Squiz Kids

Latest Episodes:

Heatwave sweeps south-east; the holy month of Ramadan; Barbie set to swoop Oscars; and crocodile fur balls. Mar 10, 2024

Show notes

Your daily kids news podcast.

Imagine wearing shorts in Hobart in autumn! This weekend, Hobart turned into a sauna, experiencing its hottest night in over a century. Meanwhile, Melburnians had to swap parade plans for cool indoor spots as extreme heat led to event cancellations. A tip for my friends in South Australia: keep your ice cream close, as the scorcher continues!

If you were in Sydney on Friday evening you may have felt the Earth move. A 3.6 quake hit, sending dogs into a barking frenzy and causing a phone call storm. Don't worry, it was more of a jitter than a jolt!

Tonight, millions start their Ramadan journey, fasting from dawn till dusk to honor their faith. It's a month less about missing snacks and more about kindness, patience, and reading the Quran. Maybe you'll notice some classmates are fasting – let's cheer them on!

It's Oscars time! Will Barbie outshine Oppenheimer? Can SpiderMan swing into the top animated spot? It's a glamorous battle of stories, songs, and stunning effects. Let's cheer for our favourite dolls and heroes as they aim for Oscar gold!

Ever heard of crocodile fur balls? Yep, it's a thing! Scientists found these hair-filled surprises, proving crocs can't digest their hairy snacks. Next time you find something gross, just remember: at least you're not coughing up fur balls like a crocodile!

For the full episode transcript, click here.

Kids vs Adults Weekly News S'Quiz Mar 07, 2024

Show notes

A fun kids vs adults news quiz to test who's been paying the most attention to the week in news.

Fire ants on the march; America’s Super Tuesday; Squiz-E spots a deep fake; and let the AFL season begin! Mar 06, 2024

Show notes

Your daily kids news podcast.

Imagine tiny invaders with six legs taking over Australia, causing more trouble than rabbits or cane toads! This week, politicians are scratching their heads over fire ants. These little critters are not just pests; they're a pain (literally!) with a bite that packs a punch.

It's like the ultimate superhero face-off, but with voters and candidates! Super Tuesday saw folks in 15 states choosing their champion to run for President. Will it be a Biden comeback or a Trump triumph? The race is on, and it's getting louder than a superhero's boom!

Grab your snacks and supporters gear; the AFL season is kicking off with a bang! From Sydney to Brisbane, it's a full-on sports weekend. Who will be the victor? Stay tuned for thrilling matches and possible munchies shortages!

Squiz-E, the Newshound, is on a mission to bust internet hoaxes! This week, he's digging up deep fakes that look eerily real. Don't be fooled by fake TV reports; Squiz-E teaches us to STOP, THINK and CHECK. Become a Newshound and outsmart the tricksters!

For the full episode transcript, click here.

BBC Earth Experience Family Pass Giveaway

The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre is currently hosting the BBC Earth Experience. The experience will take visitors on a majestic 360-degree audio visual journey as they marvel and explore iconic landscapes and connect with mesmerising animals on an epic adventure bringing environments to life, all with bespoke narration from Sir David Attenborough. It feels like you have stepped into the natural world and lost yourself in boundless wonder, as you travel to far flung places.

Want to win one of three family passes we have to give away? Simply create a 20-second video of yourself as you pretend to narrate your very own Earth Experience documentary. Email your video to us at squizkids@thesquiz.com.au by this Friday, the 8th of March, with your parents’ permission for us to use the video on our social media, and we’ll announce the lucky winners next Monday.

A big burger beetroot crisis; German teen rides the rails; berry farm soccer showdown; and a near miss satellite collision. Mar 05, 2024

Show notes

Your daily kids news podcast.

Australia's facing a snack snag, thanks to tricky supply chains. But hey, it's the perfect time to become a beetroot pickling wizard or say bye to sugary sodas. Adventure awaits in the aisles!

Here's a beetroot recipe to get you pickling.

Meet Lasse, the German teen who turned trains into his home, sweet home! With the world as his office, he's coding

apps and choosing between mountains or beaches daily. Who needs a desk when you've got a train ticket and big dreams?

After a long day of berry picking, workers from Timor Leste find laughter and friendship in soccer. What started as a kick-around, turned into an epic farm league, proving soccer's power to unite, spark friendly rivalries, and make every berry sweeter.

While you were chilling last Wednesday, two satellites nearly had a cosmic crash 608 km up! It's like a space thriller, but real. This close shave in the sky highlights the need for space junk and satellite rules.

For the full episode transcript, click here.

BBC Earth Experience Family Pass Giveaway

Squiz The World goes to... China Mar 04, 2024

Show notes

Each fortnight, we give the world globe a spin, and see where we land. Then we take the kids of Australia on an audio excursion to visit that country and its people.

Buckle up with your captain, Amanda Bower, on the Squiz Kids Super Fast Supersonic Jetliner as we zoom into China - land of 1.4 billion people, a Communist government, and where "heaps of homework" is an understatement. We'll sneak a peek at the Great Wall, not visible from space unless you've got superhuman vision, and dive into the delicious world of Peking duck. Get ready to say "Ni Hao" and impress with your Mandarin because we're on a whirlwind tour filled with laughs, quirky facts, and maybe learning a thing or two. It's China like you've never heard it before!

For the full episode transcript, click here.

Links:

Great Wall of China: History and pictures for kids https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dIyk65vR-g

NASA says the wall is ‘less great’ from space https://www.nasa.gov/vision/space/workinginspace/great_wall.html

A young girl’s daily life in Beijing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_VbHhMrwtw

Little Rice Cake’s amazing table tennis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rg3YY5WdBPg

How to play Beikou https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_-5aYWGhlU

Simplified Peking Duck recipe https://thewoksoflife.com/easy-peking-duck-mandarin-pancakes/

Aussies win big overseas; Dubai’s Iron Men take to the skies; epic dog sled race begins; and a very noisy fish. Mar 03, 2024

Show notes

Your daily kids news podcast.

Aussie NRL stars made the desert their playground this weekend, getting their rugby league on in Las Vegas. Then there's cricket in Wellington and golf in Singapore. Plus, a desert storm added extra drama! Go, Aussies!

Some folks in Dubai decided walking is too boring and took to the air with jet packs, just like superheroes. Flying past the world's tallest building must feel just like being in a movie. If only we could jet off to school like that!

Find out about The Iditarod. The ultimate doggy marathon across Alaska's frosty landscapes. Imagine being pulled by 16 furry athletes across ice and snow. It's the coolest (literally) race you'll ever hear about!

A fish so small but as loud as an elephant? Only in Myanmar! This little swimmer might look almost invisible but sounds like it's ready to start a band. Who knew something so tiny could be so loud?

For the full episode transcript click here.

BBC Earth Experience Family Pass Giveaway

Squiz Kids Facebook

Squiz Kids Instagram

Newshounds

Get started on our free media literacy resource for classrooms

https://www.squizkids.com.au/about-newshounds/

Classroom Companion:

Teachers! Want to access free, curriculum-aligned classroom resources tied to the daily podcast? Sign up to be a Squiz Kids Classroom and download the Classroom Companion each day. Made by teachers for teachers, differentiated to suit all primary school ability levels. And did we mention it’s free?

Stay up to date with us on our Squiz Kids Instagram!

Got a birthday coming up and you want a shout-out? Complete the form on our Squiz Kids website. Link: SHOUT OUTS or / send us an email at squizkids@thesquiz.com.au

Kids v Adults Weekly News S'Quiz Feb 29, 2024

Show notes

Who's smarter, kids or adults?

Leaplings have a birthday; a chilly job up for grabs; Meta on AI election watch; and footy fever is here. Feb 28, 2024

Show notes

Your daily kids news podcast.

Leaplings have a birthday; a chilly job up for grabs; Meta on AI election watch; and footy fever is here.

If you're a Leap Day baby, you're in the rarest birthday club! Leap Days are those extra special 24 hours we get every four years, thanks to some ancient Roman and later, Papal, calendar tweaks. So, leaplings, party hard because your next birthday bash is in four years!

Fancy counting penguins or running a post office surrounded by whales and glaciers? Head to Antarctica for the job of a lifetime! Just remember, it's super cold, and the penguins are loud. Oh, and it's Brits only—sorry, everyone else!

Feeling bored? The footy season is about to blast off with pies, tackles, and tries! The NRL and AFL are bringing the heat, with games in Las Vegas and Australia. Get ready for big hits, epic goals, and the ultimate sports showdown this weekend!

With elections EU coming up, there's a big push to spot AI deepfakes. And hey, teachers and parents, check out Newshounds, a cool podcast program on beating online misinformation and becoming savvy media consumers!

Deepfake voice quiz.

For the full episode transcript, click here.

Squiz Kids Facebook

Squiz Kids Instagram

Newshounds

Get started on our free media literacy resource for classrooms

https://www.squizkids.com.au/about-newshounds/

Classroom Companion:

Stay up to date with us on our Squiz Kids Instagram!

Got a birthday coming up and you want a shout-out? Complete the form on our Squiz Kids website. Link: SHOUT OUTS or / send us an email at squizkids@thesquiz.com.au

Tween skincare TikTok warning; Scotland’s Willy Wonka fail; Another wonky moon landing; and some really big Bluey news. Feb 27, 2024

Show notes

Your daily kids news podcast.

Kids everywhere are diving into grown-up beauty routines, thanks to those ever-persuasive 'skinfluencers' on TikTok and Instagram! But, doctors are waving red flags, saying these adult products aren't playthings for young skin.

Imagine expecting a chocolate paradise and ending up in a lolly-less shed! That's what happened in Scotland at a Willy Wonka event that was more trick than treat. Disappointed fans and a few tears later, refunds were the day's special.

Heads up, Bluey buffs! Clear your calendars for April 14th because a super-sized episode is on its way. One thing's for sure, it's going to be paws-itively unforgettable!

Spacecraft SLIM must've hit the snooze button, landing sideways on the moon and taking a long nap. But with a little sunlight, it's back and beaming photos home—just tilt your head to view! It's one small roll for a spaceship, one giant leap for space snoozes.

For the full episode transcript click here.

Squiz Kids Facebook

Squiz Kids Instagram

Newshounds

Get started on our free media literacy resource for classrooms

https://www.squizkids.com.au/about-newshounds/

Classroom Companion:

Stay up to date with us on our Squiz Kids Instagram!

Got a birthday coming up and you want a shout-out? Complete the form on our Squiz Kids website. Link: SHOUT OUTS or / send us an email at squizkids@thesquiz.com.au

Your Shortcut to... Taylor Swift Feb 26, 2024

Show notes

This is your Squiz Kids Shortcut to the Taylor Swift! We're on a mission to uncover WHO Taylor Swift was before the fame, WHY she's become a beacon of hope and inspiration to millions, and HOW she became the dazzling, chart-topping, record-breaking superstar we know today. So, grab your glittery microphones, and let's get this show on the road!

LINKS

Christmas Tree Farm (song): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mN3rDTAdM2oHow

Taylor Swift became a billionaire: https://www.couriermail.com.au/entertainment/music/crazy-numbers-behind-taylor-swifts-success/news-story/a309dbe652fa5770d63024f42d02e08f

Marjorie Finlay: https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-globe-democrat/65065321/

All about Taylor Swift's grandparents: https://people.com/all-about-taylor-swift-grandparents-7558166

Quick primer on Taylor Swift's parents: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/a44169355/taylor-swift-parents-scott-andrea-swift/

For the full episode transcript, click here.