work it out wombats

PBS KIDS has announced its latest production, WORK IT OUT WOMBATS!, a new animated series for kids ages 3-6. WORK IT OUT WOMBATS! stars Malik, Zadie, and Zeke—three energetic and creative marsupial siblings who live with their grandmother in her treehouse apartment complex.The playful trio will demonstrate computational thinking (CT) for preschoolers, a way of thinking that enables them to solve problems, express themselves, and accomplish tasks using the practices, processes and ideas at the core of computer science. WORK IT OUT WOMBATS! is set to premiere on PBS KIDS in early 2023.

“Like most preschoolers, Malik, Zadie, and Zeke are curious and naturally inclined to explore the world around them,” said Sara DeWitt, Senior Vice President and General Manager, PBS KIDS. “We’re excited to bring the Wombats and all their fun adventures to kids across the country, inspiring them to work with others to solve problems and tackle challenges.”

WORK IT OUT WOMBATS! takes place in the Treeborhood, the biggest treehouse in existence—with secret passageways, gondolas, and rope swings. The residents of the Treeborhood—wombats, snakes, moose, kangaroos, iguanas, fish, tarsiers, and eagles—bring varied skills and abilities, assorted ways of thinking, and different family structures and traditions to this diverse and vibrant community of neighbors, a place where even the adults join in the play.

In each story, the Wombats demonstrate computational thinking for preschoolers, learning as they go. Their aspirations will sometimes exceed their proficiency. But, eventually they’ll stop, take a breath, put their heads together and figure out a fix—using the design process, sequencing, debugging, and other key elements of computational thinking.

“Our goal with WORK IT OUT WOMBATS! is to empower our creative talent and artists to seamlessly blend education and entertainment as they bring the adventures, surprises, mysteries, and hilarious mess-ups of the Wombats and their friends and neighbors to life,” said Luis Lopez, Executive Producer, Pipeline Studios.

Full of boundless energy, Malik, Zadie, and Zeke run, bounce, roll, and romp, always on the lookout for interesting Treeborhood problems to solve. Malik is thoughtful, considerate, and sometimes set in his ways (which can be a good thing when you’re problem-solving). His speedy, adventurous younger sister, Zadie, is a brainstormer extraordinaire, with ideas that range from silly to very smart. Zeke is the youngest—a funny, curious cuddle-bug who loves to play and explore. Super, their grandmother, is the Superintendent and unofficial “Mayor” of the Treeborhood—the de facto heart and soul of the place. 

The series is being developed as part of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and PBS Ready To Learn Initiative with funding from the U.S. Department of Education. The Ready To Learn Initiative is a federal program that supports the development of innovative educational television and digital media targeted to preschool and early elementary school children and their families.

WORK IT OUT WOMBATS! games will launch in tandem with the series on pbskids.org and the free PBS KIDS Games App. To extend the learning at home, parent and caregiver resources, including tips and hands-on activities, will be available on PBS KIDS for Parents. For educators, PBS LearningMedia will offer classroom-ready materials, including videos, games, teaching tips and printable activities.