There is so much happening on PBS Kids lately and even more things coming. Because I’m a PBS Kids VIP I’ve gotten some news about upcoming shows, new apps and more that I’d love to share.
Eva and I are working on reviewing a brand new app based on the wildly popular Wild Kratts show. This time it is a math based app called Creature Math and so far it is pretty cool. Kids set up animal habitats and in order to keep the animals happy the kids have to solve math problems. It is a resource management game but instead of collecting crops and such kids have to solve math problems. I’ll have a full review of that soon.
March 2nd is Dr. Suess’ birthday and there will be some all new Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That episodes showing on Friday March 1st. I guess the Cat likes to celebrate early. Here is a trailer for that episode.
There is also a brand new Cat in the Hat based online game launching on that day. You can check that out at http://pbskids.org/catinthehat
A new CURIOUS GEORGE special “CURIOUS GEORGE” Swings Into Spring will premiere on Earth Day, April 22
Apps, Apps, Apps!
The Electric Company Party Game: Lost on Prankster Planet: FREE; iPad, Kindle Tablet
HEY YOU GUYYYYYS! – The Electric Company gang needs help! In The Electric Company Party Game: Lost on Prankster Planet, the newest app from PBS KIDS and Sesame Workshop, children use their math and literacy skills to help Marcus and Jessica escape from Prankster Planet and get back to Earth! Based on the multi-Emmy award-winning TV show, THE ELECTRIC COMPANY, The Electric Company Party Game: Lost on Prankster Planet app for iPad and Kindle Tablet allows kids to complete wacky challenges, counting races, silly brainstorms, math questions and more. They will add, draw, discuss, think, act, problem solve, and dance their way back to Earth, all while practicing skills in subjects including geometry, data analysis and graphing, telling time and more!
· Key features include: Collaborative play, digital board game, hours of unrepeated fast-paced games, physical challenges, group activities, and more!
· Educational goals, which are part of 1st and 2nd grade math and literacy curricula, include: Geometry, addition and subtraction, data analysis and graphing, telling time, coin value and recognition, and more!
DINOSAUR TRAIN Classic in the Jurassic, Jr.!: $1.99; iPad
In this app, based on the hit PBS KIDS science-focused series, DINOSAUR TRAIN, kids play through three math-based games focused on sorting, balance and counting to help Gilbert get Troodon Town ready for the big event – the Classic in the Jurassic, Jr games!
o Bridge Builder: Help build bridges so the dinosaurs can get around Troodon Town! Drag your finger to measure the distance between two points, then choose the two sets of logs that equal the right length to complete the bridge.
o Chow Time: The dinosaurs are hungry! Add food to the scale until it’s balanced. When you’ve got it right, watch them chow down!
o All-Star Sorting: Put the dinosaurs in order by height. When you’ve got them in the right order, drag them to the house they belong to!
In addition to playing the app, kids can continue the Classic in the Jurassic, Jr adventures with seven free math games online at http://pbskids.org/dinosaurtrain/games/classic.html The apps were developed as part of the Ready To Learn Initiative, an early learning project of PBS KIDS and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), funded by the U.S. Department of Education. You can also find additional PBS KIDS apps here: http://pbskids.org/mobile/.