PBS KIDS is kicking off a nationwide celebration of American stories, places, and young voices, and Parenting Patch has an exclusive first look. The network has announced its new PBS KIDS Across America initiative, a multi-month programming event featuring new specials, shorts, and educational content inspired by the people and communities across the United States.
Leading the initiative is The Jim Henson Company’s new special Wowsabout, and Parenting Patch is sharing an exclusive clip from the upcoming program ahead of its May premiere.
Watch the Wowsabout clip below:
In Wowsabout, audiences meet Roxy, an artistic and musical hedgehog, and Ronald, a detail-oriented pig who prefers science and structure. When the unlikely pair head out on their first camping trip together in Sequoia National Park, they encounter the emotion of awe while discovering the wonders of the natural world.
Filmed on location with live-action puppets, the special blends humor, music, and friendship as the two characters navigate the outdoors and meet real kids along the way. Roxy’s creative spirit contrasts with Ronald’s organized personality, creating moments that encourage curiosity, exploration, and teamwork.
The special launches a broader PBS KIDS Across America initiative that will roll out new programming through the summer.
“We’re excited to embark on this fun and learning-filled adventure with kids and families across the U.S., its territories, and beyond,” said Sara DeWitt, Senior Vice President and General Manager, PBS KIDS and Education. “PBS KIDS is uniquely positioned to share content that reflects the lives of our young audience, while also introducing them to the wide array of places and stories from across our country.”.
New PBS Kids Shows Celebrating Kids Across America
The initiative continues on May 22 with America’s Awesome Kids, a series of 25 live-action mini-documentaries from GBH Kids. Produced in partnership with PBS stations across the country, the short episodes spotlight real kids from different communities and showcase what makes their hometowns special.
Viewers will meet children like Mahry from Iowa, who raises llamas on her family farm and celebrates a local event called Llamaween. Other episodes introduce Sahana from Georgia, who shares her love of Bollywood dancing and helps organize park cleanups, and Jacob from Louisiana, who teaches viewers about Cajun culture while guiding a festive swamp tour.
City Island Heads Across the Country
On June 12, PBS KIDS will premiere City Island: USA!, a six-episode miniseries of short adventures from Future Brain Media. The animated-live action hybrid follows Watt, a curious lightbulb, and his best friend Windy the kite as they travel across the country learning about famous landmarks and their history.
Guided by their teacher Mr. Rubric, the duo visits destinations across the five U.S. regions, with landmarks themselves telling stories about their role in American history.
Xavier Riddle Returns With American Heroes
The initiative also brings new content from the popular educational series Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum. Launching June 22, Xavier Riddle Celebrates American Heroes will feature four hour-long specials highlighting influential figures from U.S. history.
The specials spotlight heroes across different fields—including Julia Child, Mark Twain, Jackie Robinson, Billie Jean King, and the Wright Brothers—while showing young viewers how ordinary kids can grow up to make extraordinary contributions.
More PBS KIDS Favorites Join the Celebration
Additional programming will arrive throughout the summer, including a special two-part episode of Molly of Denali titled “Happy Birthday Qyah” on June 15, along with a new short from Alma’s Way celebrating America’s 250th birthday on July 2.
PBS KIDS will also release curated video playlists and games featuring favorite shows such as Arthur, Cyberchase, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Donkey Hodie, Rosie’s Rules, and Sesame Street. A themed Wild Kratts collection will highlight animals found across the United States, including bald eagles, bison, wolves, and rattlesnakes.
With its mix of puppetry, real kids, animated adventures, and history-focused storytelling, the PBS KIDS Across America initiative aims to spark curiosity while helping children learn about the people and places that shape the country.
Families will be able to stream the new content for free on the PBS KIDS Video app, connected TV devices, and the PBS KIDS website when the programming begins rolling out in May.