Talking to Kids About the Los Angeles Wildfires: An Adult & Caregiver Guide by Nickelodeon

Natural disasters can leave kids feeling scared and uncertain. Nickelodeon has put together a document with some resources that will help parents and caregivers navigate conversations about natural disasters with their kids and ways to support the people and places in Los Angeles impacted by the wildfires. If you’re looking for help discussing the wildfires with your family, this guide is here to help. A downloadable and printable PDF version of this guide is available at NickelodeonParents.com.

TALKING TO KIDS ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES WILDFIRES: AN ADULT & CAREGIVER GUIDE

By Nickelodeon

Natural disasters can leave kids feeling scared and uncertain. Here are some resources that will help you navigate conversations about natural disasters with your kids and ways to support the people and places in Los Angeles impacted by the wildfires.

On January 7, 2025, wildfires broke out across Los Angeles county. Hundreds of thousands of residents have been forced to evacuate and tens of thousands of homes and buildings have been destroyed. The number of casualties is still unknown. While the extent of the devastation is yet to be seen, the impact is felt worldwide.

WANT TO HELP LOS ANGELES? HERE ARE SOME RESOURCES.

• Baby2Baby - Provides critical items to kids impacted by disasters and natural events
• Best Friends Animal Society - Offering help and support to local LA animal welfare organizations
• How to Help Victims of California Wildfires affecting Los Angeles County - CBS News
• Salvation Army Southern California Division - Providing aid for survivors
• World Central Kitchen - Providing hot meals to first responders and families

WANT TO LEARN MORE? NICKELODEON IS HERE TO HELP.

• Recovering from Wildfires - American Psychological Association
• Wildfires: What Parents Need to Know - American Academy of Pediatrics
• Wildfire Safety - American Red Cross
• 10 Wildfire Safety Tips to Keep Kids Safe - Save the Children
• Wildfire Safety Tips - UNICEF
• NickHelps.com for kids of all ages

TALKING TO KIDS ABOUT NATURAL DISASTERS: AN ADULT & CAREGIVER GUIDE

Having open conversations with your child about natural disasters can be essential to helping them understand and cope with tough events. When speaking, it is important to: 

1. Let them know they are safe and loved. Starting these conversations with affirmations of your love will help them feel safe and secure to share their thoughts, feelings, and concerns. It may also ease some of their immediate worry or anxiety about what they may have seen or heard.

2. Be their primary source of information. Start by asking what they already know and what questions they have. Use their feedback as a guide for the conversation. Provide them with age-appropriate information to help frame their understanding and feel more informed. Then, discuss your family’s values around kindness and empathy.

3. Be patient, compassionate, and attentive. One conversation may not be enough; they may need time to process the information and share their thoughts. Check-in with them over the next few days to see if any other questions or feelings have come up.

4. Reach for support. You may not have all the answers and that’s okay. You might also be navigating your own feelings. Look to resources from reputable sources, like the ones at the end of this article. If needed, reach out to your community of loved ones. Know that therapists and mental health professionals are trained to help you and your family.

TAKING ACTION AT HOME & IN YOUR COMMUNITY

Explore these activities and resources with your child and use them to take action, spread positivity, and show care.

● Build empathy: Help your child understand how others feel by reading books that highlight empathy and compassion for young readers. Ask your local librarian for recommendations, or check out this book list.

● Envision a brighter future: Talk to your child about their hopes for a brighter future. Listen to these kids share their vision of peace and unity. Then, create your own vision board that you can return to when you need hope and comfort.

● Practice self- and community-care: Look for ways you and your family can support those in your community who may be struggling. Check-in with or deliver a meal to family, friends, and neighbors. Remember, you and your child need care, too. Use this self-care checklist to explore calming actions that can help you both feel better. Deep (sea) breathing can also help create soothing moments together. 

WANT TO LEARN MORE? NICKELODEON IS HERE TO HELP.

• Talking with Kids about Disasters - American Academy of Pediatrics
• Talking to Kids about Natural Disasters - American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychology
• Helping Kids after a Natural Disaster - Tips for Parents and Educators - National Association of School Psychologists 

***

Paramount Donates $1 Million to LA Fire Relief, Offers Cash Grants and Temporary Housing to Displaced Employees

Donations will be spread across the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, California Fire Foundation, Red Cross, Direct Relief, World Central Kitchen and Best Friends Animal Society

Credit: Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

Paramount will donate $1 million to Los Angeles fire relief as the entertainment studio offers cash grants and temporary housing to employees displaced from their homes.

Specifically, Paramount will spread its donations across Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, California Fire Foundation, American Red Cross, Direct Relief, World Central Kitchen and Best Friends Animal Society — organizations that Paramount co-CEOs Chris McCarthy, George Cheeks and Brian Robbins say are “actively assisting with continuous firefighting and relief efforts.”

“As major wildfires continue to erupt across parts of Los Angeles – causing massive devastation to families, homes and communities – our hearts are with everyone affected by this tragedy, particularly those who have been displaced or lost their homes,” the co-CEOs wrote in a memo obtained by TheWrap. “And we remain committed to supporting our employees who have been impacted during this incredibly difficult time.”

Additionally, Paramount is offering employees who have been displaced by the wildfires cash grants to “help cover the costs of emergency evacuation, disaster recovery or unexpected events” via the company’s Employee Assistance Fund, as well as lodging and temporary housing assistance. Employees and their families can also access emotional support through Paramount as well.

The memo also outlines ways to help those impacted by the wildfires, including contributing to the Employee Matching Gifts Program and/or the Employee Assistance Fund, as well as sharing resources from the Nickelodeon team with parents and caretakers unpacking how to discuss natural disasters with children.

The co-CEOs continued by recognizing and thanking CBS News and Stations journalists and teams on-the-ground in Los Angeles, specifically shouting out their local KCBS/KCAL newsroom and our CBS News LA bureau. “Having surpassed 72 hours of nonstop live news across TV and streaming, KCBS/KCAL is leading the way with a remarkable, unwavering commitment to providing extensive, in-depth coverage,” the memo read. “Many of them and their families have been personally affected by the fires, and they continue to show up to keep their local communities informed. “

They added that CBS will begin driving donations to the Red Cross, with a Red Cross PSA rolling out across the network as of Friday (Jan. 10). They noted KCAL has already raised over $300K for relief efforts, while Paramount Pictures and CBS teams have donated meals to first responders, “Comedy Central’s The Daily Show is driving donations to the California Fire Foundation and BET has provided coverage of the devastating impact of the fires on the historic Black community in Altadena,” per the memo.

“This remains an ongoing and dynamic situation, and there’s still lots of coordination happening across our brands on other ways we can support those in need,” the memo concluded. “We will share updates as new information becomes available. Take care of yourselves and stay safe.”

In a post on Instagram, Paramount said: "Our hearts are breaking for everyone impacted in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas, including Paramount employees and our friends, partners, and peers in the industry. As the devastation unfolds, we will continue to provide resources to impacted employees and support for our heroic local news crews who are keeping the public informed.

Paramount will be donating $1M across organizations providing critical support for those in need and first responders. Please join us in supporting non-profits on-the-ground, including:

@lafdfoundation

@cafirefound

@americanredcross

@directrelief

@wckitchen

@bestfriendsanimalsociety"

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Paramount (@paramountco)

Paramount’s disaster relief efforts come as Disney commits $15 million towards initial and immediate response and rebuilding efforts and Warner Bros. Discovery offers temporary housing and aid to its employees.

In addition to the organizations listed above, below is a list of more relief organizations that NickALive! readers who want to help can donate money to:

• The Toy Foundation’s Toy Bank Program 
• The Salvation Army

If there are any other organizations you think should be listed here, please get in touch.

Nickelodeon Set to Air 'Nickelodeon’s NFL Wild Card Game Live from Bikini Bottom' on Saturday, Jan. 11

NICKELODEON AND CBS SPORTS SET FOR NICKELODEON’S NFL WILD CARD GAME LIVE FROM BIKINI BOTTOM WHEN THE CHARGERS FACE THE TEXANS ON SATURDAY, JAN. 11, AT 4:30 PM ET

Slime-filled Wild Card Weekend Alternate Telecast to Feature SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Star Reprising Roles in the Booth, Alongside CBS Sports’ Nate Burleson, in Game Set in Bikini Bottom

Nickelodeon’s NFL Wild Card Game Live from Bikini Bottom to Also Include Fan-Favorite Characters Featured Across Paramount’s Portfolio

Share it: @Nickelodeon @CBSSports @NFL

Nickelodeon and CBS Sports’ special Slime-filled alternate telecast during the NFL’s Wild Card Weekend will feature the Los Angeles Chargers taking on the Houston Texans during Nickelodeon’s NFL Wild Card Game Live from Bikini Bottom on Saturday, Jan. 11, at 4:30 PM (ET). The special presentation will transport viewers back to SpongeBob SquarePants’ colorful undersea home with enhanced Nick-ified graphics, advanced augmented reality and appearances by fan-favorite characters featured across Paramount’s portfolio. Nickelodeon’s NFL Wild Card Game Live from Bikini Bottom will air alongside CBS Sports’ broadcast of the game on The CBS Television Network, and is one of six games during Wild Card Weekend across Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Following their debut in Super Bowl LVIII Live from Bikini Bottom, an animated SpongeBob SquarePants (voiced by Tom Kenny) and Patrick Star (voiced by Bill Fagerbakke) will reprise their roles in the virtual booth. The duo will be joined by CBS Sports analyst Nate Burleson, with Sandy Cheeks (voiced by Carolyn Lawrence) and NFL Slimetime’s Dylan Schefter reporting live on the sidelines. Nickelodeon’s beloved Latina explorer Dora (voiced by Diana Zermeño) returns to explain the rules and penalty calls during the game.

In addition to the denizens of Bikini Bottom and celebrity fish, Nickelodeon’s NFL Wild Card Game Live from Bikini Bottom will also showcase appearances by iconic characters featured across Paramount’s portfolio, including: Megatron and Optimus Prime (Transformers One); Arnold and Helga (Hey Arnold!); Cat and Dog (CatDog); Sonic, Tails, Knuckles and Shadow (Sonic the Hedgehog 3); the Loud family (The Loud House); Tiny Chef (The Tiny Chef Show); Wanda and Cosmo (The Faily OddParents: A New Wish); Reptar, Chuckie and Tommy (Rugrats); and many more.

Nickelodeon’s NFL Wild Card Game Live from Bikini Bottom will also include: hijinks throughout the game from a group of “Wild Cod,” paying homage to classic NFL superfans; the return of the iconic Submarine Blimp, fully equipped to Slime the crowd around the stadium; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, who will appear on the field to launch pizzas to the crowd; a PAW Patrol-themed “SkyeCam”; brand-new end zone clam cannons that fire Slime, chum, Krabby Patties and more; and an exclusive sneak peek of Henry Danger The Movie during halftime. The production will continue to showcase one-of-a-kind content and Nick-themed elements throughout, including surprise guest appearances, original on-field graphics, virtual filters, and more for kids and families.

Ahead of the game, fans can dive into Nickelodeon's NFL Wild Card Game Live from Bikini Bottom by visiting Nick.com/NVP to vote for which player they think SpongeBob and Patrick should pick to receive the NVP award.

Following Nickelodeon's NFL Wild Card Game Live from Bikini Bottom, Nickelodeon will invite fans to join Nate Burleson, SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Star, Sandy Cheeks and Dylan Schefter, along with fan-favorite Nick stars, to relive the craziest and Slimiest NFL Wild Card moments in Bikini Bottom Breakdown: NFL Wild Card, premiering Wednesday, Jan. 15, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT). The hour-long special follows a Wild Card-themed episode of the weekly NFL series NFL Slimetime, airing at 7:30 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nickelodeon (@nickelodeon)

This season’s NFL Wild Card telecast on Nickelodeon will mark CBS Sports’ and Nickelodeon’s sixth family-friendly collaboration on an NFL game – and third NFL Wild Card game. It follows up Super Bowl LVIII Live from Bikini Bottom, the historic Sports Emmy Award-winning alternate telecast of the Super Bowl, which was the first of its kind.

The Nickelodeon’s NFL Wild Card Game Live from Bikini Bottom will be streamed on mobile devices with NFL+. CBS Sports’ telecast will also be streamed across digital devices via Paramount+, the CBS Sports app and NFL digital properties.

The Nickelodeon’s NFL Wild Card Game Live from Bikini Bottom is produced by CBS Sports in association with Nickelodeon Productions. Harold Bryant serves as executive producer of THE NFL ON CBS, and CBS Sports’ Shawn Robbins is coordinating producer of the game. Production for Nickelodeon is overseen by Ashley Kaplan, executive vice president, Nickelodeon & Awesomeness Unscripted & Digital Franchise Studio; Paul J Medford, vice president of unscripted current series; Luke Wahl, vice president of unscripted creative; and Jennifer Bryson, vice president of production, tentpoles, events & music & specials.

***

Update (1/10) - Nickelodeon has hinted that Jimmy Neutron, Rocko and Heffer from Rocko's Modern Life, and The Smurfs will feature during Nickelodeon’s NFL Wild Card Game Live from Bikini Bottom!