Apps For Kids

Hurricanes are becoming stronger and more common, as the Earth gets warmer. One company is working to make new homes, that are hurricane-resistant. Deltec homes are cylindrical, with conical roofs, and are anchored to stilts that reach deep into the bedrock. It’s tough for the wind to get a grip on the surface.

Give your taste buds a treat today. Top some ice cream with hot fudge, whipped cream, and a cherry, to celebrate Sundae Day! Add some Japanese biscuit sticks dipped in chocolate, known as Pocky, for Pocky Day. It’s also Origami Day, so try the Japanese art of paper folding. Don’t eat it by mistake!

At the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, 106 years ago, the armistice marking the end of World War One was declared. November 11th is Armistice Day, although the United States celebrates all armed forces members with Veterans Day, and the Commonwealth of Nations, France, and Belgium celebrate Remembrance Day.

An invasive species called the hammerhead worm, is spreading across the United States. The half-moon-headed flatworm, can grow 15 inches long, and regenerates new worms from pieces of itself. Heavy rains and warming temperatures give them the perfect environment to thrive, eating snails and earthworms. They’re coated in toxins, so don’t pick them up.

Today is World Immunization Day, established by the World Health Organization. This year’s theme, is “For Every Generation, Vaccines Work.” Vaccines prevent many life-threatening illnesses, but some people think they don’t need them, helping previously rare diseases make a comeback.

Cupcakes are so yummy, but it’s hard to choose a favorite flavor. Don’t worry about choosing today, because it’s Vanilla Cupcake Day! You can eat one while watching Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, Cookie Monster, and their friends, since it’s also Sesame Street Day. The children’s TV show was first broadcast in 1969.

Today is Area Code Day. In the old days, a telephone operator had to connect your call, using the location, and a numerical address, like Murray Hill 5 9 9 7 5. With area codes, people could call directly, without the operator’s help. Now, there are so many phones, some areas have 2 codes!

The 5-day celebration of Diwali, continues today. It’s the Hindu Festival of Lights, marked by oil lamps and candles, fireworks, feasts, and gifts. Do you have any friends that are Hindu? Ask them to tell you about their family traditions. Make foods like samosas or sweet gulab jamun, for a taste of the festivities.

A new kind of bus is making the rounds, in Madrid Spain. The fully autonomous electric bus, doesn’t need a driver. It will picks up passengers, and gives them a free ride around the commercial district and parking lots. You can wait for one every 15 minutes, or book it on-demand through an app.

An Air B N B in England, comes with an optional perk. You can get a visit, from a miniature horse named Basil. The apartment is in part of a renovated barn, with a door that can be opened into the stable, where the Shetland pony sleeps. Basil loves visitors, and all the attention.