Donkey Hodie - Gator's New Game; Donkey and Panda Cheer Up (S1E37)
The pals help Gameshow Gator make up a new game that everyone can play; Donkey and Panda remind each other that they can cheer themselves up when they're down.
| Air Date | 2023-02-20 |
|---|---|
| Genres | Kids |
| TV Rating | TV-Y |
| Network(s) | PBS Kids |
Storyline
In the first segment, Gameshow Gator is eager to host a new game but realizes that his usual competitions don't work well for all his friends because everyone has different abilities and strengths. Donkey Hodie, Purple Panda, and Bob Dog join together to help Gator design a game that includes everyone, no matter their skills or preferences. Through trial, error, and lots of creative thinking, the group discovers that the best games are those where everyone can participate and have fun in their own way.
In the second segment, both Donkey and Panda find themselves feeling down for different reasons during their day. Rather than staying stuck in their sad feelings, they work together to remember strategies that help them feel better. They remind each other of activities and thoughts that lift their spirits, demonstrating that friends can support one another while also learning to manage their own emotions. By the end, both friends have successfully cheered themselves up and feel ready to enjoy the rest of their day together.
What parents say
Parents have consistently praised Donkey Hodie for its thoughtful approach to social-emotional learning, noting that the show tackles feelings and problem-solving in age-appropriate ways. Many parents appreciate that the series doesn't talk down to preschoolers but instead presents genuine challenges that require creativity and persistence to solve. The show's emphasis on emotional regulation and resilience has been highlighted as particularly valuable for young viewers.
Parents note that the pacing is gentle and the characters model healthy friendships, making it a comforting choice for family viewing. Some parents have mentioned that the show's focus on perseverance and self-regulation provides excellent conversation starters after episodes end. The positive messaging about inclusion and working together resonates with families looking for content that reinforces values they're teaching at home.
What kids learn
Children learn the importance of inclusion and adapting activities so that everyone can participate. When Gameshow Gator realizes his game doesn't work for all his friends, kids see that the best solutions consider everyone's different abilities and preferences. This teaches young viewers to think creatively about how to make play fair and fun for all participants, not just those who excel at one particular skill.
The episode also provides concrete lessons in emotional self-regulation and resilience. When Donkey and Panda feel down, they don't simply wait for someone else to fix their feelings. Instead, they actively remember and use strategies to cheer themselves up. This models for children that while it's normal to feel sad sometimes, they have the power to help themselves feel better through positive activities and thoughts.
Additionally, kids learn that friendship includes supporting each other through difficult emotions while also developing independence. Donkey and Panda help remind each other of coping strategies, demonstrating that friends can be there for one another without taking over the problem-solving process. This balance between mutual support and self-reliance is an important social-emotional skill for preschoolers to develop.
Parents' top 5 questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How can I help my child understand the concept of making activities inclusive for everyone? | Use the episode as a springboard to discuss times when your child has played games with friends who have different abilities or interests. Ask questions like, "What could we change about this game so everyone can play?" When planning family activities or playdates, involve your child in thinking about what would make the activity fun for everyone participating. Praise moments when you notice your child adapting play to include others, reinforcing that flexibility and creativity make games better for everyone. |
| What are age-appropriate strategies for helping preschoolers cheer themselves up when they're sad? | Preschoolers benefit from concrete, simple strategies they can remember and use independently. Help your child create a personal "cheer-up plan" that might include activities like drawing, dancing to a favorite song, hugging a stuffed animal, looking at happy photos, or going outside. Practice these strategies when your child is already in a good mood so they become familiar tools. When your child is upset, gently remind them of their plan and offer to do one of the activities together until they feel ready to manage independently. |
| Is it realistic to expect my preschooler to regulate their own emotions like the characters do? | Emotional self-regulation is a skill that develops gradually throughout early childhood, and preschoolers will need varying levels of support. The episode models an ideal scenario that children can work toward, but most preschoolers will still need adult guidance and co-regulation when upset. Use the episode to introduce the concept and vocabulary, but expect that your child will need you to help them calm down and remember their strategies most of the time. Progress happens slowly and with lots of practice and patience. |
| How do I balance teaching my child to cheer themselves up with being emotionally supportive? | Being emotionally supportive doesn't mean solving every problem for your child or immediately distracting them from sad feelings. First, acknowledge and validate their emotions: "I see you're feeling sad about that." Then, once they feel heard, you can guide them toward their own coping strategies: "What's something that usually helps you feel better?" This approach teaches children that their feelings matter and that they have tools to manage them, combining emotional support with building independence and resilience. |
| What if my child gets frustrated when they can't do something their friends can do during games? | Use Gameshow Gator's experience to talk about how everyone has different strengths and that good games let people use their own special skills. Help your child identify what they're good at and find ways to contribute those strengths during play. Encourage them to speak up when a game feels unfair or too hard, just as Gator's friends helped him create something new. Teaching children to advocate for modifications and to value diverse abilities builds both self-confidence and empathy for others. |
Writing
Directing
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Donkey wants to make Grampy a surprise birthday breakfast but none of her flapjacks will fly; Panda's toy pickle gets stuck between two rocks. |
| 1 | 2 | Grampy asks Donkey to take Gregory for a walk, but Gregory won't move; Harriett Elizabeth Cow wants her pals to try her invention -- the Bounce-a-rino. |
| 1 | 3 | Donkey and Panda's sleepover is all playing and dancing until the lights go out and a monster appears; Donkey and Panda try to climb Mt. Really High Up. |
| 1 | 4 | Donkey must wait for all her pals to get together before she can open a big present; Panda throws a party on Planet Purple to celebrate his mama's birthday. |
| 1 | 5 | Panda's pals cheer him on during "Masked Veggies"; Donkey and Panda host King Friday for a day. |
| 1 | 6 | Bob Dog has a hard time waiting for Grampy's slow-cook chili; Donkey wants to be a hoof dancer like Grampy. |
| 1 | 7 | The pals want to hear the Yodel Birds sing, but they must build them a rest nest first; Donkey and Duck Duck want to cool everyone off with lemonade. |
| 1 | 8 | After getting too much water, Donkey's new flower grows too big and disrupts her garden; the wind ruins Donkey and Panda's Camp Buddy Buddy plan. |
| 1 | 9 | Donkey creates a sculpture for the Someplace Else art show; Duck Duck must overcome his fear of spaceships so he can go with his friends to see the Lavender Lights in outer space. |
| 1 | 10 | Donkey and Panda must find their inner brave to get Bob Dog's favourite ball back after they lose it in Spooky Shadow Swamp; Donkey must find hidden instruments. |
| 1 | 11 | A noisy penguin interrupts band practice; the pals work together to win Gator's latest game show. |
| 1 | 12 | Bob Dog quits fetching after losing the "Fastest Fetcher" game show; Donkey and Panda get bored practicing Bobbly Ball. |
| 1 | 13 | Donkey and Panda get frustrated when the sandcastle they are building at the beach keeps falling; Donkey tries to complete the Bobski Bounce Challenge. |
| 1 | 14 | Donkey is excited about directing a new show starring all her pals; Donkey and Panda discover a surprise spider. |
| 1 | 15 | Donkey and Panda discover a golden rainbow after a storm; Donkey vows to help fix Grampy's walking stick after it breaks. |
| 1 | 16 | Bob Dog is nervous about his Good Dog School graduation; Donkey helps Panda find his lost Super Porcupine puppet. |
| 1 | 17 | Duck Duck builds a book swap box but has trouble giving away her books; the pals throw a party for their Tater Buddy dolls. |
| 1 | 18 | Donkey and Panda's Awesome, Extra Fun, Very Good Day does not go well; Donkey and Panda find a yodel bird egg and vow to protect it. |
| 1 | 19 | Donkey and Panda search for Mooing Moon Moths; Bob Dog can't remember where he buried his boogie bone. |
| 1 | 20 | Donkey and Panda have different ideas about how to celebrate Best Friends Day; while getting ready to make big art, the pals get stuck to a big glue bottle. |
| 1 | 21 | Donkey and Panda must complete hard challenges to earn badges for Try Scouts; Donkey and Duck Duck teach Bob Dog a new game. |
| 1 | 22 | Captain Donkey and her crew search for the Ruby Red Tater Treasure. Panda finds his favourite hoodie, but it no longer fits. |
| 1 | 23 | Donkey is nervous the first time she sleeps outside; Panda forgets his poetry notebook inside Donkey's messy windmill. |
| 1 | 24 | Donkey's guitar goes missing just before the talent show; Duck Duck finally finds her family's treasure nest, but she is unable to open it. |
| 1 | 25 | Duck Duck can't figure out how to fly Harriett's new Swoop-a-rino; Donkey takes Duck Duck on an adventure. |
| 1 | 26 | Donkey and Panda make a birthday gift for Bob Dog; Donkey and Panda's playdate goes awry thanks to one of Harriett's inventions. |
| 1 | 27 | Donkey and Panda deliver Grampy's piano to him after it was sent to Donkey's windmill by mistake; Panda wants to win the Bongo-lympics. |
| 1 | 28 | Donkey is disappointed to miss Cheesy Con after she hurts her hoof; Stanley's pals help him get things back on track for his one-dragon show. |
| 1 | 29 | Donkey and Panda make up a game while waiting for Gameshow Gator's new game; Donkey and Panda disagree on which toys are fun. |
| 1 | 30 | Donkey opens a potato stand so she can share her potatoes with her neighbours; Donkey surprises Clyde with a playdate in the sky. |
| 1 | 31 | Donkey Hodie and pals help Purple Panda celebrate his first Halloween in Someplace Else. |
| 1 | 32 | Panda enjoys a snow day his own way; Bob Dog wants to win at Gameshow Gator's new snowy game. |
| 1 | 33 | Donkey babysits a baby yodel bird who won't take a nap; Donkey and Panda argue while playing superheroes. |
| 1 | 34 | Panda hopes to find a quiet way to show his love for the moon moths; Donkey helps Panda fix his spaceship. |
| 1 | 35 | Donkey wonders if she and her cousin can have fun together since they don't like doing the same things any more; Panda thinks about how he is different from other pandas. |
| 1 | 36 | Donkey tries to act like a bird at Duck Duck's bird party, but she does not enjoy herself; Grampy and Donkey miss Gregory while he is away at camp. |
| 1 | 37 | The pals help Gameshow Gator make up a new game that everyone can play; Donkey and Panda remind each other that they can cheer themselves up when they're down. |
| 1 | 38 | Donkey is disappointed when her friends are away for the day, but finds a way to have fun on her own; Donkey wants to be like Fashion Penguin. |
| 1 | 39 | Donkey and Panda camp out to see the Bright Bright Bugs; Panda feels tired of his purple things, so Donkey helps him take a break. |
| 1 | 40 | The pals find a box of Golden Crunchdoodles cereal; Donkey, Panda and Bob Dog want to play different things. |
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | Trolley visits Someplace Else for a big party; Donkey thinks her pet fish is magic and will help her complete her tough-stuff-to-do list. |
| 2 | 2 | Donkey and Panda compete in the Breakfast Bowl; Donkey, Panda and Bob Dog plant Dancing Dandelion seeds and look for the right music to help the flowers grow. |
| 2 | 3 | Turtle-Lou opens a Speedy Delivery service; the pals have a sleepover at Bob Dog's house, but Donkey is unable to fall asleep. |
| 2 | 4 | Duck Duck has a big feeling, but she doesn't know what it is; Clyde feels sad, so the pals give him time to feel better. |
| 2 | 5 | Donkey promises to help bathe Gregory and to also play Bubble Bonanza with Panda; the pals make up a quiet game so they don't disturb Rock Star Penguin while he tries to write a song. |
| 2 | 6 | Cousin Hodie's pet rock Dotto goes missing; Donkey hosts a special tea party but forgets her pals' favourite teas and treats. |
| 2 | 7 | Donkey and Panda set big goals to achieve throughout the day; Donkey shows Mousy how to play "the Donkey way." |
| 2 | 8 | Cousin Hodie wants to play with Donkey on a tree swing; Duck Duck's new book club book is too huge for her and Donkey to read. |
| 2 | 9 | The pals and Trolley try to keep a snow snurdle from melting; Panda invites his pals to a party on Planet Purple. |
| 2 | 10 | Bob Dog imagines how others feel; Bob Dog makes a difficult choice for the Best Ball Fest. |
| 2 | 11 | Bob Dog runs inside when he sees Harriett's hot air balloon; the pals miss Purple Panda while he is away. |
| 2 | 12 | Donkey feels jealous when Grampy gives Panda a piano lesson; Duck Duck is disappointed when she misses her favourite band. |
| 2 | 13 | Donkey makes Grampy a special card but she gets into a few sticky situations when she tries to deliver it to him; the pals help Harriett with her new invention for penguins. |
| 2 | 14 | Donkey and Cousin Hodie figure out how to have fun in the rain; Donkey is patient while Cousin learns a new game at Grampy's Game Day. |
| 2 | 15 | The pals each feel differently about a loud thunderstorm; Mama Panda teaches Donkey and Panda new hoop tricks. |
| 2 | 16 | Donkey accidentally breaks Grampy's favourite toy; Donkey and Panda play with a new Tater Buddy. |
| 2 | 17 | Duck Duck's magic trick goes awry, turning her neighbours' things into pickles; Donkey is afraid to scooter after a fall. |
| 2 | 18 | Donkey hosts Gator's game show for a day; Donkey joins the Balance Ball team but feels uncomfortable doing something new. |
| 2 | 19 | Bob Dog brings a ball to the Stuffie Playdate; Frannie Fox invites Donkey to her swamp, but she feels nervous about playing in it. |
| 2 | 20 | Panda is sad when an exciting holiday is over; Rockstar Penguin asks Donkey and Panda to make up a new dance. |
| 2 | 21 | As Someplace Else gets ready for New Year's Eve, Donkey Hodie prepares for her special family tradition with Grampy and Cousin Hodie. |
| 2 | 22 | Jeff Mouse, Donkey and Panda seek a hiding moth; Donkey makes up a song while she waits for Turtle-Lou to deliver her guitar. |
| 2 | 23 | Donkey and Grampy try to make an old family recipe; Donkey and Panda are excited to try a new cereal. |
| 2 | 24 | Duck wants to fly with the bigger birds; Donkey loses Bob Dog's favourite toy. |
| 2 | 25 | Donkey Hodie takes Cousin Hodie and Purple Panda on a road trip around Someplace Else, but the plan goes off course. |
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 1 | Daniel Tiger and Donkey Hodie meet for the first time in Someplace Else, and Daniel's special visit takes the new pals on a surprising adventure. |
| 3 | 2 | Harriett encourages Donkey to try using clay in art class; Donkey and Panda do kind things all day. |
| 3 | 3 | Donkey and Panda save Rockstar Penguin's show when her band can't come; the pals help Turtle-Lou deliver packages. |
| 3 | 4 | Donkey and Panda search for hidden treasure; Cousin Hodie joins a day of games in Someplace Else. |
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