Squiz Kids

With Valentine’s Day here, and millions of dollars being spent on roses, chocolates and cards, we’re unlocking the surprisingly wild story behind February 14.

Long before heart-shaped boxes and candlelit dinners, this day had its roots in an ancient Roman festival called Lupercalia — and yes, it involved goats.

In this episode of From the Vault, we explore when Valentine’s Day began, how it’s celebrated around the world, and some of the biggest and most surprising romantic gestures ever recorded.

This week’s Squiz Kids Science Short, we explore how robotic arms really work — from the tiny electrical signals your muscles send, to the clever sensors that help artificial limbs move. And we uncover something surprising: movement is only half the story. To truly work, a robotic limb needs to feel.

So how do scientists restore touch and that hidden superpower called proprioception — your body’s sense of where it is in space?

It’s a fascinating look at biology, engineering and the question at the heart of it all:

If technology works alongside...

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

For the full episode transcript, click here.

Your daily kids news podcast.

A shark in the Antarctic; kites dance in Pakistan’s skies; AI unlocks a Roman boardgame; and when politics gets sloppy.

Scientists caught a sneaky shark on camera near Antarctica — the first time ever!

After nearly two decades, Lahore’s skies were filled with colourful kites once more! The Basant festival made a joyful comeback with strict safety rules.

A carved rock from Roman times puzzled archaeologists — until AI stepped in! It might be an ancient game board, showing Romans were serious about their playtime.

AI is...

Your daily kids news podcast.

Call out for space cadets; Roblox in trouble again; Snow leopard patrol in the Himalayas; and K-pop Demon Hunters' new music.

Australia’s Defence Force wants real-life space cadets! With Space Command growing, it’s time to reach for the stars—literally.

Way up in India’s icy mountains, a team of mighty women is saving snow leopards—with cameras, courage, and cold toes.

Forget touchdowns, we want tail wags! While football fans cheered, over 150 adoptable pups ran, barked, and tumbled through the cutest game of the year...

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.

Join your captain, Christie, aboard the Squiz Kids Super Fast Supersonic Jetliner as we head to Greenland — a place of towering glaciers, cracking ice, and some of the most extreme light and darkness on Earth. Known to its people as Kalaallit Nunaat, Greenland is the world’s largest island, with more ice than almost anywhere else on the planet and a history stretching back thousands of y...

Your daily kids news podcast.

Winners and grinners at Winter Olympics; Deer rescued on frozen lake; Super Bowl kicks off with Bad Bunny; and the Gruffalo has a granny.

The Winter Olympics kicked off with fireworks, flags, and frosty fun! Snowy countries grabbed medals, but Aussie snowboarder Valentino Guseli won hearts by landing a super-scary trick.

People in north-west WA had a nervous night as Cyclone Mitchell rolled toward land. With strong winds and wild weather on the way, locals were told to batten down the hatches, hug their pets, and stay safe...

Rockets. Rivalries. Moon landings. Mars missions.

In this episode of From the Vault, we rewind to one of the biggest science and politics stories of the last 100 years: the Space Race.

Why did countries suddenly start competing to leave Earth? How did World War II technology lead to rockets pointed at space instead of enemies? And why did the rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union turn the sky into a global battleground?

Then, we fast-forward to today’s new space race: missions to Mars, powerful new space nations, and billionaire-backed co...

Does the Moon really have a dark side?

In this Squiz Kids Science Short, we bust one of space’s biggest myths and explain why the Moon always seems to show us the same face. You’ll find out what the so-called “dark side” really is, why it isn’t dark at all, and how gravity slowly put the brakes on the Moon’s spin billions of years ago.

We explore what the Moon’s far side looks like, when humans finally saw it for the first time, and why scientists think it might be one of the qui...

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

For the full episode transcript, click here.

Your daily kids news podcast.

Winter Olympics kick off in Italy; the groundhog sees his shadow; SuperBowl for blind people; and helping your parents fight fake news.

Get your skates and snow boots ready — the Winter Olympics are here! With 3,000 athletes from 90 countries, plus pop star Mariah Carey and two stoat mascots named Tina and Milo.

Punxsutawney Phil popped out of his burrow in Pennsylvania and saw his shadow — which apparently means six more weeks of winter. He didn’t look too thrilled about it either.

This weekend’s Super Bowl is makin...

Your daily kids news podcast.

Family saved from paddleboard peril;  a spectacular sporting sorry; floofy pups chase Best in Show; and Germany’s Spudpocalypse

When strong winds swept his family out to sea, a brave 13-year-old swam for four hours through choppy waves to get help!

After accidentally hitting a judge with his serve, Yuji Nishida launched into a torpedo-style apology slide! The dramatic bowing impressed everyone — and he still helped win the match.

It’s the world’s most paws-itively fabulous dog event — the Westminster Dog Show is turning 150! With thousands o...

They’re icy, they’re fast, and they involve people willingly hurtling downhill head-first at motorway speeds.

This is your Squiz Kids Shortcut to the Winter Olympics and Paralympics — the podcast where we explore the who, what, where, when, why and how behind one of the world’s biggest sporting events.

In this episode, Christie and Bryce head back to the very first Winter Olympics in 1924, before racing forward to the most spread-out Games ever, hosted across cities and mountains in Italy. Along the way, they explain the wild winter sports you’ll see on snow and i...

Your daily kids news podcast.

Moon mission starts its countdown; Falling iguanas in America’s big freeze; here comes Groundhog Day; and Katseye crushes the Grammys.

Astronauts are about to zoom around the Moon in the Artemis II mission—the first time humans have gone this far in over 50 years!

Florida’s beaches might get snow (what?!), and chilly weather means iguanas are literally dropping from trees!

All eyes are on one very furry weather forecaster—Punxsutawney Phil! On Groundhog Day, he pops out to “predict” if spring is on the way.

...

It was the most expensive, ambitious — and disastrous — expedition in Australian history. And somehow, it’s also one of the most famous.

In this From the Vault Squiz Kids Shortcut, we rewind to 1860 and follow the ill-fated journey of Robert O'Hara Burke and William John Wills, who set out to become the first white explorers to cross Australia from south to north. What followed was a trail of poor planning, bad decisions, ignored advice — and heartbreaking consequences.

Listen carefully — there’s a Squiz at the end.

How many generations have lived — and how do we even count that?

In this Squiz Kids Science Short, Christie explains how scientists use generations to measure time, why humans have racked up around 12,000 of them, and how today’s population explosion makes our moment in history a very unusual one. A quick, mind-bending look at humanity’s place in deep time.

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

For the full episode transcript, click here.

Your daily kids news podcast.

Back to school screen-time advice; China’s sad horse goes viral; the great jellyfish beach invasion; and the policeman who became a frog.

An army—a smack—of giant jellyfish has slimed its way into Port Phillip Bay, closing beaches and giving swimmers the ick.

A toy horse meant to bring joy is accidentally frowning—and everyone loves it!

Scientists in the US taught rats to drive teeny cars to get cereal snacks—and found out they actually enjoy it!

A police officer in the US was...

Your daily kids news podcast.

Mexico goes KPop crazy; The Demon goes down to Alcaraz; blazing bushfires to blasting blizzards; and Aussie kids make a movie

Australia’s melting in a mega heatwave while the US is turning into a snow globe! From frying eggs on footpaths to shivering in warming shelters, it’s a wild weather ride across the globe.

Mexico’s president is on a mission: bring BTS to town! With one million fans hoping for just 150,000 tickets, it’s KPop mania.

A brand-new Aussie movie made with kids, not just...

January 27 marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz in 1945. And following the violent attack on Jewish people in Bondi in December, we felt it was important to pause, remember, and explain what this day is really about.

In this Squiz Kids Shortcut, we carefully explore who Jewish people are, what the Holocaust was and how it began, and why remembering matters today. This episode is not about blame or taking sides. At its heart, it’s about people, shared humanity, and understanding how words, lies, and discrimination can lead to terrible consequences if...

School’s back for some of you this week, and so is Squiz Kids!

To help you start the year feeling informed and ready, this Squiz Kids Catch-Up episode wraps up the biggest news stories from the summer holidays — all in one easy, kid-friendly listen.

From major events in Australia to big global headlines, plus sport, pop culture and moments that brought people together, we break it all down so you’re back in the know before the first bell rings.

Squiz Kids Today is back this week with daily news, weekly Shortcuts, quizze...

First released in 2023, this Squiz Kids Shortcut is back.

January 26 has been known by many names over time: Landing Day, Foundation Day, Invasion Day and Survival Day. It began as a celebration for freed convicts, became a public holiday nationwide in 1994, and today means very different things to different Australians.

In this episode, we explore how January 26 became Australia Day, why it’s a day of celebration for some but a day of mourning for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and what people around the country do to mark the occasion, from Survival Da...

In this Squiz Kids Science Short, Christie explains why our planet is very slowly slowing down, what that means for the length of our days, and why you won’t notice any extra free time just yet. Then we imagine the wild science-fiction scenario of Earth suddenly stopping — with help from Newton’s First Law — and discover why a spinning planet is essential for life as we know it.

It’s time for a Bumper Kids v Adults Holiday S’Quiz, and this one’s all about Epic Explorers.

From ancient travellers and daring sea voyages, to sky-high flights, space missions, clever animals, and explorers of big ideas, kids take on ten exploration-themed questions before the adults step up for their turn.

Who knows their explorers better… kids or adults? Grab a pen, keep score, and get ready to journey across land, sea, space, and imagination. 🧭🚀

For the full episode transcript, click here.

Join us in the morning each Monday and Wednesday during the school holidays for a brain-boosting riddle. Then, tune back in after 2:30pm AEDT for the solution. Keep those cogs turning throughout the school break.

For more great content, or to tell us what your hopes are for 2026, check us out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠squizkids.com.au⁠⁠

Join us in the morning each Monday and Wednesday during the school holidays for a brain-boosting riddle. Then, tune back in after 2:30pm AEDT for the solution. Keep those cogs turning throughout the school break.

For more great content, or to tell us what your hopes are for 2026, check us out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠squizkids.com.au⁠⁠

Join us in the morning each Monday and Wednesday during the school holidays for a brain-boosting riddle. Then, tune back in after 2:30pm AEDT for the solution. Keep those cogs turning throughout the school break.

For more great content, or to tell us what your hopes are for 2026, check us out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠squizkids.com.au⁠⁠

Join us in the morning each Monday and Wednesday during the school holidays for a brain-boosting riddle. Then, tune back in after 2:30pm AEDT for the solution. Keep those cogs turning throughout the school break.

For more great content, or to tell us what your hopes are for 2026, check us out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠squizkids.com.au⁠⁠

Sugar isn’t just for cakes and lollies. In this From the Vault Squiz Kids episode, Amanda and Bryce explore why humans love sugar, how it helps food last longer, heal wounds, and even how scientists are turning it into fuel that could one day power cars.

Then it’s off on a global candy adventure, from chilli-spiked sweets in Mexico to durian lollies in Asia and some seriously strange treats from the US and beyond.

Sweet, surprising and packed with science, this episode will change the way you think about sugar. 🍬

In this Squiz Kids Science Short, Christie untangles one of science’s most popular claims — and asks whether something as delicate as a cobweb could ever build something as big as the Eiffel Tower. Along the way, we explore tensile strength, stretchiness, and why spiders make brilliant silk… but terrible factory workers.

It’s time for a Bumper Kids v Adults Holiday S’Quiz, and this one’s all about Sporting Events.

From The Ashes and grand finals, to the Olympics, World Cups and some of Australia’s most famous teams and rivalries, kids take on ten sporty questions before the adults step up for their turn.

Who knows their sport better… kids or adults?
Grab a pen, keep score, and let the games begin. 🏆

For the full episode transcript, click here.

Join us in the morning each Monday and Wednesday during the school holidays for a brain-boosting riddle. Then, tune back in after 2:30pm AEDT for the solution. Keep those cogs turning throughout the school break.

For more great content, or to tell us what your hopes are for 2026, check us out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠squizkids.com.au⁠⁠

Join us in the morning each Monday and Wednesday during the school holidays for a brain-boosting riddle. Then, tune back in after 2:30pm AEDT for the solution. Keep those cogs turning throughout the school break.

For more great content, or to tell us what your hopes are for 2026, check us out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠squizkids.com.au⁠⁠

Join us in the morning each Monday and Wednesday during the school holidays for a brain-boosting riddle. Then, tune back in after 2:30pm AEDT for the solution. Keep those cogs turning throughout the school break.

For more great content, or to tell us what your hopes are for 2026, check us out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠squizkids.com.au⁠⁠

Join us in the morning each Monday and Wednesday during the school holidays for a brain-boosting riddle. Then, tune back in after 2:30pm AEDT for the solution. Keep those cogs turning throughout the school break.

For more great content, or to tell us what your hopes are for 2026, check us out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠squizkids.com.au⁠⁠

Sneakers. Trainers. Runners. Plimsolls. Whatever you call them, they’ve gone from beach shoes and basketball courts to resale treasure worth thousands of dollars. In this episode of From the Vault, Amanda and Bryce lace up and explore when sneakers were first invented, what a “sneakerhead” actually is, and how the shoes we love can have a surprising impact on the planet.

Listen carefully… there’s a S’Quiz at the end 👟

LINKS:

Sustainable sneakers:

https://goodonyou.eco/the-ultimate-guide-to-sustainable-sneakers/ https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/sustainable-sneakers/

How do scientists work out how old things really are — when they’re way too old for birthday candles?

In this Squiz Kids Science Short, Christie explains how scientists date ancient objects, from tree rings and bones to buried cities, dinosaur fossils and rocks billions of years old. Discover how carbon dating works, why the ground keeps clues in layers, and how different scientific “clocks” help unlock the deep history of our planet.

It’s time for a Bumper Kids v Adults Holiday S’Quiz — and this one is all about Outer Space Oddities.

From floating blobs of water and stretchy black holes to backwards-spinning planets, invisible matter, and mind-bending space facts, this quiz explores the weird, wonderful, and downright surprising side of the universe. Kids take on ten space-themed questions inspired by stories from the Squiz Kids podcast, while adults face ten trickier brain-stretchers covering physics, astronomy, and cosmic history. Only one side can win — but will it be curious kids or clever adults?

For the full episode...

Join us in the morning each Monday and Wednesday during the school holidays for a brain-boosting riddle. Then, tune back in after 2:30pm AEDT for the solution. Keep those cogs turning throughout the school break.

For more great content, or to tell us what your hopes are for 2026, check us out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠squizkids.com.au⁠⁠

Join us in the morning each Monday and Wednesday during the school holidays for a brain-boosting riddle. Then, tune back in after 2:30pm AEDT for the solution. Keep those cogs turning throughout the school break.

For more great content, or to tell us what your hopes are for 2026, check us out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠squizkids.com.au⁠⁠