Common Sense Media Review
By Stephanie Morgan
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Elmo and friends visit Kenya in warm, sweet special.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 3+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Sesame Street and the Great Elephant Adventure
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In SESAME STREET AND THE GREAT ELEPHANT ADVENTURE, Elmo, Abby, and Nina travel to Nairobi, Kenya, to visit the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant sanctuary. There, they meet Mr. Edwin, who runs the center, and learn how elephants are cared for before they can return to the wild. With help from a safari guide, Ms. Naserian, and her daughter, Lorna, they also explore local plants and wildlife, learn Swahili words, and head out on a safari. Along the way, Elmo and Abby discover that trying new things can be exciting, even when they miss home or feel nervous.
Is It Any Good?
This especially engaging educational special pairs the franchise's familiar humor with real footage of Kenya's wildlife and the remarkable work of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. The animal encounters in Sesame Street and the Great Elephant Adventure are a highlight, particularly the scenes of baby elephants being bottle-fed and playing in the mud, while Mr. Edwin's gentle, playful manner makes conservation feel accessible to young viewers. Rather than simply delivering facts, the special weaves in lessons about travel, cultural curiosity, and the emotional challenges of leaving home. Abby's homesickness and Elmo's fear of crossing a rope bridge give children relatable ways into the adventure, without overshadowing the excitement of discovering a new place. Clips featuring Sesame Street friends back home also add a welcome connection to familiar characters. Warm, funny, and genuinely informative, this is a rewarding introduction to Kenya that encourages children to approach the wider world with curiosity and compassion.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families watching Sesame Street and the Great Elephant Adventure together can talk about when Abby feels homesick. How can you tell she is sad? What do her friends do to help her feel better?
What did you learn about Kenya and its animals? How is Kenya like or different from the place where we live? How is seeing real animals and places different from watching animated characters or reading a picture book? What can real footage teach us that a fictional story might not?
How did Elmo feel when he had to cross the rope bridge? What helped him try? Would you have felt scared, too? What is courage?
TV Details
- Premiere date : October 14, 2026
- Cast : Suki Lopez
- Network : PBS
- Genre : Educational
- Topics : Adventures , Animals ( Wild Animals ) , Friendship , Travel
- Character Strengths : Curiosity
- TV rating :
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : November 6, 2026
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