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“More Childhood, Please” Returns with Episode 3: A Breath of Fresh Air for Families Saturday, July 19th, at 7P

By Frank Macek

WKYC continues to shine a spotlight on real Northeast Ohio families through its heartfelt and educational series More Childhood, Please, produced in partnership with Akron Children’s Hospital. The show, which has been compared to a blend of reality TV and YouTube-style family challenges, is back this weekend with a new adventure designed to encourage healthier habits in our kids—and maybe even ourselves.

Episode 3 airs this Saturday at 7 p.m. on WKYC, and will also be available for streaming on all WKYC digital platforms.

This time, the series follows local siblings Lily and Rhys as they ditch the screens, step outside, and reconnect with the great outdoors. Whether it’s squishing through the mud, exploring tree-lined paths, or learning about the ecosystem right under their feet, this episode reminds us all of the simple magic found just beyond the front door.

More than just cute moments and camera-ready kids, More Childhood, Please is built on a foundation of expert advice from pediatricians and child psychologists. Each episode tackles a timely and often tricky topic—think screen time battles, emotional regulation, healthy sports habits, or in this case, the benefits of nature.

In Episode 3, viewers will learn why playing outside isn’t just about exercise. It’s about sensory development, mental health, social interaction, and creativity. As Lily and Rhys discover, there’s real joy in climbing over a log or digging in the dirt—joy that often gets lost in a world full of tablets and streaming.

The format is fun and fast-paced, featuring challenges designed to spark curiosity and conversation. Think obstacle courses, scavenger hunts, and candid kid interviews—all balanced with tips from Akron Children’s Hospital experts who offer research-based insights for parents looking to make meaningful changes at home.

The goal of More Childhood, Please is simple: help parents reclaim childhood in an increasingly digital and demanding world. It’s not about perfection. It’s about presence. And by mixing entertainment with education, the series has managed to strike a unique tone that resonates with both kids and adults.

Future episodes will continue exploring themes relevant to local families, guided by questions many of us ask: How do I get my kids off screens? How do I raise emotionally resilient children? What kind of habits really matter?

The series has already received positive feedback from viewers who appreciate seeing real local children on screen and hearing directly from trusted healthcare professionals in their own community.

So, if your family’s looking for inspiration—or just something worth watching together—tune in this Saturday at 7 p.m. on WKYC for More Childhood, Please: Episode 3. Lily and Rhys just might convince you to lace up your sneakers and get a little muddy.

Stream it anytime on the WKYC app and website. Because childhood doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to be more.

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Want to explore past episodes or learn more? Visit wkyc.com 

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