https://origin.kidsnews.com.au/animals/a-tale-of-two-wombats-at-healesville-on-world-wombat-day/news-story/3f6cf96e55d09d3b1ed7f9f0f67df7f4KidsNewsen2026-10-21T19:00:00+11:00Meet zoo’s ‘odd couple’ wombatsthe next day,a typical day,their droppings,Kids News poll,laps,their cuddly,a female wombat,boyQUICK QUIZ,Picture,intricate networks,underground burrows,Mischievous Milo,Milo,the only animals,World Wombat Day,other animalscartilage,a hard yet flexible connective tissue,freshly moved dirt,a species,THE VIDEO Healesville Sanctuary,14,Zoos Victoria/ Healesville Sanctuary,male wombat Milo,a thoughtful, quiet type,a ride,barrel-shaped appearance fool,Thursday 22,formidable* marsupials,1,2,his face,3,4,5,a little bit,Female wombats,EXTRA READINGDevil,territoryWombats,Meet,WATCH,charmed EXTRA READINGDevil,example.Wombats,October,the round droppings,other animals,October 22,their cuddly, barrel-shaped appearance fool,the same adorable love,loads,people,food,his habit,an animal,diggers and tunnellers adaptations,a lot,both wombats,a stunning successPossum,his way,’s most,their burrowsexcavators,this World Wombat Day,Milo or Gem,the pouch,a big, long run,tough, cartilage-reinforced* rumps,good,features,a social butterfly,any hard surface,the other,the holes,Taylah Conlin,hay,long run,at least 20 minutes,The first out,each morning,the unique ways,Gem and Milo,the den,their rumps,WATCH THE VIDEOHealesville Sanctuary,her time snoozing,what way,powerful claws,socialiseformidable,Time,an environment,a good nap,any other animal,their territory,common,two unusual wombat facts,keepers’,four plates,Zoos Victoria/Healesville Sanctuary,their pastime,the same adorable hobby,cartilage,Marking,GREEN,home,Extension,a little,expert excavators,an environmentsmitten,Healesville Sanctuary,very different personalities,the mum,the wombat,Meet zoo,powerful or strongpredator,a paw,’ wombatsGLOSSARYhomebody,This shield,boy QUICK QUIZ,two wombats,Milo and Gem,just about,an hour,the perfect chance,a strong wind,teeth,their burrows excavators,another animal,his thing,POLL Kids News poll,shape,Wombats,other surprises,wheelbarrows,Zoos Victoria/Healesville Sanctuary “Milo,tough,Gem,cartilage-reinforced* rumps,a headbutt,good, long bum scratches,weapons,cube-shaped poo,mammal keeper Taylah Conlin,clean straw,powerful or strong predator,Conlin,personal space,diggers and tunnellersadaptations,the team,Ten-year-old female Gem,a satisfying bum scratch,zoomies,these much-loved Australian icons,indoors,’ wombats,predators,his den,long bum scratches,a stunning successPossum hitches,digging,’s personality,downtime,’ wombatsCLASSROOM ACTIVITIES1,our nose and ears,40 km,a lot extrovert,the ability,This sassy lassie,their best paws,full-blown zoomies,their big behinds,this animal,the extrovert* –,a wombat,so many different adaptations,other animals cartilage,a never-ending appetite,The distinctive shape,wombats,the animal kingdom,growing,Science2,the occasional overenthusiastic headbutt,fun wombat facts,Ms Conlin,’s resident common wombats,Healesville,a big,dirt,plenty,their keeper,the clearly smitten* keeper,– wombats,‘odd couple,A tale,GLOSSARY homebody,some things,a strong-willed homebody,her own schedule,short bursts,this activityCurriculum Links,zoo,escapadeBilby,READING LEVEL,the same stuff,LISTEN TO THIS STORYMeet zoo,the process,pouches,bites,English,a lotextrovert,’s affectionhttps://content.api.news/v3/images/bin/46948c359a15683e14e9936a91e98428https://origin.kidsnews.com.au/science-technology/survey-reveals-why-most-aussie-kids-arent-ready-for-smartphones/news-story/44333020b22635316bd02c4e45ce43f3KidsNewsen2026-10-21T18:30:00+11:00Are you ready for a smartphone?a phone parking spot.Technology house rules,your actions,high school,her husband,her tweens’,reach,peers,summer holidays,a device.The report,increasingly powerful technology,their kids’,The family,an early age,skills,reading level orange,a trusted adult,her children phones,emergencies,–,children,Picture,the children,most Aussie kids,accountability*,key skills,young children,the two teenagers,Johns.The,your parents,group activities.Ms Johns,10,screen-time,other important things,14,The plan,these key digital skills,younger,night,Australian parents,the family TV,the only thing,a charging box,important skills,a new survey,Survey,The report,another important step,Ms Jones,Australian children,– readiness,her children,a smartphone –,Most Aussie tweens,14.When,family support.However,14 –,the iPhone stage,access,a set,Each stage,different devices,a smartphone,The charging box,smartwatches,the caravan – parents,new research,emergencies.Now,the Johns family,Jones,her son and daughter intensified.She,supplied Ms Johns,responsibility,’s digital readiness.The Digital Readiness Lab,GPS tracking,smartphones,their maturity levels,ORANGE,your screen time,This skills gap,eSafety,all three areas.This skills gap,the house,their devices,people,their maturity levels and,’s digital readiness,these skills,their friends,a device,smartphones and tech,critical judgment,family support,a phone parking spot,a sense,More than 40,all three areas,report,the parents.TEST YOUR,no set age,the eSafety Commissioner –,A smartphone,THE JOHNS HOUSEThe children,’s friends,The Digital Readiness Lab,cent,Technology house rules,questions,your phone,Ms Johns.The family,the only parent,a parent,online information,digital readiness,the key skills,important digital skills,holidays,the late night temptation,, even the parents,a task,rules and safety considerations,43.5,Getty Images,the office,her son and daughter,iPads,a family discussion and,the best possible use,friends,most children,TECH,online safety,these skills.A smartphone,the age,mums and dads,South Australian mum Bridget Johns,digital safety,parents,age 10,digital skills,this lack,most parents,tweens,some important skills,Ms Johns,part,Bridget Johns,their phones,the pressure,phones,their young children,box,their children,a big responsibility,Another important digital skill,four parents,the caravan,the only factor,iStock,a phone,1029 parents,laptops,digital,READING LEVEL,the rules,hours,tireless experts,the messaging function,all additional, important requirements,their age,the same rules,supplied TEST YOUR,Johns,critical judgment*,Digital Readiness Lab,risks,Digital readiness,anyone else,group activities,a little,Tweens*,the device,online,up.The charging,bedtime,age,each person,Australia – childrenhttps://content.api.news/v3/images/bin/2cc2de91917cb41c0979d1fd55448e50https://origin.kidsnews.com.au/explainers/doomsday-glacier-melting-faster-but-scientists-say-we-can-save-it/news-story/db8056fbfda8c68fb5b41196fa61ea8bKidsNewsen2026-10-20T19:00:00+11:00Why dub a glacier ‘Doomsday’?a big barrier,Emperor penguins,sloping sea floor,a mixture,University of California,University of Tasmania,electrification*,about 90,the glacier,the global temperature rise,Rising sea levels,Picture,a warming temperature,other commitments,‘Doomsday,the worst Antarctic winters,the Indian Ocean,a closer look,the Southern Ocean,Penguins,an ancient,Nature Communications,The Thwaites Glacier,a Rolling Stone magazine article,’s findings,this massive glacier,an international climate change agreement,roughly double the levels,Reporter Jeff Goodell,the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration,such outcomes,Climate scientists,a good chance,result,the South Sandwich Islands,The researchers,2C,especially the glaciers,Some scientists,an unmooring,situation,expert predictions,The Paris Agreement,the shrinking and melting,a warming planet,2100,’s coastlines,all those water masses,’s condition,Zavodovski,Thwaites,Such an unmooring,a glacier,geometry,Australia,experts,a retreat,place.The researchers,ice,cold water,massive icebergs,Member nations,Professor Christoffersen,stability,That water,two-thirds –,the flow,Indian Ocean,the Mouginot ridge and South ridge,the southern ocean,30mm,other policies,The group,University,proximity,the widest glacier,Antarctica,‘Doomsday Glacier,Scientists,Nearly a decade,Tasmania glaciologist*,Poul Christoffersen,the Paris Agreement,a big role,1.5C.,a floating shelf,disaster,the retreat –,cent chance,that disaster movie name,Professor Poul Christoffersen,ice sheet collapse*,the Pacific Ocean,Handout,this massive ice-sheet,Juan Barreto/AFP THE LATEST RESEARCH New research,its name,a type,already warm oceans,’s deeper waters,Antarctica home and breed,a 60,Doomsday Glacier,Pacific Ocean,crumbling ice –,Professor,Tasmania glaciologist,the South Pole,the construction,nations,hope,the retreat,the giant glacier,194 UN members,its chinstrap penguins,Thwaites Glacier,the sea floor,’S HOPE,Prof Christoffersen,glaciers –,global warming,Jeff Goodell,the melting,the Thwaites glacier,Western Antarctica,Christoffersen,glaciers,this century,Atlantic Ocean,Such a collapse,sea levels,rapidly rising seas –,alarm bells,the massive glacier,a spotlight,twice the size,a nightmare scenario,place,ORANGE,California researchers,massive coastal damage,and especially the glaciers,NASA,a floating ice shelf,the volcanic island,Glaciers,seven years,massive coastal damage.Such,around 100 UK and US scientists,more than 680,000 –,cent,The Antarctic glacier,Mouginot,the world,penguin colonies,man-made heat,The Southern Ocean,A sea-anchored massive curtain,other pinning points,THE LATEST RESEARCH New research,that retreat,the big point,SO SENSITIVE,1.5C,that environment,computer models,Tasmania,2011 and 2025,the Thwaites Glacier,last week,scientists,an ancient, sloping sea floor,the atmosphere,The warm ocean water,global sea levels,heat,the end,the most sensitive glacier,a retreat*,the barrier,green transition*,Earth,the next three years,READING LEVEL,The Doomsday Glacier,the heat,the Paris Agreement*,the closest,the lead scientist,NASA Handout /AFP,BAS,Reading Level Orange,the British Antarctic Surveyhttps://content.api.news/v3/images/bin/de85793eb18636251497ebd4fe6a516bhttps://origin.kidsnews.com.au/science-technology/musk-pledges-shares-to-american-kids-days-after-flying-car-reveal/news-story/c5c83db1e29d2ed8bcd463fbda63bc14KidsNewsen2026-10-20T18:30:00+11:00Musk’s kids pledge after flying carpeople and planet,nearly $1 trillion,the weekend,Musk,Edmund Klamann,power AI,its next-gen roadster,a series,artificial intelligence,current share prices,his best engineers,the rear,McGregor, Texas,Picture,The feat,Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei,all American kids,Abu Sultan and Anusha Shah,Anusha Shah,’S FLYING CARMusk,some crazy stuff,11,’s groundbreaking,Head,another surprising announcement,SpaceXSI Elon Musk,Bengaluru,a while,AI,Flying cars,2028.Minor edits,The tech guru,a massive inverted skateboard-like ramp,5,Tesla,Toy Story,the future,Trump Accounts,large-scale data centres,’s Buzz Lightyear,’s announcement,the live demo,June,flight,rival Anthropic,The sleek futuristic white car,less than 1s – 0.81s,its IPO*,the White House,hr.The world,America.In contrast,feats,shares,the official launch.The sleek futuristic white car,American kids days,the Earth,a grand pledge,local time,flexibility and scale,humanity,jobs,.The move,people,the new technology.People,crazy gymnastics,the air,0-100 km/hr,additional reporting,an audience,EV giant Tesla,Space X.Tesla,Monday,the fastest production car,the company,the future.Head,white smoke,$1000,Cynthia Osterman,Friday,just days,’s initiative,roughly $11 billion,financial experts,a rocket,every kid,’s richest person,72 million kids share,the show,a dummy inside,the official launch,my SpaceX shares,history.Engineers,’s official testers,the estimated value,Texas,a growing public backlash,the next-gen Roadster.Pictures,incredibly strong suction,the wealth,the benefit,production,this one,about 6.42 billion shares,AFP,the car,five Tesla vehicles,AI or SI*,the shares,its shares,a new fund,Tuesday,Fabrice Coffrini,’s precious resources,’s top speed,remote control,on.TESLA,People,editing,’s share giveaway,a safety optimised car,a range,a government-funded investment account,its wealth,the next-gen Roadster,Engineers,new Roadster,2025 and 2028,’s richest man Elon Musk,Pictures,his amazing flying car –,your own eyes,hr,the new Tesla semi.The tech guru,no car,altitude controls, thrusters and main thrusters,the new Tesla semi,businesses,feat,a live audience,AFP TESLA,The world,The car,Anthropic,thousands,his rocket company Space X.Tesla,Tesla boss,cars,contrast,style,thrusters,the new technology,The potential value,donations,’s kids,specific populations,Thrusters,Reuters,Abu Sultan,a live solo drag race,’s first trillionaire,a cradle-to-adulthood investment program,half the speed,ORANGE,the fun meter,public backlash,White House,the collaboration,the public” –,direct contributions,AP Photo/Matt Rourke,his company,$75 billion to $100 billion,tonight,a post,Tesla boss Musk,cent,sound,72 million children,the world,US citizens,“buyable”,altitude controls,’s SpaceX share pledge,AEST,one SpaceX share,the “public good,The Tesla boss,Next year,months,’s influence,McGregor,non-profit donations,Lewis Krauskopf,history,flying car,The new Roadster,’s groundbreaking “flying car,morning AEST,File,the SpaceX Rocket Development and Testing Facility,an unforgettable impression,Deepa Babington,one share,SpaceX,140 characters,favour,Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images North America/Getty Images,his plans,US census figures,car,America,Kids News,arguably his greatest car,social media,READING LEVEL,Christian Plumb,’s richest man,the ground,Deepa Babington andPooja DesaiWATCH THE VIDEOTesla,Security breaches and safety concerns,SpaceXSI,families,rolls,June.The potential value,this story,a net worth*,the first,The move,Elon Musk,front,the steep ramp,several large tech companies,main thrustershttps://content.api.news/v3/images/bin/bb73128846dc984356adca2b396f69e7https://origin.kidsnews.com.au/explainers/what-are-fire-ants-and-why-are-they-a-problem-for-australia/news-story/2d20a2bf27a84d571b6ad643da4bbd3dKidsNewsen2026-10-19T19:00:00+11:00Hunt is on to eradicate fire antssoap and water.POLL Kids News poll,Aussies,areas,some people,fire ants.WHAT,one nest,a major response,Department,Fire ants,Picture,an unlucky bystander,the Federal Government,fire,hundreds,a brown-black abdomen,threatened.The,their food.Fire ants,Crops,the difference,economy,itchy and infected.The NSW government,insects,authorities,the skin,non-native species,symptoms,fire antsGLOSSARYinvasive,size,the Cleveland Clinic.The burning sting,the insulation,Sydney,insects, spiders, lizards, frogs, birds and mammals,a problem,Red Fire Ants,any further.The ants,fire ant nests,fact,these ants,soil,medical attention,their venomous* stinger,the suspected ants,FIRE ANTS,holes,the ants,38,fire ants,a shipping container,nest,people,the genetics*,The ants,allergic reactions,Australia,A PROBLEM,an allergic reaction or anaphylaxis,Nests,no cost,large numbers,anaphylactic* allergic reactions,anaphylaxis.They,any more nests,no reason,school,quick eradication*,livestock,these invasive ants,.Fire ants,frogs,invasive red fire ants,THEY A PROBLEM,the environment,NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development,spiders,their food,University,a report,parts,an hour.Small white pustules,’s Inner West,production and supply,Dieter Hochuli,69,an environment,the super stingers,The NSW government,the next two weeks,the Queensland infestation*,48 hours,the lookout,the Cleveland Clinic,their spread,their sting,GREEN,The NSW Department,the super pests,form,decades,an aggressive species,pets,Professor,no visible entry hole,the same time,The burning sting,no visible entry hole.Fire ants,Primary Industries and Regional Development,The nests,seconds,an hour,the first time,’s worst invasive species,’s worst invasive species.They,an allergic reaction,property,traffic lights,95,red fire ants,a layer,the insulation.University,the reason,Cleveland Clinic.The,NSW,mammals,the tiny ants,air conditioners,NSW government,Invasive,birds and mammals.It,damage,Sydney Professor Dieter Hochuli,pets.Being stung,Fast action,the nest,a cold compress or ice,birds,irrigation* systems and machinery,up to 45,anaphylactic* allergic reactions.WHY,your garden,a venomous sting,Biosecurity experts,biodiversity*,Invasive Species Council,’s health,a fire ant,the swelling and pain.If blisters,their own steam,Federal Government.Crops,garden,their body,a video,insects, spiders, lizards, frogs, birds and mammals.It,a burning sting,sensitive electrical equipment,cent,the public,the world,photos,meter boxes,Hunt,a massive challenge,a Sydney container yard,just 2-6mm.Nests,Primary,a nasty burning sensation,just 2-6mm,a spread,dirt,equipment,lizards,patches or mounds,the Federal Government.Crops,last week,a good grip,a local park,concrete,your body,the stings,a team,no natural predators,reptiles,the cost,production and supply.The NSW government,anaphylaxis,a nest,Small white pustules,times,southeast Queensland,mounds,the National Fire Ants Eradication Program,READING LEVEL,cost,FIRE ANTSIf,a shipping container.The NSW government,A FIRE ANT,a trusted adult straightaway,spread,agricultural industries,Red imported fire ants,expensive management,a shipyard,40cm,the property ownerhttps://content.api.news/v3/images/bin/b956d7c0225349ebbbe2b1ed51f70161https://origin.kidsnews.com.au/health/feeling-connected-boosts-brain-development-and-mental-health/news-story/f9efb9b8657485712dace1861bc97e5aKidsNewsen2026-10-19T18:30:00+11:00Five simple ways kids can connectfaces and responses,Even small moments,your friends and family,We Thrive,Mental Health,’s development,The University,The most complicated,Picture,CONNECTING,hundreds,writer.CONNECTING OFF-SCREENGiving people,a classroom,Professor Ian Hickie,Sydney Brain,family members,brain development,Mental Health Month,iStock B Kinder Foundation founder Danny Mayson-Kinder,this time,physical health.National,Elaine Fowler,physical health,every Aussie kid and adult,the experience,books and music,We Thrive campaign,the most popular kid,Five simple ways,the local environment,even weeding*,such a huge impact,our brains,a kindergarten,a community group,Sydney Professor Ian Hickie,your favourite song,October,ReachOut senior manager support services,a Long Way,kids,Nature,Connection,neighbours,Social Group,people,international organisations,those connections,Ian Hickie,your mates,your life,feelings,experts,Mental Health Australia,Mind Centre co-director health and policy,Therapy,body language,’s Mental Health Month theme,Danny Mayson-Kinder,Co-Director Health and Policy,school,’s theme,A GROUPThe,serotonin* levels,its Together,University of Sydney,your full focus,senior manager support services,actual,the cherry,a social group,iStock National,seeds,new ones –,Mayson-Kinder,Kids,recess,University,the globe,campaign,video games,three years,friends –,this month,a smile,a whole range,your physical and mental wellbeing,all Australians,not just one other face,ReachOut,simple things,Prof Ian Hickie,cognitive* task,bond,their group,GREEN,home,a group setting,natural elements,Mary Moody,Hickie,classmates,family,a strong sense,pets,Professor,the same time,an important element,mental health,a good book,Ms Fowler,your day,SCREENGiving people,these little moments,children,their own,connection,your parents,A Long Way,A Little Connection,our full attention,its tail,the soil,their favourite singer,the Garden author Mary Moody,social skills,brain skills,iStock CONNECTING,Real connection,your classmates,belonging and connection,tone,oxytocin*,the campaign,your lives,B Kinder Foundation,this month.Here,good” chemicals,Feeling,top,The most complicated, actual, mental, cognitive* task,a better mood,supplied Connecting,the key,this year,any distractions,iStock CONNECTING OFF,another face,television,the year,Fowler,B Kinder Foundation founder Danny Mayson-Kinder,MATES, OLD AND NEWPlaying outdoors,the person,fun,voice,Prof Hickie,a list,the people,the world,The most important bonding hormone,Oxytocin,a walk,your brain development,friends,someone else,MATES,the screens,a group,Reading Level Green,their mental wellbeing,this October,A GROUPThe “feel,a shared activity or experience,part,the charge,mental,young people,A conversation,strong connections,a sporting group,OLD AND NEWPlaying outdoors,important social skills,friends and classmates,the park,listening,READING LEVEL,the ground,a puppy,mental and physical wellbeing,other people,Ms Mayson-Kinder,YOURSELF AND NATUREGardening,something enjoyable,bonding,a natural mood enhancer,the chemical,another form,a little more attention,writer,Children Mental Healthhttps://content.api.news/v3/images/bin/4e2f3c68f667a34a6125d7c5309a9d03