Surprise, Wild and Kind Kids! We've got a special bonus episode for you!

This week, we're sharing an adventure from our friends at History's Kids, a podcast that brings incredible stories from history to life for curious young listeners. We love their podcast and we think you'll especially love this week's episode.

In 1992, one class of fourth-graders started a project to make a big difference for a tiny endangered species. That project is still going today!

History's Kids is a kids history podcast that brings the past to life by telling the stories of the kids who actually lived it. In this episode, you'll learn about two real kids who, along with their classmates, started the Shrimp Club to save the California freshwater shrimp. Along the way, you'll hear from Aaron and Taylor in their own words, using real audio clips from their firsthand accounts. You'll also learn more about the science behind how the shrimp thrive!

Teachers: Press play to immerse students in learning about ecosystems, habitats, and human impacts on the environment.

Families: Listen in the kitchen, on the go, or at bedtime to inspire kids to take small actions to help in their community.

📚 READY TO LEARN MORE?

To learn more about the eruption, visit the History's Kids website for kid-friendly activities, book recommendations, classroom resources, and more.

🩵 THIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY…

Season one of History's Kids is made possible through the generous support of our listeners. This episode is brought to you by the Macomber Family and 4CM (Mrs. Carr and Ms. McConnell's Class). You can join in the fun by supporting the show on Patreon today!

🌎 TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PROJECT STRAW…

The project Aaron, Taylor, and their classmates started is still going today! Project STRAW (Students and Teachers Restoring a Watershed) is now part of Point Blue Conservation Science. Learn more and consider contributing to support their work.

Hosted By: Lorraine Leddy & James Brown Jr.

Music: Pure Color / Frank Jonsson / Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Audio Editing & Sound Design: Ben Kammer

Cover Art: Tom Deja / Bossman Graphics

Directed By: Barrett Leddy

Special Thanks: Aaron Mihaly, Taylor Bedilion, and Laurette Rogers

Help Us Make Year Two Even Wilder!

Wild and Kind Kids is celebrating its first birthday, and we'd love your help making more wild adventures! Become a monthly supporter, grab a special birthday experience, or help spread the word, all while keeping Wild and Kind free for families everywhere.

Join the Celebration!

What if one of the biggest animals on Earth could change an entire neighborhood just by taking a mud bath?

Meet the African savanna elephant, a giant mammal with enormous ears, a remarkable trunk, and a very important job in its ecosystem!

In the golden grasslands of Kenya's Tsavo National Park, a young elephant named Jambo is HOT. Luckily, his big sister Ellie knows just where to find a little relief. Together, they turn a tiny puddle into a magnificent, glorious, perfectly squishy mud hole!

There's just one problem. Other animals keep showing up! And Ellie isn't so sure she wants to share their special place.

Can two elephants keep an entire mud hole a secret? And what happens when a very tired little warthog needs their help?

Along the way, we’ll learn:

• How elephants use their trunks to smell, breathe, drink, grab objects, and explore the world around them
• Why elephant ears are like “ear conditioning”
• Who leads elephant families
• What it means to be an ecosystem engineer

This week’s Wild and Kind mission is focused on using your voice to fight for animals. Need some inspiration? Our friends at History’s Kids have an episode this week detailing the true story of how a group of fourth graders fought to protect the endangered California freshwater fish. (Listen here.)

Wild and Kind Kids is a screen-free animal podcast for curious kids ages 3–8 and their grown-ups. Each episode brings together an original animal story, real wildlife science, and a gentle invitation to care for the natural world. It's a fun way to explore animal adaptations, habitats, and conservation during car rides, quiet time, or family listening.

Keep exploring:

• Visit wildandkindkids.com to request your favorite animal or join our FREE Kids Club
• Sign up to support the podcast at wildandkindkids.com/support
• Follow us on Instagram @wildandkindkids for more animal facts and behind-the-scenes fun.
• See more episodes from our friends at History’s Kids.

Learn along with us and explore some of the resources we consulted:

• African savanna elephants (The World Wildlife Fund)
• African elephant (National Geographic Kids)
• VIDEO: What you didn’t know elephants can do with their trunks (Nat Geo Kids)
• Elephants may hear ground vibrations through their bones (Discover Magazine)

Help Us Make Year Two Even Wilder!

Wild and Kind Kids is celebrating its first birthday, and we'd love your help making more wild adventures! Become a monthly supporter, grab a special birthday experience, or help spread the word, all while keeping Wild and Kind free for families everywhere.

Join the Celebration!

What has eight legs, giant pincers, a stinger on its tail, and GLOWS under a special kind of light? Just in time for Halloween, we're meeting one of the biggest scorpions in the world: the emperor scorpion!

Deep in the tropical rainforests of West Africa, Spencer Scorpion is getting ready to host the annual Moonshadow Monster Mash. There's just one problem. He can't find the perfect Halloween costume! But when rumors spread that a mysterious MONSTER is lurking in the forest, Spencer has a new mission: protect his friends from the terrifying creature. With giant pincers, eight legs, and a dangerous stinger, this monster sounds awfully scary. And awfully familiar...

Along the way, we’ll learn:

• All about pincers and stingers
• How mom scorpions take care of their babies
• How tiny sensory hairs help scorpions detect movement, even when they can't see very well.

And for this week's Wild and Kind Mission? We're looking out for the little guys! Even creatures that seem creepy or spooky deserve kindness and space to live.

Wild and Kind Kids is a screen-free animal podcast for curious kids ages 3–8 and the grown-ups who love exploring with them. Each episode combines original storytelling, real wildlife science, movement, and a little encouragement to make the world a wilder, kinder place.

This Halloween animal adventure is perfect for family car rides, classroom science, homeschool learning, or a not-too-scary Halloween storytime.

Keep exploring:

• Download an emperor scorpion coloring sheet
• Follow us on Instagram @wildandkindkidspod
• Find more resources or request an animal at wildandkindkids.com

Learn along with us and explore some of the resources we consulted:

• How scorpion tails do the bend and twist (New York Times)
• The emperor scorpion (London Zoo)
• Scorpion facts! (Nat Geo Kids)

Help Us Make Year Two Even Wilder!

Wild and Kind Kids is celebrating its first birthday, and we'd love your help making more wild adventures! Become a monthly supporter, grab a special birthday experience, or help spread the word, all while keeping Wild and Kind free for families everywhere.

Join the Celebration!