

ABC KIDS News Time
ABC Kids listen
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 15, 2024 • 13min
March meowness and athlete equality
Topics discussed include the release of a spotted tree frog back into the wild, forgiving library fines for cat photos, Australia's representation at Eurovision, London Marathon's equal prize money, and the discovery of a titanosaur skeleton by Damien.

Mar 8, 2024 • 12min
Hot chips and harbour helper
Today's podcast covers hot chips and their impact on biodiversity, celebrates women's achievements for International Women's Day, follows Andy cleaning up Sydney Harbour, explores an Indigenous program in Canada, and shares the fascinating story of Charlotte the stingray's unusual pregnancy.

Mar 1, 2024 • 10min
Leap year and round rooms
On today's show, we'll leap into the countdown with a chat about leap years, and then swim over to hear about some lucky fish that were saved from a drying lake.We'll learn about how the shape of a room could change the way someone feels, and then meet some Indigenous performers bringing an traditional story to a modern stage.Then, it's time for the Wow of the Week!Quiz Questions1. How often do we have a leap year?2. Why did Adam the biologist have to move quickly to save the fish?3. Can you name one thing that happened to the people in round rooms in the experiment?4. What language is the story Wundig Wer Wilura sung in?5. How many years will it take to play the song As Slow As Possible?Bonus Tricky QuestionWhich instrument are they playing As Slow as Possible on?Answers1. Once every four years2. The lake they were in was drying up3. Heart rates slowed/ they had more creative answers to questions4. Noongar5. 639.Bonus Tricky AnswerOrgan

Feb 23, 2024 • 12min
Stoked surfer and outerspace ocean
Today's web of stories starts with some spider's webs, catching more than just flies. We'll hang loose and surf with the best at big swells, and then travel to the other side of the solar system to hear about a very different kind of ocean. Then, we'll learn about International Mother Language Day, before plodding over to our Wow of the Week!Quiz Questions1. What's the thing that scientists can test the spider webs for? Hint: It's three letters2. What score did Molly get for her amazing wave at Pipeline?3. Mimas is a moon with water under it's surface... but which planet is it a moon of?4. How many Aussies speak a language other than English at home?5. Which island is the Aldabra Giant Tortoise being reintroduced to?Bonus Tricky QuestionWhat is 'megafauna dependent germination'?Answers1. DNA2. 10/10 - Perfect score3. Saturn4. One in Five5. MadagascarBonus Tricky AnswerAnimals eat fruit and seeds, walk along, poo out the seeds and a new plant grows somewhere else.

Feb 16, 2024 • 12min
Old school phones and DJ tones
Today's episode starts with a mystery illness affecting the raucous rainbow lorikeet. We'll hear about people swapping smartphones for older ones, and a teen DJ spinning tracks in front of huge crowds. Then, we'll spend time with some first nations gamers, before flying over to our Wow of the Week.Quiz Questions1. Which Rainbow Lorikeet behaviour have scientists asked everyday people to keep an eye on?2. Why would someone swap a smartphone for an old style phone?3. Which sporting tournament did Cooper DJ at?4. What's the name of the gaming group for First Nations gamers?5. What light source did moths usually use to help them fly straight?Bonus Tricky QuestionWhat can we do to help moths not get trapped in the glow of street lights?Answers1. What they're eating2. So they aren't addicted/ can focus more on everyday life3. Australian Open - Tennis4. BlackoutGG5. The moonBonus Tricky AnswerMake sure the lights point down, and not emit light in all directions

Feb 9, 2024 • 12min
Robot road repair and reptile rescuer
Today, we'll drive around with a road-fixing robot, and tag along with a seasoned snake catcher. Then, we'll celebrate Lunar New Year before paddling the harbour in specially decorated kayaks.Quiz Questions1.What will the robot ARRES spend its time filling?2.Why can't Paul retire from being a snake catcher?3.Which animal is it this year in the Chinese Zodiac?4.Which harbour will people be able to cruise around in the kayaks?5.What's the name of the helicopter on Mars?Bonus Tricky QuestionHow long did scientists expect the helicopter to work for, and how long did it actually work for?Answers1.Potholes2.No one wants to take over his job3.Dragon4.Sydney Harbour5.IngenuityBonus Tricky AnswerThey expected 30 days, but it worked for three years

Feb 2, 2024 • 11min
Mooing mystery and movie musician
A quick-thinking kid saves his dad's life; a mystery cow and the history of silent movies; a young footy player standing up against racism; the rediscovery of an ancient city in the Amazon rainforest.

Jan 26, 2024 • 13min
Egg-cellent discovery and accessible island
Discover an odd-shaped egg in New South Wales and the importance of education on International Day. Explore wheelchair accessibility on Abrolhos Islands and meet Hercules, the largest funnel web spider. Uncover the process of milking Hercules for venom to create anti-venom.

Jan 19, 2024 • 13min
Magpie maths and moon mission trouble
Today's podcast covers a range of interesting topics: magpie swooping patterns, flooding teddies, troublesome moon mission, tough decisions in space, rejuvenation of an island, and a young chess prodigy shining in a competition.

Jan 12, 2024 • 10min
Summer Replay: NAIDOC Week 2023
This summer, we're replaying some of our favourite episodes from 2023. This episode is from NAIDOC Week.