The 2025 Children’s and Family Emmy Awards celebrated outstanding achievements in programming for younger audiences, with shows such as Percy Jackson and the Olympians, The Velveteen Rabbit, Orion and the Dark, and projects from the Sesame Street universe emerging as major winners. Each of these productions received two awards during the main ceremony, with additional accolades to be announced later in a separate creative arts event. Highlights included Percy Jackson securing honors for best young teen series and directing, The Velveteen Rabbit receiving recognition for fiction special and its young performer, and Sesame Workshop achieving milestones through its short form live-action program and puppetry performer categories.
This year's third annual ceremony took place at Television City in Los Angeles, hosted by Eric Bauza, renowned for his voice work in Looney Tunes. During the gala, notable triumphs were awarded across various categories. For instance, Blue’s Clues & You claimed victory in the preschool series category, while Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock excelled as the top choice for children’s or family viewing series. In addition, Christian Slater was honored for his portrayal in The Spiderwick Chronicles, and Meryl Streep won the award for best children’s personality. Furthermore, Dave Goelz of The Muppets was presented with a lifetime achievement award, acknowledging decades of dedication to entertaining families worldwide.
Among the most captivating moments of the evening was the win by The Velveteen Rabbit, which secured an award for fiction special alongside recognition for its youngest performer, Phoenix Laroche. Similarly, Orion and the Dark made waves by earning accolades for animated special and younger voice performer Jacob Tremblay. These victories underscored the importance of storytelling that resonates deeply with both children and their families. Additionally, Sesame Workshop's Elmo and Jesse Remember Uncle Jack stood out in the short form live-action program category, marking another significant moment for the iconic franchise.
Eric Bauza, who not only served as host but also garnered an individual award, contributed significantly to the celebratory atmosphere. His dynamic presence highlighted the creativity and innovation present within the children’s entertainment industry today. The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) expressed pride in honoring those who contribute meaningfully to television programming aimed at younger demographics. As NATAS president Adam Sharp noted, these creators play essential roles in shaping content that educates and inspires future generations.
In conclusion, the 2025 Children’s and Family Emmy Awards demonstrated the profound impact quality programming has on young viewers and their families. From recognizing exceptional performances to celebrating groundbreaking technical achievements, this event showcased the diverse talents contributing to the world of children’s media. As more winners are revealed in the upcoming creative arts ceremony, it becomes increasingly clear how vital these contributions are in fostering imagination and learning among today’s youth. This celebration serves as a reminder of the enduring power of storytelling to connect hearts and minds across all ages.