shows – The Next Kid Thing

PBS Kids Celebrate Spring with Explore the Outdoors Program

April 10, 2017 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

It’s finally beautiful in NJ/NYC and Spring is in full swing. Our friends at PBS Kids have a fun lineup of great programming to celebrate the outdoors and everything we love about Spring.

Group5

PBS Kids’ annual Explore the Outdoors kicks off today with a week of new episodes from those Wild Kratts and Nature Cat! I love that it’s an Earth Month celebration with a lot of STEM thrown in.

Check out all the fun new programming coming up for PBS Kids:

PBS KIDS Explore the Outdoors Program Details & Air Dates (check local listings)

WILD KRATTS

“Archerfish School”

Premieres April 10, streaming April 10

When the Kratt Bros meet a school of Archerfish, they are taught the secret of “water droplet” archery from an Archerfish named Arrow. Soon, they are using this newly learned skill to infiltrate Donita Donata’s yacht and rescue the baby animals she has been capturing for her newest high-end fashion line.

“This Orca Likes Sharks”

Premieres April 11; streaming April 14

The Kratt Bros discover a message in a bottle telling them about an wily old orca who eats only large sharks. They find this hard to believe, so with the help of Aviva’s Dolphin Decoder, modified to speak Orca, the Wild Kratts go in search of the orca who likes sharks!

“Baby Tooth & Kid Musky”

Premieres April 12, streaming April 21

When the Wild Kratts begin to talk about predator and prey, the Kratt Bros decide to split up to investigate the lives of being a predator and a prey. But when they each befriend a young member of their respective groups and the groups collide, the gang must struggle to figure out how they react in a true battle for survival.

“Cheetah Adopted”

Premieres April 13; streaming April 28

Martin and Chris are creature adventuring on the African savannah when they encounter a warthog mom and her piglets. But they notice something odd. One of the piglets is the cheetah cub Spotswat! It’s up to the Kratt Bros to find out why this cub has been adopted into the warthog family and to reunite him with his mother, Blur.

“Musk Ox Mania”

Premieres April 14; streaming May 5

When Chris realizes that his precious creature souvenir collection is missing, the gang must travel back to the Arctic to find it. But the Arctic is now covered in a thick layer of ice and snow, so they’ll need the help of a special Arctic creature — the musk ox — and its creature powers to find it.

NATURE CAT

“Spring Hunter 3000/The Case of the Missing Moon”

Premieres April 10, streaming April 10

“Spring Hunter 3000” ? Spring has sprung! And it’s now time for Daisy’s favorite online game: Spring Hunter 3000! The goal of the game is to try to find as many signs of spring as possible: birds, flowers, you name it. The more you find, the more points you earn. And whoever gets the most points is deemed the queen or king of spring! Oh yeah! Oh yeah!

“The Case of the Missing Moon” ? Hal is so so so sad! When he went to howl at the moon, as he does every night, the moon was gone! But that’s impossible! How does a moon just disappear? There has to be a logical explanation, right? Can Nature Cat and his pals find the missing moon? Or will Hal’s nightly howls come to an end for good?

“Mighty Mountain Climbers/Bug Eating Plants!”

Premieres April 11; streaming April 14

“Mighty Mountain Climbers” ? On a dare from Ronald, Nature Cat and his pals try to climb all the way up to The Mighty Mountain Peak. They get all the supplies they need and head out, led by Nature Cat. But they soon find out that hiking up a mountain is hard and poses many problems, no matter how prepared you are. Will they make it all the way to the peak?!

“Bug Eating Plants!” ? A super-excited Squeeks shows her brand-new, homemade comic “Bug Eating Plants of the Swamp!” to her pals. As Squeeks begins to read the story, we see this action-packed adventure played out, as tiny Nature Cat, Hal, Daisy and Squeeks must make their way through the swamp while trying to stay away from the Bug Eating Plants, which proves difficult for Tiny Hal!

“Flight of the Firefly/Thunderstruck”

Premieres April 12, streaming April 21

“The Flight of the Firefly” ? While looking for fireflies in the backyard, Hal catches one so the gang can look closely at it and watch it glow. Hal names the firefly George and promises to watch it and hug it and then set it free, which he does, but for some reason George doesn’t want to fly away and hangs around Hal. George seems to have something on his mind. Since no one can communicate with a firefly, they call in Houston. With the help of his firefly communicator, they find out that George is lost and needs help finding the Firefly Fiesta!

“Thunderstruck” ? It’s Nature Scrapbook Day today! Nature Cat and his pals are out in nature, taking photos, drawing pictures and collecting various properties of nature to put in their nature scrapbook. Suddenly, a thunderstorm causes the gang to seek shelter in Hal’s doghouse. As Nature Cat and his friends learn, thunderstorms are nothing to be scared of. They also are able to see the beauty of thunderstorms, which become the last entry in their scrapbook.

“Plants Got the Moves/Magnet Mania”

Premieres April 13; streaming April 28

“Plants Got the Moves” ? Daisy has being getting ready for months for the Animal Science Fair, which occurs later in the woods. Man-oh-man is Daisy ready with her terrific exhibit, which shows how bean seeds grow. But before going to the fair, a gust of wind knocks over her science fair project, ruining it. Daisy needs help to try to find another science project to exhibit at the Animal Science Fair and finds inspiration from an unlikely source: plants that move!

“Magnet Mania” ? Ever hear of Ole’ Lucky the Lodestone? Well, it’s only the world’s biggest magnetic rock, which can attract things with iron in them, and the final destination for the gang’s celebration of Magnet Mania! But there is one problem: how do they go north to get to Ole’ Lucky when they have no compass?

“Return to Mighty Mountain/Welcome to the Vernal Pond”

Premieres April 14; streaming May 5

“Return to Mighty Mountain” ? There is no giving up for Nature Cat and his pals. After failing to reach the peak of the Mighty Mountain, they are going to try to hike all the way up again! But this time, they have a surprise: help from an unlikely, yet extremely experienced, mountain climber to guide them – Granny Bunny!

“Welcome to the Vernal Pond” ? While playing in the woods, Nature Cat and his pals come across Fern, a spotted salamander who just happens to be pregnant and ready to give birth! But she needs help getting to the safest spot in the woods to have her babies, the vernal pond. Nature Cat knows these woods like the back of his hand, yet he has never heard of or seen the vernal pond. Fern cannot wait to show them why!

The Powerpuff Girls Launch on Hulu + Giveaway

March 10, 2017 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

This post is in partnership with Hulu. Thank you for supporting The Next Kid Thing and all the things we love.

What a great time to celebrate women and girls! On the heels of International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating an iconic show that embraces girl power! The Powerpuff Girls is launching on Hulu. The newly reimagined Powerpuff Girls is a beloved show that’s garnering a lot of praise once again.

RealLifePowerpuff Graphic

What better way to celebrate the launch of The Powerpuff Girls on Hulu than by celebrating amazing girls in real life? These #RealLifePowerpuff girls are doing awesome things and inspiring others along the way, whether working in the fields of science or sports, or doing great things for their families and community. Do you have an awesome, inspiring young girl in your life? Share your #RealLifePowerpuff girl by posting a photo or video of them on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter and tag it with #RealLifePowerpuff and #Contest. Don’t forget to include what makes her awesome and they might get shared and enter you to win a special PPG prize! Visit the official website for more information.

The Powerpuff Girls was originally popular at a time when I was trying to figure things out in life. I love that it’s back and influencing a whole new generation of strong young women. I’m so fortunate to be surrounded by fearless young girls and women in my life. When thinking of fearless young girls, my 7-year-old niece comes to mind. When she was faced with some not-so-pleasant situations in school, she stood up for what was right and defended herself and her friends. I love that she embodies strength in the face of adversity and standing up for what is right.

2B5C12CB CDEA 46A0 AAFB CC47BA613E4B

The Powerpuff Girls centers on three sugar-coated superheroes, Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup, whose missions in life alternate between going to school, fighting crime, winning at hopscotch and saving the world before bedtime. The girls are frequently called upon by the town’s mayor to help fight nearby criminals using their powers. While their differences cause them to squabble and tease, their individual strengths combined always lead them to victory. They rely on teamwork, trust, and friendship to thwart evil (in the most adorable way).

Giveaway

In honor of #RealLifePowerpuff National Contest and the launch of ThePowerpuff Girls, we’re giving away a 6-month membership to Hulu. Even better, all classic episodes are now available to stream almost anywhere, on any device.

Ppg BH blog v2 H

One winner receives a 6-month Hulu gift code. The code is redeemable in the US and does not expire. Please enter below to win a code to Hulu to catch Powerpuff Girls episodes and other great shows!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Day at the New York Children’s Theater: The Amazing Adventures of Harvey and the Princess

December 3, 2014December 3, 2014 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

One of the many advantages of having NYC in our backyard is that we have easy access to the arts. Even better, we have access to art programs that involve children! New York City Children’s Theater is one of the many wonderful cultural resources that’s within reach, and we’re so grateful for that!

A few weeks ago, we were invited to visit the New York City Children’s Theater to enjoy the debut show of The Amazing Adventures of Harvey and the Princess. New York City Children’s Theater is well known for making books sing, and Barbara Zinn Krieger did just that with this production. Laurie Berkner wrote the songs and lyrics, which made this production fantastic and fun.

The story follows the pursuits of a mime named Harvey and what happens when he encounters a spoiled princess. Harvey’s friends and the princess’ parents add some fun and giggles to the stage.
The set was a simple stage, transformed by various boxes and lights. The main characters, Laura Hankin and Ben Laxton, engaged young children while bringing a lovely story to life. Sarah Charles and Liam Fennecken seamlessly morphed into multiple characters, bridging the best parts of the story with imagination and grace.

Harvey, the main character and child mime, was fun and silly. Ben Laxton was convincing and charismatic as he made his way from the seaport in a box all the way to the princess’ home. Princess Mindy was bratty but bold. I loved her solos and animated tantrums which elicited a few giggles from the crowd. Sarah Charles’ Gert and queen characters were fun and formidable. Charles’ voice was mesmerizing and well suited for her royal role. Fennecken’s Gert and king characters rounded out the ensemble with his hilarious portrayals and regal role.

The music and lyrics, without a doubt, were a highlight of The Amazing Adventures of Harvey and the Princess. Throughout the production, with the upbeat accompaniment and cheerful, catchy songs, it was evident that Berkner lent her talents to this wonderful play. The guitar, keyboard and percussion instruments playfully sustained the tone of the play, enhancing the fun characters and coloring the words with smiles. Berkner fans (like us) will appreciate this fun production, and even the sweet surprise song for the encore.

The New York City Children’s Theater’s production of The Amazing Adventures of Harvey and the Princess is a treat for music and theater-loving families. I appreciate that this is a preschooler-friendly production that keeps even the littlest theater-goer engaged. It was so fun to take my 2-year old to this his production, which is based on the book called Harvey the Child Mime written and illustrated by Loryn Brantz. At just 50 minutes long, The Amazing Adventures of Harvey and the Princess was a great timeframe for kids and parents.

The Amazing Adventures of Harvey and the Princess is playing at the New York Children’s Theater at Theater 3 311 W. 43rd st., 3rd floor until December 7.

Curious George Boo-Fest Returns for Halloween on PBS Kids

October 3, 2014October 3, 2014 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Fall and all of the fun that it brings is one of my favorite times of year. Lucky us, so many of our favorite shows underscore the fall fun, including our faves over at PBS Kids.

Later this month, be sure to check out new adventures with everyone’s favorite mischievous monkey, Curious George. New adventures of Curious George will debut on PBS KIDS October 28-30, including George testing his super spy skills and exploring an aviation museum. October 28 features the premiere of “Submonkey,” an underwater adventure that includes the song “Down, Down, Down,” performed by Belinda Carlisle of the Go-Go’s.

CGHalloween2

Be on the look out for more Halloween fun with episodes from other PBS KIDS shows, including Dinosaur Train, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Wild Kratts and more.

Daniel Halloween

Arthurscare

To find out more about the Curious George episodes read more after the jump:

Descriptions of the upcoming Curious George episodes via PBS Kids:

Marvel Universe Live Combines Superheroes, Technology and Live Entertainment

August 7, 2014August 7, 2014 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

As a boy mom who also happens to write about trending kid products, shows and beyond, it’s safe to say, I’ve become well-versed in the realm of superheroes. It’s superheroes 24/7 up in here.

A live action superhero show featuring our favorite characters piqued our interest when we first heard about it earlier this year; we’ve been anticipating Marvel Universe Live ever since.

Feld Entertainment’s Marvel Universe Live, currently in East Rutherford, NJ’s Izod Center, commanded an arena of superhero-adoring children and equally bright-eyed parents. The hour and a half live show featured choreographed stunts, motocross and non-stop action on a high-tech set, complemented by various aerial props and stunts. Amidst an audience waving twinkling swords and slurping Spiderman Snocones, the actors/stunt people fulfilled heroic endeavors as they traveled across the globe.

Feld Entertainment has a penchant for live shows and engaging their audiences with original story lines, and Marvel Universe Live was no exception. This show brought 25 iconic Marvel characters together in one performance as they banded together (and against) for the quest of the Cosmic Cube. Because of the Cosmic Cube’s inherent power, it is a coveted treasure that was shattered by Thor to prevent it getting into the wrong hands. Since all the pieces were scattered around the globe, Thor’s evil brother, Loki, cooked up a plan to clone its powers that would destroy our planet and crush the Universe. Naturally, it was up to the superheroes to save the Universe.

With the magic of 3-D projection and the incredible set design, the storyline was fluid as it hopped around the globe. Geographically, we watched superheroes scale snow-covered mountains, battle on top of the Statue of Liberty and conquer evil all on one stage. The transitions from scene to scene were seamless and unobtrusive. The pyrotechnics, light effects and musical score complemented the set design, and of course the talent of the stars.

Our superhero-loving family was engaged from start to finish—we didn’t want it to end! We loved seeing all of the superheroes together defeating the evil forces, live and in person. Some of the superheroes featured included: Iron Man, Spider-Man, Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk, Thor and Wolverine who faced evil forces such as Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus, Red Skull, Madame Hydra, Aldrich Killian, Electro and more. I was sort of expecting to see Stan Lee show up somewhere on the set! The excitement of watching a movie in a theater is always thrilling, but to experience a live show with so much detail and fanfare is extraordinary.

This was not a Broadway production, but instead, a stellar live feature geared to its most enamored audience—kids who love and appreciate superheroes.

As guests of The Moms, we were treated to a lovely VIP reception and pre-show activities. My kids got to sharpen their archery skills, perfect their jabs and uppercuts and earn their own superhero badge at the end. A big thank you to The Moms for organizing such a fun experience.

Now for the fine print: this show is NOT for everyone. If you have kids who can’t sit and focus for an hour and half show, I’d absolutely avoid this, and any show until they could sit still. In my opinion, it’s hard for not only the parent and kid who can’t sit still, but also for those around them. My two year old could not and would not sit still. He likes superheroes, but he doesn’t understand the concept of sitting still. After letting him run around for a few minutes in the food area, one of the seating attendants let our family sit in a vacant row. If you’re on the fence about your little one who may not sit for the show or be scared by the noise/lights, my recommendation would be to wait until they’re old enough to truly appreciate the show than to force them to sit through something they might hate.

This is a show where it’s dark almost the entire time and lights were constantly being projected. Sometimes, light effects were strobing, sometimes they flashed more intermittently. Laser-like lights were evident throughout, as well. Coupled with loud music and pyrotechnics, I would not recommend the show for sensory sensitive audience members.

Overall, Marvel Universe Live truly did not disappoint with its non-stop action, original story and mesmerizing set design. This is a concept show that utilizes well-loved characters, harnesses technology and talent to tell an original story before a live audience and a fickle fan base! This was one of those shows that we can’t stop talking about and will tell anyone who will listen all about it—it was that good!

Marvel Universe Live will be at Izod Center in NJ until August 10th and will then be at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn from August 13-17 and then LI later in August. Not in the tri-state area? Check to see if Marvel Universe Live will be in your town.

Full disclosure: We received complimentary tickets and a parking pass to facilitate this review. As always, all opinions on NKT are my own.

Wild Kratts on HuffPo Live Today

July 8, 2014 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Any swamp animal and/or HuffPo fans out there? Today, some of our PBS Kids friends and animal experts, Chris and Martin Kratt of Wild Kratt fame, will be interviewed on HuffPo Live today.

WILD KRATTS Program Main

They’ll be discussing their upcoming special on swamp animals, as well as sharing an upcoming clip. There will be a some kids video conferencing in for the interview, too! If you tune in, be on the look out for my big guy, who will be asking a question or two! Tune into HuffPo Live at 2 for the interview!

694x240 wildkratts banner6

The segment will be a quick one, so don’t blink! If and when the video becomes available, I’ll be sure to share here!

You can catch Wild Kratts weekdays on PBS Kids or anytime on Apple Tv! The PBS Kids Video App is now available on Android and Chromecast

Marvel Universe Live Sneak Peek

June 30, 2014 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

And speaking of superheroes, we’re getting pumped up for the Marvel Universe Live. Marvel Universe Live, a live-action area stunt show, kicks off at Barclay’s Center on August 13. Here’s a peek at the behind-the-scenes “white model” video, which gives us a glimpse into this show that promises to be action-packed with excitement through the roof.

I don’t know about you, but they caught my attention with the guy on fire. Yowza!

To find out more information about Marvel Universe and to see if they’re coming to your town, check them out here.

Nuclear Cowboyz is an Electric Night of Action and High Flying Stunts

March 2, 2014March 2, 2014 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

We just got home from a family night out at the IZOD Center where we saw the incredible Nuclear Cowboyz. The Nuclear Cowboyz was an exhilarating freestyle motocross show that followed an action-packed storyline. It was your typical good vs. evil, with high flying stunts, laser light shows, pyrotechnics, warrior fighters and fast motocross bikes. When multiple riders flew across the ramps, there was a collective “WHOA!” or “NO WAY!” The energy level at the IZOD Center throughout the almost-2 hour show was practically palpable!

My husband and six year old got a kick out of the kung fu warriors and evil tyrant’s storyline. The voice-over and emcee/narrator added a kung fu movie parallel and a few chuckles at the same time. Overall, though, it was the Nuclear Cowboyz themselves, who made the show so electric.

Well over 200 flips and high flying stunts on over 10 different ramps, the riders thrilled the audience from start to finish. My six year old absolutely loved that the Nuclear Cowboyz was like an X Games show mashed up with a Kung Fu show. Combined with the mix of heavy metal, dub step and alternative hip hop, the show was truly unique, and something that families with older kids would enjoy.

As with anything there’s always a downside or two. Since we have a toddler who enjoys fast paced shows and vehicles of any kind, we assumed that he’d be a great fan. Because the show started at 7:30 and was generally dark for most of the show, he melted down about half way into the show.

Because the show is loud, includes a storyline and has bright pyrotechnics, I would not recommend this show for kids who can’t sit still for several hours at a time. I definitely wouldn’t recommend the show for those who are sensitive to these factors either, as it could easily make sensitive kids feel overwhelmed. There was a major presence of little boys four and up; with many young boys hanging out with just their dads, possibly for a boys’ night out.

All in all, this high energy show is a great night out for action-loving motocross enthusiasts. For motocross and Kung Fu enthusiasts, I’d highly recommend checking out the Fallout Zone, which is the VIP pre-show that gives the audience a front and center experience.

Full disclosure: we received comp tickets to facilitate this review. As always, all opinions are my own.

THE Mom of Moms: Q and A with Marion Ross

May 8, 2011May 8, 2011 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

She’s played feisty grandmas, cartoon grandmas and not-so-perfect matriarchs, but many of us know Marion Ross best as the perfectly-coiffed Mrs. C., Richie and Joanie Cunningham’s Mom from Happy Days. Back before the internet and too many electronic devices, there were tv shows like Happy Days that celebrated the perfectly imperfect nuclear family of a different era. She may have tangoed with the Fonz and disciplined Richie and Joanie, but Mrs. Cunningham will forever be THE mom of moms.

Tonight, The Hub will be playing the best of Mrs. C, a Happy Days marathon in honor of Mother’s Day. Marion Ross took the time to chat with me about her iconic role as Mrs. Cunningham and shared wise words for single moms, working moms and new moms. And you guessed it: Marion was just as effervescent as Mrs. C.

NKT: Hi, Marion! So, what do you think the kids are saying about the upcoming Happy Days marathon?

MR: I think the new generation isn’t too familiar with Happy Days, but when I tell the young kids that I’m Sponge Bob Square Pants’ grandma, they’re all a-twitter. And then they show me their Sponge Bob underwear!

NKT: How did your role on Happy Days influence your own experience offscreen as a mother?

MR: It was very handy for me because I would practice at work and play “house” with Richie and Joanie, and my own children at home were about 3 years younger. So, my kids wouldn’t have had their “situations” yet, and I could study it a bit, which help me a lot. I was always a step ahead of my kids. I always loved how the writers treated the crises on the show. I was a single mother, divorced, so I’m sure I would’ve been more nervous and panicky, but the writers always treated it as a journey—as a very ordinary thing. The first time Richie drinks, it wasn’t the end of the world; these are natural things that happen along the line. The first kiss, all of that; it helped me prepare for what was next with my own kids.

NKT: Obviously, Moms of this generation are different from a few decades ago, but mother’s intuition is timeless. What piece of advice would you offer to new moms?

MR: For new moms I have to tell them to “not miss this.” Don’t miss THIS; everyone gets so busy with careers and chores, it’s easy to forget to take it all in. The young years go by so fast, it’s so important to take time to really enjoy time with your kids or you’re going to miss it. First things first: somebody said that to me, way back when I was fretting about my career. I think that’s why a show like Happy Days is so treasured because, in a way, many of us would like to get some of those simpler times back.

NKT: Do you have any wisdom that you’d like to share with working moms? How did you balance it all?

MR: I think I did a good job balancing it all. I was single, but I was able to balance it all because I didn’t have a personal life. I had work, but going to work was fun because I got to play “house.” And first of all, I didn’t know how to have a personal life. And when you don’t know how to do it, you just don’t have it. And once the work got successful, I had so much paperwork and trivia. Someone said to me, “What’s your reward now?’ Now you get to work harder than ever.” That’s when I thought, I don’t have enough help. So when you find the extra money and can afford it, I’d recommend getting help. It can be too much for one person to handle. And then I got an assistant who became my everything; my husband, my helper…
When I had littler children, I didn’t have a dishwasher or a dryer; I had to cart everything to the corner to get it all done. Nowadays, we have everything.

NKT: What are some your takeaways from your role on Happy Days? Any memorable scenes/episodes that still resonate?

MR: One of my favorites was when I danced the Tango with the Fonz. Another one was where I tried to revitalize my marriage and bellydanced for Howard. The writers never asked you if you could do these things, they just wrote them and we did it. It was always so fun and interesting.

Bubble Guppies Debuts on Nick

January 24, 2011January 24, 2011 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Bubble Guppies, a colorful CGA preschool series that follows the adventures of an inquisitive school of fishtails, is set to debut on Nickelodeon. Created by the team who brought us the poignant show, Little Bill and the cheerful Backyardigans, Bubble Guppies, like most Nick Jr. shows geared to the preschool set, has an educational emphasis on kindergarten readiness specifically, math literacy, the arts, science and soci-emotional development.

The Bubble Guppies embrace kids’ curiosity and penchant for asking questions by following the Guppies’ everyday discoveries. Co-hosts of the show are Gil, described as an energetic and adventures boy, and Molly, who is described to be the bubbly one who is friends with everyone. Gil and Molly are joined by friends, Deema, Nonny, Oona, Goby, Mr. Grouper, Bubble Puppy and Little Fish.

In addition to teaching lessons from everyday discoveries, the Bubble Guppies’ adventures are complemented with a little song and dance.

Vibrant colors, cute characters and a relatable scope combine to make Bubble Guppies’ a fun addition to Nick Jr.’s preschool lineup, offering both musical and educational value.

In the pilot episode “Call a Clambulance,” we follow Oona’s fish friend Avi who falls off his tricycle and breaks a bone in his tail.