PBS KIDS is officially joining the gaming content craze. On September 5, the trusted children’s network debuted Odd Squad Gaming Unit (OSGU), its first-ever gameplay series tailored specifically for kids. This new YouTube entry into the wildly popular world of “Let’s Play”-style videos is designed to be fun, educational, and age-appropriate.
Produced by Fred Rogers Productions and Sinking Ship Entertainment, OSGU blends scripted comedy with live gameplay. Each 4- to 7-minute episode is hosted by two fan-favorite characters from the Odd Squad universe, Agents Oaklynn and Olindo. The duo video chats from separate Odd Squad precincts while guiding each other through a rotating selection of PBS KIDS digital games. Think mystery-solving meets mouse-clicking, all with the same quirky energy that’s made Odd Squad a hit for years.
Meeting Kids Where They Are
Gaming content is one of the most popular video genres among young audiences and PBS KIDS is adapting accordingly. According to the network, 50% of its viewers ages 3–8 already watch gameplay videos. But here’s the problem: A lot of those videos aren’t actually meant for kids. Common Sense Media reports that one in four videos watched by children under 8 are intended for older viewers.
That’s where Odd Squad Gaming Unit comes in. It offers the engaging gameplay kids want with the safe, developmentally appropriate content parents expect from PBS. It’s also part of a broader push to expand beyond traditional TV and streaming clips. Earlier this year, PBS KIDS launched a dedicated gaming channel on YouTube @PBSKIDSGames, signaling its long-term investment in digital-first, play-based content.
Education in Every Click
This isn’t just a play-for-laughs YouTube series. It’s a clever vehicle for learning. OSGU episodes are centered around gameplay from PBS KIDS’s massive educational gaming library, which sees 43 million games played monthly on the website and another 44 million on the PBS KIDS Games app. The lineup includes titles from beloved shows like WILD KRATTS, ARTHUR, LYLA IN THE LOOP, and more.
Whether solving a science puzzle or practicing literacy skills, Oaklynn and Olindo model problem-solving, teamwork, and playful learning. Each episode showcases a different game with its own embedded lesson, along with the lighthearted interactions and silly surprises fans expect from the Odd Squad franchise.
For families navigating the screen-time tightrope, Odd Squad Gaming Unit may offer a welcome balance with an educational YouTube series that kids will actually enjoy and parents can actually trust.
You can watch the series now on the @PBSKIDSGames YouTube channel