( CNN ) -- Microsoft is joining forces with two television shows to make TV a two-way experience for kids . Using the motion sensor and voice-recognition software in Microsoft 's Kinect system for Xbox , children will be able to interact with two popular shows for young viewers : `` Nat Geo WILD '' and `` Sesame Street . '' The idea behind these two new game/TV applications -- `` Kinect Sesame Street '' and 'Kinect Nat Geo TV ' -- is to have characters in the programs talk to the kids and help them participate in show activities . For example , in `` Kinect Sesame Street , '' Grover will ask viewers how many coconuts are in his box . Under normal TV viewing , a child could give any answer and Grover would say , `` That 's right . There are 5 coconuts in the box . '' With the two-way experience , if the child gives a wrong answer , Grover would ask him or her to count again and would only continue once the right answer is given . Terry Fitzpatrick , executive vice president of content and distribution at Sesame Workshop , envisions the Kinect as a new way to connect with the `` Sesame Street '' audience as the program enters its 43rd season on television . `` ( The Kinect ) is a natural and intuitive interface for preschoolers , '' he said . `` You do n't have to teach a child how to use a mouse or how to use one of those complicated controllers that most gaming platforms have . '' Fitzpatrick said his company has worked hard to layer interactivity into their shows for `` Kinect Sesame Street TV . '' The shows are from last season , but the experience for the kids will be totally new . If the child does n't feel like playing along , the show will continue passively , just as if it was broadcast on TV . Microsoft also is discovering people are using Kinect for more than just gaming . Usage numbers for Xbox LIVE in the past year show a growing percentage of time spent on nongaming activities , the company said . Microsoft feels this partnership with Sesame Workshop and National Geographic was a perfect extension to appeal to those nongamers . `` People who have been our gamers for a long time are also expanding their entertainment usage of the platform , '' said Jaymi Bauer , Xbox director of product marketing for family experiences . `` What you see with 'Kinect Sesame Street TV ' and 'Kinect Nat Geo TV ' is that first real concerted effort of how we use interactive entertainment with gaming mechanics . '' Bauer said until now many young kids may not realize the TV does n't hear them and might jump when told to jump . She hopes when Elmo throws a ball to a child and the child catches the virtual `` ball '' and throws it back , it will open up brand new experiences for those kids . Both Fitzpatrick and Bauer said this partnership is likely to open doors to new content opportunities for kids and gamers . Fitzpatrick said Sesame Workshop learned a lot about what kids will do in front of a television when prompted , which will help them develop new interactive content for the future . And Bauer credited Sesame Workshop with finding a unique way of getting kids to stand in the best spot for the Kinect to be effective . `` When you develop things for a 3-year old , you 've got to be drop-dead simple and really smooth to use , '' Bauer said . `` They 've actually developed this really clever application of a mirror . The mirror is a little character himself , and he 's wanting you to find yourself . The little ones are shouting , 'Here I am ! ' and they are standing perfectly in the sweet spot for the Kinect . '' Each episode runs about 45 minutes , depending on the interactivity level of the child . A hard disc of eight episodes can be bought through retailers ( $ 29.99 ) , but shows can also be downloaded using Xbox LIVE ( $ 4.99 per episode or $ 29.99 for a season pass ) . There is also bonus historical content for both shows included on the disc and with the season pass . Do you want your TV to talk and play with your child ? Is this something that would interest your preschooler ? Tell us in the comments !
Using the same motion sensor , kids can interact with two popular TV shows . Characters in the shows will talk to children and have them participate in show activities . Apple 's Kinect also has a voice - recognition feature .