A little girl laughs with Rosita in a field of pink flowers

Sesame Workshop Supports Families During COVID-19

The global nonprofit behind Sesame Street and so much more, our mission is to help children everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder. In times of crisis, we provide valuable resources that bring children comfort, spark learning, and help families face challenges together.

Welcome to Sesame Workshop

We care about one thing: children. And we’re working to meet their needs in all sorts of ways: educating with great shows and other content full of endearing characters and proven educational value, enriching lives and creating possibilities with social impact work around the world, and building experiences that bring families of all shapes and sizes together.

Learn More

Helping Support Children During COVID-19

Delivering on our mission to help children everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder means meeting vulnerable children's most urgent needs, whatever they may be. During the global pandemic, we're providing families with free resources to help children manage anxiety and learn joyfully at home.

Learn More

Big Bird walks along a rural road with a mother and 3 girls

New CNN/Sesame Street Town Hall to Support Critical Needs Response Fund

On June 6, a second “The ABC’s of COVID-19,” hosted by Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Erica Hill, will answer kids’ big questions about Coronavirus and more. Featuring Elmo, Abby Cadabby, and friends, the special builds on our Caring for Each Other initiative, which provides free resources to families and is powered by our Critical Needs Response Fund. Viewers can support this crucial source of flexible funding by visiting SesameWorkshop.org/response or texting SESAME to 51555 during the broadcast.

Learn More

Two young girls in jackets laugh with Abby Cadabby in front of a grey fence

Sesame Workshop Critical Needs Response Fund

Your gift to the Sesame Workshop Critical Needs Response Fund helps us to meet the most urgent needs of vulnerable children in times of crisis. Right now, this fund directly supports ‘Caring for Each Other,’ our COVID-19 response initiative.

Learn More

A mother and child watch Elmo's Playdate on a tablet

Bringing Families Joy and Connection in Challenging Times

In a new special, ‘Sesame Street: Elmo’s Playdate,’ the Sesame Street Muppets join celebrity friends Lin-Manuel Miranda, Anne Hathaway, and Tracee Ellis Ross for a virtual playdate filled with music and laughter. Part of our ‘Caring for Each Other’ initiative, the special will reach families around the world as they learn new ways to play and learn together.

Learn More

A young boy sits on a man's lap and smiles while grabbing Basma the muppet's hand

Announcing Our Latest Co-Production!

Ahlan Simsim—”Welcome Sesame” in Arabic—launches in February 2020, bringing critical early learning with a focus on social-emotional skills to children across the Middle East, especially those affected by conflict and displacement.

Learn More

Children and an adult play with blocks with Halum

Sharing the Power of Learning Through Play

Play is vital for children to learn. With the LEGO Foundation’s help, we’ve brought playful learning to South Africa, Mexico, and India—and now, to the Syrian response region and Bangladesh.

Learn More

We’d love to keep you posted about all the good things going on at the Workshop.

A child hugs a stuffed animal while sitting on a woman's lap. Grover smiles at them while the sun shines.

You Can Help Children and Families During COVID-19

When you give to our Critical Needs Response Fund, you’re helping us meet the needs of children in crisis—whatever they may be.

Cookie Monster and a girl smile at each other outside

Major Expansion of ‘Caring for Each Other’ Initiative

As families everywhere continue to cope with uncertainty around the global pandemic, we’re expanding our efforts to help children and caregivers stay healthy, build resilience, and adjust to a “for-now normal.” With major funding from partners, new resources that address families’ socio-emotional needs and celebrate frontline workers will roll out over coming weeks and months.

Learn More

An orange monster puppet and yellow monster puppet smile at the camera while two children climb a large stack of books in another image

Sesame Workshop up for 30 Daytime Emmy® Awards

Critically acclaimed new shows Helpsters and Ghostwriter boost the tally of nominations, adding to nods for Sesame Street, Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration, and powerful new stories for Sesame Street in Communities. The 47th Annual Daytime Emmy® Awards will be presented in a two-hour special on Friday, June 26 at 8:00PM, ET on CBS.

Learn More

Elmo holds a microphone in front of a blue curtain

Launching New Shows for Kids and Families

We’re thrilled to announce our brand new family program! Elmo is the cutest, furriest talk show host ever in ‘The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo,’ debuting with the launch of WarnerMedia’s streaming platform, HBO Max, on May 27. More new shows from Sesame Workshop will be coming to HBO Max soon—and in the meantime, Sesame Street fans will find a trove of beloved episodes from our 50-year history.

Learn More

The Count, Rosita, and Elmo standing smiling on Sesame Street while Rosita holds a Census ballot

Helping to Make Sure Every Child is Counted

As the 2020 Census gets underway, Sesame Workshop has launched a campaign to help families understand the importance of counting every child in their home. New PSAs featuring Elmo, Rosita, and Count von Count help parents and caregivers understand what’s at stake for children and communities and how easy it is to participate.

Learn More

A young boy hugs Grover and smiles while riding a bicycle

Our Work to Bring Learning and Hope to Displaced Children is Featured on 60 Minutes

The global refugee crisis has displaced millions. Sesame Workshop is partnering with the International Rescue Committee to bring early education, nurturing care, and playful learning to children affected by the Syrian refugee crisis - and to spread awareness of the critical need for early childhood development in refugee communities and beyond. Get a sneak peek at our all new local version of Sesame Street, Ahlan Simsim, premiering in early 2020. Watch us on 60 Minutes!

Learn More

Helpsters and Ghostwriter Receive Awards, New Episodes to Drop on Apple TV+

Both Sesame Workshop programs featured on Apple TV+ are 2020 Parents’ Choice Gold Award winners. Helpsters and Ghostwriter will drop more episodes on the new streaming platform soon, continuing to teach pre-coding concepts to preschoolers with the help of problem-solving monsters and inspiring a love of literature in elementary school audiences with a mystery-solving group of friends.

Learn More