The kids news industry is growing. In order to reach younger generations like Gen Z and Gen Alpha, a number of legacy publishers have introduced their own verticals for young readers.
Kayleigh Barber at Digiday explains: “In an industry built on relationships, if you can establish a habit-forming affinity for the brand at a young age, well then, they’ll be hooked for life.”
These are a few standout sites providing a range of news stories for kids.
1. NewsForKids.net
This site provides up-to-date news written with kids in mind. Articles are full of pictures and background information to help the reader understand. It can even help break down and explain complicated topics (like Bitcoin, for example) for adult readers.
The site was founded by a teacher and selects age-appropriate news stories. It uses natural language and short sentences to make sure content is as accessible as possible. It covers world news, sports, art, science, and technology.
Weekly news roundups provide short recaps of some of the major news headlines from the week. And if readers aren’t familiar with a term or topic, the Fast Facts section has quick, straightforward definitions.
Lastly, readers can test their comprehension at the end of many articles by taking a short quiz.
Stories to read right now: News Roundup: Cuba Protests, Soccer Champs, & a Spelling Whiz; and Pacific Northwest Faces Record Hot Weather.
Follow @NewsForKidsNet on Twitter.
2. DOGO News
DOGO News provides concise, kid-friendly news articles on current events, science, and social studies. It aims to “empower literacy, reading fluency and global awareness.” The engaged audience of kids is very active in the comments sections of articles, giving the site a real community feel.
My favorite feature is that readers can click on words they may not be familiar with to open a lightbox with a definition, synonyms, and more. Many articles also have a video and downloadable workbook with items like critical thinking questions, vocabulary games, and quizzes.
Visitors can search content by grade level, word count, and category. They can also access MLA, APA, and Chicago style citations for articles. And stories can be embedded or shared to Google Classroom, which is a handy feature for parents and teachers.
Stories to read right now: This Prehistoric Rhino Was Taller Than A Giraffe And Four Times Heavier Than An Elephant; and "Rosetta Stone" Eruption On The Sun Provides Insights Into Solar Explosions.
Follow @dogonews on Twitter.
3. TIME for Kids
This is TIME’s news division for children. Launched in 1995, the vertical reportedly has 93,000 subscribers.
Search articles on TIME for Kids by grade level (K-6) or topic (animals, engineering, government, music, sports, and more). A unique section also provides financial literacy content for grades 4-6. That's a topic I wish I'd learned about when I was younger!
The YouTube channel also has a mix of interviews and drawing tutorials. And the site is gamified -- it gives readers rewards for reading and completing activities.
Stories to read right now: First Pets; Kids Write About the Pandemic; and Dr. Anthony Fauci Talks with TIME for Kids (with video).
Follow @timeforkids on Twitter.
4. Smithsonian TweenTribune
TweenTribune is technically a resource designed for teachers, but it can also be a great news site for kids to check out on their own. With news articles, quizzes, lesson plans, and videos, it’s a really well-rounded site from a trusted source.
The site explains, “TTribune searches the Internet for grade-appropriate stories from reputable news organizations, such as the Associated Press, and local newspapers and TV stations. TTribune selects interesting stories and tailors them for different reading level audiences.”
You can search articles by grade level (K-12), topic (science, culture, odd news, etc.), and Lexile level (reading difficulty). TweenTribune is also available in Spanish. And don’t forget to check out the active comment sections.
Stories to read right now: The boy who became a World War II veteran at 13 years old; Virtual reality field trips give students advanced adventure; and New graphic novel writes the Wright Brothers’ sister back into history.
Follow @tweentribune on Facebook.
5. KidNuz
KidNuz is a daily podcast for kids. It covers current events “in a kid-friendly package, sparks curiosity, and gets them asking critical questions.” The nonpartisan newscast was created by former broadcast journalists who wanted to create something similar for a younger audience.
Most episodes are about 7 minutes long, presenting the day's big news stories in a nice bite-size package. The site also provides a weekly news quiz and a KidNuz Club. The Club provides members with access to exclusive content, word searches, stickers, and more.
Listen to a few of the recent podcast episodes:
- July 12, 2021: Covers Richard Branson's trip to the edge of space, the latest Scripps National Spelling Bee champion, and more.
- July 7, 2021: Covers the impact of the delta strain on the latest COVID-19 case numbers, the arrival of Tropical Storm Elsa, and more.
Follow @Kid_Nuz on Twitter.
6. Teen Kids News
Teen Kids News (TKN) is an award-winning news show for 13-16-year-olds. It airs on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday on more than 200 stations across the country.
A key category for the show and website covers College & Careers. Viewers can find content on scholarships, student loans, and general advice on making the transition to higher education.
Other topics include health, travel, culture, sports, activism, history, and more.
Stories to read right now: Best Photos from Around the World; 19 Things Nobody Tells You About Life After High School Graduation; and Voting Rights: A Short History.
Follow @teenkidsnews on Twitter.
Bonus:
If you’re just looking for print publications for kids’ news, here are a few bonus options:
- The Week Junior: This weekly newsmagazine is targeted to kids between the ages of 8 and 14. It includes current events, coding, debates, puzzles, and more.
- New York Times for Kids: This print section of the newspaper is included on the last Sunday of each month. The print-only section is about 12 pages of news stories that “helps your kids understand the world.” You can also check out the Times’ Learning Network. The site breaks down NYT stories for middle and high school teachers and students. It also features activities like writing prompts, quizzes, and contests.
See the original post on Beyond Bylines.
