Sesame Street premiered on public television on November 10, 1969. Now, over 50 years later, this beloved children’s program is still a staple in our homes and hearts.
Sesame Street‘s diverse community of friends —fuzzy, feathered, and human alike—blend valuable life lessons with school readiness skills. For decades, families across the globe have tuned in to iconic characters like Big Bird, Elmo, Maria, and Oscar the Grouch as they teach us our ABCs and 123s with the help of special guests from all walks of life.
Sesame Street was conceived by Joan Ganz Cooney and Lloyd Morrisett and from its beginnings it has focused on providing children in underserved communities tools to form positive relationships, build healthy habits, cultivate strong social skills, and appreciate cultural diversity. Sesame Street changed the face of children’s television and continues to positively impact the lives of children worldwide. Responding to the issues of our times, Sesame Street has evolved to address difficult topics like divorce, racial justice, and health emergencies with age-appropriate and research-informed educational and family resources.
Help your little ones grow smarter, stronger, and kinder with the hands-on activities, games and videos below. And enjoy behind-the-scenes footage and classic Mountain Lake PBS interviews with Sesame Street actors Sonia Manzano, who played Maria, and the late, great Caroll Spinney, who brought to life Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch.
Watch episodes of Sesame Street on the PBS KIDS 24/7 channel, and online with the PBS KIDS Livestream and PBS KIDS Free Video App.
Sesame Street Resources for Parents & Teachers
Sesame Street | PBS LearningMedia
Grades PreK-2
Do you know how to get to Sesame Street? This collection is designed to engage preschoolers in everyday learning by teaching core skills in Math, Literacy, STEM, and Social and Emotional Development. Here you’ll find hundreds of videos, games, and printable materials to help you to excite even the youngest learners.
Sesame Street | PBS KIDS for Parents
Grades PreK-3
For over 50 years, preschoolers and their families have watched Sesame Street to see its diverse residents come together to learn life’s lessons. Along with Elmo, Abby, Big Bird, and others, children use their imaginations, build social skills, sing songs, and appreciate everyone’s differences. Explore this collection of articles, printables, hands-on activities, games and apps on PBS KIDS for Parents.
Sesame Street in Communities | Sesame Workshop
Grades PreK-3
Sesame Street in Communities provides parents, caregivers, and family childcare providers with support to help lay the foundations for children’s healthy development. Here you’ll find tons of multi-media tools in both English and Spanish designed for children from birth to six, a period when brains are developing rapidly and nurturing interactions make a lasting difference. The site covers a wide range of topics, from school readiness to building healthy habits to tough issues such as divorce and hunger.
Games, Activities & More
Elmo’s World Kindness Bingo
Grades PreK-K
Every time your child does an act of kindness, circle it on this printable bingo sheet! Keep going until you’ve circled every space around Elmo.
Grover’s Winter Games
Grades PreK-K
Get ready for skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating! To play Grover’s Winter Games, little learners practice their number and pattern recognition skills, then watch as the athletes perform their moves.
Friendly Face Coloring Page
Grades PreK-K
Draw a picture of a family member, friend, a silly face, or you!
Make a Letter Lunch Menu and Cook it Together
Grades PreK-K
Help your child learn about the letters in the alphabet while you create a delicious meal!
Oscar’s Rotten Ride
Grades PreK-K
Oscar is going on a treasure hunt for trash in the ocean, on the beach, and in space. Your child can help Oscar while learning about spatial relations.
Go Behind the Scenes with Mountain Lake PBS
Art Express: Maria on Sesame Street
Mountain Lake PBS producer Paul Larson interviews Sonia Manzano, who plays Maria on Sesame Street, in this classic Art Express segment. Learn about the art and educative value of puppetry and music through television and watch exclusive, behind-the-scenes footage of Sesame Street. Manzano also discusses the importance of celebrating Latin American culture on television during the early 1970s, when few Latin Americans appeared on TV.
Art Express: Big Bird
In 2004, our producer Paul Larson was lucky to interview Caroll Spinney, who shared his experiences playing the biggest, most famous yellow bird on television, and contrasts the character with his grumpier, greener companion, Oscar the Grouch. Watch the interview and see an exclusive behind the scenes look at Sesame Street.