This children’s article, What is a Guinness World Record? A guide for kids, has been written for native English speakers and learners of English as a second or foreign language. It can help children practise reading and comprehension, learn new vocabulary, and explore some of the world’s most amazing achievements. Written by Sinead O’Carroll, an experienced teacher and writer.
Amazing records from around the world
Have you ever wanted to build the tallest tower of playing cards? Or collect more egg cups than anyone else on Earth? These might sound like unusual hobbies, but some people have turned them into world records!
A Guinness World Record is an official title given to someone (or something!) who is the best at a particular skill, activity, or has an unusual quality. The records cover everything from sports and science to nature, food, and fantastic human achievements.
The Guinness World Records team is based in the UK, with offices in the US, China, Japan, and the UAE. Their expert team travels around the world to check if new records meet their strict rules.
All records must be measurable, breakable, and checked by independent witnesses. Some also need expert help to make sure the record is fair and accurate.
Where did the idea come from?
The idea began in the early 1950s when Sir Hugh Beaver, the boss of the Guinness Brewery, went on a shooting trip in Ireland. His group started arguing about the fastest game bird in Europe. When they couldn’t find the answer in any book, Sir Hugh had an idea – why not make a book of facts and records?
In 1954, he turned that idea into The Guinness Book of Records. It quickly became popular and is now known as Guinness World Records.
Every year, the organisation shares new records in books, on TV, in live events, and online.
Their mission is to document the incredible and show that anyone can do something extraordinary.
Some of the coolest records
Here are a few records that might surprise you:
- The tallest house of cards built in 8 hours had 62 layers!
- One person stacked 918 Jenga blocks on top of a single block.
- The largest display of solar-powered lamps was made in the Philippines with 2,743 lamps.
- A collector spent 50 years gathering 15,000 egg cups – the biggest collection ever.
- Volunteers in Texas lined up 10,852 sandwiches to break the world record for the longest sandwich line.
Could you break a record?
You don’t have to be a grown-up to be a record breaker. In fact, Guinness World Records has created special records just for people under 16. If you’re interested, your parent or guardian can apply for you.
So whether you’re great at balancing spoons on your face or bouncing a ball for hours, there might be a record waiting for you!
Set a record – see what you could try
Article vocabulary list
- Adjudicator – A person who judges or officially decides if something is correct
- Breakable – Possible to be beaten or improved
- Measurable – Something that can be counted or clearly compared
- Official – Approved by a trusted organisation or authority
- Phenomena – Amazing things that happen in nature or the world
- Record – The best or most extreme result ever known
- Verification – Checking that something is true and accurate
- Witness – Someone who sees something happen and confirms it
Comprehension questions
Just click the plus (+) to see the answer
1. What is a Guinness World Record?
a) A type of sandwich
b) An official title for the best or most extreme achievement
c) A collection of Guinness bottles
Answer: b) An official title for the best or most extreme achievement
2. Who started the idea for Guinness World Records?
Answer: Sir Hugh Beaver
3. What do all Guinness World Records need to be?
a) Expensive and dangerous
b) Funny and confusing
c) Measurable, breakable, and verified
Answer: c) Measurable, breakable, and verified
4. What was the tallest house of cards built in 8 hours?
a) 26 layers
b) 62 layers
c) 100 layers
Answer: b) 62 layers
6. What is an adjudicator?
Answer: A person who checks and decides if a record is correct
6. How many egg cups were in the largest collection?
a) 15
b) 150
c) 15,000
Answer: c) 15,000
7. What can children under 16 do if they want to try a record?
Answer: Choose a special record and ask a parent or guardian to apply for them
Sinead is a writer and EFL teacher with eight years’ experience. She’s a native English speaker who loves making news stories fun and easy to understand for children around the world. Her passions include travel, animals, and helping to make the world a kinder, more sustainable place.
