/ Modified jul 14, 2017 4:07 p.m.

PBS KIDS and AZPM Bridge the Summer Learning Gap

Annual summer learning initiative continues with new “Summer of Adventure” specials, digital resources, and activities

Nature Cat Ocean Commotion hero NATURE CAT, New One-Hour Special: OCEAN COMMOTION premieres June 19 on PBS KIDS
Spiffy Entertainment LLC

Beginning in June, PBS KIDS launches its annual summer learning initiative with new content and resources to help keep kids engaged all summer long. As part of PBS’ “Summer of Adventure,” PBS KIDS will debut three all-new one-hour specials from popular series NATURE CAT (with guest star Cobie Smulders as “Nature Dog”), WILD KRATTS (in tandem with PBS’ WILD ALASKA LIVE, hosted by Chris and Martin Kratt) and READY JET GO! New digital content will also be available on the free PBS KIDS Games app, PBS KIDS Video app, pbskids.org and pbsparents.org/summer

On digital platforms, PBS KIDS will provide parents with learning tips and ideas, DIY activities, recommended games and downloadable resources at pbsparents.org/summer, beginning in late May. New kids activities will also be available on pbskids.org and the PBS KIDS Games app. In July, kids will have the chance to create their own Alaska-related Creature Power Suits in the popular Aviva’s Power Suit Maker game. A new game from READY JET GO! will launch in August, in which kids will help Jet and his parents discover all the amazing things about Earth as they report back to Bortron 7.

A variety of free apps for parents and kids to support summer learning include PBS KIDS Games, Nature Cat’s Great Outdoors and Ready Jet Go! Space Explorer; more information is available at pbskids.org/apps. PBS KIDS programming and content is also available for free on the PBS KIDS Video app, which can be downloaded from the App Store, Google Play and Amazon.

New Programming

  • NATURE CAT, New One-Hour Special: OCEAN COMMOTION (guest stars Cobie Smulders as “Nature Dog")
    Premiering June 19 on air and streaming platforms
    Nature Cat and his pals go on an aquatic adventure to save Hal’s favorite chew toy. Along the way, they learn that all waterways are interconnected and meet up with a new special friend named Nature Dog who helps them navigate the oceans.

  • WILD KRATTS, New One-Hour Special: WILD KRATTS ALASKA: HERO’S JOURNEY
    Premiering July 24 on air and streaming platforms
    While creature adventuring in Alaska, one of Aviva’s breakthrough inventions falls overboard and attaches to a sockeye salmon--jumpstarting a wild chase upriver through the wilderness. The Wild Kratts track the incredible salmon run--a quest fraught with obstacles and amazing creature connections around every bend.

  • READY JET GO!, New One-Hour Special: BACK TO BORTRON 7
    Premiering August 14 on air and streaming platforms
    When Jet’s parents need to return to their home planet, Sean and Sydney join the Propulsion family on an epic adventure to Bortron 7.


Each of these special will premiere on PBS KIDS (online schedule) and will be available on the 24/7 channel and live stream on Mondays in June, July and August respectively. Encore viewings will occur during PBS KIDS’ new Family Night, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights throughout the summer on the PBS KIDS 24/7 channel 6.2 & 27.2 and live stream.

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