Squiz Kids

From Sydney to the stars, Katherine Bennell-Pegg is blazing a trail.Australia’s very first astronaut joins Christie under the Squiz Kids Spotlight to talk training for space missions, chasing big dreams, and why STEM is for everyone. Along the way, we cover zero-gravity, space missions, and how you go to the toilet in orbit. It’s fascinating, funny, and full of down-to-earth wisdom from someone aiming for the skies.

School’s back for some of you this week, and so is Squiz Kids!

To help you start the year feeling informed and ready, this Squiz Kids Catch-Up episode wraps up the biggest news stories from the summer holidays — all in one easy, kid-friendly listen.

From major events in Australia to big global headlines, plus sport, pop culture and moments that brought people together, we break it all down so you’re back in the know before the first bell rings.

Squiz Kids Today is back this week with daily news, weekly Shortcuts, quizzes, Science Shorts and more — seven days a week of fun, free, factual audio for curious kids.

Let’s kick off a great year ahead!

First released in 2023, this Squiz Kids Shortcut is back.

January 26 has been known by many names over time: Landing Day, Foundation Day, Invasion Day and Survival Day. It began as a celebration for freed convicts, became a public holiday nationwide in 1994, and today means very different things to different Australians.

In this episode, we explore how January 26 became Australia Day, why it’s a day of celebration for some but a day of mourning for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and what people around the country do to mark the occasion, from Survival Day events to citizenship ceremonies and Australian of the Year awards.

Thoughtful, informative, and designed to help kids understand multiple perspectives, this is your Squiz Kids Shortcut to Australia Day.

Australia Day Events 2026

Australian of the Year nominees 2026

In this Squiz Kids Science Short, Christie explains why our planet is very slowly slowing down, what that means for the length of our days, and why you won’t notice any extra free time just yet. Then we imagine the wild science-fiction scenario of Earth suddenly stopping — with help from Newton’s First Law — and discover why a spinning planet is essential for life as we know it.

It’s time for a Bumper Kids v Adults Holiday S’Quiz, and this one’s all about Epic Explorers.

From ancient travellers and daring sea voyages, to sky-high flights, space missions, clever animals, and explorers of big ideas, kids take on ten exploration-themed questions before the adults step up for their turn.

Who knows their explorers better… kids or adults? Grab a pen, keep score, and get ready to journey across land, sea, space, and imagination. 🧭🚀

For the full episode transcript, click here.