General Questions
Account Registration and Management Questions
Sprout for Parents
Sharing Pictures, Recipes, Games and More
Uploading Videos
My Refrigerator
Sprout Mail
Games, Videos and More
Celebrating Birthdays on The Sunny Side Up Show
General Questions
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. Please
click here to view a listing of our video on demand library.
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, Panwapa, Los Osos Berenstain 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
I am looking for instructions for a specific craft from “The Good Night Show.”
Please click here
to visit our Good Night Show microsite.
Is there any Sprout merchandise that I can buy?
At this time we do not offer any Sprout merchandise for sale.
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/sprout/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.
Account Registration and Management Questions
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:
- My Refrigerator — You know how the front of your kitchen refrigerator turns into
your family scrapbook? Well, My Refrigerator is your personalized webpage that is
based on the same idea. It’s password-protected so you can upload your Sproutlet's
pictures and save artwork, send spam-free Sprout Mail, link to your Sproutlet's
favorite games, and more.
- Sprout Mail — Every family that joins SproutOnline.com gets their own Sprout Mail
account. Sprout Mail is simple for you to use with your child. Messages can only
be sent to people who you add to your family’s Contact List, so you can’t accidentally
send a Sprout Mail message to someone who’s not on your list. Plus, you can only
receive messages from people who you’ve already contacted, so you won’t get any
messages from strangers (including spammers).
- Sprout for Parents — This special section is just for parents. In it, you’ll find
articles and accompanying discussions on subjects that are of interest to parents
of small children – everything from ideas for “together time” to advice on developing
good eating habits. Each topic begins with an expert opinion from a Sprout partner,
such as KidsHealth or Sesame Workshop, and then really takes off when parents like
you contribute your own thoughts and perspectives.
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?
In the future, Sprout will be sending “Happy Birthday” wishes to children via their
parent’s Sprout Mail account and wishing them Happy Birthday on
The Sunny Side Up Show. If you would like your children to participate,
we need to know their first names (or nicknames) and dates or birth. 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 Refrigerator and Sprout
Mail.
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 Refrigerator”
link at the top of any page then click “Manage My Account.” Within the account management
section, click the “My Profile” tab.
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.
Sprout for Parents
What is Sprout for Parents?
Sprout for Parents is a special section on SproutOnline.com that’s just for parents.
In it, you’ll find articles and accompanying discussions on subjects that are of
interest to parents of small children – everything from ideas for “together time”
to advice on developing good eating habits. Each topic begins with an expert opinion
from a Sprout partner, such as KidsHealth or Sesame Workshop, but then really takes
off when parents like you contribute your own thoughts and perspective. We hope
you’ll take part in the discussions. (You must be a registered user to post a comment
in Sprout for Parents, but everyone is welcome to read the articles.)
What do I do if I see an offensive or inappropriate posting in Sprout for Parents?
Below each posting, you’ll see a link labeled “Flag as Inappropriate.” Click that
link to send a message to Sprout about the posting. We appreciate your feedback.
We strive to provide a positive and fun experience for families.
Sharing Pictures, Recipes, Games and More
What are the Sharing Galleries?
The Sharing Galleries are a public forum for you to share pictures of the good times
you’ve been having with your family, and a great way to get ideas from other parents!
Registered users can post images to the Sharing Galleries, and everyone can view
them. To maintain a family-friendly atmosphere, all images may be subject to review
and approval by Sprout prior to being displayed in the Sharing Galleries.
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 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 or Microsoft Office Picture Manager 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), so camera phone images are usually
not acceptable. Check the resolution in your camera’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
Gallery Upload 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 or Microsoft Office Picture Manager 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 Refrigerator” link at the top of any
page then click “Manage My Account.” Within the account management section, click
the “Upload” tab. Check the box next to the picture you would like to remove, then
click “Delete.”
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
My Refrigerator page. If you selected “Only on My Refrigerator page” during the
upload, the picture will only be available on your password-protected My Refrigerator
page. If you selected “The Sprout Sharing Galleries,” then your picture may be viewable
to all SproutOnline.com visitors in the public Sharing Galleries and 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 in the Sharing
Galleries.
What’s the difference between “The Sprout Sharing Galleries” and “Only on My Refrigerator
page”?
If you selected “Only on My Refrigerator page” during upload, then your picture
will only be available on your password-protected My Refrigerator page. If you selected
“The Sprout Sharing Galleries,” then your picture will go into a queue for approval.
Once approved, your picture may be viewable to all SproutOnline.com visitors for
90 days in the public Sharing Galleries and 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 in the Sharing Galleries.
How do I share a picture I’ve uploaded?
There are two ways to share pictures. Registered users can share a photo on your
My Refrigerator page can be shared via Sprout Mail. Click on the picture to enlarge
it, then click the “Share It” button.
Pictures in the Sharing Galleries can also be shared via Sprout Mail. Simply click
on the picture to enlarge it, then click the “Share It” link below the picture and
follow the instructions on the form that appears.
What do I do if I see an offensive or inappropriate picture in the Sharing Galleries?
To maintain a family-friendly atmosphere, all pictures may be subject to review
and approval by Sprout prior to being displayed in the Sharing Galleries. 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.
Can I share my craft with Nina and “The Good Night Show?”
Yes, we'd love to see a photo of your preschooler and their craft! To upload a photo,
click
here. Note: You must be registered and logged in to upload a photo.
How do I tell Miles and Banjo where I want to go on the Let’s Go Show?
If you have a place you want to go, tell us
here and maybe Miles and Banjo will travel there in an upcoming Let’s Go
Show journey.
Uploading videos
How do I upload a video?
You must be a registered user to upload. So after creating an account and logging
in, just visit our Video Upload page
and follow the steps. 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
Click here for a video with uploading tips.
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, but stay tuned for The Sprout
Sharing Show website, coming in June 2008, where we’ll be featuring Sproutlet videos.
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.
My Refrigerator
What is My Refrigerator?
You know how the front of the refrigerator at home turns into your family scrapbook?
Well, My Refrigerator is your personal web page that is the same idea. It’s a password-protected
page that you can use to upload pictures and save your child's artwork, send spam-free
Sprout Mail, link to your Sproutlet's favorite games, and more.
How do I add a Favorite?
Your child’s favorite games, videos, crafts, recipes and activities can be included
on your My Refrigerator page for easy access. You add them by clicking on the “Add
to Favorites” link on the detail page for that game, video or other item. Look for
the heart-shaped icon.
Sprout Mail
What is Sprout Mail?
When you join SproutOnline.com, you get your own Sprout Mail account. Sprout Mail
is simple for you to use with your child. Messages can only be sent to people who
you add to your Contact List, so you can’t accidentally send someone a Sprout Mail
message who’s not on your list. Plus, you can only receive messages from people
who you’ve already contacted, so you won’t get any messages from strangers (including
spammers). And to make it extra fun, you can upload a photo of each person on your
Contact List so your child can help you choose who to send a message to!
Games, Videos and More
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.
Is Sprout original music available for download?
Yes, Sprout music is available here.
To download the song of your choice, for Internet Explorer, right click on the song
title and select 'Save Target As...'. For Firefox, right click on the song title
and select 'Save Link As...'.
Celebrating Birthdays on The Sunny Side Up Show
How do I submit a birthday card to Sprout?
The card must be homemade, for your child (age 7 and under), and feature your family's
favorite PBS KIDS Sprout character(s).
Click here for a list of PBS KIDS Sprout shows.
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 Sunny Side Up Show
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 Sunny Side Up Show section of SproutOnline.com on your child’s actual
birthday, or the Sharing Gallery
within two weeks before and after the birthday.
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 Sunny Side Up Show
section of SproutOnline.com.
Can you send me a tape of “The Sunny Side Up Show” or special weekend birthday segments?
Unfortunately, we are unable to release show tapings. We apologize for any inconvenience
this might cause you and your family.
How can I submit a Birthday Wish?
Visit The Sunny Side
Up Show section of SproutOnline.com for details.