Which PBS Shows Have Games?
PBS offers interactive games for several of its popular children’s shows, including Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Wild Kratts, Curious George, Arthur, Molly of Denali, and Sesame Street. These games are available through pbskids.org and the PBS KIDS Games app, designed to support early learning in areas like literacy, math, science, and social-emotional development.
Main PBS Shows with Digital Games
PBS has developed one of the most extensive collections of educational games tied to its programming. The network’s approach centers on extending the learning from TV episodes into interactive play.
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Games
Daniel Tiger’s games focus on social-emotional learning for preschoolers. The games teach skills like identifying feelings, practicing empathy, and managing difficult situations. “Daniel’s Grr-ific Feelings” helps children recognize and name emotions, while “Trolley’s Neighborhood Tour” familiarizes kids with Daniel’s world through exploration activities.
The games use the show’s signature strategy songs – short, memorable phrases set to music that help children remember important lessons. This connection between TV content and gameplay reinforces the concepts kids encounter in episodes.
Wild Kratts Interactive Experiences
Wild Kratts games bring animal science to life through adventure-based play. Kids can activate “creature powers,” explore different habitats, and learn specific facts about animals featured in episodes. “Aviva’s Powersuit Maker” lets children design their own creature power suits, while “Rescue Run” challenges players to save animals using knowledge about their adaptations and behaviors.
These games stand out for incorporating real zoological information. When kids play “Honey Seekers,” they learn about actual bee behavior patterns and hive structures, not simplified versions.
Curious George Problem-Solving Games
The Curious George game collection emphasizes math, science, and engineering concepts. “Train Builder” introduces basic physics through building functional train tracks, while “Hoop Nutters” develops estimation and spatial reasoning skills.
What makes these games effective is their trial-and-error approach. Kids experiment with different solutions, learning that mistakes are part of problem-solving. “Curious George Balloon Ride” teaches about air pressure and wind direction through gameplay that feels like pure fun rather than instruction.
Arthur and Social Navigation
Arthur games blend literacy with social scenarios. “Arthur’s Big App” offers mini-games that tackle everyday challenges like making plans with friends or dealing with disappointment. The games often present situations without clear right or wrong answers, encouraging kids to think through consequences.
“Muffy’s Mufflington Hotel” involves resource management and customer service, while “Arthur’s Park Quest” combines reading comprehension with outdoor exploration.
Molly of Denali and Indigenous Culture
Molly of Denali games integrate Alaska Native culture and information literacy. The show itself was developed in partnership with Alaska Native advisors, and the games maintain this cultural authenticity. “Suki’s Salmon Shack” teaches about traditional food preparation and the salmon life cycle, incorporating Gwich’in and Koyukon Athabascan words.
These games differ from typical PBS offerings by centering Indigenous knowledge systems alongside Western science concepts. “Explore Alaska with Molly” includes actual geographical information about Alaska’s regions and communities.
How to Access PBS Games
PBS makes its games available through three main channels. The pbskids.org website hosts the complete library, organized by show and by learning goal. The PBS KIDS Games app (available for iOS and Android) provides offline play for most games after initial download. PBS KIDS also maintains a YouTube presence, though most interactive content requires the website or app.
The games work across devices – computers, tablets, and smartphones – though some older Flash-based games have been retired or rebuilt using HTML5. PBS updates its game library regularly, adding new content when shows premiere new seasons.
Parents can find games sorted by skill (reading, math, science, problem-solving) rather than just by show, useful when looking for specific learning support.
Educational Design Behind PBS Games
PBS games follow research-based learning principles. Each game goes through testing with children in the target age group before release. The Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop has published studies on how PBS games support school readiness, finding that regular play correlates with gains in literacy and math skills.
The games use scaffolding – they start simple and increase difficulty as kids play. “Super Why!” games, for instance, begin with letter recognition and progress to word building and sentence reading based on player performance.
Most PBS games avoid time pressure and competition. The goal is mastery and exploration rather than winning or scoring high. This design choice supports the network’s mission of accessible, inclusive education.
Age-Specific Game Collections
PBS organizes its games by age: preschool (2-4), early elementary (4-6), and elementary (6-8). Preschool games emphasize basic skills like shapes, colors, and counting. They use simple tap-and-drag interfaces that work for developing motor skills.
Early elementary games introduce reading and math concepts aligned with kindergarten and first-grade standards. Games like “WordWorld” teach phonics through play, while “Peg + Cat” games build number sense and problem-solving.
Elementary games tackle more complex topics. “Design Squad Nation” involves engineering challenges with multiple solution paths. “Cyberchase” games use storylines that require strategic thinking and mathematical reasoning to progress.
Beyond Traditional Shows: Other PBS Game Properties
PBS has developed some digital-first game experiences. “Elinor Wonders Why” launched with games that teach scientific inquiry – observation, hypothesis testing, and drawing conclusions. “Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum” games combine history with adventure gameplay, letting kids interact with historical figures and time periods.
“Ready Jet Go!” games focus on earth and space science with more depth than typical preschool content. Kids learn about planets, moon phases, and space exploration through activities connected to NASA research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are PBS games really free?
Yes, all PBS KIDS games are free with no ads, in-app purchases, or subscriptions. The network funds this content through public support and grants. Unlike many children’s apps, there are no premium versions or locked content.
Do the games work offline?
The PBS KIDS Games app allows offline play for most games after they’re downloaded. The web-based games require an internet connection. Some newer games use more data than older ones, so initial downloads can take a few minutes on slower connections.
What age are PBS games designed for?
PBS games span ages 2-8, with clear age recommendations for each game. The youngest games (Daniel Tiger, Elinor) target 2-4 year olds with simple mechanics. Shows like Arthur and Wild Kratts aim at 4-8 year olds with more complex challenges. The pbskids.org site lets parents filter by age.
Can kids play these games on school computers?
Most PBS games work on school networks, though some districts block external websites. The PBS KIDS Games app circumvents this issue. Many teachers use PBS games as learning centers because the content aligns with curriculum standards and the games have clear educational objectives.
Platform Evolution and Future
PBS retired its Flash-based games between 2020-2021, rebuilding popular titles in HTML5. This transition made games accessible on more devices, particularly tablets and Chromebooks used in schools. The network continues adding games for new shows while maintaining classics from programs no longer in production.
Recent additions include more games featuring diverse characters and cultural contexts. “Alma’s Way” games incorporate Bronx Puerto Rican culture, while “Donkey Hodie” games draw from Fred Rogers’ neighborhood philosophy of creative problem-solving.
The direction seems toward games with longer play sessions and more complex narratives. “Hero Elementary” games involve multi-step science investigations, while “Work It Out Wombats!” games develop executive function skills through longer scenarios.
Some parents report that PBS games hold kids’ attention longer than other educational apps, likely because children already have emotional connections to the characters from watching the shows. The games extend play rather than interrupting it with monetization tactics, which keeps the experience focused on learning.
Key Takeaways
- PBS offers hundreds of free educational games across its major children’s shows
- Games are accessible through pbskids.org and the PBS KIDS Games app without ads or purchases
- Each show’s games align with its educational focus – social-emotional learning, science, literacy, or math
- Games work on multiple devices and most support offline play through the app
- Content spans ages 2-8 with clear age recommendations and skill-level sorting