Squiz Kids

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, Amanda Bower, on an audio adventure. Today, we're off to Greece, the birthplace of the Olympic Games! With the Olympics currently underway, it’s the perfect time to explore this land of ancient history and vibrant culture. We'll delve into Greece's storied past, discover its stunning landscapes, learn some Greek language, and uncover fascinating facts about Greek traditions, landmarks, and delicious cuisine. So buckle up and join us on the Squiz Kids Super Fast Supersonic Jetliner for an exciting adventure to Greece!

For the full episode transcript, click here.

LINKS:

10 UNESCO sites in Greece: https://video.link/w/58Xfd

Virtual tour of the Acropolis: https://www.acropolisvirtualtour.gr/

Fasolada recipe: https://www.mygreekdish.com/recipe/traditional-greek-bean-soup-recipe-fasolada/

Your daily kids news podcast.

Australia celebrated an extraordinary Friday night in Paris, bagging three gold medals at the Olympics! Saya Sakakibara dazzled in BMX, Kaylee McKeown achieved an incredible backstroke double double, and Cam McEvoy finally clinched gold in the 50m freestyle.

Peg, Britain’s ugliest dog, is now a Hollywood sensation! Starring in the blockbuster "Deadpool & Wolverine," Peg walked the red carpet with Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds.

The Adelaide Thunderbirds clinched the 2024 Super Netball title, beating the Melbourne Vixens 59-57 in a nail-biting grand final. Romelda Aiken-George was unstoppable, scoring 42 goals and leading her team to back-to-back victories!

Great news for sea otters! Their numbers are bouncing back from the brink of extinction. These cute ocean critters play a vital role in keeping kelp forests healthy, and they’ve made an amazing recovery. Hooray for the otters!

World dog surfing championship.

For the full episode transcript, click here.

Who's smarter, kids or adults?

For the full episode transcript, click here.

Check out the Squiz Kids website for all of our other Fun, Free and Fresh offerings!

Your daily kids news podcast.

Triathletes dove into the River Seine for the Paris Olympics, battling not just the current but also concerns about water quality. Tests showed high levels of E. coli, but officials declared it safe just before the race.

In Alaska's Katmai National Park, bears are feasting on salmon at Brooks Falls, getting ready for winter hibernation. It's a yearly spectacle where bears catch leaping salmon straight into their mouths! The event is a hit online, with people watching live streams and cheering on their favourite bears.

Gymnast Simone Biles made a stunning comeback, helping her team win gold at the Paris Olympics, becoming the most decorated American gymnast ever. After withdrawing from the last Olympics due to the 'twisties.'

Videos of politicians dancing are popping up online, but they're not real! These deepfake videos use AI to put faces on other people's bodies, making it look like someone did or said something they didn't. As elections near, it's a reminder to be cautious and always check the facts.

For the full episode notes, click here.

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Even the best plans have hiccups, as seen in the Olympic Village! Athletes complained about skimpy meals and less-than-comfy cardboard beds. But despite these quirks, Aussie swimmer Ariarne Titmus still snagged gold and silver medals.

In California, sharks and beachgoers are sharing the waves! But don't worry, SharkEye, a cool drone system, keeps everyone safe by spotting sharks and alerting lifeguards.

Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams are on an extended "space camp" aboard the International Space Station due to a tech glitch. They're helping out while waiting to return to Earth.

A parrot caused quite a stir in 1983, delaying a student's graduation over an unpaid repair bill. This year, the university waived the debt, allowing the student to graduate with his son.

For the full episode transcript, click here.

We'll talk you through WHY the Olympics were rekindled, WHO competed in the early Modern Olympic Games and HOW some of the Olympic traditions that we're so familiar with today, came to be. So grab your running shoes, get on your marks, get set and let's go!

For the full episode transcript, click here.

LINKS:

Classroom Resources

Barcelona Opening Ceremony

Your daily kids news podcast.

This weekend at the Paris Olympics was full of inspiring stories! Meg Harris, despite her hearing impairment, swam to victory with her team in the 4x100m relay, winning gold for the fourth time in a row! Meanwhile, Matt Dawson of the Australian men's hockey team showed incredible dedication by having part of his finger amputated to compete! What a weekend!

Iconic Olympic Posters

Wildfires are causing devastation in Canada’s Rocky Mountains and California. High temperatures and dry conditions have led to the worst fires in years, destroying homes and forcing thousands to evacuate.

Even astronauts are catching Olympic fever! The crew aboard the International Space Station held their own zero-gravity Olympics, including events like sprinting and weightlifting.

In Tasmania, a herd of feral cows is causing chaos in Lebrina, knocking down fences and causing accidents. These rogue cows are quite the handful, and no one knows where they came from or why they're roaming free!

International Tiger Day

For the full episode transcript, click here.

Who's smarter, kids or adults?

For the full episode transcript, click here.

Check out the Squiz Kids website for all of our other Fun, Free and Fresh offerings!

Your daily kids news podcast.

It may be cold where you are, but Earth's temperature just hit a new high! Scientists are worried about the planet's warming trend, but there's hope as more homes switch to solar power.

The NRL Women's season is here! Tonight, the Knights take on the Roosters, marking the start of the biggest year yet for women's rugby league. With more teams and fans, it's a great time to be in the sport.

In a fun twist, France has released stamps that smell like fresh baguettes to celebrate the upcoming Olympics. Imagine sending a letter that smells like a French bakery! It's like a tasty trip to Paris with every sniff.

A runaway tortoise caused a train delay in England! Solomon, the tortoise, escaped and ended up on the tracks. Luckily, the driver saved the day by stopping the train and safely delivering Solomon to a vet. What a shell-raiser of an adventure!

For the full episode transcript, click here.

Your daily, kids news podcast.

Big news in US politics: President Joe Biden won't run for a second term, passing the torch to Vice President Kamala Harris, who’s eyeing the Democratic spot. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump has his party's support.

While the US battles a heatwave, animals at Florida’s Palm Beach Zoo are keeping cool with special ice treats. Black bears have ice piles, sea otters munch on fishy ice blocks, tigers enjoy frozen goat milk, and giant tortoises get refreshing hose sprays. Check out the fun video here!

Scientists are using Minecraft to train AI to create maps just like humans. By watching players navigate complex worlds, neural networks—special brain-like programs—learn to predict landscapes. This research might even reveal more about how our own brains work.

The Paris Olympics start tonight with early competitions in rugby, archery, handball, and football. Australia’s Rugby 7s face Samoa at 11:30 PM, and the Matildas play Germany on Friday. Don’t miss the spectacular opening ceremony along the Seine River on Saturday morning. Let the games begin!

For the full episode transcript, click here.