
ABC KIDS News Time
Every Friday, join Ruby for News Time as she counts down the week’s most interesting news stories for kids. From amazing animals to special events, the natural world to outer space, News Time is made especially for children to help them understand the world around them.
Latest episodes

Mar 14, 2025 • 12min
Whale songs and jumping records
Jack is filling in for Ruby this week, counting down five stories from around Australia and the world. On News Time today we're travelling deep into the ocean to swim with whales, then heading into our atmosphere to hear the latest from some astronauts stuck up in space.Quiz Questions1.When are whales likely to have a big sing?2.What sport did Ash Barty & Evonne Goolagong Cawley play?3.How many months have Astronauts Butch & Suni been stuck in space?4.What is the name of the school that these students attend? (hint: School of the BLANK)5.Why did Armand "Mondo" Duplantis do one extra jump after winning gold at the Paris Olympics?Bonus Tricky QuestionHow many times has Mondo beaten his own record by 1cm?Answers1. After a meal2. Tennis3. 9 months4. School of the Air OR Alice Springs School of the Air5. To beat the world recordBonus Tricky Answer10 times!

Mar 7, 2025 • 13min
Special Episode: How to become an astronaut
Ever wanted to ask a real-life astronaut a question?Katherine Bennell-Pegg is Australia's first female astronaut, ever!She spoke to some curious kids at Questacon about outer space, becoming an astronaut and the quirks of living on the International Space Station. What do nappies have to do with exploring other worlds? You'll have to listen to find out!

Mar 7, 2025 • 12min
Martian beach and shearing sheep
Jack is filling in for Ruby this week, counting down five stories from around Australia and the world. On News Time today we're meeting a speedy sheep shearer, hearing about a beach on Mars, and you'll find out what it feels like to be inside the body of a whale!Quiz Questions1.What sport do the Saltwater Sistas do?2.How do the people in the social club travel around together?3.How many sheep did Charlie shear in one day?4.On which planet might there have been a beach?5.Did the kayaker end up in the whales stomach?Bonus Tricky QuestionWhat species of whale took a kayaker in their mouth?Answers1.Surfing2.On horses3.1504.Mars5.Nope! Even if the whale swallowed, it wouldn't fit.Bonus Tricky AnswerHumpback Whale

Feb 28, 2025 • 12min
Egyptian mummies and steamy cities
Jack is filling in for Ruby this week, we're heading to the pyramids of Egypt to hang out with some marvellous mummies… plus, hear about tiny turtles and people paddling in the ponds.Quiz Questions1. Where are the schools that are learning about the urban heat island effect?2. What was this new national park used for in the past?3. Why have scientists been sniffing Egyptian mummies?4. What country did Emma McKeon visit to teach swimming lessons?5. How many eggs did the Loggerhead turtles lay?Bonus Tricky QuestionWill the baby turtles return to Mon Repos beach?Answers1. Western Sydney2. A grazing station, a place to feed animals3. To find out what the preserved mummies smell like4. Bangladesh5. 250,000Bonus Tricky AnswerYes, some of them will, to lay eggs

Feb 21, 2025 • 11min
Teen news and tree kangaroos
Jack is filling in for Ruby this week, and we've got a heap of awesome Aussies to tell you about — sport stars, compost champions and storytelling superstars.Quiz Questions1.How many times has Tyler Wright won the Pipe Pro?2.How do the thermal drones find the tree kangaroos?3.In which state or territory has Billy started this food scrap program?4.True or False? Leo Puglisi has interviewed a Prime Minister.5.What sort of tubs does Teddy collect and recycle?Bonus Tricky QuestionWho is Teddy's hero, the man who said "we have one planet, and we need to look after it"?Answers1.Twice2.Heat3.Northern Territory4.True5.Chocolate/ LollyBonus Tricky AnswerDavid Attenborough

Feb 14, 2025 • 11min
Ancient scroll and footy fanatics
Jack Evans is filling in for Ruby this week, and he's brought some awesome stories with him. We’ll meet some footy obsessed kids, follow some clever bees and uncover an ancient mystery. Quiz Questions1.In which town has the local library been rebuilt?2.Why were the scientists able to safely take the parrot egg?3.What was the writing on the scroll about?4.What sport do heaps of people in Wadeye love?5.Do bees prefer to count from left to right, or right to left?Bonus Tricky QuestionWhich volcano erupted near the town of Pompeii?Answers1.Lismore2.There was no baby bird in it3.Food and music4.Australian Rules Football5.Left to right, like humansBonus Tricky AnswerMount Vesuvius

Feb 7, 2025 • 12min
Asteroid dust and cup cooperation
On News Time today, I've got five fantastic stories — possible life on far-flung planets, first-day jitters, community-wide cup cooperation and a funky fossil, too.Quiz Questions1.Do you have any tips to help kids who might be feeling nervous?2.What are some cafes in Bermagui working together to do?3.What's the name of the asteroid the dust came from?4.In which language is the choir singing?5.What sort of shark fossil has been found?Bonus Tricky QuestionCan you name at least one thing that was found in the asteroid dust?Answers1.Some ideas might be taking deep breaths, talking to a grown-up, or doing something relaxing. But you might have another idea!2.Some people using single-use coffee cups3.Bennu4.Gumbaynggirr5.Shark vomit - a regurgitaliteBonus Tricky AnswerThey found nitrogen, carbon, amino acids, other minerals and salts.

Jan 31, 2025 • 13min
Lunar New Year and brilliant baller
On News Time today, we're celebrating a special event on the calendar, Lunar New Year! Then, we'll meet someone who stomps on bricks and you'll discover why anyone would line up for hours to smell something horrible.Quiz Questions1.According to the Chinese Zodiac, which animal is the symbol for this year?2.What nickname was the flower given?3.How many games has Patty played in the NBA?4.How far did Gabrielle run?5.In which country did the meteorite land?Bonus Tricky QuestionWhat team does Patty Mills play for?Answers1.Snake2.Putricia3.10004.100m5.CanadaBonus Tricky AnswerUtah Jazz in the NBA... but if you said the Boomers for Australia, that would be correct too.

Jan 24, 2025 • 12min
Spinning stars and pongy perfume
Would you wear a perfume made out of the stuff stuck at the bottom of your drain? On News Time today, hear about a stinky substance turned into a sweet smell. Plus, we'll visit dizzying spinning stars and find out about clever kelpies.Quiz Questions1.In which town is the country music festival held?2.What's special about this neutron star?3.What is it called when fat and other stuff go down the drain and glob together?4.What sort of dogs are being trained up as part of this program?5.What habitat do these moles live in?Bonus Tricky QuestionWhat does the haemoglobin help the moles move around their body?Answers1.Tamworth2.Spins slower than usual3.Fatberg4.Kelpies5.In the sandBonus Tricky AnswerOxygen

5 snips
Jan 17, 2025 • 12min
Milking spiders and robot lifeguards
Discover the fascinating world of robot lifeguards enhancing beach safety with AI technology! Learn about the deadly Australian funnel-web spider and the unique process of milking its venom. Enjoy heartwarming stories of music classes connecting kindergartners with their grandparents. Uncover the significance of ancient earth rings through collaboration with traditional owners. Plus, hear about an extraordinary basketball game that captured hearts years after it ended!