Squiz Kids Shortcuts
Each week we take a deep dive into a high-interest news or current affairs topic, answering kids' burning questions about everything from the Olympics to Islam. A new episode is released every Monday morning.
Looking for curriculum-aligned comprehension activities for each shortcut? We've got you covered. And check the episode notes for more resources to dig deeper.
LATEST SHORTCUT
Your Shortcut to… The Making of a Pope
This is your Squiz Kids Shortcut to The Making of a Pope—the podcast where we dive into the who, what, when, where, why, and how of big news stories.
Squiz Kids Shortcuts dive into the who, what, when, where, why and how of the big news stories.
PREVIOUS SHORTCUTS
Your Shortcut to… Roller Coasters
They used to be known as “Russian mountains”… Australians spend millions on them every year … and on some, it’s impossible not to scream. We’ll take you through when rollercoasters were first invented; why people don’t fall out when they go upside down; and where you can find some of the craziest coasters.
Listen now
Your Shortcut to… Ice Cream
Australians eat 20 litres of it per year … it wouldn’t be possible without science … and there are some seriously weird varieties. We’ll take you through WHEN ice cream was invented… HOW science helps us make it even more delicious … and WHAT are the freakiest flavours.
Listen now
Your Shortcut to… New Year’s Around the World
A good one could involve an empty suitcase… 12 grapes… or special coloured underwear. We’ll take you through what we think are some of the most interesting traditions observed on December 31; where in the world New Year is celebrated on different dates; and why humans care so much about turning over the calendar.
Listen now
Your Shortcut to… Christmas Traditions Around the World
Two billion people celebrate it each year… some in rollerskates… and some with a 12 course meal, which ends with dessert stuck to the ceiling. Over the next two weeks, people in 160 countries will be doing all sorts of things to celebrate Christmas. We’ll take you through where in the world some of our favourite Chrissie traditions are celebrated; what kinds of Christmas food different cultures eat; and why you should watch out for the Krampus.
Listen now
Your Shortcut to… Ned Kelly
He was Australia’s most famous bushranger, a lawbreaker to some and a legend to others. This is your Squiz Kids Shortcut to Ned Kelly—the podcast where we dig into the who, what, when, where, why, and how of big news stories.
Your Shortcut to… Climate Change and COP28
Your shortcut to… Climate Change and COP28 LINKS: Classroom Resource 1 – All About Acronyms: https://www.squizkids.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Climate-Change-Shortcut_ACRONYMS.pdf Classroom Resource 2 –…
Listen nowThe Circle of Life
In New Orleans, funerals involve a massive street party with music… in South Korea, people might be turned into jewelry… and in Japan, the dead have their favourite foods served to them every August. We’ll take you through WHY we are doing a shortcut on the circle of life; WHAT happens when you die; but mostly we’ll spend most of the pod looking at HOW different cultures celebrate their loved ones when they pass away.
Listen now
Your Shortcut to,,, Bushfires
Your shortcut to… Bushfires LINKS: Australian Fire Danger Rating System: https://afdrs.com.au/ Top 10 fire retardant plants for each state: https://www.ozbreed.com.au/articles/top-10-fire-retardant-plants-by-state/…
Listen now
The Science of Skeletons
They come out every Halloween… only 2 per cent of animal species have them… and without them, humans just wouldn’t be human. We’ll take you through WHAT our skeletons do; WHY babies have more bones than adults; and HOW we can take care of our skeletons.
Listen now