The Week Junior Show

Fun Kids

The Week Junior Show takes you behind the scenes of the award-winning magazine for 8 to 14-year-olds. Each week, Bex from Fun Kids is joined by members of The Week Junior team to discuss their favourite stories, debate the week’s hot topic and discover whether the ‘Real or Rubbish?’ report is fake news or the real deal.

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Our Editor's Take

The Week Junior Show is the podcast incarnation of The Week Junior magazine. The Week Junior is a popular news magazine for kids 8-14. The podcast is a fun, dynamic, and provocative news outlet for children.

Each week, Week Junior staff join friendly podcast host Bex Lindsay. After a fun icebreaker, they discuss that week's cover story. Associate Editor Laura Gelder is proud of their beautiful Black History Month cover. This year's theme is "saluting our sisters." Gelder tells Lindsay about the amazing Black women whose likenesses grace the cover.

Some Week Junior episodes feature a debate. Two of the magazine's employees take opposing positions on a controversial question in "The Big Debate" segment. One is about the question of "unlearning." Vanessa, arguing "for," says "unlearning" can be a misleading term. A better one might be "student-steered learning." She believes children should learn at their own pace about what interests them. Elena, on the "against" side, argues that discipline and hard work are helpful qualities to develop before adulthood. Each makes her argument in under a minute.

"The Book of the Week is a lovely feature for kids who love reading. The Week Junior staff recommend a young adult book each week. One is Glassborn by Peter Bunzl. Bunzl provided a voice note to the podcast where he talks about his inspiration. He compares the characters in his book to those in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis. The children in Glassborn find a doorway to a magical fairyland in the back of a grandfather clock.

The Week Junior Show may be a fun way for folks of all ages to learn about the UK. There's more to the UK than news about the Royal Family. For example, Woodland Trust names a Tree of the Year. The public, including children, gets to choose one tree from a list of 13. These are particular trees with fascinating histories. One is an 800-year-old oak tree Elizabeth I may have picnicked under.

The Week Junior Show podcast is humorous, informative, and engaging. Most regular episodes run between 20 and 25 minutes. New ones arrive every week.

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World Kindness Day, the US election, and snow on Mount Fuji

World Kindness Day, the US election, and snow on Mount Fuji

We're going to be talking about World Kindness Day, the US election, and snow on top of Mount Fuji. We're also going to be having a big debate about whether school uniforms should be more relaxed and checking out a story in the magazine this week about a crew of Chinese astronauts who've just flown into space for a six month mission!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episodes

World Kindness Day, the US election, and snow on Mount Fuji

World Kindness Day, the US election, and snow on Mount Fuji

We're going to be talking about World Kindness Day, the US election, and snow on top of Mount Fuji. We're also going to be having a big debate about whether school uniforms should be more relaxed and checking out a story in the magazine this week about a crew of Chinese astronauts who've just flown into space for a six month mission!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Know your rights and are timed tests fair?

Know your rights and are timed tests fair?

We're going to be talking about children's rights, an inspiring young football player, and a gamer who is helping out hospital patients. We're also going to be having a big debate about whether timed tests are fair on students. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Halloween and robot waiters

Halloween and robot waiters

We're going to be talking about Halloween, how ants became farmers, and the government's plan to help improve the NHS. We're also going to be having a big debate about whether robot waiters are a good idea.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hurricane Milton and the best season

Hurricane Milton and the best season

We're talking about how communities in the US are recovering from Hurricane Milton, the meaning behind wrinkles on elephant trunks, and a dance company that's opening up the stage for everyone!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Earth's second moon

Earth's second moon

In this week's episode, we talk about The Wild Robot, how Earth has gained a second moon, and why broccoli might be on the menu at a fish and chip shop. We're also going to be having a big debate about whether kids should learn to grow their own food...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transformers and the Week Junior Book Awards

Transformers and the Week Junior Book Awards

This week, we chat the Week Junior Book Awards, sea creatures that work together as a team, and the recent X Games in Japan. We've also got an exclusive interview with the stars of the upcoming film, Transformers One. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2026 Commonwealth Games and skincare for kids

2026 Commonwealth Games and skincare for kids

We're going to be talking about dancing apes, some uniquely designed robots, and the hosts for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. We're also going to be having a big debate about children using skin care products.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sign language and text walking

Sign language and text walking

We're going to be talking about sign language, a young person who volunteers to help others, and a victory for environmental campaigners. We're also going to be having a big debate about whether it should be illegal to text and walk at the same time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AI teachers and funky pizzas

AI teachers and funky pizzas

In this episode of the Week Junior show, host Bex is joined by Laura and Eve to discuss various topics, including an inspiring role model, a historic discovery made by two sisters, and the intriguing ways dogs remember their toys. They also engage in a debate about AI teachers!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ice lollies and nuclear power

Ice lollies and nuclear power

We're chatting Paralympics, Air Ambulance Week, and La Tomatina Festival in this week's episodeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

School uniforms and Olympic torches

School uniforms and Olympic torches

In this week's episode of TWJS, we're chatting everything back-to-school and whether schools should require uniforms, to the Paralympics opening ceremony. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paralympics and super blue moons

Paralympics and super blue moons

We chat Paralympics, a rare super blue moon, and debate on whether shops should stop selling plastic water bottles.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Astronauts stuck in space and banana peel boots

Astronauts stuck in space and banana peel boots

We're finding out about the extension of two astronauts' mission in space, innovative banana peel boots for zookeepers, and the ongoing war in Ukraine. Plus a debate about noise levels in galleries our favourite museums.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unrest in the UK and Olympic achievements

Unrest in the UK and Olympic achievements

Bex is joined by Kate and Eve from the Week Junior magazine. They discuss various topics including community efforts to rebuild after unrest in the UK, Olympic achievements, and a Scottish bog receiving World Heritage status! They also delve into a debate about whether it's ethical to swim with wildlife.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Spectacular Olympic Opening Ceremony

The Spectacular Olympic Opening Ceremony

This week on The Week Junior Show, we're chatting about the spectacular opening ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, one of histories greatest fossil hunters and whether human stress can be passed on to dogs!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Glitch that Caused Disruption around the World

The Glitch that Caused Disruption around the World

This week we learn about the global computer glitch that caused disruption around the world, how a scientist's unique collection could help feed the world and debating whether company bosses get paid too much money! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Getting Ready for the Olympic Games in Paris!

Getting Ready for the Olympic Games in Paris!

This week on The Week Junior Show, we're talking all about the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, hearing about some special insects that store Carbon Dioxide in their homes and we learn about a VERY long bicycle!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The General Election and a spa for Frogs!

The General Election and a spa for Frogs!

This week Bex, Joe and Eve will discuss the results of the General Election, debating ice cream cones and learning all about a special frog spa! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is Monopoly the best game ever?

Is Monopoly the best game ever?

This week we reveal the new Waterstones Children's Laureate, we talk Glastonbury festival and we debate whether Monopoly is the best game ever!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beetles in Backpacks!

Beetles in Backpacks!

Today we learn about a march for nature, beetles in backpacks and hear about the history of Scottish video games!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.