just for Fun
Saving the day with a gorilla named Gertrude
just for funDavid Walliams introduces Code Name Bananas, in which an orphaned boy named Eric makes friends with a gorilla named Gertrude and they save the day! With activity sheets to download
Student solves poem clues, finds treasure chest
just for funThe identity has been revealed of the person who solved clues written into a poem, then found a famous gold-filled treasure chest hidden more than a decade ago in the wilds of Wyoming
Peace and goodwill enduring themes of Christmas
artsMark Knight wonders how Santa’s operations might look in the 21st century with social media, job cuts, mass manufacturing and low-cost couriers. At least we can still aim for peace and goodwill
Latest
Shiny metal thing disappears, another appears
Another mysterious triangular metal pillar has been found next to an ancient fortress in the city of Piatra Neamt, Romania, days after one vanished without a trace in the desert in Utah, US
Santa gets special permission to travel at Christmas
The coronavirus pandemic continues to disrupt travel around the world but the Prime Minister has confirmed that no matter what happens to Australia’s borders Santa will be able to do his job
Mystery shiny metal thing appears in desert
Deep in the remote, Mars-like landscape of Utah’s red-rock desert in the US, a helicopter crew counting sheep stumbled on a mystery: A giant, gleaming metal thing embedded in rock
Unmasked! Aussies’ great effort in the pandemic
With his relaxation on wearing masks outdoors it seems Premier Dan has saved Victorians yet again, this time not from coronavirus but from weird facial tanning outcomes
Australian towns star in Monopoly special edition
Instead of famous streets in far-off London, a new Monopoly board features 22 Australian towns and regions to raise funds for communities impacted by bushfires, floods and COVID-19
Solving the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle
Ships and planes have disappeared without a trace in the Bermuda Triangle. But is there really anything strange going on? Kids News looks at the history of this fascinating phenomenon
Broomsticks for Muggles glide through the streets
Two men have been seen whizzing on broomsticks along the famously traffic-choked streets of Brazilian megacity Sao Paulo. The inventors’ goal is to create a new version of Quidditch
New technology beams sound into your head
Audio technology to be unveiled this week beams music, games or movie soundtracks directly into your head without headphones or wires, which the developers are calling “sound beaming”
At work with a Sydney Harbour Bridge climber
Could Nick Hayes have the best job in the world? Or perhaps you think it would be the worst job. Find out what happens on a typical day for a climb leader on the Sydney Harbour Bridge
Time to wave goodbye to the peregrine chicks
As Melburnians stretch their wings after the lockdown, the city’s famous peregrine falcon chicks are also stretching theirs, hopping and flying backwards and forwards along their home ledge
Tell us about your favourite family holiday
Thanks to the kids who shared their family holiday memories with us as part of the Australia Go Get It campaign. Read our top picks
Special ‘covid stamp’ printed on toilet paper
A European postal service has printed a stamp on toilet paper to reinforce an important coronavirus message — as Australia releases its own pandemic-related stamp
First for top dog handler
Carmen Blyth — along with trusty dog Spec — has become the first female to win Tasmania’s Working Sheep Dog State Championships since the competition began in the 1940s
Artist’s illusions transforming the streets
A self-taught graffiti artist is becoming famous around the world for his ultra-realistic murals that transform the mundane into the magnificent, earning him the nickname “The Illusionist”
Fox without socks takes a liking to shoes
In a twist on the Dr Seuss story, a cunning fox is collecting shoes — but not socks — from front verandas in Adelaide, spreading them around the streets and hoarding them in its den
Starman in a Tesla Roadster car flies past Mars
Elon Musk’s car has just passed Mars after he blasted it into space in 2018. Elsewhere in the solar system, an object thought to be an asteroid is likely a junk NASA rocket wandering since 1966
Young TV cook’s advice for kids in the kitchen
A Junior MasterChef contestant is encouraging other kids to get cooking. Here are his tips for the best way to learn
All the action of the famous peregrine falcon family
Three peregrine falcon chicks have hatched in a nest on the side of a Melbourne skyscraper. The birds are the stars of a live webcam watched by thousands of people around the world
All aboard Emily, the big jet to nowhere
The Great Southern Land scenic flight is thought to be the fastest-selling flight in Qantas history, giving passengers a birds-eye view of Australia then delivering them back to where the flight began
Flush out some fun with Tina and Tom’s Time-Travelling Toilet
Discover some fun facts about important moments in history with book characters Tina, Tom and Dog — and download their A-maze-ing activity sheets
Alligator-squeak research wins big science prize
Scientists have won an international prize for research intended to make you laugh — and then think — for testing whether an alligator that breathes in helium squeaks like Minnie Mouse
Author Matt Stanton answers reader questions
Well done to all the kids who sent in great questions for Funny Kids author Matt. Check out his answers to 10 of the best
Meet the comedians in the animal kingdom
We won’t ever know if these animals are trying to be funny but we do know they’re giving us lots of laughs. Meet the stars of the finalist entries in the 2020 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards
Fight over what’s right with fairy bread
Fairy bread is an Aussie party icon — a simple, old-fashioned treat that helps make a table of party food look good and feel fun, except there’s a lot of disagreement about how to make it
Dad and daughter make a winning ballet combination
A rugby-loving dad has teamed with his ballet-loving daughter to take out top prize in a global dance challenge. Check out their moves
Brain holds key to Antarctic ice ship mystery
Conspiracy theorists claim they’ve found a huge capsized ship about 160km off the coast of Antarctica but the mystery is most likely solved by looking at how human brains work
Another crazy year of Guinness World Records
If you thought a pandemic would hold back world-record wannabes, think again. The latest Guinness World Records Book includes as many weird and wonderful achievements as ever
Vegemite needs you to sing its jingle
We know Vegemite tastes like Australia, but the company that makes it wants to find out what Australia sounds like, calling on the nation to give the spread’s classic theme song a new life
See the sights on a holiday to nowhere
Business is booming during coronavirus-related restrictions for a virtual travel company that helps you have a holiday without going anywhere
Whose big AFL grab will we sing about?
The AFL Grand Final is one of the major sporting events of the year but everything about the 2020 season is different. Qld Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk could take the mark of the year
Virgin Galactic reveals space cabin design
For $350,000, passengers flying to space on a 90-minute Virgin Galactic joy ride will be able to see themselves floating weightless against the backdrop of the Earth below
Dog becomes essential worker during pandemic
A chocolate Labrador has been doing an important job to help people stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, delivering food in a straw basket around his neighbourhood
Old video game sells for $164,000
A 35-year-old Super Mario Bros. video game has been sold for more than $164,000, but the very high price still doesn’t beat the recent sale of an expensive Star Wars Boba Fett action figure
Yay! It’s time for school holiday fun
Kids News is taking a little break to enjoy the school holidays. In the meantime, try these Dr Seuss-themed activities. Enjoy! Have a great break and stay safe
There’s a huge dinosaur in my kitchen
Google has a new feature that lets you view lifelike dinosaurs wherever you are through a smartphone camera with 3D augmented reality technology that works like Pokemon Go
Making ISO bears for friends to cuddle
Grace and Chloe knew how much comfort a cuddly toy could be during the stressful times of social isolation, so they decided to spread the joy and make ISO bears for people to adopt
Kids’ author Matt Stanton’s tips for writing a great story
Are you struggling to come up with an idea for the Kids News Short Story competition? Don’t worry, these tips from Matt Stanton will get your imagination flowing. But hurry, time is running out to enter.
Could this be the Loch Ness monster?
A tourist’s accidental photo of a strange aquatic creature about 2.5m long has sparked new excitement about Scotland’s Loch Ness monster, the mysterious creature people love wondering about
Writing yourself into someone else’s shoes
Keeping up with world news gave author Amaeh Reed an idea for her winning 2019 Kids News short story competition entry. Amaeh explains how she got from the idea to the finished story
Dream job of Lego master builder
Lego master builder Kieran Jiwa — whose job it is to play and create with Lego for most of every day — has known he wanted this career since he was six years old
Characters’ stinky start to a winning story
Rose Pullinger’s Emily to the Rescue was a winning entry in the Kids News 2019 Short Story Competition. She’s keen to enter the 2020 competition and shares some tips about story writing
These kids rock their kitchen
Three young Brisbane siblings are turning a passion for baking into a sellout success, barely keeping up with demand for their scrumptious creations.
Collingwood fans react to big AFL news
In this weekly series for Kids News, Mark Knight explains the news and the creative process behind one of his latest cartoons. Mark imagines Pies fans would have been outraged!
How your brain plays tricks on you
Optical illusions show us that a picture or an object in front of our eyes is only part of what we “see”. Our brain makes up the rest. Test yourself on these cool illusions to find out for yourself
Who’s most excited about going back to school?
Kids are returning to school as COVID-19 restrictions ease. After working from home with his kids, Mark Knight wonders who in each household is most looking forward to getting back to normal
Australian man’s new toilet paper world record
A young Queensland soccer star has claimed his fourth Guinness World Record, despite most sport being cancelled during coronavirus-related restrictions
How to draw and animate your own minion
They’re cute and very cheeky. And now you can create your own, with this step-by-step guide to drawing and animating a minion – just like in the movies
Lego Masters star’s huge toy collection
Lego Masters is over for 2020, but one of the competitors still gets to play with lots of toys. We take a look at Trent Cucchiarelli’s incredible collection of action figures, vehicles and play sets
Unleash the little scribes to make mischief!
Beloved Australian children’s author Andrew Daddo says storytelling platform Littlescribe invites kids to imagine breaking all the rules
Record price for Michael Jordan’s rookie shoes
Basketball star Michael Jordan’s 35-year-old second-hand shoes that aren’t even a matching pair just sold for $873,000 at auction, but that doesn’t quite make them the most expensive shoes ever
Gnarly home has its own skate bowl
Imagine the fun you’d have living in this cool house. Pool parties with friends are just the start. How about your own indoor skate bowl?
Ball of cuteness and other winning nature photos
A photo of a mountain hare in a snowstorm that took the photographer several freezing weeks to capture has won this year’s BigPicture international nature photography competition
Aussie AI song takes global music prize
A three-minute song written by artificial intelligence that turned koala grunts, kookaburra laughs and Tassie devil barks into a kind of instrument has won an international music competition
All the action of the great Aussie penguin race
A famous UK sports commentator in lockdown at home has narrated Phillip Island’s penguin parade 17,000km away to make up for the lack of live sports events
Spooky goings-on at night in the museum
British Museum guards have reported spooky goings-on including ghostly footsteps, strange lights and mysterious crying among the exhibits, like a real-life version of Night at the Museum
Put your thinking caps on to write a winning story
Entries for the 2020 Kids News Short Story competition have now closed. We look forward to announcing the winning stories soon
Record history in your COVID-19 time capsule
Kids News has produced a ‘time capsule’ activity book so children can document their time in isolation and how it’s made them feel so they can always remember this unique period in their life
Tassie mayor orders residents to take silly walks
Silly walking is encouraged along the Tasmanian town of Latrobe’s main street after the mayor declared it a jurisdiction of the Ministry of Silly Walks during the COVID-19 disruption
World’s strongest man lifts new record
A man known as Thor and The Mountain has broken the world deadlift record after successfully lifting an incredible 501kg, making the polar-bear-sized lift look easy
Aussies spreading joy with sidewalk chalk talk
People everywhere are covering footpaths with beautiful chalk art to spread joy during COVID-19, providing meaning to their lives, connecting communities and keeping children entertained
US military releases UFO videos to prove they’re real
Three videos of UFOs have been officially released by the US navy, sparking new interest in the hobby of researching sightings of flying objects that can’t be explained by science
Kids get creative at school to keep COVID-19 away
Children in China are finally returning to classrooms after months of online learning, using creative thinking to find fun ways to keep their distance to help slow the spread of the coronavirus
Virtual safaris into the wild, from home
Zoos and wildlife parks across the country have risen to the COVID-19 challenge with livestreams from inside animal enclosures and broadcasting feedings, tours, talks and shows
Easter eggs, bunnies and traditions around the world
For many, Easter means chocolate eggs, bunnies, hot cross buns and church services. Kids News researched why we celebrate Easter, when it will be and how common traditions began
Muggles invited free into Harry Potter world
JK Rowling and Harry Potter are casting a spell to banish coronavirus boredom for children around the world after launching a free website for fans of the boy wizard
Take a virtual tour around the world
Visit the Great Wall of China, see the Mona Lisa or watch zoo animals without leaving home. Here are 10 top virtual experiences plus one very special out-of-this-world tour
Sneak peek behind the scenes at Disneyland
Disney is giving fans take a sneak peek behind its famous walls and letting children discover how rollercoasters and rides are made and how its special “lands” are created
Why do we pull pranks on April Fools’ Day?
Watch out … today is April Fools’ Day and it’s the day for playing pranks on unsuspecting people. We look at why we celebrate on April 1 and some of today's best jokes
Why drawing is a monster cure for boredom
Best-selling children’s author and illustrator Matt Stanton has declared the first day of every working week Monster Monday. Here he explains why drawing monsters is a cure for boredom
We’re going on a bear hunt, we’re not scared!
Australian children are joining a global bear hunt inspired by the popular storybook, making walks around the neighbourhood lots of fun during the COVID-19 disruption
Twin polar bear cubs venture out in empty zoo
Three-and-a-half-month-old twin polar bear cubs have made their public debut at a zoo in the Netherlands, but without the public because of coronavirus restrictions
Daredevil walks tightrope over active volcano
An American daredevil has successfully walked a tightrope thousands of metres in the air above the crater of an active volcano
Aussie Violet Crumble hits purple patch
The factory that makes Violet Crumble is working 24 hours a day to keep up with incredible demand for the historic, purple-wrapped chocolate honeycomb bar
Underwater Photographer of the Year
Five Australian photographers have blitzed the international Underwater Photographer of the Year competition with their incredible pictures of life under the sea
Would you eat butter made from maggots?
Scientists in Belgium are experimenting with larva fat to replace butter in waffles, cakes and cookies, saying using grease from insects is more sustainable than dairy produce
Three baboons on the loose in Sydney
A large male and two smaller female baboons broke free from a truck at Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, sparking a baboon hunt through the inner western suburbs
Incredible new planking world record
A 62-year-old man has set an astonishing Guinness World Record, planking for 8 hours, 15 minutes and 15 seconds, suggesting that “Anybody can do what I do”
We’re flipping out over Pancake Tuesday
Australians are becoming world leaders at cooking and eating pancakes on Pancake Tuesday, a fun food day that has its origins as a religious festival
Space tourists to go into super-high orbit in 2021
Up to four tourists could launch into a super-high space orbit in an autonomous SpaceX capsule by the end of next year, with ticket prices expected to be in the millions of dollars
Why do we cry and what are tears?
Crocodile tears are real – though humans are the only animals that cry emotional tears – and babies don’t cry tears at all. Kids News explains tears and crying
Siba the standard poodle named best in show
Though the crowd cheered for a golden retriever, a fluffy, puffed-up poodle has been named top dog for 2020 at the world-famous Westminster Dog Show
Sad love story behind Valentine’s Day
There are several stories about who Valentine was, but the most popular one is that he was a doctor and priest from Rome in the third century who lived and died in the pursuit of love
NASA animation shows Earth without oceans
Travel back in time thousands of years through this NASA animation to look at Earth without oceans, when vast lands allowed ancient people to roam the world
Celebrating once-in-a-lifetime palindrome day
When the calendar clicked over to 02/02/2020 on Sunday, few people realised it was a universal palindrome, a momentous date that hasn’t happened since 11/11/1111
World’s best wildlife photos of 2019
One of these incredible photos will be the winning entry in the 2019 Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award. Which would you vote for?
World map of most common last names
A fascinating new map has plotted out the most common surnames in every country in the world. Can you guess the most common last name in Australia?
15 amazing sculptures around the world
Earth is so big and so filled with things to see it’s hard to know where to start looking. To help you out, we’ve compiled this collection of incredible sculptures to look at and learn about
Frozen II will melt most kids’ hearts again
If you are worried that Frozen II won’t live up to the hype of the original movie five years ago, you’ll be pleased to learn it is a confident and funny movie that will melt most children’s hearts
Same old Vegemite goes global
Vegemite’s recipe and flavour has not changed, according to the makers of the famous Aussie spread, keen to reassure worried local customers ahead of its historic global launch
Meet the hologram you can see, hear, feel
Researchers have invented a way to create characters that could talk to and interact with us, using speakers that whiz a tiny bead around faster than our brains can track
Play-Doh’s sticky situation solved
By the 1950s, no one wanted to buy a special sort of dough to clean wallpaper. But some creative thinking saved the failing dough company and we all got to play with Play-Doh
Revealed: Invisible ink invention
Scientists have discovered a new kind of invisible ink that we all use every day that’s virtually free. Unfortunately, to get it to work, you also need a super-hi-tech piece of coated paper
Macca’s burger still ‘fresh’ after 10 years
There’s a story that McDonald’s burgers last forever, so one fan kept a burger and fries from 2009 to see if it was true. Today, they still look fine to eat, with no sign of mould or decay
Australia’s knight in shining armour
Phil Leitch lives in a castle, wears a suit of armour and is the current World Jousting Champion. He’s also a real, professional, full-time knight known as Sir Reynard. True story!
Sun goes all spooky for Halloween
NASA gets into the Halloween spirit by releasing a spooky image of the Sun looking like a jack-o’-lantern PLUS Check out the kooky canines and creepy cats
Little mistakes could make you big money
Check your change and empty your money box! You may be the owner of coins that contain minting mistakes or imperfections that makes them worth thousands of dollars
Meet Australia’s real Willy Wonka
Australia had its own Willy Wonka long before Roald Dahl wrote Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the real one every bit as eccentric and a genius as the fictional version
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