BBC Children’s & Education announces new launches to reach more families where they are

We are constantly evolving the service we provide to children, parents and teachers to ensure the BBC remains a key player for young audiences in the UK and beyond. Our mission is to provide trusted, inclusive and accessible, home‑grown public service content that helps children learn, stay informed and be entertained, wherever they are.

Parents, children and families are set to have even more ways to enjoy the best of CBeebies, CBBC and BBC Bitesize, as BBC Children’s & Education announces a series of new launches designed to bring trusted public service content to more young audiences.

From libraries to YouTube and to the classrooms, the world‑renowned children’s content is meeting children where they are, helping them learn, laugh and grow. With a focus on deepening connections with audiences, the new activity complements the substantial existing offer for children on BBC iPlayer and brings content to life in communities across the UK, online and in schools.

Patricia Hidalgo, Director of BBC Children’s & Education, says: “We are constantly evolving the service we provide to children, parents and teachers to ensure the BBC remains a key player for young audiences in the UK and beyond. Our mission is to provide trusted, inclusive and accessible, home‑grown public service content that helps children learn, stay informed and be entertained, wherever they are.

By commissioning digital‑first formats, developing more school‑ready content and bringing communities together, all while supporting UK creativity, we want to reach more children and families than ever before.”

To spark a love of reading and bringing stories to life in communities, pre‑schoolers and their parents can look forward to CBeebies Bedtime Stories Read and Raves, a new series of BBC events coming to libraries across the UK. In partnership with the British Library’s Living Knowledge Network, the Read and Rave events invite children to celebrate the power of storytelling with their favourite CBeebies presenters and get ready to rave in the library. Parents can grab their glowsticks and join the fun at libraries in Leeds, Edinburgh and London, plus the special events will also be streamed live to libraries up and down the country.

The BBC events form part of a wider partnership with the British Library’s Fairy Tales exhibition, celebrating the joy of children’s literature. For the duration of the exhibition, Fairy Tales will also host the iconic CBeebies Bedtime Stories chair.

Parents of younger children will also benefit from a new CBeebies Parenting YouTube channel, launching later in 2026, offering practical advice and resources to support families. Accompanying the CBeebies YouTube channel, which last year launched the digital‑first educational series CBeebies House: Time to Play, featuring Evie Pickerill and Baroness Floella Benjamin.

For older children, BBC Children’s & Education is expanding its YouTube presence, bringing high‑quality public service content to young audiences across the UK and beyond.

The expansion will substantially increase publishing output across six new themed channels, focused on distinctive, digital‑first programming including micro‑dramas, creator‑led comedy, educational formats and inspiring factual stories.

The new channels include Epic Facts, showcasing the best of factual entertainment and Non‑Stop Chaos, delivering full‑on laughs and practical jokes from CBBC shows. Alongside themed drama, comedy and factual channels that deliver high-quality public service content.

The expanded portfolio will also feature YouTube‑first commissions available on BBC iPlayer, including a digital‑first The Next Step micro‑drama launching in February. Boosting existing channels that already promote key BBC Children’s and Education brands: CBBC, Non-Stop Cartoons, Blue Peter, Newsround and BBC Bitesize GCSE for those in need of study support.

The first production to emerge from the BBC Ignite animation programme, Duck and Frog (50 x 7’), debuts on BBC iPlayer on Friday 13 February, and will air on CBBC on Monday 16 February. Created by Bristol-based animator Sam Shaw and produced by Sun & Moon, Duck and Frog is a slapstick comedy set in a modern British world, bringing energetic, anarchic humour to audiences aged 7–12.

Animation fans can also look forward to more homegrown talent coming through the pipeline, as the second round of the BBC Ignite scheme advances seven new animated projects into the final stage of development. Launched in 2021, BBC Ignite is a one-of-a-kind initiative designed to uncover the UK’s next standout animation. Selected creators receive funding and support to co-develop their ideas in partnership with BBC Children’s & Education.

In this second cycle, designed to cultivate ideas and support original children’s content from early development through to potential commission, the seven shortlisted projects are now progressing to Stage Three of development. Working alongside leading production partners, this phase focuses on honing creative concepts and producing proof of concept materials. Confirmed partners include Blink Industries, Passion Pictures, Triggerfish Entertainment UK, Rumpus Media, Jam Media, Mackinnon & Saunders, and A Productions, collectively helping to nurture bold new voices and original stories for young audiences.

For schools, BBC Bitesize, the free online learning service, provides trusted, curriculum linked resources that support students, teachers and parents across the UK. Following on from the launch of BBC Get Singing, inspiring secondary aged children to sing in and out of the classroom, Bitesize is rolling out a new package of classroom ready content for primary and secondary schools. Starting from Spring the new resources include a fresh series of Live Lessons, topical assembly films, and new curriculum materials in English, Religious Studies and more Horrible Science. Blending high quality video, interactive learning and teacher focused support to help schools deliver engaging, relevant lessons throughout the academic year.

• Visit BBC Bitesize

Parents can book to attend the free events:

• 16 February at Leeds Central Library.
• 7 March at Edinburgh Central Library.
  
  
• 12 April at the Pigott Theatre at the British Library.
  
  

Live Lessons: Spring/Summer 2026

Four new curriculum linked Live Lessons for 7–11 year olds will debut across the spring and summer terms. Each 30minute programme includes a Mission Pack and follow up resources for classroom use.

Safer Internet Day 2026 Live Lesson 10 February, 11am

Created with Childnet, this lesson explores how AI tools are built, programmed and why they sometimes make mistakes. Children act as responsible AI designers, selecting quality data, shaping system prompts and understanding the principles of safe, fair and reliable AI. Presented by Georgie Barrat and Joe Tasker from a safari park, the lesson features Minecraft characters, live artist Venessa Scott and a chatbot themed song.

World Book Day 2026 Live Lesson Thursday 5 March, 11am

A celebration of reading for pleasure. Vick Hope and Blue Peter’s Joel M help children discover what kind of reader they are, with appearances from children’s authors sharing personal stories and recommendations. Created in partnership with World Book Day.

British Science Week 2026 Live Lesson 9 March 2026

A space and light themed lesson in which pupils prepare the Moon to become a “movie star.” Grace Webb and “The Rapping Science Teacher” Matt Green lead hands on investigations, supported by a guest appearance from astronaut Tim Peake.

Earth Day 2026 Live Lesson 22 April 2026

Megan McCubbin and Ade Adepitan set students a low carbon challenge: putting on a planet friendly gig for Hacker T. Dog. The lesson covers climate change, greenhouse gases and how everyday choices can support the environment.

Designed for primary and secondary schools, 12 new topical assembly films will be released throughout spring 2026. Produced by ITN Education, the films provide readymade structures for teachers to lead engaging assemblies linked to major dates in the school year.

Using animation, live action, studio segments and real life footage, the films support learning across PSHE, English, History, Science, Maths, PE and Languages. Topics include the FIFA World Cup, National Numeracy Day, the Battle of Hastings, Shakespeare Day and Positive Role Models, featuring exclusive content from CBBC’s Jamie Johnson.

Primary resources

Recently awarded the BETT 2026 Award for Best Free Digital Content, App or Open Educational Resource, Horrible Science brings KS2 Science to life with comedy sketches, songs and interactive elements. In partnership with CBBC and Lion Television, Topics span gravity, space, levers, fossils and more, supported by expert led learner guides and the fast paced game Stinky Science.

Brand new English resources are also launching including a refreshed spelling, punctuation and grammar programme, interactive reading texts and An Ask the Author audio pilot. A new game, Comprehension Castle: Secrets of the Ancient Library, launches in May 2026 to support understanding across genres, including nonfiction and poetry.

A new series of 25 child led Religious Studies films (25 x 4’) will launch in March 2026. Each film features children from diverse faiths sharing their lived experiences—covering belief, community and practice. Developed with RE Today, the series addresses curriculum gaps including Buddhism, minority faiths and nonreligious worldviews.

Suitable for KS2 and early KS3, the films include accompanying teacher notes.