OETA and OKC Zoo Invite Families to a Grr-ific Day with Daniel Tiger

It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood, and Daniel Tiger is coming to the Oklahoma City Zoo! The Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA) and the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden are teaming up for a special family event on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring opportunities to meet the beloved PBS KIDS character, Daniel Tiger, take photos and enjoy educational activities throughout the day.

Inspired by Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, the Emmy Award-winning PBS KIDS series, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, follows 4-year-old Daniel Tiger and his friends as they navigate everyday childhood experiences. Through relatable stories and memorable songs, the series helps preschoolers develop essential social-emotional skills, including managing emotions, building relationships, solving problems and adjusting to new situations.

As Oklahoma’s statewide PBS network, OETA is committed to providing high-quality, research-based educational programming that supports children during their earliest years of development. Through PBS KIDS programs, digital learning resources and community outreach, OETA helps families build the foundational skills children need to succeed in school and life.

“Early childhood education is at the heart of OETA’s mission, and PBS KIDS plays an important role in helping Oklahoma’s youngest learners develop the skills they need to thrive,” said Jennifer Mullins, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at OETA. “Daniel Tiger teaches children lessons about kindness, empathy and managing big feelings in ways they can

understand and use every day. Partnering with the Oklahoma City Zoo allows us to extend that learning beyond the screen and create experiences families can share together.”

While visiting the Zoo, families can also explore Cat Forest, home to the Zoo’s Sumatran tigers. Native to the Indonesian island of Sumatra, these critically endangered big cats face significant threats from habitat loss and poaching. Seeing real tigers offers children an opportunity to discover the differences between their favorite animated character and his wild counterparts while learning about the importance of protecting endangered species.

“Welcoming Daniel Tiger to the Zoo is a wonderful opportunity to connect the excitement of a favorite children’s character with the incredible wildlife in our care,” said Dwight Lawson, Executive Director/CEO of the Oklahoma City Zoo. “We’re especially excited for families to discover our Sumatran tigers and learn more about these remarkable endangered animals. By combining fun, exploration and education, we hope to inspire young guests to develop a lifelong appreciation for wildlife and conservation.”

Event Details:
· Date: Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026
· Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
· Location: Love’s Pachyderm Building
· Admission: Regular Zoo admission applies and can be purchased at www.okczoo.org/tickets.
· Activities: Daniel Tiger meet-and-greet opportunities, photos and family-friendly educational activities