Calling all space fans! If your child dreams of exploring space, this brand-new immersive experience should be high on your family’s summer holiday list.
Credit: Smithsonian Institution & Fever
This summer, there’s an awesome new immersive experience at London’s Science Museum. Using virtual reality (VR) technology, ‘Starstruck’ takes you on a journey through the universe, exploring stars, black holes and galaxies.
Credit: Smithsonian Institution & Fever
Whizz Pop Bang went along for a sneak preview before the exhibition opened and we can confirm that it really is out of this world!
We also got to meet awesome ESA astronaut Meganne Christian and discuss black holes with Cambridge University’s astronomy professor and black hole expert Sera Markoff!
Planning a trip to London this summer? If your family loves space, science and immersive experiences, Starstruck looks like a fantastic way to explore the universe together.
Book your tickets and prepare for an unforgettable journey among the stars.
What does it take to become a real outdoor explorer? That’s exactly what your child is about to discover… because the latest Whizz Pop Bang is packed with survival science, hands-on experiments and wild adventures.
This month, scientists-in-training can: 🏕️ Build a survival shelter 🔥 Learn how to build a campfire safely 🧪 Test which materials conduct heat best 🍌 Make bonfire-baked chocolate bananas 🫓 Cook campfire quesadillas And so much more!
Here’s a kit list to help you get ready for Whizz Pop Bang 133. As ever, there’s so much science fun to be had, even if you don’t have every single thing on the list. There’s one you can print out below, too!
Looking for ways to keep curious kids busy this summer? We’re giving away two fantastic Summer Holiday Bundles, packed with science, activities, experiments and screen-free fun!
We’ve teamed up with our sister magazine, Hoopla, to give two lucky families the chance to win a bundle.
Two action-packed Whizz Pop Bang science magazines
A copy of Hoopla magazine, packed with activities for younger children
A Science Cut & Create Activity Book
There are experiments to try, things to make, puzzles to solve and fascinating facts to discover – perfect for keeping curious minds busy at home, on holiday or while travelling.
The giveaway closes at midnight on Thursday 23rd July 2026, and the winners will be announced on Friday 24th July. Find full terms and conditions here.
The prehistoric baby was only about one year old when it died. Its fossilised skeleton is the most complete juvenile tapir skeleton ever discovered in Europe.
The amazing find could help scientists discover how prehistoric tapirs grew, developed and lived millions of years ago – as well as revealing more about what Europe was like at this point in history.
Where was the prehistoric tapir discovered?
The fossil was discovered at Camp dels Ninots near Girona in northeastern Spain.
This area is packed with fossils from the pliocene epoch and seven tapir skeletons have been found there so far. Scientists can tell that around four million years ago, this area looked very different to today. A warm, humid forest grew around an ancient volcanic lake, and large prehistoric tapirs lived near the water alongside many other plants and animals.
Over millions of years, special conditions at the bottom of the lake helped preserve the remains of animals that died there. “Camp dels Ninots functions as a genuine time capsule,” explains Dr. Oriol Oms, from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. “The geological and chemical conditions of the volcanic paleolake have allowed entire skeletons to be preserved with a level of detail that is highly unusual in paleontology,”
What did scientists discover?
Researchers uncovered the skeleton of a young tapir that was around one year old when it died. Finding such a young animal is extremely unusual.
Even more excitingly, much of its skeleton was still arranged in the same positions as when the animal died.
At many fossil sites, scientists find individual bones that have been scattered, damaged or moved by scavengers. At Camp dels Ninots, researchers have discovered several whole or nearly complete tapir skeletons.
Why is this baby tapir fossil so important?
The newly discovered skeleton is the most complete juvenile tapir ever found in Europe.
Scientists have now discovered the remains of seven tapirs at Camp dels Ninots, including animals of different ages and sexes.
This gives researchers an unusual opportunity.
By comparing the skeletons of young and adult tapirs, scientists can investigate how these extinct animals changed as they grew.
They hope to answer questions such as:
How quickly did prehistoric tapirs grow?
How did their skeletons change as they became adults?
Were young tapirs shaped differently from their parents?
What can their bones tell us about how they lived?
Finding fossils from different stages of an animal’s life could help scientists reconstruct the life cycle of this extinct species.
What did prehistoric tapirs look like?
The tapirs discovered at Camp dels Ninots belonged to an extinct species called Tapirus arvernensis.
They were large, strong herbivores with bodies similar to tapirs alive today.
Modern tapirs have rounded bodies, short legs and wonderfully flexible noses. Their closest living relatives include horses and rhinoceroses.
Scientists think the prehistoric tapirs living in Spain may have been closely related to modern Asian tapirs.
Why was the skeleton so well preserved?
Camp dels Ninots lies inside an ancient volcanic crater that once contained a lake.
Over time, layers of sediment collected at the bottom of the lake.
The geological and chemical conditions helped preserve animal skeletons in extraordinary detail.
Scientists have even suggested that some animals may have died suddenly near the lake, possibly because of gases linked to volcanic activity.
Instead of being eaten by scavengers or having their bones scattered, some of the animals sank into the lake sediments and remained there for millions of years.
How do scientists remove a four-million-year-old fossil?
Very carefully!
Researchers first uncover and document every bone.
They use high-precision recording and 3D scanning technology to record exactly where each part of the skeleton was found.
Experts also work to protect and strengthen the fragile fossils before moving them.
The young tapir skeleton will then be transported to the laboratory, where scientists can continue studying it.
Are there still tapirs alive today?
Yes! There are four living species of tapir. They are found in Central and South America and Southeast Asia.
Tapirs play an important role in forests because they eat fruit and spread seeds in their poo as they travel.
Sadly, all four living tapir species are threatened with extinction.
Discoveries like the Camp dels Ninots fossils help scientists understand the long history of these extraordinary animals and how they have changed over millions of years.
Amazing tapir facts for kids
🦴 Tapirs have lived on Earth for millions of years.
🐴 Their closest living relatives are horses and rhinoceroses.
👃 A tapir’s nose and upper lip form a short, flexible trunk.
🌱 Tapirs are herbivores and eat leaves, fruit and other plants.
🌳 By spreading seeds in their poo, tapirs can help forests grow.
🔎 Scientists have now discovered seven prehistoric tapirs at Camp dels Ninots.
What can this fossil teach us?
A single fossil can tell scientists something about an animal.
But finding several animals of the same species at different ages is much more unusual.
The extraordinary collection of prehistoric tapirs at Camp dels Ninots could allow scientists to piece together the story of how these animals were born, grew up and changed throughout their lives.
Four million years after this young tapir lived beside a volcanic lake, its skeleton is giving scientists a remarkable glimpse into Europe’s prehistoric past.
Inspire your young scientist with Whizz Pop Bang!
Whizz Pop Bang is the award-winning science magazine for curious kids aged 6–12.
Every month, young scientists can discover incredible science stories, try hands-on experiments, meet real scientists and explore the amazing world around them.
Packed with facts, activities, puzzles and competitions, Whizz Pop Bang makes science exciting, accessible and fun.
Subscribe to Whizz Pop Bang and give your child a new science adventure every month!
The Eurasian curlew is one of the UK’s most rapidly declining breeding birds. Numbers have fallen by more than 65% since the 1970s, placing it on the Red List of birds of conservation concern. The species requires an estimated 10,000 additional chicks to fledge each year simply to stabilise the UK population.
1 big pompom 1 small pompom 1 piece of fluffy fabric 2 googly eyes 2 lolly sticks glued together in a cross shape String 1 pair of scissors 1 piece of card Craft glue or hot glue
What to do:
Glue the small pompom (head), fluffy fabric (neck) and big pompom (body) together.
On your card, draw 2 feet, a beak and 2 wings for your chick.
Carefully cut out your drawings.
Glue your feet onto some pieces of string and tie them round the body.
Glue the google eyes and beak onto the head. Glue the wings onto the body.
Cut four pieces of string measuring about 30 cm each. You will need to trim these to the right lengths as you attach them to your puppet in steps 7 and 8. Glue a piece of string onto each end of the lolly stick cross.
Glue one string to the top of the head and the opposite string to the back of the body.
Glue one of the other strings to one foot, and the final string to the other foot.
All done! Your curlew chick puppet is ready to creep, stalk and dance!
Help protect real curlews
Curlews are disappearing from the UK countryside, but families and children can help. Find out why these amazing birds are in danger, meet the giant curlews taking on the Yorkshire Three Peaks and discover simple ways to help protect them.
The haunting, bubbling call of the Eurasian curlew has been heard across the British countryside for thousands of years. But these extraordinary birds are disappearing.
UK breeding curlew numbers have fallen by more than 65% since the 1970s, making the curlew one of Britain’s fastest-declining breeding birds.
Scientists estimate that around 10,000 more curlew chicks need to survive and learn to fly every year just to stop the population from continuing to fall.
Why are curlews in danger?
Curlews nest on the ground, often in farmland, moorland and grassland.
Their eggs and chicks are vulnerable to predators and disturbance, while changes to farming and the loss of suitable habitats have made it harder for enough young curlews to survive.
Giant curlews take on the Yorkshire Three Peaks!
In April 2026, a team of walkers did something rather unusual to draw attention to the plight of the curlew.
They tackled the gruelling 24-mile Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge dressed as enormous curlews!
Leading the way were Cathy the Curlew, a 10-foot-long handmade bird costume, and her companion Heathcliff.
The team set out to raise £10,000 – one pound for each of the additional 10,000 chicks that need to fledge every year to help stabilise the UK’s curlew population.
Two days after the walk, the giant curlews travelled to the Houses of Parliament for a special World Curlew Day event, helping to bring the campaign to the attention of politicians.
The campaign raised awareness and funds for Curlew Action and the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, which work to protect curlews, their habitats and the landscapes they depend on.
How can children and families help curlews?
You don’t need to climb three mountains dressed as a giant bird to help!
You can:
Keep dogs on leads near ground-nesting birds during the breeding season.
Give nesting birds plenty of space and never disturb eggs or chicks.
Learn to recognise the curlew’s distinctive call and record your sightings.
Tell friends and family why curlews need our help.
Support organisations working to protect curlews and their habitats.
Make your own curlew puppet and use it to help spread the word!
Every person who learns about curlews and helps others understand why they are in danger can help give these extraordinary birds a louder voice.
Here’s a kit list to help you get ready for Whizz Pop Bang 132 (which you can find in our shop now).
Here’s the list of bits and pieces you need to complete the activities this month. As ever, there’s so much science fun to be had, even if you don’t have every single thing on the list.
WILL IT FLOAT? (page 7) ❏ A collection of objects, for example: oranges, sticky tack or modelling clay
MAKE YOUR OWN ICEBERG (page 9) ❏ A cup or bag of water, frozen ❏ A whiteboard pen, sticker or sticky tack
WHAT MAKES IRON AND STEEL RUST? (page 11) ❏ Three sealable containers (e.g. jam jars) ❏ Three identical iron nails (not galvanised) ❏ Water that has been boiled and cooled ❏ Vegetable oil
PADDLE BOAT (page 16) ❏ A clean plastic food tray (ideally black) ❏ Another piece of plastic packaging (ideally black) ❏ Five elastic bands ❏ Two pencils ❏ Sticky tack ❏ A scrap of plastic bag at least 9 cm by 12 cm ❏ A paper straw
MAKE YOUR OWN MINI HOVERCRAFT (page 25)
❏ Sticky tack or modelling clay ❏ Pull up drinks bottle top ❏ An old CD ❏ A balloon
Download a printable version of this kit list to stick on your fridge right here ⬇️
Want a science activity that is revolting, hilarious and strangely educational? This edible poo idea is guaranteed to get children giggling while sparking curiosity about the science of the human body, digestion and all things disgusting. It comes from one of our most plop-ular issues of Whizz Pop Bang, and it is perfect for families who love hands-on science fun at home.
Want to receive Whizz Pop Bang: POO! for free? Head this way to find out more! Subscription purchase required, offer available while stocks last.
All You Need
You’ll probably find everything you need for this disgustingly realistic recipe in your kitchen (or in any supermarket):
100 g milk chocolate 1 dessert spoon of golden syrup 3 digestive biscuits 1 dessert spoon of raisins
What You Do
Break the chocolate into the bowl and drizzle the syrup over it.
Finely crush the biscuits.
Ask an adult to microwave the chocolate for 30-60 seconds until melted.
Mix in the biscuit crumbs and raisins. If the mixture is too dry, add more syrup or microwave for ten more seconds.
When cool enough to handle, roll the mixture into two or three sausage shapes.
Watch Our Edible Poo Video
Here’s our seriously silly edible poo activity in action. This video shows how to make your own deliciously disgusting pretend poo using crushed biscuits and other simple kitchen ingredients.
Why Kids Love This Gross Science Activity
There is something about gross science that children absolutely love. Slime, snot, burps, bogies and poo all have a magical ability to make young scientists laugh while drawing them into real scientific ideas.
This edible poo activity is fun because it combines:
hands-on making
familiar kitchen ingredients
disgusting humour
body science
screen-free learning
It is a brilliant way to turn curiosity, mess and laughter into a memorable science moment at home.
What is the Science of Disgust?
Did people find your edible poo disgusting? Disgust is an emotion that can be changed by knowledge and experience. People who thought it was a real poo found it disgusting, but you make it and knew it wasn’t real. Did you find it disgusting?
The Science of Poo Can Be Surprisingly Interesting
Poo might seem silly, but it is also a great gateway into learning about digestion, food, the human body and how waste leaves the body. Activities like this can help children feel more comfortable talking about body science while making learning playful and approachable.
If your child enjoys asking rude questions, finding facts about digestion hilarious or discovering how the body works, this is exactly the kind of science activity that keeps them engaged.
More Gross Science Fun from Whizz Pop Bang
This edible poo activity comes from one of our gloriously gross issues of Whizz Pop Bang, the world’s most awesomely amazing kids’ science magazine. Every issue is packed with hands-on experiments, astonishing facts, science news, puzzles and screen-free fun for curious children.
With no plastic toys, no adverts and plenty of real science, Whizz Pop Bang is designed to spark big questions and inspire a lifelong love of discovery. From experiments at home to interviews with real scientists, it helps girls and boys explore how the world works – and imagine what they might one day discover for themselves.
What is edible poo? Edible poo is a funny food-based activity made to look disgusting while helping children enjoy hands-on science fun.
Is edible poo a good science activity for kids? Yes, it is a fun way to encourage curiosity about digestion, the human body and kitchen science.
What age is this gross science activity suitable for? It works best for children who enjoy simple hands-on activities and silly science, with adult supervision as needed. It’s ideal for ages 6 to 12, but we think anyone of any age can enjoy this activity!
Where can I find more gross science activities for kids? You can find more hands-on science fun in Whizz Pop Bang magazine.
Imagine looking up at the Moon and knowing that people are living there!
NASA has revealed exciting plans for a huge lunar base where astronauts could live, work and explore. The Moon base could cover hundreds of square kilometres and help scientists prepare for future missions to Mars.
Although a permanent Moon base is still many years away, engineers and scientists are already working out how it could become a reality.
Want more kids science news? Try Whizz Pop Bang magazine!
Whizz Pop Bang is the award-winning science magazine for curious kids aged 6–12. Every month, young scientists discover fascinating facts, try hands-on experiments, meet real scientists and explore the incredible world around them.
Packed with screen-free activities, puzzles, competitions and amazing science news, it’s designed to inspire a lifelong love of STEM subjects while having lots of fun along the way.
A Moon base is a place where astronauts could live for long periods of time on the lunar surface.
Just like research stations in Antarctica, a lunar base would provide shelter, food, water and equipment for scientists exploring an extreme environment.
Future Moon bases might include places to live, research laboratories, power stations and even greenhouses where food could be grown.
Why does NASA want a base on the Moon?
NASA hopes that living on the Moon will help humans learn how to survive on other worlds.
The Moon is much closer than Mars, making it the perfect place to test new technology and learn how astronauts can stay healthy during long space missions.
Scientists could also study the Moon’s rocks, history and hidden resources.
How would astronauts survive on the Moon?
Living on the Moon would be very different from living on Earth.
Astronauts would need protection from:
Extreme temperatures
Dangerous space radiation
Tiny sharp Moon dust
Meteorite impacts
Future Moon bases could be built underground or covered with lunar soil for extra protection.
Scientists are also exploring ways to create oxygen, water and fuel using materials already found on the Moon.
Could children ever live on the Moon?
Nobody knows for sure, but it could happen one day.
NASA’s plans are part of a long-term effort to establish a permanent human presence beyond Earth. If future Moon bases become successful, children growing up on the Moon may not just belong in science fiction stories.
Could the first child to live on the Moon be reading Whizz Pop Bang right now?
Amazing Moon Facts
🌕 The Moon is about 384,400 kilometres from Earth.
🚀 It takes about three days for astronauts to travel there.
👨🚀 Twelve people have walked on the Moon so far.
🌑 The Moon has no air that humans can breathe.
🦘 Because gravity is weaker on the Moon, astronauts can jump much higher than on Earth.
Want more space science?
If you love rockets, astronauts and incredible discoveries, check out Whizz Pop Bang magazine – it’s packed with hands-on activities, fascinating facts and out-of-this-world science fun!
What happens behind the scenes of a children’s science TV show?
Two of our young Whizz Pop Bang reporters, Kitty and Mimi, were invited to the recording studios for an exclusive sneak preview of CBBC’s Horrible Science Series 2. From costumes and props to green screen filming and amazing science facts, this first-hand report gives a fun glimpse into how science television is made. Over to you, Kitty and Mimi…
A Special Visit to the Horrible Science Set
“We loved watching the first series of Horrible Science, so we were really excited to be invited to the set to watch the new series being filmed!
We were given lollipops in the studio reception while we waited for Simon Welton who makes the Horrible Science shows (as well as Horrible Histories – another of our favourites!)”
Simon Welton holding a prop of planet Earth, behind the scenes of Horrible Science Series 2
Touring the Dressing Rooms, Props and Make-Up Studio
“Simon showed us around the dressing rooms and make-up studios. We saw Dr Big Brain’s costume and wig, and we got to see and touch lots of the amazing props. Some of them were still being painted! In the make-up studio we met actor Luke Rollason who was being transformed into the Moon.”
Horrible Science actor Luke Rollason being transformed into the Moon
Watching Green Screen Filming in Action
“Next, we were taken onto the set during filming. The actors were performing in front of a green background. Simon explained that they use green screen technology to add different backgrounds afterwards. Luke Rollason had to wear green leggings so that we wouldn’t see his legs when he was being the Moon.”
The Moon in front of a green screen……and as he appears on screen!
“We couldn’t believe how many people were involved in the filming – we met the director, the producer, and the camera and boom operators. There were hair and make-up people there to fix any costume problems and a continuity person whose job was to make sure everything looked the same between different takes.”
Meeting the Cast and Crew
“We got to meet more of the actors too, and the director even let us shout ‘action!’ to start the filming!
We were surprised to see how many times they had to film each scene from different angles. The producer explained that they edit all the different shots together at the post-production stage.”
Science Facts We Learned on Set
“We watched a bee and butterfly sketch being filmed lots of times, so we learnt loads of cool facts, like how bees communicate by wiggling their bottoms and butterflies taste things with their feet!”
Exploring the Sets
“We saw some new sets being built and painted. There was a cool spaceship with loads of buttons, and Simon told us that they had used parts of an old set from a Norwegian science fiction film to make it.”
A spaceship set that appears in Horrible Science 2
Why We Can’t Wait for Horrible Science Series 2
“We had so much fun touring the studios and we learned so much. We can’t wait to watch series 2 of Horrible Science!”
Whizz Pop Bang is the world’s most awesomely amazing science magazine for children! Every issue is bursting with hands-on experiments, amazing facts, science news, puzzles and real-life inspiration for curious kids. Fizzing with fun (and lots of learning too), it’s packed with screen-free activities, interviews with real scientists and exciting discoveries from around the world. Even better, there are no cheap plastic toys and no adverts in sight. Our mission is simple: to help children develop a lifelong love of science and inspire the scientists, engineers and innovators of the future.
Subscribe today to start your child’s adventures in discovery and to inspire the scientists of the future!
