Developed to help bridge the summer learning gap, PBS KIDS’ Summer Safari includes specials and new episodes from “Dinosaur Train,” “Wild Kratts,” “Curious George” and “WordGirl”; free digital tools for parents and kids; and partnerships with AARP Foundation Experience Corps, I Can Read books (published by Harper Collins Children’s Books), Reading Is Fundamental and National PTA that bring learning activities directly to communities. Eight, Arizona PBS will also partner with Read On Yuma to host “Super Why” Camps in order to help prepare children for kindergarten. In addition, Eight, Arizona PBS will host PBS KIDS “Odd Squad” Camp the week of July 6, a free learning camp specially designed for kids between the ages of five- and eight-years-old.
PBS KIDS “Odd Squad” Camp: Join us at Eight’s studios on the Downtown Phoenix campus of Arizona State University the week of July 6, for PBS KIDS “Odd Squad” Camp, a free learning camp specially designed for kids between the ages of five- and eight-years-old.
Summer reading event: Celebrate summer reading at Wildflower Bread Company in Goodyear on June 30 from 5 to 8 p.m. for a fun-filled evening of reading activities and interactive games designed for children between the ages of two- and eight-years-old. Curious George will make a special guest appearance to visit with children and their families in support of summer reading. A portion of food and beverage sales that evening will be donated to Arizona PBS Education Early Literacy programs.
Programming
Wild Kratts Wild Wednesdays: July is jam-packed with “Wild Kratts” fun every Wednesday. The month kicks off July 1 with the hit movie “Wild Kratts: Back in Creature Time.” Two new episodes of “Wild Kratts” premiere each of the following Wednesdays at 3 p.m. In addition, “Rhino Bowl,” an online game from “Wild Kratts” debuts this summer at pbskids.org. In this new mobile-friendly adventure, players must use rhinoceros-strength creature power to save the day.
Curious George 3: Back to the Jungle: On Monday, August 17 at 9 a.m. the hit 2009 movie “Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey” returns to Eight, followed by the world television premiere of “Curious George 3: Back to the Jungle” at 10:30 a.m. (repeating Friday, August 21 at 9 a.m.). In the movie, George goes on an epic adventure to space that crash lands in the jungles of Africa, leading to an unforgettable journey with some new animal friends.
WordGirl: This summer, “WordGirl” flies onto screens from coast-to-coast and flexes her crime-solving muscles in 20 never-before-seen episodes on PBS KIDS digital platforms, including pbskids.org and the PBS KIDS Video App. Catch “WordGirl” on air Monday through Friday at 4 p.m. and on digital platforms throughout the summer.
Partnership Activities
AARP Foundation: PBS KIDS has partnered with AARP Foundation Experience Corps to extend the learning from this summer’s new “WordGirl” episodes. Through this initiative, AARP Foundation Experience Corps tutors, PBS member stations, and their local partners will provide “WordGirl” literacy activity booklets to children in kindergarten through third grade. The activities build on the literacy and vocabulary skills addressed in the new “WordGirl” episodes, which will premiere weekly this summer. Episodes and materials will be available online at youtube.com/pbskids and youtube.com/aarpexperiencecorps, as well as pbskids.org/learn.
I Can Read! books published by HarperCollins Children’s Books: PBS KIDS and HarperCollins are offering free reading party kits for hosting an I Can Readathon event through participating retailers and PBS member stations. The kits include an I Can Read! activity booklet, reading logs, activity pages, stickers, certificates, a PBS KIDS Summer Safari activity chart and activity sheets.
Reading Is Fundamental and National PTA: PBS KIDS is partnering with Reading Is Fundamental and National PTA to encourage families to explore reading and learning through a variety of activities this summer. Access an assortment of enriching educational activities such as activity calendars, summer fun games and tips for family outings provided by RIF at pbskids.org/learn/summer.
Digital Resources
azpbs.org/read: Eight, Arizona PBS provides Arizona parents and educators with educational resources that correspond with all of the PBS KIDS summer shows in order to help students stay focused on learning throughout the summer.
PBSKIDS.org/learn: PBS KIDS provides parents with daily learning tips, extended learning ideas and recommended games and activities now through August 30 at pbskids.org/learn.
Free apps: PBS KIDS offers a variety of free apps for parents and kids to support summer learning, including the PBS KIDS Super Vision App, now available on Apple Watch, and the popular PBS KIDS Video App. Information about the apps is available at pbskids.org/apps.
Free PBS KIDS videos: PBS KIDS will once again offer free episodes of favorite PBS KIDS series through iTunes this summer.
