Best of 2024: amazing world records set by kids
As 2024 comes to an end, it’s time for our annual look over the incredible world records achieved in the past 12 months. This year has been nothing short of extraordinary, with some of the most remarkable milestones being set by kids and teens!
These young pioneers didn’t just break records – they shattered expectations, inspiring people of all ages with their achievements.
So before we welcome 2025, let’s look back at the standout moments of the past year and honour the record-breaking feats of the next generation.
Isabel Wilkins
16-year-old Isabel Wilkins (UK) knows a thing or two about football. The sport has been a big part of her life for as long as she can remember. After being crowned the youngest freestyle-football world champion in 2023, GWR visited her earlier this year as she sought to gain some more record titles.In one day, she managed to break the following records:
- Most Abbas around-the-world tricks in 30 seconds – 18
- Most half-beck around-the-world tricks in one minute – 12
- Most hop-the-world tricks in 30 seconds – 47
- Most clipper tricks in one minute – 46
Sophia Hayden
Sophia Hayden from Washington, USA, set the cozy world record for the most sweaters worn at once with a sweat-inducing total of 45 sweaters.
Her clever strategy? Layering up with sweaters of gradually increasing sizes, starting with the smallest and working her way up to the largest.
Aaryan Shukla
13-year-old maths prodigy Aaryan Shukla from Maharashtra, India, stunned a live audience when he earned a Guinness World Records title with his mind-boggling calculation skills.
Appearing on our Italian TV show Lo Show Dei Record, this ‘human calculator’ set the record for the fastest time to mentally add 50 five-digit numbers – an astonishing 25.19 seconds.To put that into perspective, he was completing about one addition every 0.5 seconds!
Reuben Looks Twice Jr.
A Native American 16-year-old has the world’s longest hair on a male teenager, measuring 161 cm (5 ft 3.3 in). Reuben Looks Twice Jr. from Rapid City, South Dakota, hasn’t had his hair cut since he was two years old.
He explained the reason behind his choice by saying: “Culturally, Lakota people have long hair. It’s part of our Nagi (spirit). It’s who I am.“I feel proud to represent my family and the Lakota Nation.”
Naemi and Alena Stump
14-year-old twin sisters from Switzerland have developed an extraordinary passion for synchronized inline skating that led them to break two world records together.On a vert ramp measuring 3.9 metres (12 feet 9 inches), they achieved:
- The most synchronized tricks on inline skates in 30 seconds – 11
- The most synchronized tricks on inline skates in one minute – 21
The secret behind their extraordinary performances? “You should know each other so well that you know what the other person is doing without having to communicate. The one who is better at the trick adapts to the other.”
Pratyaksh Vijay
While many people continue searching for their dream job well into their thirties, Pratyaksh Vijay secured his at just 5 years 337 days old.The young boy from India was verified as the world’s youngest yoga instructor (male) after completing the 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Course.Pratyaksh’s dream is to “spread the knowledge of ancient yoga to the whole world so everyone can enjoy a healthy and tension-free life.”
Cillian O’Connor
At just 15, Cillian O’Connor from County Meath, Ireland, has made his childhood dream a reality.Cillian’s magic tricks are so impressive they seem like real sorcery, earning him the Guinness World Records title for the most magic tricks performed in one minute (under 16), completing 28 tricks.
His record-breaking act included making a wand appear out of nowhere and making pencils disappear.
Eric Kilburn Jr.
16-year-old Eric Kilburn Jr. from Goodrich, Michigan, USA, holds the records for the largest feet and largest hands on a living teenager.
His feet measure an impressive 34.30 cm (13.50 inches), which is an American size 23 (the equivalent of a size 22 for the UK).
That's significantly larger than the average shoe for an adult male, typically ranging from 8.5 to 9. Eric’s hands are just as extraordinary, measuring an amazing 23.20 cm (9.13 inches), while the average size for his age stands at 19.04 cm (just over 7.4 inches).
The teenager hasn’t been able to shop for shoes in a store “since around fifth grade” but, since his story gained traction online, major companies like Puma and Under Armour stepped in offering him custom-made shoes and boots.
Aneeshwar Kunchala
Aneeshwar Kunchala, a passionate young conservationist from the UK, has been on a mission to save to planet from a very young age.
The eight-year-old is now a double Guinness World Records title holder as the youngest male documentary presenter and newspaper columnist.
Through his column in First News and his documentary COP27 - Six Ways to Save Our Planet, he inspires children to protect wildlife and combat environmental issues.
Max Alexander
This talented fashion designer from Denver, Colorado, USA, has shown their work nationally and even run their own fashion show.All that, at the age of 7 years 266 days!
Max became the youngest person to design a runway show, after they were offered a runway at Denver Fashion Week.
Max’s career has truly taken off – they’ve been interviewed by People magazine, appeared on Good Morning America, and are even receiving commissions to create garments for celebrities, including actress Sharon Stone.