Laughter is a universal language — and Sesame Street is ready to celebrate its power!
Sesame Street, alongside friends like Elmo, Abby Cadabby, and Cookie Monster, is launching the Gift of Giggles campaign. The initiative aims to celebrate humor, joy, laughter, smiles, and how it can elevate your day. It begins with a video of Elmo attempting to tell a classic joke to Felix and includes a new digital series, a summer comedy tour, a new online game, new stories, and more!
In the digital series “The Giggle Group,” Elmo and others meet with toddlers and kids to discuss what makes them laugh. The videos are inspired by the iconic interviews between a Sesame Street character and a kid, where anything can happen and laughter often ensues. Additionally, the Gift of Giggles YouTube playlist includes several videos featuring surprise guests, including popular YouTubers and celebrities. Kids can check the playlist often for new, funny content.
A new game on sesamestreet.org, Get the Giggles, will have players in stitches. The online sound-matching game features laughs from characters like the Count, Juila, and more, and players can apply listening skills to match the giggle to the giggler. Players can choose from three levels of four, six, or even eight gigglers to match.
For parents and kids who prefer live laughs, the summer comedy tour is a great fit. The Muppets of Sesame Street will pop up to share jokes and jabs in different places. The movement also includes new stories that encourage reading and highlight the joy of the activity. Elmo’s Favorite Jokes and Riddles — a lift-the-flap board book — is available to preorder now and supports the Gift of Giggles ideals. You can also add 100 Words from the Street: Words to Grow Smarter, Stronger, & Kinder, available on Oct. 3, to the bookshelf.
The Gift of Giggles initiative is a long-running campaign, so you can look forward to more resources and laughter as the months pass. Next year, families can use the Let’s Have Some Fun storytelling cards to ignite giggles — the cards will be released on March 6.
The campaign is just one movement that supports Sesame Workshop’s aim to highlight emotional well-being and mental health awareness for kids and families. For more information and additional mental health resources, visit sesame.org.
