Kiddipedia
Celebrity Guests Amy Sedaris and Gabrielle Union Join Sesame Street Muppets on a Virtual Scavenger Hunt
Spring is in full swing on Sesame Street! Elmo and his friends are back with new games, activities, and celebrity guests – all from the comfort of home – in a brand-new special, Elmo’s Playdate: Scavenger Hunt, created and produced by nonprofit educational organisation Sesame Workshop and available on ABC iview and ABC Kids app.
Silliness and surprise twists abound in the half-hour special, in which Elmo teams up with Abby Cadabby via video chat for a virtual scavenger hunt. Aided by Sesame Street friends Big Bird, Grover, Rosita, Oscar the Grouch, Bert and Ernie, Elmo’s dad Louie, and tiger Mr. Stripey, the duo invites children to join in the search for all seven items on their list using the printable worksheet linked here. Along the way, Monster Foodies’ Cookie Monster and Gonger whip up a tasty dessert, Amy Sedaris shares an easy craft the whole family can make, and Gabrielle Union leads Elmo and Abby in a sweet sing-along.
“Although spring and summer look different for many families this year, our Sesame Street characters once again show children that, with a little imagination, staying at home can still be fun,” said Whit Higgins, Vice President of International Media Distribution and Business Development, Sesame Workshop. “We’re grateful to our partners at ABC Kids for their continued support as we strive to meet the needs of children and families through learning and laughter in these challenging times.”
This special is the latest effort around the COVID-19 pandemic from Sesame Workshop. Through Caring For Each Other (https://www.sesamestreet.org/caring), an initiative created by the Workshop in response to this crisis, families can access free resources specifically designed to provide comfort and manage anxiety, create routines, foster playful learning at home, and help children stay physically and mentally healthy.
Caring For Each Other is funded in part by Sesame Workshop’s new Critical Needs Response Fund, a crucial source of flexible funds designed to meet the urgent needs of children and families.
Tell us about the recent scavenger hunt you went on?
It was so much fun. Miss Amy Sedaris helped us on our scavenger hunt! She’s really good at arts and crafts—she can paint rocks that look like anything. Even a fried egg, or a slice of watermelon! Those were some tasty-looking rocks. And Miss Gabrielle Union sang a song with Elmo and Abby. It was great! Elmo didn’t know there are so many parts of the bus you could sing about in “The Wheels on the Bus”! Those wheels really go round and round… and round….and round! Ha ha.
Tell us about the playdates you’ve been having with your friends while you’ve been staying at home?
Elmo’s daddy set up video playdates, and now Elmo has dance parties with Abby, and plays games with Big Bird, and has snack time with Cookie Monster—right from Elmo’s bedroom! When it’s nice outside, Elmo and his friends have a picnic in the park—Mommy and Daddy say that’s OK as long as everyone stays six feet apart from each other. And we always wear our masks! Elmo has a red mask, to match Elmo’s fur – it’s really cool!
What are some of your favourite things to do on Sesame Street?
Elmo loves living on Sesame Street. There are so many fun things to do, but Elmo’s FAVORITE thing to do is sing songs with Elmo’s friends. On Sesame Street we sing songs about letters, numbers, fruits, vegetables and even Snuffleupagus’.
If Sesame Street has recently turned 50 does that mean Elmo is 50?
What? Fifty! No. Elmo is only three and a half. Sesame Street is really old, it’s been around a long, long, long, long, LONNNNGGGG time.
We’ve heard you have a new friend Charlie who has moved to Sesame Street recently? Can you tell me more about Charlie?
That’s right! Elmo was so excited to meet Charlie. She’s eight years old and moved to Sesame Street with her mommy and daddy. She loves to play games, paint and draw. Elmo introduced Charlie to all her new neighbours – monsters, humans, chickens, cows, and even Oscar the Grouch!
How have you and your friends been doing staying at home during this time?
It’s been hard, Elmo misses all of Elmo’s friends, but Elmo wants everyone to be healthy. Even though Elmo can’t be with them in person, Elmo can still see and play with his friends when we video chat.
Elmo’s Daddy set up video chat so Elmo can have sing-a-longs with his friends. Elmo has also been doing Grovercise with Grover– that’s when Grover teaches you exercises. He falls down a lot. And Elmo’s also been learning mindfulness activities. Yeah, like belly breathing and how to calm down before bedtime.
Have you met any Australian celebrities?
Oh, we’ve had so many friends from Australia visit Sesame Street – Miss Nicole Kidman, Mr. Hugh Jackman, Miss Naomi Watts, and Miss Sia. We got to sing a song with Sia called ‘S is for Songs’.
We’ve also met other celebrity friends like Joseph Gordon-Levitt Charlie Puth, Meghan Trainor, Misty Copeland, Elvis Costello, and Dave Grohl. They’re not Australian, but they were all a lot of fun too! (laughs)
What are your favourite things to do in Australia?
Elmo loves visiting the beaches and putting his furry toes in the sand. Elmo also swam with a dolphin. That was so cool. Next time Elmo visits Australia, Elmo wants to learn how to surf! Elmo wants to try “catching a wave” and “hang ten,” baby!
Do you have a special message for Kiddipedia readers?
Elmo is sending a big hello to all of Elmo’s friends at Kiddpedia. Elmo loves you and hopes Elmo can see all of you real soon!
