Inspiring stories of kids who made headlines in 2025

Whether it’s Zohran Mamdani, Greta Thunberg, or even Ms. Rachel, 2025 belonged to the young changemakers, who not only inspired the world with their courage, aspirations, and words but also made a strong case for setting examples for generations to come. What’s more heartwarming is that this year, even the kids weren’t far behind.

This year truly belonged to them — the kids and teen trailblazers who stepped up, made a difference, and didn’t let their age stop them.

They weren’t like everyone else. These kids weren’t just out to win medals or rack up personal victories — they put their energy into helping others, breaking down barriers, and facing problems head-on. Their stories revolve around compassion, bold thinking, and sheer determination. Honestly, watching them, you start to feel like the future’s in good hands with this new generation.

Seventeen-year-old Tejasvi Manoj made headlines around the world after TIME named her Kid of the Year in 2025. She didn’t wait for someone else to fix the problem — she built Shield Seniors, an app and website to help older adults spot and report online scams. The whole idea came from a close call her grandfather had with a cyber scammer. Tejasvi’s project made quite a stir in tech circles and local communities, and her story — it became a reminder that young minds can tackle big social problems with heart and ingenuity.

Rebecca Young, just 12 and from Scotland, landed on TIME magazine’s first-ever “Girls of the Year” list after inventing a solar-powered backpack. The twist? She built an electric blanket to help keep homeless people warm at night. What started as a school project ended up getting real-world use — her backpacks rolled out at a local shelter, and there’s more to come. Rebecca’s work shines a spotlight on girls in engineering and shows how real empathy can drive smart, meaningful solutions.

In Chicago, 8-year-old Mateo won the internet — and a lot of hearts — when he gave all his birthday money to a homeless woman selling candy, instead of spending it on himself. Someone caught the moment on video, and it went viral. All of a sudden, people all over the world were inspired to pitch in — they launched a community initiative to even help those struggling with homelessness. Mateo’s one simple act of kindness launched such a ripple effect that it reminded everyone of the humble truth: small gestures can spark big impacts.

Keiran Piper’s story resonated with people across the globe. At just 11, he faced relentless bullying, which left him struggling. But thanks to trampolining, Keiran found his footing — and his confidence. What’s surprising is that he didn’t keep that victory to himself. A 16-year-old Keiran now coaches and mentors other kids who’ve been through tough times, and uses sports to help them find and tap into their own strength. From being bullied to lifting others up, Keiran’s journey shows how powerful and contagious resilience and compassion can be.

Evie Rose Sordillo might be only nine, but she already is flying high. The Aussie angel has already taken South Australia by storm as the top dancer of 2025. Seriously, this kid does it all — ballet, calisthenics, even acting. She landed a part in Matilda Jr., and you can tell she just lives for the stage. Her passion isn’t just for show; it inspires other kids to jump in and chase their own creative dreams. And Evie’s not alone in the spotlight. Ten-year-old Ozzy McCradden and a few other rising stars are catching attention too, all while pushing for more diversity and inclusion in the arts.

What occurred at Bondi Beach this year is something that we will not be able to forget. In the midst of a mass shooting, a 14-year-old girl noticed that two younger children were in peril and immediately jumped into action by shielding the two innocent children with her body, sacrificing her own safety to save them from being shot. To this date, the action taken by this 14-year-old girl illustrates how an incredible amount of courage and heroism can arise from anyone — even children can emerge as superheroes, with or without capes or costumes.