Education

Time for a summer full of PBS KIDS adventures! Our WXXI Early Learning Team created a special checklist of summer activities to bring even more fun to your family this summer. Have fun exploring your local community and using PBS KIDS to spark joy with your kids.

Adventure Begins at Your Library! Visit your local public library and join in on summer learning fun. See the full calendars of summer reading programming at your local libraries: Rochester Public Libraries, Monroe County Library System, and OWWL Library System.

Go on a “Rough and Smooth Scavenger Hunt” with Ruff Ruffman! Search for textured treasures! From a prickly pinecone to a soft sweater, everything we touch has texture. How many textures can you find inside or outside of your house? Download the Scavenger Hunt here.

Design your own vest, just like Carl the Collector. Carl and his friends appreciate what makes each of them special and unique. An argyle vest is something Carl likes wearing every day because it makes him feel comfortable and stylish. Encourage your child to express their individuality by designing their own argyle vest. Your child will love creating this vest to dress up and pretend to be just like their favorite character, Carl! Find the directions here.

Observe the moon using Ready Jet Go’s Moon Observation Journal. A moon journal, or phases of the moon worksheet, is a fun way to get young kids interested in observing the sky and encourage scientific curiosity. By charting the moon’s phases with your child, you will help them develop observation skills. Your child will also learn how to record what they notice and practice sharing their research with you and others. Keeping a moon journal is also a great way for children to learn more about space! Download the Moon Journal here.

Learn the steps of the Carrot Cake Dance with the Loops Family! Lyla wants to learn a popular clap and dance sequence that everyone in her family can do…except for her. Watch the full episode and learn the dance with Lyla:

Make a Summer Souvenir Box like Alma. Alma creates a lot of new memories with her family when she visits Puerto Rico — like finding shells on the beach, visiting the El Yunque National Rainforest, eating alcapurias and pasteles, and learning a new poem. One way to remember fun summer days with your family is by creating a souvenir box. The box can be a place to collect items that spark memories. Learn how to make your own souvenir box here.

Listen to the Molly of Denali Podcast. Join Molly Mabray on brand-new adventures in the Molly of Denali podcast! Check out each of the three seasons of storytelling from Molly and her friends and family. Listen to the Molly of Denali Podcast here and check out these tips from PBS KIDS for Parents on “Listening to Podcasts with Kids”.

Create your own t-shirt design and listen to the Jamming on the Job podcast episode about online merchants. This activity will help your child think about some of their favorite things and then create a T-shirt design based off of it. Download the t-shirt here outline and listen to the Jamming on the Job “Online Merchant” episode here.

Look outside or take a walk, and draw a map of your neighborhood. Together with your child, explore your local neighborhood by taking a walk, riding a bike, or riding the bus from home to school. Encourage your child to talk about what they notice along the way. Then, work with them to draw a map of their route from home to school. Find the directions for this activity here.

Watch the cross-over event of the year – Daniel Tiger visits Donkey Hodie in Someplace Else on August 11. More tune-in details soon!

Earlier this month, I reached out about the growing pressures facing public media. Since then, the situation in Washington has only intensified, and the challenges we face are becoming even clearer. 

At WXXI, we know that for families, PBS and PBS KIDS are more than just television channels—they are a trusted source of education, inspiration, and learning. Whether it’s Sesame Street helping young children build early literacy skills, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood teaching social-emotional learning, or Carl the Collector celebrating our differences and commonalities, these programs play a vital role in your child’s development. 

But here’s something many people don’t realize: PBS and PBS KIDS programs are made available to your family through local public media stations like WXXI.  We are the bridge that brings these award-winning programs into local families’ lives – on televisions or tablets, in classrooms and care settings, and in our community. 

Now, the future of public media is being debated in Washington, and decisions made in the coming weeks could threaten funding for these essential services. Cuts to federal funding don’t just affect WXXI—they impact your family’s access to high-quality, free educational programming and resources. 

That’s why we need you to speak up. If PBS, PBS KIDS, and public media matter to your family, now is the time to act. 

📢 Take Action Now: bit.ly/ProtectWXXI 

Every message sent, every story shared, and every show of support makes a difference. Decisions made in the coming weeks could impact public media for years to come. Let’s make sure our community’s voice is heard loud and clear. 

A message from you—can make a difference – whether it’s sharing your family’s experience, telling your representatives why PBS KIDS matters, or spreading the word on social media. Public media has been a trusted resource for generations, and with your support, we can ensure it remains strong for the next generation. 

Thank you for being part of the WXXI family. Your voice, your advocacy, and your support mean everything. 

Warm Regards

Chris Hastings 
President & CEO
WXXI Public Media