Fun Freetime: New Episodes - Donkey Hodie and Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood

As back-to-school season fast approaches, a whole bunch of new and exciting offerings are coming down the pike from PBS KIDS, including a week of topical episodes from Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood! Also on the way are “hee-hawsome” new episodes of Donkey Hodie, the latest series from Fred Rogers Productions – featuring one with a very special nod to a classic Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood story.  

Kicking off the fun and learning from August 8-13, Donkey Hodie fans can travel to the colorful world of Someplace Else with Donkey, Purple Panda, Bob Dog, and Duck Duck in a series of all new escapades. The premiere episode of the exciting week, “The Cow and Potato Bug Opera,” is inspired by a much-loved episode of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood! 

 

Then, from August 16-20, preschoolers and their families can tune in to brand-new stories from the hit show Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood that deal with important issues, including Daniel’s first trip to the hospital and Prince Wednesday’s brother leaving for college. Little ones can also follow (and sing!) along as Margaret celebrates her first Thank You Day! 

 

In addition, PBS KIDS’ Back to School hub includes lots of resources to help parents and kids with the back-to-school transition, with topics like acclimating to new routines, managing emotions, building friendships, and more. 

 

  

DONKEY HODIE 

 

The Cow and Potato Bug Opera/Everything Explorers – Premieres Monday, August 9 (check local listings)

The Cow and Potato Bug Opera: Donkey is excited to direct a new show starring all her pals. But when she needs to become an actor in the show, can she let Panda be the new leader?

Everything Explorers: Donkey and Panda discover a surprise spider, but every time they get close to it, it jumps. 

 

The Golden Crunchdoodles/ Walking Stick Blues – Premieres Tuesday, August 10 (check local listings)
The Golden Crunchdoodles: Donkey and Panda discover a golden rainbow outside after a storm. Will it lead them to a mythical bowl of Golden Crunchdoodles cereal?Walking Stick Blues: When Grampy's walking stick breaks, Donkey vows to help fix it. But how? Maybe her pals’ ideas can help.

Good Dog School/Panda Hodie  - Premieres Wednesday, August 11 (check local listings)

Good Dog School: Bob Dog is nervous about his Good Dog School graduation. When his pals remind him of what he's good at, will he find the confidence to graduate? 

Panda Hodie: Panda loses his Super Porcupine puppet. If Donkey pretends she is Panda, can she find it for him? 

 

Bye Bye, Book/Tater Buddies – Premieres Thursday, August 12 (check local listings)

Bye Bye, Book: Duck Duck builds a book swap box so all her pals can share books, but it's harder to give away her books than she thought.

Tater Buddies: The pals throw a party for their Tater Buddy dolls. When one of his friends is upset, can Panda spot the signs and help?

 

Donkey's Bad Day/Yodel Bird Egg – Premieres Friday, August 13 (check local listings)
Donkey's Bad Day: Donkey and Panda's Awesome, Extra Fun, Very Good Day keeps going badly. Will Donkey find a way to cheer herself up?

Yodel Bird Egg: Donkey and Panda find a yodel bird egg with no mama in sight! They vow to protect it, but it's harder than they expect.

 

 

DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD

 

Margaret’s First Thank You Day – Half-hour special! Premieres Monday, August 16 (check local listings) 

Daniel can’t wait to show Margaret all of the things they can do to celebrate Thank You Day at the Enchanted Garden! However, when Margaret gets sick and has to leave early, Daniel decides to bring Thank You Day back to Margaret instead. 

 

Daniel Goes to the Hospital – Half-hour special! Premieres Tuesday, August 17 (check local listings)

When Daniel is feeling a little nervous for his first trip to the hospital, Mom and Dad Tiger prepare him for his new experience. After he arrives, Daniel meets a doctor and nurse who put him at ease and help him get better. 

 

Prince Tuesday Goes to College/Daniel Misses Grandpere – Premieres Wednesday, August 18 (check local listings)

Prince Tuesday Goes to College: Prince Tuesday is packing, because he’s moving away to college, and Daniel and Prince Wednesday will miss playing with him every day. They write him a letter and give him a special rock so he can think of them while he’s gone. 

Daniel Misses Grandpere: When Grandpere has to leave, he gives Daniel a photo to look at when they are apart. Later, Daniel misses Grandpere, so he draws a picture and sends a care package to show Grandpere that he’s thinking of him. 

 

Tiger Family Lunch/Dinner Time at Jodi’s – Premieres Thursday, August 19 (check local listings)

Tiger Family Lunch: When joining Mom Tiger for a picnic at the playground, Daniel gets distracted playing instead of sitting down for lunch. Mom and Dad Tiger remind Daniel that meals are a special time to spend together. 

Dinner Time at Jodi’s: Daniel is helping to make pan pans for dinner at the Platypus house. When Jodi gets distracted by her toy, she almost misses out on the fun, but remembers that dinnertime is better together.  

 

O Gives Daniel Space/Daniel and Miss Elaina Bake Pretzels – Premieres Friday, August 20 (check local listings)

O Gives Daniel Space: When Daniel and O are playing library at O’s treehouse, O sits too close to Daniel, which makes it hard to read his book. X the Owl tells Daniel that it’s okay to ask for space. O scoots over so they can still read the book together!

Daniel and Miss Elaina Bake Pretzels:  At the bakery, Daniel is rolling his dough way too close to Miss Elaina. When Miss Elaina asks nicely for some more space, they each stay on their own baking mats and enjoy making “deeelicious” pretzels together.