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As a PBS member station, Vermont Public is proud to provide PBS KIDS content and resources to Vermonters. In addition, we offer locally produced content, resources, events, and partnerships.
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BACK TO SCHOOL
Vermont Public is helping your family get ready to go back to school. Sign up for our monthly newsletter (above) to get relatable tips from other Vermont parents.
And check out these fun resources:
From our But Why podcast
Download related learning guides: PDF | Google Slide | Transcript
Download related learning guides: PDF | Google Slide | Transcript
Tips from our listeners
Make a hug button! Draw a heart on the inside of your hand. Draw a heart on your parent’s hand. Squeeze them together to charge your hug button. If you feel nervous at school, push the hug button and it will send you a hug. - Tosha Todd, school guidance counselor
Keep a picture of your family in your backpack. You can share with your teacher the things your family does for fun. That will help your teacher understand your family. - Juliana Urtubey, National Teacher of the Year
If you're nervous try to have fun and try to make some friends and the school year will be a lot better. - Zoe, 10 Colorado
Remind yourself that you are brave and confident. - Clarissa, 8, Ontario
Get into a school routine now. Pick out your clothes the night before. Maybe pack your lunch too. - Tosha Todd
When I start school I feel nervous, but when I step in I feel ok. For the first few days I play by myself. When those first few days are done, I play with others. - Julius, 8, Ontario
Take a deep breath, be kind to someone and they'll be kind to you. - Zoe, 6, California
Get everyone's names and if you forget them it's ok to ask again. - Lucy, Vermont
Say hi to all the kids. - Ben, 6, Michigan
You're going to make friends, and your mom and dad will pick you up; they're not going to leave you there forever. - Sly, 7, New York
NEW show! WEATHER HUNTERS will premiere September 8
A new animated STEM series for viewers ages 5-8 from Al Roker, Emmy-winning weatherman and host from TODAY. The new show is designed to support kids’ learning about Earth science and meteorology through adventure and comedy to cultivate their awareness, curiosity, and caring about how weather and climate impact individuals, communities, and our global society. The series centers on Lily Hunter, voiced by Tandi Fomukong, an intrepid and observant 8-year-old weather detective who shares her investigations with her family and friends, including dad Al Hunter, voiced by Roker; mom Dot Hunter, voiced by Holly Robinson Peete; sister Corky, voiced by Kapri Ladd; brother Benny, voiced by Lorenzo Ross; and neighbor Ms. Joyce, voiced by Sheryl Lee Ralph.
Classical for Families
Vermont Public Classical invites families to enjoy classical music curated for young listeners. These thematic one-hour playlists use Spotify to inspire a new generation of classical music listeners. Enjoy compositions with titles inspired by the seasons, listen to world music, or behold music that captures an array of relatable emotions. Choose your own family adventure!
Summer of Adventure
Enjoy a summer of family adventures with Vermont Public. Download and print the PBS KIDS Summer Activity booklet (PDF) for rainy days and long car rides.
Play Your Way! Calendar
Also Download this Play your way calendar and choose activities, games, and videos to enjoy.
But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids
But Why is a show led by you, kids! You ask the questions and we find the answers. It’s a big interesting world out there. Join us on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X, Spotify, or visit our website.
Be curious and learn together while enjoying out 1-minute But Why Bites videos or full length podcast episodes. Here is a handy list to all of our available guides by category.
Featured suggestions
Enjoy these selections from our Northeast Nature Adventure Series and other summer related episodes!
Why do we need pollinators?
The bees are out! And if you want to eat fresh fruits and vegetables all summer long, you might want to think of bees as more than just picnic pests! Host (and beekeeper) Jane Lindholm talks with apiarist James Key about the important role honey bees and other pollinators play in our environment. They discuss which critters are pollinators, what pollination is, and why we need them. | View / Print Lesson Plan
What is Cyanobacteria?
It's time to go swimming! Or...not. Cyanobacteria blooms can be dangerous for humans and dogs. As the climate grows warmer, they are becoming more pervasive, frequently closing lakes and ponds to swimming. In Vermont, scientists are studying why these oxygen-producing bacteria can be toxic for humans and animals, and how their growth in our aquatic environments might change in the future. Host Jane Lindholm talks with limnologist Mindy Morales-Williams about why cyanobacteria is so important to life on earth and yet so problematic! | View / Print Lesson Plan |
What's a monarch butterfly?
The brilliant orange and black monarch butterfly is a symbol of summer all over North America. But monarch populations have been decreasing because of climate change, habitat loss and pesticide use. Host Jane Lindholm takes to the fields to look for the monarch butterfly with biologist Kent McFarland. We learn about migratory patterns and growth cycles for monarchs and how we might be able to help them flourish into the future. | View / Print Lesson Plan |
Check out this sample of our "But Why Bites" short video series...
Mister Chris and Friends
When the work on the farm is done, now it’s time to have some fun! Mister Chris has finished his farm chores, and now he’s ready for an adventure full of music and friends. You’ll meet lots of interesting friends along the way, and even attend a barn concert. Watch now
This Emmy winning, joyful kids music series from Vermont Public encourages learning, exploration, and fun for the entire family! Filmed in Vermont.
Events
Find Vermont Public at the following local events.
- Saturday, Aug 2: 802 Night | Centennial Field, Burlington | Lake Monsters Baseball Game
- Friday, Aug 8: Vermont Public Day! | Centennial Field, Burlington | Lake Monsters Baseball Game
Vermont Public Kids Day at ECHO
When: Saturday, Aug.16 | 10 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Sensory-friendly hour - 9:15 - 10 a.m.
Where: Echo, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain - 1 College St, Burlington, VT 05401
Tickets: Free with paid admission to ECHO
Purchase tickets online or in person when arriving at ECHO.
Bring the family to ECHO for the Rube Goldberg™: The World of Hilarious Invention! Exhibit and stay for Vermont Public Kids Day! We’ll have fun crafts and activities, a Daniel Tiger read along, a chance to win a Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood prize pack and bring your camera for an opportunity to take photos with Daniel Tiger!
Photos with Daniel Tiger
10:30 - 11:00 a.m.
11:30 – 12:00 p.m.
12:30 - 1:00 p.m.
1:30 – 2:00 p.m.
2:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Inspired by Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist Rube Goldberg’s original illustrations and inventive storytelling, this exhibit contains a collection of new 3D, life-size machines and hands-on, interactive components that connect Rube’s hilarious cartoon contraptions to the way things work in the physical world.
In this exhibit, visitors can:
- Move balls and ramps to trigger chain reactions in Wall Machines, then learn how they work by resetting each part.
- Be inspired by Rube Goldberg’s drawing techniques to create your own hilarious cartoon in the Art Studio and then see how it looks at the Revolvometer.
- Pull ropes to start a series of musical chain reactions in the large-scale sound animation Music Machine.
- Step into one of Rube’s iconic wearables, “Self-Operating Napkin.”®, for a one-of-a-kind photo op.
Purchase tickets online or in person when arriving at ECHO.
It’s going to be a grr-ific day!
Accommodations
Vermont Public is committed to providing access and accommodation for individuals with disabilities at our events. To request accommodations, please email events@vermontpublic.org or call us at 802-655-9451 at least seven days in advance of the event.
Directions and Parking
ECHO is located front and center on the Burlington waterfront at 1 College St, Burlington, VT 05401. Public parking is available behind ECHO.
PARKING INFO
8 am to 11 pm daily
General public: $3 per hour
ECHO Members: $2 per hour
HOW TO PAY
Use the Park Mobile app to pay and park in ECHO’s lot. Download the app here. ECHO zone number is 90288.
ECHO Members: to receive your parking discount, please call the front desk at 877.324.6386 to get the most up-to-date promo code.
Other questions? Email us at events@vermontpublic.org.
To learn about upcoming events, check out our Events page, and follow us on Facebook. Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message.
Family and Education projects and this page proudly sponsored by:
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