America’s 250th birthday is a great opportunity to spend time with family reflecting on history, sharing stories and celebrating what makes the country special.
America’s 250th birthday is a great opportunity to spend time with family reflecting on history, sharing stories and celebrating what makes the country special.
PBS KIDS is packed with free games, videos and activities to help your family celebrate with thoughtfulness, playfulness and curiosity. Here are four activities to get you started.
In the PBS KIDS special Wowsabout!, new friends Ronald and Roxy find themselves filled with “wonder and wow” as they explore Sequoia National Park together. It’s a great reminder to slow down and observe what’s outside – whether in your hometown or on a cross-country trip.
Encourage children to share moments that made them say “Wow!” this summer with an awe-inspired postcard they can send to a friend or family member.
The United States is filled with landmarks and locations that spark curiosity and help build context about the nation’s history, cultures and people. But you don’t have to load the family into the car to share some of these places with kids. Check out the new City Island U.S.A. series from PBS KIDS! City Island’s Watt and Windy head into the real world to visit places like the Alamo, the St. Louis Arch and the Hoover Dam. Stream City Island U.S.A. online, on the free PBS KIDS Video app or on your smart TV.
Have a local landmark you want to celebrate? Print and color Watt and Windy. Then, snap a picture with them at your favorite spot and share it with PBS KIDS!
A new PBS KIDS series of short videos takes viewers around the country to meet real-life kids with diverse talents, interests and experiences. America’s Awesome Kids highlights the similarities and differences among kiddos that are woven into America’s cultural tapestry.
Start your virtual road trip right here in Wisconsin! Meet 10-year-old Marie from Milwaukee. This young artist and member of the Ojibwe, Ho-Chunk and Oneida tribes celebrates her heritage through traditional Jingle Dress dancing and by gathering with family at a summer powwow.
There’s something magical about making a recipe that’s been passed down for generations, carrying forward family history and adding new stories each time you make it. Make a family cookbook to share those recipes and stories with the children in your life. Print Molly’s Recipe Book for a ready-to-go template or invite kids to craft their own.
Don’t have family recipes yet? Spark new traditions with help from PBS! Try Grandma Annie’s Sunday Greens from Phoebe & Jay or a strawberry pretzel dessert from The Great American Recipe.
PBS Wisconsin is a service of the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. © 2026 All Rights Reserved.
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What do you think?
I would love to get your thoughts, suggestions, and questions in the comments below. Thanks for sharing!
Tawny Morrison