What is PBS KIDS Sprout?

PBS KIDS Sprout is the only 24-hour channel devoted to kids ages 2-5 and their parents and caregivers. We're available on TV, on demand and online. At Sprout, we're devoted to creating opportunities for preschoolers and their families to share, play and grow together.

How can I get PBS KIDS Sprout in my home?

PBS KIDS Sprout is currently available on both digital cable and satellite television in many areas across the country and our reach continues to grow. Enter your zip code into the box at the bottom of this page to see if Sprout is available in your area. If Sprout is currently not available in your area, we encourage you to contact your local cable or satellite provider for more information. Parents can also contact us at 1-8-SPROUT-411 (1-877-768-8411) or info@sproutonline.com.

What types of shows can I find on PBS KIDS Sprout?

Sprout is uniquely designed to follow a preschooler's day from breakfast to bedtime. Our programming lineup features safe, fun and interactive shows that parents trust and preschool children love. Please click here to view our complete TV schedule.

What types of shows can I find on Sprout On Demand?

Sprout On Demand allows preschoolers and their parents and caregivers to choose the programming they want, when they want it. The Sprout On Demand library is refreshed on a monthly basis. It contains a wide variety of our preschool programming. Please click here to view a listing of our video on demand library.

How often is your video on demand programming updated?

The Sprout On Demand library is refreshed on a monthly basis. It contains a wide variety of our preschool programming.

Do you offer any Spanish-language programming?

Yes, Sprout en Español is included as part of our video on demand library. Our Spanish-language programming includes episodes of Barney & Friends, Bob el Constructor, Angelina Ballerina, Dive Olly Dive, Los Osos Berenstain, Chloe's Closet, The Wiggles, Noodle and Doodle, and Plaza Sesamo, the Spanish-language version of Sesame Street.

How can I contact PBS KIDS Sprout?

Parents can contact us by mail, phone or email at:
PBS KIDS Sprout
PO Box 288
Fort Washington, Pa 19034
1-8-SPROUT-411
(1-877-768-8411)
info@sproutonline.com

Is there any Sprout merchandise that I can buy?

We are currently selling a limited quantity of Chica dolls at Amazon.com. We do not have any additional Sprout merchandise available at this time. 

Does PBS KIDS Sprout include advertising?

Yes, PBS KIDS Sprout is advertiser supported. However, advertisements will never interrupt a program, and we only feature messages targeted to parents and caregivers, not the child viewer. If you are an advertiser interested in advertising on Sprout, please contact Frank Ciancio 212-852-5103 or FCiancio@ComcastSales.com.

How is PBS KIDS associated with PBS KIDS Sprout?

PBS KIDS, a trusted distributor of award-winning children's programming, is a proud partner of PBS KIDS Sprout.

How can I find a specific activity, game, video, etc…?

To search for a specific activity or video, you can use our search feature at www.sproutonline.com/search. It allows you to sort by program, by video or by type of activity, craft or recipe. From the home page, you can also click on the character icon of your favorite show to find associated videos, games, activities and more.

Why am I seeing an inappropriate banner ad on SproutOnline.com?

We can imagine how shocking that must have been for you and your child. Rest assured, Sprout does not accept any advertising that is not appropriate for children to see and we have strict controls in place that ensure this could not happen. Unfortunately, it's likely that your computer has been affected by adware.

What is adware?

Adware is any software application in which advertising banners , toolbars, and pop-up windows are displayed while the program itself is running. Ad banners can be placed directly over the actual ad placement within a website.

How do I know if I have spyware/adware?

While most spyware and adware programs are intended to run undetected on users computers, there are some tell tale signs that you may have some spyware and/or adware lurking somewhere on your system:

• Increased ads -- within applications, pop-up advertisements on your desktop, and throughout web-browsing
• Your system seems to slow down, even when you're not running a lot of programs. You may also notice a marked performance loss when starting up your machine and when shutting it down.
• When you start your internet browser, your homepage has been changed
• New items appear in your Favorites list within your internet browser
• New toolbars appear in your internet browser
• New programs appear in your start-up program list
• When you type in a familiar website address in your browser, another unexpected site comes up instead

This isn't a complete list and computers do not need to have all of these symptoms to determine that you have adware. The best way to know for sure whether your system or data is being compromised by adware or spyware is to run a system scan using a spyware and adware removal tool. Popular anti-virus programs like Norton AntiVirus and McAffee scan for adware and spyware.

How could this have happened?

• File sharing services (popularized for the downloading of music, but used for other purposes as well). Often times the software associated with these services utilizes spyware/adware.
• Clicking on a pop up ads. Sometimes just one click on an ad can cause many spyware/adware issues.
• Downloading software. Certain free shareware programs contain adbots and other spyware/adware software which collect personal information from your machine.

What are the benefits of registering?

Membership is completely free. Registration at SproutOnline.com is for parents and legal guardians, it is not for children. SproutOnline.com members can participate in several unique features of our website, including:

• Sending & Sharing - You can upload photos, videos, and artwork that your Sproutlet created. We may put them on TV! Check out Send to Sprout to see all the fun stuff you can do - submit a Good Egg, give a weather report, tell Chica what your child is up to, and more!
• Personalized Games - Your Sproutlets can star in their own games! Just upload a photo, and your child becomes part of the game play. Dance along with the hosts of The Sunny Side Up Show in the Barnyard Boogie Game or play The 5th Wiggle Game and dance along with The Wiggles.
• Special Birthday Wishes -We love to celebrate birthdays! Mail a card or submit a greeting - we may put it on TV! Plus, we'll send a birthday email to wish your child a happy, happy birthday!
• Sprout Newsletter - You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter, full of new features and events to share with your Sproutlets.

Can my child register at SproutOnline.com?

Registration at SproutOnline.com is not for children. By registering, you agree that you are an adult that is at least eighteen years old. Registration gives you the opportunity to access SproutOnline.com parent-directed features, including uploading photographs, creating Sprout Mail contact lists, and participating in Parent's Place blogs. Such features involve sending us information that we only intend to receive from adults. Please see our Terms of Use for more information.

Why do you want to know the names and ages of my children as part of my account?

If you signed up to receive Sprout Birthday emails you will receive a special birthday email on your Sproutlet's birthday. If you would like to participate or change your preferences, visit the My Account section. However, that information is strictly optional, and you do not have to provide it in order to participate in all other membership activities, such as My Sprout.

Why won't SproutOnline.com let me register?

Registration at SproutOnline.com is not for children. If you are an adult that is at least eighteen years old and you entered your child's birth date as the first step of the registration process, your computer received a temporary cookie identifying you as a child. This was done to help ensure that young children do not attempt to register on SproutOnline.com as adults. To continue with the registration process, please close your Internet browser and then re-open it. This will clear the temporary cookie and allow you to proceed with your registration as an adult. If this procedure does not work, search your computer's Internet cookie file to identify and delete any cookies ending in "@sproutonline.com."

I can't remember my user name and/or password.

Please click the "Log In" button at the very top of this page. On the page that appears, you will find links labeled "Forgot user name" and "Forgot password." Click on the appropriate link and follow the instructions on the form that appears to have your user name or password sent to your email account.

How do I change my password?

To change your password, log in to SproutOnline.com and click the "My Account" link at the top of any page then click "Edit" next to "Login Details." Within the account management section, click the "My Profile" tab. You will be prompted to update your login info. Click "Save" to change your password.

How do I cancel my account?

We're sorry to hear you're leaving! To cancel your account, please send an email to info@sproutonline.com. Please type "cancel my account" in the subject line. In the body of the email, include your user name, first and last name, and the email address you used when you registered for your SproutOnline.com account. We will delete your information from our system.

What is Send to Sprout?

Did you ever wonder where the wonderful family photos and children's artwork you see on Sprout come from? From families like yours! We have many ways you and your child can get involved. Submit your photos and artwork to The Sunny Side Up Show or photos of your preschooler making Sprout crafts or recipes to We Made This - it may even be shown on Sprout TV! For more details visit Send to Sprout.

What can I share?

Registered users at SproutOnline.com can share pictures of birthday cards, recipes, crafts and more. We accept digital photos or scans of artwork. We especially love photos of your Sproutlet making crafts and recipes that you find here on SproutOnline.com!

How do I create a picture to share?

Pictures taken with a digital camera or smart phone will be perfect to upload. Just make sure the file size doesn't exceed 5MB. You can check the file size by right-clicking on the file name and checking Properties. If the file size is too big, use a program like Microsoft Paint, Microsoft Office Picture Manager, or iPhoto to reduce the image size and resave it.

If you don't have a digital camera, you can take pictures with a regular camera and when you take them in to be developed, ask to receive a CD of your pictures. The files on the CD can then be uploaded to SproutOnline.com.

Images must be saved in either JPG, GIF, or PNG format. To be shown on TV, images must be at least 600×800 (800×600 if landscape). Check the resolution in your camera or phone's settings.

Are there any restrictions?

Please make sure your pictures don't include images of non-Sprout copyrighted material or material that other users might find offensive. We urge you to use common sense when uploading pictures of your children. For example, don't include any images that might help someone identify where you and your children live. For more details please review our Terms of Use.

Do I have to be a registered user to share a picture?

Yes, but registration for SproutOnline.com is free. Just click the "Login" link at the top of any page and follow the instructions.

Where do I upload a picture?

To upload a picture, visit our Send to Sprout page. You must first be registered and logged into SproutOnline.com to upload.

Is there an upload size limit?

Yes, pictures may not exceed 5MB. You can check the file size by right-clicking on the file name and checking Properties. If the file size is too big, use a program like Microsoft Paint, Microsoft Office Picture Manager, or iPhoto to reduce the image size and resave it.

How do I remove a picture that I've uploaded?

Log in to SproutOnline.com and click the "My Account" link at the top of any page then click the "Upload Gallery" tab. Within the "Upload Gallery" section, click "Delete" next to the picture you would like to remove. A window will pop-up confirming that you want to delete the photo.  

Are there picture editing tools available on the site?

We do not offer picture editing tools at this time.

Where do I see my pictures after I upload them?

When you upload a picture to SproutOnline.com, you can see it immediately on your account page. If you selected "Photo - Private Upload" during the upload, the picture will only be available on your password-protected account page. If you selected "Photo - Craft" or "Photo - Recipe," then your picture may be viewable to all SproutOnline.com visitors in the We Made This sections and in Crafts & Recipes section. It may even be seen on Sprout TV! To maintain a family-friendly atmosphere, all pictures may be subject to review and approval by Sprout prior to being displayed on SproutOnline.com.

What's the difference between "Photo - Private Upload" and the other photo upload options?

If you selected "Photo - Private Upload" during upload, then your picture will only be available on your password-protected account page. If you selected the other photo upload options, such as craft or recipes, then your picture will go into a queue for approval. Once approved, your picture may be viewable to all SproutOnline.com visitors for 30 days in the We Made This sections. Your pictures may even be seen on Sprout TV! To maintain a family-friendly atmosphere, all pictures may be subject to review and approval by Sprout prior to being displayed on Sproutonline.com.

How do I share a picture I've uploaded?

Registered users can share a photo on your My Refrigerator page via Sprout Mail. Click on the picture to enlarge it, then click the "Share It" button.

What do I do if I see an offensive or inappropriate picture on SproutOnline.com?

To maintain a family-friendly atmosphere, all pictures may be subject to review and approval by Sprout prior to being displayed on SproutOnline.com. However, we understand that each family has its own standards for what is offensive or inappropriate. If you see something in the Sharing Galleries that you think should not be there, please contact us by sending an email to info@SproutOnline.com.

How do I share my crafts and photos with Chica and "The Sunny Side Up Show?"

We love to see artwork and photos of your preschoolers relating to our weekly themes. Make sure to watch The Sunny Side Up Show every morning from 9am - noon ET to see what themes are coming up. Then send us photos or artwork of your preschooler! To upload a photo, click here to Send to Sprout. Choose "Photo - Sunny Side Up Show" and type in the theme name that relates to your photo or artwork. Note: You must be registered and logged into upload a photo.

How do I upload a video?

You must be a registered user to upload. After creating an account and logging in, just visit Send to Sprout and follow the steps. At Step 1, select "Video Upload." It can take from a couple minutes to an hour for your video to upload to SproutOnline. Read the rest of this FAQ for more information

What video file formats can I upload?

We accept many popular video formats including AVI, QuickTime, Windows Media, and MPEG.

What guidelines should I follow when uploading video?

Videos should be less than five minutes in length and the file size should be less than 100MB. Videos should be recorded at a minimum resolution of 640x480. Check your camera's settings to ensure you're recording at a high enough resolution.

To make sure your video turns out Sproutterrific, follow these additional guidelines:

• Stay safe: Don't include anything that could identify where you live, like street signs.
• Stay Sprout: Don't include branded characters, music, or videos not on Sprout. Watch out for t-shirts and background music.
• Stay relative: Don't include children not in your family.
• Stay low: Shoot at your child's level.
• Stay in focus: You may want to experiment with your camera to find the right distance that keeps the best focus on your child's face.
• Stay still: Keep a steady hand so the video isn't shaky.

How do I edit my video?

Most computers come with some sort of video editing application already installed, such as Apple iMovie or Microsoft Movie Maker. Using these programs, you can easily edit your videos, change the file type, compress the file size, etc.

How do you pick which ones get on TV?

We review and select videos based on creativity and originality. Videos that best adhere to the above guidelines will be considered and stand the best chance of making it on air. Watch The Sprout Sharing Show, on 3-6pm ET Mondays through Friday, to see if you've been selected.

Will you notify me if my video is going to be on TV?

Unfortunately we're not able to notify viewers if and when a video will be on, so stay tuned to The Sprout Sharing Show, on 3-6pm ET Mondays through Friday.

Can I see my video here on SproutOnline.com?

At this time we're not able to show your videos online.

Why do I get an error when I try to upload my video?

If you're receiving an error with your Upload, you might want to make sure you're attempting to upload a file that's recognized by SproutOnline. SproutOnline accepts video files from most digital cameras and camcorders in the .AVI, .MOV, .WMV, MPEG, .MP4, .M4V file formats.

Is there a limit to how many videos I can upload?

No, upload as many as you like. We can only show a limited number on TV though.

My upload's been running a long time and hasn't completed. What should I do?

Uploading a video can take several hours, depending on the length of your video and the demand on the servers. If your video upload is taking longer than several hours to complete, we recommend canceling the upload, checking the length and settings for your video, and uploading it again.

What does "Invalid file format error" mean?

"Invalid file format error" means that your video is in a format that our system doesn't accept. We accept most file formats, including .WMV, .MOV, MPEG, .AVI, .MP4, and .M4V.

Why won't SproutOnline.com games play on my computer?

Games on SproutOnline.com require the latest version of Flash to run, which can be downloaded for free here:

Flash: http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer/

Please note that SproutOnline.com games may take several minutes to load for users connecting via a dial-up modem.

If you're still having difficulties running our games after installing the latest version of Flash, please contact your authorized computer technical support representative for assistance.

Why won't SproutOnline.com videos play on my computer?

Videos on SproutOnline.com require the latest version of Flash to run, which can be downloaded for free here:

Flash: http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer/

Please note that SproutOnline.com games may take several minutes to load for users connecting via a dial-up modem.

If you're still having difficulties running our games after installing the latest version of Flash, please contact your authorized computer technical support representative for assistance.

Why isn't a SproutOnline.com coloring page or other "printable" viewable on my computer.

Some SproutOnline.com printables require Adobe Acrobat Reader. You can download it for free at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html.

Are podcasts available of any of the shows?

Yes, podcasts of the Good Night Show, Let's Go Show, and more are available exclusively through iTunes™. Click here to see what's available and subscribe.

How do I submit a birthday card to Sprout?

The card must be homemade, for your child (ages 2-6*), and feature your family's favorite PBS KIDS Sprout character(s). Click here for a list of PBS KIDS Sprout shows.
* Please note that Sprout does consider cards from families with special needs children who are under the age of 12. Please indicate on the "Entrant Release Form" if your older child has special needs.

Be creative and have fun! Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Include a fun picture of your child
• Draw your family's favorite PBS KIDS Sprout character
• Maybe a family pet wants to wish your child a happy birthday? Everyone can get involved - grandmas and grandpas, aunts and uncles, baby sitters and teachers. The more the merrier!
• Please do not put a last name or address on the front or inside of the card.
• Try to avoid white, orange and pink paper as well as light-colored or very thin markers because they don't show up very well on TV.
• Please do not send in photos or drawings that feature children's TV characters not featured on Sprout.

Print and sign the entrant release form*.
* Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. Click here to download it.

Mail the birthday card to the mailing address included on the form. You must include the signed release form with your birthday greeting. No card will be selected without a signed release form!

Where will my birthday card be seen?

Birthdays will be celebrated every weekday morning LIVE on The Sunny Side Up Show from 9am - noon ET and special birthday segments on weekends at 9am and 1pm ET. Also, birthday messages will appear in the scroll across the bottom of the screen throughout the show. We'll wish a happy birthday to all Sproutlets who send in a card or whose parents have entered their name and birthday during registration for SproutOnline.com.

Your birthday card will also be featured on SproutOnline.com! Check for it by visiting the Birthdays section of SproutOnline.com.

How are cards selected to be shown on TV?

Selection is based upon uniqueness and creativity of the birthday greeting, as well as the content and the clarity of the card on camera. Unfortunately, we cannot notify the entrants whose cards have been chosen, nor can we return cards or send tapes of The Sunny Side Up Show or weekend birthday segments.

However, remember that all birthday cards are featured on SproutOnline.com! Check for yours by visiting the Birthdays section of SproutOnline.com.

What about the scrolling birthday messages?

Cards that are not shown on The Sunny Side Up Show or special weekend birthday segments are eligible to be listed on the scroll, as long as they are received in time, generally two weeks before the birthday, and with the release form. Also, if you have provided your child's first name and birth date as part of your SproutOnline.com registered account, your child may appear on the scroll.

Which birthday cards are uploaded to SproutOnline.com?

All cards that meet the criteria above will be featured on SproutOnline.com. Please note that only the front of your card will be shown. Check for it by visiting the Birthdays section of SproutOnline.com.

Can you send me a tape of "The Sunny Side Up Show," special weekend birthday segments, or 5th Wiggle?

Unfortunately, we are unable to release show tapings and we don't rebroadcast any live episodes of The Sunny Side Up Show.

However, as a service to our viewers, you can contact our third-party vendor, Cision, to order a copy at 1-800-621-0561 or online at http://us.cision.com/referral/segment_request/request.asp?station=SPROUT. All questions regarding your order should be directed to Cision.

How can I submit a Birthday Wish?

Visit Send to Sprout section of SproutOnline.com for details.