fast swimming lizard with flippers. Finally, the family watches small eggs hatch on the beach. Baby Archelon turtles emerge and start to swim away. The family follows them on their journey across the ocean where they will grow up to be giant-sized sea turtles!

If you missed out on Wild Kratts during the week or you’re hoping to catch an episode again, don’t worry! The WETA Kids Block Party showcases every episode from the past week of all your favorite shows, back-to-back in a special block on Saturdays and Sundays. It’s the perfect way to relax, have fun, learn, and spend time with the family during the weekend. During the WETA Kids Block Party, watch Wild Kratts every Saturday from 5:30pm to 8:00pm.

This week on WETA Kids, tune in for the brand new, hour-long special episode Wild Kratts: Lost at Sea! The Kratt brothers head to the most populated and diverse habitat on Earth — the coral reef — in “Blowfish Blowout”. Then the Wild Kratts decode the secret language of dolphins, among the smartest creatures on Earth, in “Speaking Dolphinese”. Tune in to WETA Kids Monday January 21 at 5:00pm and catch it again during the WETA Kids Block Party Saturday January 26 at 5:30pm!

Click here to download the Wild Kratts: Lost at Sea Aquarium Guide so you can stay on top of the adventures!

Remember to check back right here on our blog for more features from WETA Kids!

After that last tolerable bite of scrumptious pumpkin pie concluding a delicious Thanksgiving dinner, the winter holiday season is officially in full effect. The DC, MD, and VA PBS station, WETA, wants to start the season off right! We’re bringing you classic and new kids’ holiday programming on Friday, November 23 that will have your family full of excitement for the upcoming holidays! Whether the kids in your home are early risers or need to sleep off last night’s turkey, WETA will air this three hour line-up throughout the day so everyone can enjoy! Be sure to bookmark and subscribe to the Programmer’s Choice blog for more information about programming on WETA’s four channels: WETA TV26, WETA HD, WETA UK, and WETA Kids!

Arthur’s Perfect Christmas

Start off the holiday season with Arthur and his pals as they prepare for what they hope will be the perfect holiday. Along the way, the gang will learn that perfection isn’t everything and that the reason for the season is more than an excuse for presents and parties. Elwood City proves to be a diverse community where people celebrate a wide range of holidays: D.W. and Arthur anxiously await Christmas day and lose sight of the meaning of Christmas along the way. Francine celebrates Hanukah which collides with Muffy’s “holiday extravaganza” party. Binky follows a family tradition of volunteering at a homeless shelter and Buster finds that ever since his parent’s divorce, the holidays aren’t the same. George celebrates Saint Lucia Day-a Swedish holiday- and Brain celebrates Kwanza. Will they discover the true meaning behind their holidays in time to enjoy them? Celebrate the holidays with Arthur and his friends with great online activities on PBSkids.org!

Watch Arthur’s Perfect Christmas Friday, November 23 on WETA KIDS at 7:00am, 4:00pm, and 7:00pm and on WETA TV26 at 6:00am.

Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas

Join the always-lovable monkey on a grand adventure as he and The Man with the Yellow Hat get into some monkey business in their preparations for Christmas day. Everything is merry for Curious George and his best friend until each discovers that finding the perfect gift for the other is quite the challenge. The Man with the Yellow Hat simply can’t understand George’s colorful and monkey-scribbled Christmas list and George feels no gift is fit for his dear friend, a man who has virtually everything! Watch Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas to find out what ends up beneath the Christmas tree, it may be more than wrapped presents!

Watch Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas Friday, November 23 on WETA Kids at 8:00am, 5:00pm, and 8:00pm and on WETA TV26 at 7:00am.

PREMIERE: The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Christmas

Get ready to add another classic to your favorite holiday movie collection because the one and only The Cat in the Hat is celebrating Christmas! In this exciting one-hour special, The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Christmas, the meaning of the holiday shines through when Nick, Sally, and The Cat in the Hat help Ralph the lost reindeer find his way back to his home of Freezeyourknees Snowland. The Cat in the Hat guides the group on a voyage around the world hoping to arrive in time for Christmas but they run into glitches along the way. When the Thingamajigger breaks down, the friends must get creative to continue on their trip and so they solicit the generous help of exotic animals who exemplify the “Christmas spirit”! Nothing can stop the new-found friends from getting to Freezeyourknees Snowland in this PREMIERE of The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Christmas! Educational and entertaining all wrapped into one? Impossible you say? Play the newest online game inspired by The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Christmas! Click here to download the free, printable coloring sheet for the show!

Watch The Cat In The Hat Knows A Lot About Christmas Friday, November 23 on WETA Kids at 9:00am, 6:00pm, and 9:00pm and on WETA TV26 at 8:00am.

It’s not rocket science… kids love Sid the Science Kid! Monday November 12 kicks off a week of FOUR ALL NEW EPISODES for “Living Things Week” right here on WETA Kids and WETA TV26!  Our excitement is bubbling over like a messy science experiment thanks to the many lessons awaiting our brains. Sid and his friends take care of a praying mantis and learn what kind of habitat and food this class pet needs. Then the young scientists find out that even when they don’t want to, sleep is important. The kids take a trip to the Science Center and explore the life cycles of living creatures. Finally, allergies and sickness are under the microscope after Sid gets the sniffles and Gerald has an allergic reaction!

We want to ensure that no matter how hectic your schedules are, the Sid fans in your home get a chance to watch Sid in action. Below you will find the multiple air dates and times of each episode, along with episode descriptions and fun activities! Don’t forget to grab your magnifying glass and explore PBSkids.org for Sid the Science Kid games, printables and educational activities to keep your child’s brain active and learning while they’re having fun!

Not sure where to watch WETA? We’ve made it easy for you!

WETA Kids (Antenna 26.3, Cox 801, Comcast 266, FiOS 472, RCN 38)

WETA TV26 (Antenna 26.4, Cox 26 & 802, Comcast 26 & 267, FiOS 26 & 471, Dish 8076, RCN 26)

Premiere! “Sid’s Pet Project”

Airs on WETA Kids

Monday November 12, 2012 at 12:00pm

Monday November 12, 2012 at 8:30pm

Friday November 16, 2012 at 12:00pm

Friday November 16, 2012 at 8:30pm

Sunday November 18, 2012 at 12:30pm

Sunday November 18, 2012 at 2:30pm

Airs on WETA TV26

Tuesday November 13, 2012 at 11:30am

Monday November 19, 2012 at 11:30am

“Sid’s Pet Project”

Sid is very excited because he’s going to babysit Grandma’s dog Philbert for the weekend.  This is a great way for Sid to show his parents that he’s ready to take care of his own puppy.  But there’s only one problem…how exactly do you take care of a pet?  Sid heads to school to investigate more, and is delighted to see the special guest.  It’s Gabriela’s Mom, Dr. Rosalinda Cordova!  She brought the class their very own pet…a praying mantis!  And now the kids have to learn how to take care of it.  That means investigating what the praying mantis needs to eat, drink, and what kind of home it needs.  As Sid quickly discovers, taking care of a pet is a big responsibility!

Science Lesson: Taking Care of Living Things

Life Lesson: Before we make a commitment, we must understand the responsibilities involved!

Download this free Sid's Pet Project activity sheet courtesy of PBS Kids!

Premiere! “Sleep? Who Needs It?!”

Airs on WETA Kids

Tuesday November 13, 2012 at 12:00pm

Tuesday November 13, 2012 at 8:30pm

Sunday November 18, 2012 at 1:00pm

Monday November 19, 2012 at 12:00pm

Monday November 19, 2012 at 8:30pm

Sunday November 25, 2012 at 12:30pm

Airs on WETA TV26

Wednesday November 14, 2012 at 11:30am

Tuesday November 20, 2012 at 11:30am

“Sleep? Who Needs It?!”

Sid is ready to stay up all night so he and his stuffed animals can pretend to fly into space on a rocket ship!  When his Mom insists that he can’t stay up, Sid ventures to school to investigate more.  He and friends explore how the body needs sleep to properly function, and most important, we need sleep to grow and stay healthy!   Understanding that sometimes we feel too excited to sleep (like before an adventure into space), Susie presents a special Super Fab Lab where the kids practice calming down, and preparing their bodies for sleep.  Susie lowers the lights, turns off all the sounds in the room, and teaches the kids how to breathe slowly to relax…and sleep!

Science Lesson: Sleep

Life Lesson: We need to always take care of our bodies,,,they are like cars and need the proper fuel to keep going strong!

Premiere! “Seed The Science Kid”

Airs on WETA Kids

Wednesday November 14, 2012 at 12:00pm

Wednesday November 14, 2012 at 8:30pm

Sunday November 18, 2012 at 1:30pm

Tuesday November 20, 2012 at 12:00pm

Tuesday November 20, 2012 at 8:30pm

Sunday November 25, 2012 at 1:00pm

Airs on WETA TV26

Thursday November 15, 2012 at 11:30am

Wednesday November 21, 2012 at 11:30am

Description of “Seed The Science Kid”

At breakfast, Sid discovers seeds in his apple, and decides that seeds really get in the way when you’re trying to eat the apple!  This leads Sid to investigate seeds with his friends at the Science Center, where they learn that many living things grow in life cycles.  And while many fruits start out as seeds, many animals start out as eggs.  The kids investigate frog eggs, butterfly eggs, and chicken eggs, and then see the fully-grown animals they grow into.  The kids are elated and empowered with their newfound knowledge about life cycles, and can’t wait to get back to school so they can plant Sid’s apple seed and watch it slowly grow into an apple tree!

Science Lesson: Life Cycles

Life Lesson: Don’t judge a book by its cover! An ugly caterpillar will always turn into a beautiful butterfly!

Download this free Seed The Science Kid activity sheet!

Premiere! “The Reason Sid’s Sneezin’”

Airs on WETA Kids

Thursday November 15, 2012 at 12:00pm

Thursday November 15, 2012 at 8:30pm

Sunday November 18th, 2012 at 2:00pm

Wednesday November 21, 2012 at 12:00pm

Wednesday November 21, 2012 at 8:30pm

Sunday November 25, 2012 at 1:30pm

Airs on WETA TV26

Friday November 16, 2012 at 11:30am

Sunday November 18, 2012 at 6:00pm

Thursday November 22, 2012 at 11:30am

Description of “The Reason Sid’s Sneezin’”

Sid wakes up and can’t stop sneezing.  He makes his way into the kitchen where he finds his Dad in the middle of a similar sneeze attack.  Sid soon discovers that just like his Dad, he might be allergic to pollen!  This leads Sid on a mission to learn more about allergies.  Mom can think of someone who knows a lot about allergies…Grandma—she’s a nurse! At school, Grandma helps the kids discover that sometimes our bodies can react strongly to something we touch, smell, or eat, so our bodies try to fight it off—and that’s an allergy. Gerald tells everyone that he has a food allergy--he can’t eat strawberries.  Wanting to help their friend, Sid, May, and Gabriela decide to make their class a Strawberry-Free-Zone!  Gerald is touched, and Susie suggests a special Super Fab Lab survey to discover if other people they know also have allergies.

Science Lesson: Allergies

Life Lesson: Helping others can help us too!

Download this free The Reason Sid's Sneezin activity sheet!