F.A.Q.

Frequently Asked Questions

About PBS KIDS Content

What is PBS KIDS’ mission?

PBS KIDS is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of children through curriculum-based entertainment with positive role models and content designed to nurture a child’s total well-being. With a 360-degree approach towards learning and reaching children, PBS KIDS leverages the full spectrum of media and technology to build knowledge, critical thinking, imagination and curiosity. PBS KIDS encourages children to interact as respectful citizens in a diverse society. By involving parents, teachers, caregivers and communities as learning partners, PBS KIDS helps to empower children for success in school and in life. PBS’ bottom line is measured by how much it contributes to the welfare of America’s children.

PBS’s children’s media and family and educator resources include PBS KIDS television series, pbskids.org, PBS Parents, PBS Teachers, PBS KIDS Raising Readers and literacy events across the country. PBS is a nonprofit media enterprise owned and operated by the nation’s 356 public television stations.

Learn more about PBS.

What happened to Kart Kingdom?

Kart Kingdom was retired on October 1, 2020. Thank you for 5 great years!

What happened to PBS KIDS GO! ?

The PBSKIDSGO.org website has been combined with the overall PBS KIDS experience. PBS KIDS remains committed to delivering high quality educational experiences for school-aged children. Shows such as WILD KRATTS, THE ELECTRIC COMPANY, FETCH! WITH RUFF RUFFMAN, WORDGIRL, ARTHUR, CYBERCHASE and more are all still available on your local PBS station and on PBSKIDS.org. The Cartoon Studio is still available and the Secret Box is now your PBS KIDS Profile page.

PBS KIDS is still the place for shows like Sesame Street, Curious George, Super Why, Clifford, and Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, and pbskids.org is the home for all of these characters! On most local stations, PBS KIDS shows are on TV in the morning – check TV Times to see what time your favorites air in your area.

What are PBS KIDS’ educational goals and how are they supported?

PBS KIDS content helps preschool and school aged children in each of the four key areas of childhood development – cognitive, social, emotional and physical.

Funded by a Ready To Learn grant from the United States Department of Education, the Ready To Learn initiative is developing engaging PBS KIDS Raising Readers television programs, exciting games, playful Web sites, and easy-to-use learning resources for kids, parents, caregivers, and teachers—all with the goal of helping children ages 2 to 8 get ready to read.

As a critical area of development, PBS is strengthening its offerings around science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), inviting children to explore and develop interest and appreciation for the natural and life sciences through programs including Sid the Science Kid, Curious George, Cyberchase and Dinosaur Train.

We work with experienced educational film or television producers who involve children, educational researchers, parents, educators, daycare providers and subject-matter experts in the design and production process. PBS and its producers conduct research to determine the best ways to engage children in active viewing in order to achieve the educational goals within PBS KIDS content.

PBS requires its children’s producers to create educational support materials for young people and the adults who care for them. Programs are extended beyond broadcast to interactive learning activities on pbskids.org, as well as through educational outreach activities and print materials.

Parents and Caregivers can find Parent-Child learning activities and supporting materials based on PBS KIDS content at PBS Parents.

Lesson plans relating to PBS KIDS content can be found at PBS Teachers.

Is there research that proves that kids learn critical skills from PBS KIDS?

Series-based research has proven that PBS’s preschool and early elementary school content contributes towards engaging and inspiring children to succeed in the core curriculum areas that lead the nation’s education agenda. For example, a recent study on the preschool series Super Why, conducted by the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania, illustrated that the series strengthens the literacy skills of preschoolers, with all kids showing statistically significant improvement on standardized literacy tests. Most notably, the children from low-income families with poor reading skills and at risk for failure in school scored 46% higher on standardized tests than those who did not watch Super Why.

Other series-based research on programs including Between the Lions and Word World has also proven a significant impact in children’s literacy skill development by watching these programs. Series such as Sesame Street and Barney & Friends have proven their ability to positively impact children’s school readiness and have helped children develop core social emotional skills to better relate to and communicate with their peers. For school-age children, research conducted on Cyberchase demonstrates the series’ success in helping children strengthen their math skills, while studies conducted on Maya & Miguel have proven the series’ ability to help children develop positive attitudes towards ethnic diversity.

I would like to produce a show for PBS KIDS. Where do I send my show idea?

If you have an idea for a new show, you can contact your local station or you can take a look at Producing for PBS.

I have a question or comment about a PBS KIDS show or website. Who should I contact?

Producers for each program and website are responsible for the program or site’s content and technical experience. You can find contact information for PBS KIDS Producers by selecting an item from this list:

Television Questions

How do I find out when a show is on?

To find out when a program is on TV, visit our TV Times page.

What do I do if I can’t find a show anymore?

If you can’t find a program anymore, it might be on at a different time. Check TV Times for more information.

If you still can’t find it, it might be because your PBS station is not airing it anymore. Check with your local station for more information.

What happened to that show I used to watch?

See if you can find the program you are looking for in the pull-down list below.

If you still can’t find it, check with your local station for more information.

What is multicasting?

Multicasting is the broadcasting of more than one channel of programming.

When the country transitioned from analog to digital television in 2009, television stations gained the capability of sending out more than one stream of programming. This means that instead of receiving just channel 12, a viewer might receive channels 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, and 12.4.

Examples of multicast channels aired by public television stations include World Channel and Create, which features “how-to” series (cooking, home improvement, crafts and more).

When will the new 24/7 service launch and where will it be available?

The official launch date for the channel and live stream is Monday, January 16, 2017. Local stations in each market make the determination of what services they provide to their communities; in some local markets, the multicast channel will launch after this date.

Each PBS station will determine whether they will carry the channel in their local market.

Viewers anywhere in the U.S. will be able to watch the station-branded live stream through pbskids.org and the free PBS KIDS Video App, which is available on a variety of mobile devices and tablets.

What shows will be included in the new 24/7 services?

The PBS KIDS 24/7 channel will include the following 21 series at launch:

  • ARTHUR
  • BOB THE BUILDER
  • CAILLOU
  • THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT!
  • CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG
  • CYBERCHASE
  • DANIEL TIGER'S NEIGHBORHOOD
  • DINOSAUR TRAIN
  • FETCH! WITH RUFF RUFFMAN
  • NATURE CAT
  • ODD SQUAD
  • PEG + CAT
  • READY JET GO!
  • SESAME STREET
  • SID THE SCIENCE KID
  • SPLASH AND BUBBLES
  • SUPER WHY!
  • THOMAS & FRIENDS
  • WILD KRATTS
  • WORDGIRL
  • WORDWORLD
How can I have my child’s name appear on PBS KIDS on his or her birthday?

PBS KIDS does not sponsor a national birthday club, however some of our PBS Member Stations have local kids’ clubs which broadcast birthday announcements on-air. Contact your local station to see if there’s a birthday club in your area. They will be very happy to tell you about any local PBS KIDS’ clubs or events.

To submit cards for The Sunny Side Up Show, please visit PBS KIDS SPROUT.

How can kids send stories and drawings to be on TV?

Create and submit a story on Dot’s Story Factory for the chance to be featured on PBS KIDS. Submissions are selected to be showcased in our online showroom and on TV based on storytelling, relevance, and appropriateness.

There’s a program on another channel that I think should be on PBS. Where do I send this suggestion?

You can write to your local station and suggest the program.

What is PBS KIDS Sprout?

Providing enhanced delivery of a trusted source of favorite children’s educational programs, on-demand and around the clock, PBS KIDS Sprout on Demand launched in April 2005 and PBS KIDS Sprout (the cable channel) launched in October 2005. Offering families 24-hour access to high-quality, educational kids programming, PBS KIDS Sprout is a partnership between Comcast, the country’s leading cable operator; PBS, the most trusted provider of award-winning children’s programming; and HIT Entertainment and Sesame Workshop, two of the leading providers of quality entertainment for young children. The programs featured on PBS KIDS Sprout include episodes of Angelina Ballerina, Barney & Friends, Bob the Builder, Caillou, Dragon Tales, Jay Jay the Jet Plane, Sesame Street, Teletubbies, Thomas & Friends and more.

Web Site Questions

How can kids send stories or art to be published on PBS KIDS?

Many of the sites on PBS KIDS have submission areas for you to share your creative work. There are a few ways you can find places to publish your work:

  • Be on the lookout for links that ask you to “send your work” or to “share your thoughts”.
  • Search using keywords like “share”, “submissions”, or “send”.
How do I find a specific activity on the site?

If you know the title of the activity or keywords that might help find it, you can search PBS KIDS. For example, you might do a general search for “cookie recipes” or a more specific search for “Cyberchase railroad” (if you were looking for the Cyberchase Railroad Repair activity). If you don’t find what you want the first time, try a different combination of words.

If you know which site has the activity you’re looking for, you can also check the homepage of that site to see if they have a a special section for games and activities, program-specific site map, or search area.

Why don’t some shows have a Web sites here?

Some of the programs you watch on your local station might not be PBS KIDS programs. Many stations air programs produced locally or distributed by another organization, such as American Public Television. Also, some television producers choose not to make Web sites for their shows.

Why do some of the sites not have television shows?

Some of the content on PBS KIDS was created specifically for the Web, allowing us to experiment with new topics and broaden the scope of our curriculum. Some examples of Web-original projects are African American World for Kids, It’s My Life, EekoWorld, News Flash Five, The Democracy Project and Get Your Web License. Other PBS KIDS sites, such as Africa for Kids, American Experience's WayBack and History Detectives Kids, are age-appropriate companions to primetime television shows that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

Do I need permission to use lesson plans and printables in the classroom?

You do not need permission for classroom use of lesson plans you find on PBS KIDS, PBS Parents or PBS Teachers. You may also distribute printed pages from these sites to students, but you should follow these guidelines.

  • Each printed page must include the site’s url on it.
  • You cannot charge students to receive these pages.
  • You cannot reprint elements from a PBS KIDS page in a newsletter or booklet without permission from PBS.
I have a technical problem with a PBS KIDS Web site. Can you help me fix it?

If you have a technical difficulty (for example, a game doesn’t work, a Web page won’t load, sound and video won’t play, etc.), please go to Technical Tips for help.

Closed Captioning

What is closed captioning?

Closed captioning is the visual display of the audio portion of video programming. Captioning provides access to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.

What if I have a concern with closed captioning on the online PBS KIDS video player(s) or PBS KIDS video iOS app?

For closed captioning feedback, please contact:

Brian Jones
Sr Director, Media Production Operations PBS Technology & Operations
1225 S. Clark Street
Arlington, VA 22202
Tel: 703-739-5481
Fax: 703-739-5777
Email: closedcaptioning@pbs.org

Please make sure your feedback includes all of the information required by the Federal Communications Commission. If you do not include this information, we will ask you to provide the missing information:

  1. Your name, postal address, and other contact information, such as telephone number or e-mail address;
  2. The name, postal address, website, or e-mail address of the video programming distributor and/or video programming owner against which a complaint is made, and information sufficient to identify the particular video programming involved (i.e. Show title and the name of the video clip);
  3. Information sufficient to identify the software or device used to view the program;
  4. The date and time of the incident, and a statement of the facts sufficient to show that the video programming distributor and/or video programming owner has violated the requirements;
  5. The specific relief sought; and
  6. The preferred format or method of response to the feedback.
Why do some videos have closed captioning and others do not?

PBS KIDS is working to include closed captioning on as many videos as possible. At a minimum, PBS complies with the rules of the Federal Communications Commission requiring captioned programs shown on TV to be captioned when shown on the Internet. These rules cover full-length programming, but not consumer-generated media, video clips, outtakes, or content shown on the Internet that has not been shown on TV with captions after certain specified dates. We are happy to hear from you if you have suggestions or feedback on our online closed captioning efforts.

Streaming Video Questions

Why is PBS KIDS creating a new linear and live streaming service?

Together, these experiences will offer the very best child and parent experience, increasing round-the-clock access to award-winning PBS KIDS content, especially for those who need it the most.

Nielsen data demonstrates that TV is the dominant way children access video, with most viewing taking place on weeknights and weekend afternoons and evenings. Through the 24/7 channel, PBS KIDS educational programming will be available to children at peak viewing times. Kids in low-income families rely especially heavily on live TV as their primary way to access video and make up a significant percentage of our audience. Children 2-8 in over-the-air homes represent 13% of the population, yet these children watch three times as much PBS and their viewing makes up 37% of weekday viewing of PBS stations.

The live stream can be accessed nearly everywhere, from mobile devices to over-the-top platforms, and will ensure that our programming is available to families wherever they have an Internet connection.

Following its initial launch, the live stream experience will expand to offer an integrated games feature, enabling children to toggle between a PBS KIDS show and an activity that extends learning.

The live stream and games feature is grounded in research demonstrating that measurable gains in learning are achieved when children interact with both PBS KIDS video and games. The games will align with the learning goals of each TV series, deepening children’s engagement and supporting learning.

What is a linear service?

A linear service is one that is scheduled, meaning that programs are put in a specific order and broadcast or streamed in that order.

When will these services launch?

On Monday, January 16, 2017, the PBS KIDS 24/7 live stream will launch nationwide on pbskids.org and on the free PBS KIDS Video App for mobile and tablet devices. Later this year, the integrated games feature will launch on the live stream on pbskids.org and the PBS KIDS Video App. The live stream will roll out on over-the-top platforms, such as Apple TV and Roku, following the integrated games feature launch.

Users will be able to stream the PBS KIDS 24/7 channel online at pbskids.org using any web browser. Some users of Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 7 or Windows 10 may experience technical issues. In those cases, we recommend using Firefox, Chrome or Safari instead.

Will the live streaming service be available on OTT platforms?

Not at this time. OTT technologies do not currently support this type of integration. As these technologies evolve, we will explore making this experience available.

Technical Tips

How do I get the most out of this site? What do I need to download and install?

To fully enjoy PBS KIDS, we recommend the following computer set-up.

Web Browser

This site is best viewed with the latest version of either

Screen Size

The pbskids.org site is best viewed with a screen resolution of 1024x768 or larger. On a 800x600 screen, the graphics and text will appear larger but you will see less at one time without scrolling. Some games and other activities may be difficult to use on screen resolutions smaller than 800x600.

If you don’t know how to change your screen resolution, you can visit the support site for your operating system.

Plug-ins

Many PBS KIDS sites use free plug-ins to make activities more fun and interactive. The plug-ins are listed below, but not all activities require these plug-ins. Each of these can be downloaded for free.

If you’re not sure if your computer has these plug-ins or if you need to install one or more of them, ask an adult to help you.

  • Adobe Flash Player: Most PBS KIDS games, videos and activities use the Flash Player.
  • Java: Some PBS KIDS games use the Java plug-in.
  • QuickTime: Plays videos and audio.
  • Adobe Reader: Used to display PDFs for downloading and printing coloring pages and other printable activities.
  • Real Player: Plays videos and audio.
  • Shockwave: Used to play games.
Why isn’t the game, video, or song working?

Many issues with content not working properly can be solved by updating the various plug-ins listed above and using a supported browser. If you are recieving an error message, check below to find out how to address these issues. If you have tried all of the methods for fixing plug-in and browser issues and believe the site has a problem, let us know.

Someone sent me an e-card. How do I open it?

To open your e-card, click on the link in your e-mail or carefully cut and paste the address into your web browser’s address bar.

If the address is on two or more lines, it might not work properly. Instead, cut and paste each line into your web browser’s address bar to make one long string.

Also, it’s important to remember that if your card was sent more than 14 days ago, it will have expired and no longer be accessible.

What do the error messages on my screen mean?

What looks most like the error message you saw?

500 Internal Server Error

If you see a message like "500 Server Error" or "The page could not be displayed," this probably means that there was a problem with the PBS KIDS Web servers. Sometimes there are so many people visiting the site that the computers that run PBS KIDS start having problems. If the problem happens just once, it will probably be fixed in a few minutes—you should come back to the page a little later and try to see it again. If you try to visit the same page the next day and still see this kind of error, please let us know.

Security Warnings

When you see “Security Warning — you are about to submit personal information” on your screen, it usually means that a Web site that you visited has set or is trying to set a “cookie” on your computer. You can learn more about cookies on this page. Sometimes when you are leaving a Web site that uses cookies and come to the PBS Kids Web site, you will see the “Security Warning” message.

None of these messages matches my error

There are many other possible error messages that browsers can display. For more information on the error you are recieving you can visit the support site for your browser.

My computer is freezing up. What does that mean?

If your computer is freezing up when you try to play a game or visit a page on PBS Kids, it may be because Flash, or Java, isn't set up correctly on your machine. Visit “The game never starts. What should I do?” for more information on checking if these plug-ins are properly installed.

If your computer has a PBS KIDS Web page as a background on your desktop, which means you can see PBS KIDS when you’re not looking at a Web browser, then the "Active Desktop" has been set. This can happen accidentally if you right-click on your mouse and select "Set as Wallpaper" or "Set as Background" when using Internet Explorer.

If you don’t have a continuous connection to the Internet, (for example, if you have to dial-up to surf the Web), this can cause your computer to freeze. (The computer tries to display the Web page all the time, so to do that, it tries to connect to the Internet, which depending on your type of connection might not always be possible.)

To stop showing a PBS KIDS page as your computer's background, you should probably turn off Active Desktop. This only applies to Windows users.

To turn off Active Desktop:

  1. Click on the Start button on the lower left corner of your screen.
  2. Select "Settings" and then "Control Panel."
  3. In the "Control Panel" window, click on "Display."
  4. In the "Display" window, click on the "Web" tab.
  5. The "Web" tab will have a check box with a check in it for "Show Web content on my Active Desktop". Below it will be one or more check boxes with names of Web pages. If you see anything with a check mark, clear it by clicking on the check box.
  6. When the check boxes are empty, click on "OK."

If your computer is freezing or is not producing sound while on our site even though you have updated the most recent version of Internet Explorer, it could be a problem in the software Internet Explorer uses to run Java applets.

To fix it, try installing the most recent version of Java.

How do I bookmark PBS KIDS?

Bookmarking a site means you’re saving it in your Web browser so that you can visit it again easily in the future. Look for “Bookmarks”, “Favorites” or an icon such as a star in your browser to add PBS KIDS to your bookmarks list. If you’re having trouble finding out how to bookmark PBS KIDS, you can visit the support site for your browser listed above.

Things take a long time to download. Is something wrong?

If the games are taking a long time to appear, it may be that you aren’t using the most recent version of the your Web browser or the needed plug-in. Visit our recommended site set-up section at the top of this page for links to these downloads.

Even if you’re using the most recent plug-ins and Web browser versions, though, you might need to be patient. We build all the activities on PBS KIDS to download as quickly as possible so that you won’t have to wait. However, if you’re visiting our site from a dial-up connection or during peak traffic times (in the evening), then you might need to wait a minute or two for the download to finish. This is most common with games and videos.

How do I enable the microphone or webcam functions on PBS KIDS games?

For games that have the option of playing with a microphone or webcam, you will need to allow your browser to access the microphone or webcam. The game will not use the microphone or webcam until you click ALLOW on the browser request. The games that have the option of playing with a microphone or webcam are playable with only the keyboard/mouse or trackpad. No images or sounds are recorded or stored.

Online Safety

What is a Privacy Policy?

A privacy policy tells you how a Web site deals with your personal information. It will tell you what kind of information is collected (like your e-mail address, your last name, or your address), how it will be used (perhaps to send e-cards or to enter a contest) and whether it will be shared with other people.

You can learn more about privacy policies and Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act at the Federal Trade Commissions’ Privacy Initiatives site.

Read the PBS KIDS Privacy Policy.

What is COPPA? How does PBS KIDS comply?

The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) went into effect in April 2000. It sets rules for anyone who runs a Web site for kids under 13 years old. The rules deal with how a Web site can use personal information you might give to the site, such as your e-mail address or last name, so that you will know what information is being collected and how it might be used.

The PBS KIDS Privacy Policy tells you exactly how we deal with the personal information we collect on our site.

You can learn more about Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act at the Federal Trade Commissions’ Privacy Initiatives site.

As you surf around pbskids.org, it is possible that several cookies will be set on your computer. A cookie is information a Web site puts on your computer's hard drive so that the site can remember your preferences or which pages you visited on that site.

PBS uses the information from cookies to deliver relevant local resources, remember browser preferences, and improve our visitors' experiences on the site. No personal information is ever stored in a PBS KIDS cookie, even if you have entered your name or e-mail address on other parts of PBS Online.

PBS does not sell information collected by cookies or use the information for commerce-related purposes. In addition, PBS will not filter content based on your preferences without permission.

    PBS KIDS only uses cookies at the following times:
  • If you localize pbskids.org to the PBS station nearest you, a cookie will tell us your station's call letters. PBS KIDS only keeps track of how many computers choose each station. You can choose to have your computer remember a different station, or no station at all, at any time. Please note that if you come to pbskids.org from a local station site, and you were not previously localized to a station, you may be automatically localized to that station.
  • If you watch a video clip or listen to an audio clip on pbskids.org, a cookie may remember which media player (such as Real Player or QuickTime) and which type of connection (high or low bandwidth) you prefer to use on your computer. You can change your video and audio preferences at any time, or choose a player each time you view or listen to a clip.
  • As you explore pbskids.org, a session cookie will tell us which pages you visit and the amount of time between each page visit. This cookie does not remember any information about you or your computer, it just tells us at PBS KIDS how long visitors spend on our sites and which pages receive the most traffic. A "session cookie" only remembers information about your current visit to the site.

If you decide that you do not want to accept cookies, all features on PBS KIDS will still work. Your preferences won’t be stored, though, so you may have to reenter information (for the TV schedule, for example) each time you visit those pages.

Sponsorship

Why does PBS KIDS have sponsorship on its video app and websites?

Public media is made possible by a public-private partnership involving individuals, businesses, state and federal governments, foundations and educational institutions. PBS is grateful to program underwriters for their generous support of PBS KIDS, which the American public ranks as the #1 educational media brand. To acknowledge the vital support that PBS KIDS receives, PBS includes brief messages from corporate sponsors at the start of select full-length episodes on the PBS KIDS Video App for mobile and tablet devices and on pbskids.org.

Sponsorship messaging on these platforms mirrors the on-air segments that have been part of PBS KIDS’ broadcast service for many years and adheres to the same strict guidelines. Specifically, the messages are aimed at parents, not children, and do not include product depictions or comparisons, price information or calls to action. Each segment must include a message of support for public media or for learning, education and social development. The spots are limited to 15 seconds in duration at the start of an episode and do not interrupt programs or appear on clips.

PBS conducted audience research to gauge the reaction of parents and children to sponsorship messaging on digital platforms. Parents confirmed that the messages were different from what they saw on other children’s media sites, were appropriate for public media and did not interfere with their viewing experience. The adult participants appreciated that the spots are short, focused on the proper audience and do not seek to market to children.

Funding from corporate sponsors supports PBS KIDS’ mission to use the power of media to open worlds of possibilities for all children. Corporate sponsors provide critical funding that helps PBS KIDS offer free programming, games and activities to all of America’s children on the many media platforms that they use. Underwriting support also helps fund PBS member stations’ outreach initiatives, which reach low-income families across the country through on-the-ground educational events and services. For more information on supporting PBS, visit pbs.org/about/support-pbs.

Login Accounts

Why can’t I log into my PBS KIDS account?

If you have forgotten your PBS KIDS account password, please click here to reset it.

Also, all PBS KIDS user accounts are moderated to make sure they do not contain personally identifiable information such as first and last names or profanity.

If your user account appeared to have personally identifiable information or profanity, it may have been deactivated.

If your user account contained multiple names, other personally identifiable information or profanity, you will need to create a new account.

If you believe that your account has been wrongly denied, please contact us.

Where can I find help for my PBS KIDS Island account?

If you need assistance with your PBS KIDS Island account, please visit PBS KIDS Raising Readers help section

Why do I need a username and password for some activities on PBS KIDS?

You need to log in if you would like to save points and other game information (like your EekoCreature while playing in EekoWorld or your game pieces while playing on Kratts’ Creatures). Before you login for the first time, you will have to register by creating a username and a password and answering a secret question (which we need in case you forget your password). Please note, though, that you can still play without a username. You just will not be able to save points.

What personal information does PBS KIDS need to create my username?

None. PBS KIDS does not require you to provide personal information to create a username. You will, however, be asked to choose a word or phrase, which you will use to log in. (For more information on what to use for a username, please read "What’s a good username to use?" below.) You will also have to pick a password and a secret question and answer (in case you forget your password). For more information on how PBS KIDS deals with personal information on our site, please visit the PBS KIDS Online Privacy Policy.

What will PBS KIDS do with my username and login information?
We only use your username and password to save and retrieve your points and saved game information. We do not collect any information from you that would allow us or other users to know who you are. We encourage you to create a username that does not include your real name, where you live, or any other information you do not want to share. For more information, please visit the PBS KIDS Online Privacy Policy.
How do I get a username and password for PBS KIDS?

You can get a username and password by registering. It’s absolutely free.

What’s a good username to use?

Your username should be a word or phrase that you can easily remember and that does not tell any personal information about you. You should not use your last name, your address or zip code, your phone number, the school you attend, or any information that would help someone identify you. Your favorite color or activity and a number, such as blue223 or sledding95, is a good place to start.

What do I do if I forget my PBS KIDS username or password?

It’s a good idea to write down your username and password in a safe place, just in case you forget. If you forget your username, you’ll need to create a new account and start over. If you forget your password, there is a “Forgot password” link beneath the login area. Enter your username and answer to the secret question to retrieve your password.

Can I delete my PBS KIDS Account?

Since PBS KIDS doesn't collect identifiable information, we have no way to verify if an account deletion request is coming from the account owner or not. Because of this we are unable to delete user account. You can stop using your account at any time without the need to delete it.

Mobile

How do I reach customer service or billing?

For billing questions or other inquiries about your App Store transaction, visit www.apple.com/support/itunes/


For billing questions or other inquiries about you Amazon Store transaction, visit http://to.pbs.org/Amazon_support

There's no sound. What do I do?

1: Check that the mute button (top button on left hand side of iPhone or switch on right hand side of iPad) is not set to mute.

2: Press the volume buttons on the left hand side of the iPhone or the right hand side of the iPad.

3: If none of these work, open the 'Music' application and use the volume slider to increase the volume.


If that fails to work, launch the app and then:

1: Double Press the Home Button to bring up the fast switching menu (bottom of the screen)

2: Swipe the menu from left to right twice

3: You should now see a volume level. Drag the slider from left to right to increase the volume.

My app is crashing. What do I do?

First, try restarting your device: Hold down the power button until the screen reads "slide to power off." Power off the device by moving the slider. Once it's fully shut down, turn the device back on and then try restarting the app. If that fails to solve the issue, make sure your device is running the latest version of Apple's iPhone OS. To verify this, sync your device with iTunes on your computer. Another recommended step is to make sure you have the latest version of Apple's iTunes software. To verify this, launch iTunes and select "Check for Updates" from the Help menu.
Lastly, if you sync'd your app from a computer to your device, it's possible there was an issue with the sync. Try uninstalling the app and then re-sync. If your app continues to crash, please post a comment in the next step of this feedback form.

My app didn't finish downloading. What do I do?

Make sure that your network connection is active. The App Store should detect that your download was interrupted and should continue it whenever your connection is restored. If this does not happen, visit www.apple.com/support/itunes/

How do I uninstall my app?

First, press and hold the app icon until all the icons start to wiggle. Then tap the "x" in the corner of the app you want to delete. Tap the "Delete" button to permanently remove the app. Press the Home button to return to the regular menu. NOTE: Uninstalling will remove all app-related data from your device, too. And, if you do not have a backup on another device, you will need to re-download from the App Store.

Where can I find PBS KIDS iPhone apps?

You can download PBS KIDS iPhone apps by visiting pbskids.org/mobile, or go directly to the PBS iTunes App Store.

Where can I download shows, podcasts, wallpapers and ringtones for my phone or mobile device?

Download content you and your kids can enjoy together on your mobile device from PBS KIDS Mobile Downloads.

How do I report a bug?
Where do the proceeds from PBS KIDS Apps go?

By downloading a PBS KIDS App, you are directly supporting PBS KIDS programming. As a non-profit public media organization, every dollar we make is reinvested into creating more quality content that serves the needs of today’s parents, caregivers and children.

PBS KIDS PLAY

What happened to PBS KIDS PLAY?

PBS KIDS PLAY! discontinued its service on June 30, 2015 and is no longer offering new subscriptions. It is closing because it was first developed in 2007 and is now using obsolete technologies. There are newer offerings available from both PBS KIDS and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, the two companies that have been collaborating to offer the PBS KIDS PLAY! service.

How do I reach customer service for PBS KIDS PLAY?

If you have a subscription with PBS KIDS PLAY!, your account expired on June 30, 2015. If you have a paid subscription that expires after June 30, 2015, please contact customer service at support@pbskidsplay.org. Thank you for your support!

What if my account runs after June 30, 2015, the closure date?

Please contact customer service at support@pbskidsplay.org if that happens.

Other Questions

Where can I find PBS KIDS merchandise?

The PBS KIDS Shop is a single destination to find DVDs, toys, clothing, party supplies and more featurinΩurchase on the PBS KIDS Shop, a portion will go 2to support public television and the educational programming that continues to shape the minds of children.

Additionally, some PBS KIDS program-related merchandise is available at Shop PBS. You can also contact the producers of the program directly with your request. Don’t forget, you can check out many PBS KIDS books and videos for free from your local library.

Where can I see my favorite PBS KIDS character live?

Live appearances by PBS KIDS characters are usually organized by the producers of the program, or by your local station. To find contact the producers of a program, choose from the list below.

Or you can write to your local stationfor more information

Event information is sometimes listed on the program’s PBS Parents site.

Still have questions? Write to PBS KIDS.

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