Health
Traditional Indigenous games build sports skills
indigenous newsOlympian Beki Smith loves learning traditional Indigenous – or Yulunga – games from her eight-year-old son. You can try them too by downloading the special Yulunga games guide in this story
Australia ranks second for child cyber-bullying
safe kidsWith nearly one in four Aussie kids experiencing cyber-bullying, but only 20 per cent of parents aware their child is being exposed to online abuse, experts say gap must close to help combat crisis
Turn a fast food favourite into a healthy feast
ask healthy haroldWho said pizza wasn’t a health food? Certainly not Healthy Harold, who knows homemade pizza can be both delicious and nutritious. And he's got a great recipe to share. WATCH THE VIDEO
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Bol’s belonging boost for youth
Peter Bol became Australia’s fastest ever 800m athlete at the Tokyo Games, now the Sudanese-born sensation is racing toward a new goal: supporting troubled youths in juvenile justice centres
Primary kids on lunch box clock
Schoolchildren need at least 15 minutes to eat lunch, according to new research, but most primary schools are only giving students 10 minutes to race through their lunch box
Covid kids can’t throw or catch
The last two years of cancelled club sport and PE classes have left a large number of Australian children without sporting skills, as experts call for a rethink so Covid-impacted kids can catch up
Covid jab heroes now beat malaria
The scientists behind the Oxford coronavirus vaccine have now come up with a vaccine to fight malaria which claims the life of a young child every minute
Warning on harmful sour lollies
Kids and parents have been warned about the dangers of sour lollies after children suffered burns to their tongues
Major Covid-19 rules scrapped
Mask rules have been eased and close contact isolation scrapped in Victoria and NSW, with Queensland about to follow in rolling back Covid-19 restrictions
World’s oldest person dies at 119
Born in 1903, married a century ago and recognised by Guinness World Records as the planet’s oldest person, Kane Tataka has passed away peacefully in her home country Japan
Top dog Elmo is in full flight
A busy airport can be stressful, but Elmo the labrador is making the experience a whole lot easier for nervous flyers and travellers with special needs
Aussie kids get D- for physical activity
A new report card has found children and young people are failing to move enough, with just one quarter meeting physical activity guidelines
Look who has Australia’s healthiest lunchboxes
The results are in. Find out who Healthy Harold has judged the owners of Australia’s healthiest lunchboxes
Insect wings inspire food safety solution
Dragonfly and cicada wings act as deadly armour against bacterial attack, giving scientists an unexpected blueprint for better protecting our food
Ash Barty retires from tennis
Australian tennis legend Ash Barty has made the stunning decision to retire from tennis at the age of 25, saying she is ‘really, really excited’ about what the future holds
Celebrating our female sporting champs
Let’s celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8 with a look at eight inspirational Australian female athletes
PM Scott Morrison has Covid-19
Prime Minister Scott Morrison will isolate for a week after developing a fever and testing positive to Covid-19, while it’s back to work for the Queen
Global warming threat to outdoor sport
The Australian way of life will have to change unless leaders take greater action now to address climate change
Sportsmanship makes a comeback in cricket
Cricket fans around the world have praised a gracious act of sportsmanship that shows the spirit of cricket is alive and well. WATCH THE VIDEO
Why kids are better at fighting Covid
Children’s "innate" immune systems are better at overcoming Covid-19 than adults’ – and another factor stalling the spread in schools is really something to sing about
Queen tests positive to Covid-19
After spending time with the Prince of Wales last week, Queen Elizabeth II has also tested positive to Covid-19 and reportedly has ‘mild, cold-like symptoms’
New dino study is nothing to sneeze at
An international team of researchers believes dinosaurs caught colds and other respiratory illnesses, just like humans
Bad sugar habits are harming kids
Sugary treats are tough to resist – but sugar is harmful once kids eat and drink more than the equivalent of six teaspoons a day. How much sugar do you consume?
How did Beijing get Olympics blue sky?
Beijing’s smog is notorious. But the Chinese capital has enjoyed blue skies like this for much of the Winter Olympics. How did it do it?
Our best Winter Olympics as slider takes silver
After a bone-rattling, heart-stopping slide to the finish line, Jaclyn Narracott has won silver in the skeleton, delivering Australia a fourth Winter Olympics medal for the first time in history
Happy kids get higher NAPLAN grades
A merry spring in the step might do more than extra study when it comes to improving a student’s literacy and numeracy scores
Gold medal win for Jakara’s mighty moguls
Jakara Anthony dominated the women’s moguls from the start and got her fairytale finish, winning a gold medal and capping off a historic day for Australia that started with Tess Coady’s bronze
How to lunch like an Olympian
Olympian Riley Day knows how important a healthy lunch is. Let’s see what she recommends. Plus you can enter Healthy Harold’s search for Australia’s healthiest lunchbox
How to make a happy return to school
Starting a new school year can be hard, especially in Covid-19 times, so we asked meditation and mindfulness teacher Sam Snowden for her tips on coping with back to school worries
Dylan Alcott named Australian of the Year
Tennis champ and Paralympic gold medallist Dylan Alcott is the first person with a disability to win the nation’s top award. He’s well known for his sport but that’s not his only achievement
Face mask litter a major problem
Nearly two years since the pandemic began, the world is awash in discarded single-use face masks and this chief Covid protection poses a threat to wildlife and the environment
Bird sounds set for ARIA success
Endangered Australian birds could knock pop songbirds from their perch, with an album of birdsong in the running to debut in the ARIA Top 10
Djoker’s toughest opponent in record bid
One man stands between tennis superstar Novak Djokovic and his bid to win a record number of Grand Slams with victory at the Australian Open, according to cartoonist Mark Knight
3D printer pumps out a pizza
Microwave ovens were huge when they hit the market, but this revolutionary food appliance prints food using edible paste as ink
Covid jabs for kids by January
Primary school kids are on track to receive their first jabs before school returns next year, with the Pfizer vaccine cleared for use
Tense time for Australian teens
Aussie teens spend too much time on screens, not enough time exercising or sleeping, and they’re worried about Covid and the environment, a new survey reveals
How to swap screen time for green time
It’s easy to lose track of time when you’re on a screen. It even happens to Healthy Harold! See Harold’s tips for swapping screen time for green time – and send him your questions
Risk plus adventure equals fun at the park
Flying foxes, trees for climbing, swings and obstacle courses are on the park wishlist for Aussie kids, new research reveals
Girls more active in PE without boys
Girls get a bigger workout in single-sex school sports than they do playing on mixed teams with boys
How to stay healthy and happy during Covid
The Covid-19 pandemic has meant big changes for people around the world – kids included. It’s been tough at times but Healthy Harold has some great advice for getting through the pandemic
Schools shut as smog smothers Indian capital
Authorities in the Indian capital of New Delhi have ordered the closure of schools and coal-burning power plants after air pollution reached more than 30 times the World Health Organisation’s recommended maximum
Power up with healthy foods
The right foods not only help to keep you healthy and strong, they also power your body through the day. Read Healthy Harold’s advice on the foods you need for energy
Call for more inclusive sports terms
Whether terms like ‘sportsmanship’ and ‘man on’ are discriminatory has sparked gender debate in physical education
Teen friendships move online
Half of Australian teens spend at least as much time online with their friends as seeing them face-to-face, a new study has found
Record ride on top of hot-air balloon
A French daredevil has set a world record for standing on top of a hot-air balloon higher above the ground than ever before – and has this breathtaking selfie to prove it
Big Bird ruffles feathers after Covid shot
Not even Sesame Street’s fictional feathered friends are safe on social media, as Big Bird’s Covid jab sets off US Senator Ted Cruz
Tennis legend Dylan Alcott to retire
The world's most successful quad tennis player is set to retire, with Golden Slam champion Dylan Alcott confirming next year’s Australian Open will be his last
Covid jab for younger kids delayed
A decision on the safety of the Covid-19 vaccine for younger kids is coming soon – but the delay likely means most primary aged children won’t have access to the jab until next year
Get in the mood to move
Moving is not only great for our bodies, but also our minds. Read Healthy Harold’s tips for getting in the mood to move
World’s word of the year revealed
Covid-19 has dominated our conversations for the past year but one pandemic-related word has come out of nowhere to be declared the 2021 word of the year
‘Novax’ will need special passport to play
Cartoonist Mark Knight reckons world No. 1 men’s tennis player Novak Djokovic might need a special vaccine passport to defend his Australian Open title
Keeping the world safe from Covid
Getting a Covid-19 jab is a lot harder in some parts of the world than it is in Australia. UNICEF health workers are going to extraordinary lengths to get lifesaving vaccines to hard-to-reach places
Tips for calming a busy brain
Have you ever felt like your mind is so busy you can’t concentrate? Healthy Harold has some great advice for how to calm a busy brain
Gaps in childhood tooth brushing
Only two-thirds of Australian children brush their teeth twice a day, with experts calling for a fresh national review of children’s oral health habits
Golden girls could finally get Olympic due
Australian athletes robbed of Olympic medals during a notorious period of cheating may finally be given their rightful place in sporting history after a 40-year fight for justice
Even premiers must follow the rules
Victorian kids are packing face masks into their school bags along with their books and lunch because no-one wants to find themselves in the naughty corner, cartoonist Mark Knight says
Walk to the moon for kindness
Kids, schools and communities are being challenged to spread small acts of kindness while walking 382,000km – the distance from Earth to the moon – between now and World Kindness Day
Stepping up to fight hunger
Inspirational Prep student Emma Reade is stepping up her efforts to help feed people in need by joining the FareShare FootSteps Challenge
Have you heard the one about the Covid test?
Getting a Covid-19 test is no joke, but it could become a lot more fun for kids thanks to a new Australian made testing device in the shape of moustaches and cat noses
Covid vaccine race is finally on
Beating Covid-19 is a bit like a drag car race between the vaccine and the Delta variant, according to cartoonist Mark Knight
Do you know your vegetables?
Aussie kids are becoming less knowledgeable about where their food comes from and many can’t identify common vegetables, according to new research
Healthy Harold wants to know RU OK?
It’s RU OK? Day and Healthy Harold wants to check in with kids around Australia. Here’s his advice for looking after yourself and each other
Good moods from fresh foods
That yucky feeling after eating junk is your body telling you something – and now we know that foods high in sugar, fat and salt are harming your mental health too
Mini-horse breeds happiness
Meet Jimmy, the handsome black miniature stallion who is winning hearts and spreading smiles with a skateboarder in tow
China cuts video gaming for kids
China has announced strict new time limits on kids playing video games, including banning online gaming altogether on school days
More Aussie kids need glasses
Digital technology is here to stay, but rising numbers of Australian students are copping the impact of screens right between the eyes
Milk is cream of the crop for bones
It’s Healthy Bones Action Week and Healthy Harold is encouraging kids to think about their bones. Find out more about bone health and send your questions to Healthy Harold
Hotdogs land in hot water
Ditching hotdogs and burgers from our diet could add up to extra time enjoying a healthy life, with a new study counting the minutes lost or gained from eating thousands of food items
Olympian sells medal to save baby’s life
Polish javelin thrower Maria Andrejczyk has a heart of gold, selling her Tokyo Olympics silver medal to fund lifesaving surgery for a sick baby she has never met
Why making up stories is good for you
Letting your imagination run wild is one of the best things about being a kid – and a great way to start your entry for the 2021 Kids News Short Story Competition
Playground ban stirs up memories of the Fun Police
The closure of Melbourne’s playgrounds to combat Covid-19 reminded cartoonist Mark Knight of being labelled the Fun Police when he used to tell his kids it was time to go home
The power of puppy love
Aussies have been feeling the love from the nation’s pets throughout the pandemic, a new study shows
Teens share golden rules of gaming
A new gaming safety guide for kids and their parents has some real expert input – a group of teenage gamers
‘Vaccas’ drive through serves up Covid jabs
Cartoonist Mark Knight couldn’t resist comparing Australia’s first drive through Covid-19 vaccination centre with fast good favourite Maccas
Two hours of screen time hurts health
Just two hours on a screen is enough to cause health problems in girls, a new global study has found. But it’s a slightly different story when it comes to boys
Global climate changing by degrees
Experts say the international effort to limit global warming by keeping temperature rises to two degrees by 2060 is under pressure
What is the Census all about?
The story of our nation is updated every five years at Census time – and what a strange chapter this one promises to be as people around Australia continue to live, work and learn through Covid
Dumped food costing Aussies the Earth
A new study has lifted the bin lid on how much food we’re throwing away, as researchers call on Australians to stop the waste and stop destroying the planet
Olympic high jump heroes strike a chord
Olympic sportsmanship was on full display when two high jumpers decided to share gold rather than have a 'jump-off' to split their tie in the final
Call to turn off engines to protect kids’ health
Scientists have called for a ban on idling car engines during school pick-ups, warning the pollution is damaging children’s health
Awesome foursomes start Olympic gold rush
Both the women’s and men’s fours started strong and held on, taking rowing gold in two heart-stopping races – and that was before Ariarne Titmus’ late-run triumph in the pool
How healthy is your breakfast?
A new Melbourne study shows that eating a healthy breakfast declines for children aged between 18 months and five – and researchers hope to learn why
Pfizer jab approved for Aussie kids
Australian children aged 12 to 16 are set to get Covid-19 vaccinations after the country’s drug regulator gave the green light to Pfizer
Vic and NSW lockdown styles in the spotlight
With 13 million Australians in Covid lockdown, cartoonist Mark Knight reckons the different approach taken by the leaders of our two most populated states is a bit like a famous movie scene
How to kick off the Covid blues
The time has come to go easy on ourselves and each other – and there is still plenty of fun to set you free even while you are holed up at home
Triple-0 hero Archer saves his mum
Quick-thinking Archer has been recognised for his bravery and calmness in a crisis after dialling triple-0 to get help for his unconscious mum
Boy genius plans for humans to live forever
A degree in quantum physics is nothing compared to the bold ambition of this child genius – just don’t call him ‘Young Einstein’
Basketballer Ben Simmons out of Tokyo Olympics
NBA All Star Ben Simmons has officially pulled out of the Tokyo Olympics but his Aussie Boomers teammates and coach have expressed their full support
Caterpillar venom could be used to make medicine
It might deliver a nasty sting, but the venom of this common Australian caterpillar could be used to fight diseases in humans and livestock
How do astronauts clean clothes in space?
Not even astronauts can avoid the housework forever, as NASA announces plans for a dirty laundry overhaul aboard the International Space Station
From laps in dam to Paralympic dream
Teen swimmer Col Pearse was training in a dam on his family’s farm last year and has now been tapped for the Tokyo Paralympics team
Call to ditch school uniforms for sportswear
Kids, parents, teachers and health experts are calling for traditional school uniforms to be replaced with sports uniforms, which could save families money and promote physical activity
Daniher gives the MND beast a shove
Though we are in a pandemic, the annual Big Freeze event reminds Mark Knight that there are other medical battles being fought that also deserve our attention
Students test sea rubbish removal with robots
Year 7 students in SA have begun testing robotic rubbish collectors in the school pool, with their sights set on one day cleaning up waste-filled water worldwide
Aussie Dylan Alcott wins third French Open
For the third year in a row in France, and 13th time in his career, Aussie wheelchair tennis ace Dylan Alcott is a Grand Slam champion
Dinos illustrate Covid challenge
What does the age of the dinosaurs have in common with our modern coronavirus challenge? Mark Knight explains why he combined the two in his latest cartoon for Kids News
Grow your own fruit and vegies for good health
Kids can grow stronger from the ground up by planting their own fruit and vegetables. Get Healthy Harold’s tips on what to plant
Radioactive rhino horns to the rescue?
A radical – indeed radioactive – scientific solution has begun in South Africa to save the rhino species by deterring poachers
China lifts the baby limit to three
When China introduced the one-child policy in 1979 it was to prevent a population explosion, but now more babies are needed
Say goodbye to needles with vaccine patch
We could soon be giving ourselves Covid vaccines without the need for a doctor, nurse or needle, thanks to a “game changing” discovery by Australian scientists