Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut was honored with the first-ever Wonderama Award during the Wonder Games celebration in Times Square, recognizing his leadership and commitment to protecting children and young people in the digital world.
The special award was presented to Senator Blumenthal by beloved Wonderama personalities Chuckie and Alisa during the August 25, 2026 festivities. The presentation highlighted Blumenthal’s work as a leading advocate for the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act, commonly known as KOSA, legislation designed to create stronger protections for children using social media and other online platforms.
The Kids Online Safety Act focuses on safeguarding minors from serious online risks while strengthening privacy protections and giving families greater control over potentially addictive digital features. Blumenthal has been one of the most prominent congressional voices pushing for stronger accountability and transparency from technology and social media companies.
“I am deeply honored to receive this award from Wonderama. Nothing is more important than our children and their well-being — they are 100 percent of our future. I will fight as long and hard as necessary to pass the Kids Online Safety Act, my bipartisan legislation to keep children safe online and hold Big Tech accountable.”- Senator Richard Blumenthal
The historic presentation was a natural fit for Wonderama, a television institution that has entertained and inspired generations of children while celebrating imagination, education, inclusion and family.
The award was presented as part of Wonder Games Times Square, an expansive day of entertainment and interactive activities bringing the spirit of Wonderama directly into the heart of New York City. The event featured live musical performances, classic Wonderama games, creator showcases, family activities and student esports competitions, including Rocket League and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
“Wonderama is all about inspiring kids to discover their best selves and giving every child the confidence to say, ‘I can do that too.’ That is why we are so honored that Senator Richard Blumenthal is the very first recipient of the inaugural Wonderama Wonder Award. His extraordinary and steadfast work to protect children and families across the nation, particularly his leadership on the Kids Online Safety Act, embodies exactly what this award was created to recognize. Even in the face of tremendous opposition, his commitment has never wavered. His dedication to kids and families is immeasurable, and we are truly fortunate to have his leadership at the forefront of this critically important effort.” – Charles Armstrong (President, CEO and Executive Producer of Wonderama Entertainment Holdings)
Wonder Games also celebrated the idea that play should be accessible to everyone, with the theme The Games Everyone Can Play. The event brought together entertainment, technology, music, gaming and advocacy while creating a welcoming environment for children and families.
“Congratulations to Senator Richard Blumenthal for receiving the first-ever Wonderama Award in the heart of Times Square for all his great work to protect children online,” said Tom Harris, President of the Times Square Alliance. “Times Square is a place for all, especially children and their families, and I’m proud that the Crossroads of the World was able to play a part in this award through Wonderama and the Wonder Games.” – Tom Harris (President of Times Square Alliance).
Senator Blumenthal’s recognition added an important message to the festivities: protecting children today means looking beyond the playground and into the digital spaces where young people increasingly spend their time.
With Chuckie and Alisa presenting the inaugural Wonderama Award, the moment connected Wonderama’s celebrated past with its evolving future and honored a public figure whose work reflects one of the organization’s most important priorities — helping create a safer world for the next generation.
Watch the award presentation on Vimeo here:
https://vimeo.com/1227099356?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci
