Everything Under The Sun
Kids & Family
About
Children are full of curiosity and questions about the world. Each Friday, join Molly Oldfield, write of the weekly kids quiz in the Guardian each Saturday, the original QI elf and author and host of Everything Under The Sun (both the book and podcast) as she answers questions sent in by children around the world with the help of experts including Neil Gaiman, Heston Blumenthal, Grayson Perry, Lauren Child, Richard Branson and Sophie Dahl to the fish curators at the Natural History Museum. If you're a kid - big or small - with questions you want answered or if you...
Episodes
- #175 Why do we wear red noses on Red Nose Day? With guest experts Emma Freud & Richard Curtis. Why is your elbow called a funny bone when it’s not funny? Why does bogie come out of your nose when you cry?
In this episode, Emma Freud and Richard Curtis explain the history of Red Nose Day. The show also covers why the elbow is called a funny bone and the biological functions of nasal mucus when crying.
- #174 How does the Moon control the Earth's tides? w/ Brother Guy Consolmagno. What causes a blood moon? Why is there no air on the Moon?
In this episode of Everything Under the Sun, Brother Guy Consolmagno discusses how the Moon influences Earth's tides. The episode also explains the causes of a blood moon and why the Moon lacks an atmosphere.
- #173 Merry Christmas! Did Santa deliver presents to dinosaurs? w/ Andy Day! How do snow shoes work? Why does ice stick to things?
In this Christmas-themed episode of Everything Under the Sun, Andy Day joins to discuss Santa's relationship with dinosaurs. The episode also explores the science behind how snow shoes work and why ice sticks to surfaces.
- #172 Where does space end? w/Jim Al-Khalili. How do ships float? What is the biggest airport in the world?
In this episode, Jim Al-Khalili discusses the boundaries of space, Pippa Kenton-Page explains how ships float, and the show covers facts about the world's biggest, smallest, and most unusual airports.
- #171 How do volcanoes erupt? w/ Robin George Andrews. How are continents made? How do we breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide?
In this episode, guest Robin George Andrews explains how volcanoes erupt. The discussion continues with an exploration of how continents are formed, and concludes with an explanation of how the human respiratory system exchanges oxygen and…
- #170 Who came up with the idea of Unicorns? w/ Catherine Cawthorne. Why do you see lightning before you hear thunder? When was the first LEGO built?
In this episode of Everything Under The Sun, Catherine Cawthorne joins to discuss the origins of unicorns. The episode also explores the science behind lightning and thunder, as well as the history of LEGO.
- #169 How are seeds made? w/ Leon Perrie. Why don't humans have fur? Why do Hippos have large teeth?
In this episode of Everything Under the Sun, guest Leon Perrie explains how seeds are made. The episode also explores theories regarding why humans do not have fur and functions of hippo teeth.
- #168 Can whales from Antarctica learn the language of whales from Iceland? w/ Tom Mustill. Why is sea water so cold? Why do you get a runny nose when you come out from the cold?
Tom Mustill joins the show to discuss whether whales from Antarctica and Iceland can communicate. The episode also explores why sea water is cold and investigates why people experience runny noses in cold weather.
- #167 How do power stations work? w/ Kathy Joseph. How deep can whales go? How does our body produce saliva?
In this episode of Everything Under The Sun, Kathy Joseph explains how power stations work. The episode also explores the deepest depths reached by whales and how the human body produces saliva.
- #166 Can some animals talk to others? w/ Jonathan Balcombe. Why do steam trains chuff? Why are panthers black and why do they climb trees?
In this episode, Jonathan Balcombe discusses animal communication. The show also explores how steam trains work, the mechanics behind their chuffing sound, the reasons panthers are black, and why they climb trees.
- #165 Why do giant squids have such excellent eye sight? w/ Sy Montgomery. How do spiders make their webs? Who invented halloween?
In this Halloween-themed episode of Everything Under the Sun, Sy Montgomery joins to discuss the eyesight of giant squids. The episode also explores the origins of Halloween and the science of how spiders create their webs.
- #164 How do clownfish switch from male to female? w/ Laura Tranfield. How was air made? How do fireflies light up?
In this episode of Everything Under The Sun, guest Laura Tranfield explains how clownfish change sex from male to female. The show also covers the origins of air and the process behind how fireflies produce light.
- #163 How do we know whether volcanoes or dormant, extinct or explosive? w/ Robin George Andrews. How did people make sellotape? Why do toes go from biggest to smallest?
In this episode of Everything Under The Sun, guest Robin George Andrews discusses types of volcanoes. The show also explores the process of making sellotape and the reasons behind the size gradation of toes.
- #162 Why does the ocean give us some of our oxygen? w/ Juli Berwald. Can snakes lose teeth? How does paper get made?
In this episode, guest Juli Berwald explains the connection between the ocean and our oxygen supply. The show also explores whether snakes lose their teeth and the process behind paper manufacturing.
- #161 How do planets float in space? w/ Brother Guy Consolmagno. How long have tortoises been on the Earth? How do thermometers work?
In this episode of Everything Under the Sun, Brother Guy Consolmagno explains how planets float in space. The episode also covers the history of tortoises on Earth and how thermometers function.
- #160 How do plants grow? w/ Arief Rabik. How does the Shinkansen train go so fast? Why do mosquito bites itch?
In episode #160 of Everything Under the Sun, bamboo forestry expert Arief Rabik explains how plants grow. The episode also covers the technology behind the speed of the Shinkansen bullet train and the scientific reason why mosquito bites c…
- #159 Why do reptiles lay eggs and mammals don't? w/ Felix Marx. How do babies learn how to talk? When did people start keeping cats as pets?
In this episode, palaeontologist Dr. Felix Marx discusses why reptiles lay eggs while most mammals do not. The episode also covers how babies learn to talk and the history of when humans began keeping cats as pets.
- #158 Everything Under The Sun - All around the world, the book!
In this episode of Everything Under The Sun, guest James Maclaine discusses why anglerfish have lights on their heads, details the habits of wombats, and explains why ice cream tastes good. The answers are sourced from Molly Oldfield's boo…
- #157 Can Beetles Talk To Ants? w/ Ben Hoare. How Are Candles Made? Where does the water for a river come from?
In this episode of Everything Under The Sun, guest Ben Hoare discusses whether beetles can communicate with ants. The episode also explores the candle-making process and the source of water in rivers.
- #156 How Do You Become A Chess Grandmaster? w/ FunMaster Mike Klein. Why Do Countries Have Capital Cities? Why Do Lemurs Have Stripey Tails?
This episode of Everything Under The Sun features chess expert FunMaster Mike Klein discussing how to become a grandmaster. The episode also explores the historical necessity of capital cities and explains the purpose of lemurs' striped ta…
- #155 Why Do We Hear the Sea in Seashells? w/ Helen Scales. Why Do Eggs Have Yolks? Why Are Sheepdogs So Intelligent?
Marine biologist Helen Scales joins to explain why we hear the sea in seashells. The episode also explores why eggs have yolks and the reasons behind the intelligence of sheepdogs.
- #154 How do you get chickenpox? w/ Sarah Holper. Why are gorse bushes so prickly? Why does air make crisps soggy?
In this episode of "Everything Under The Sun," Dr. Sarah Holper discusses how chickenpox is transmitted. The show also explores why gorse bushes are prickly and the scientific reason why air causes crisps to become soggy.
- #153 How was sign language invented? w/ Rose Ayling-Ellis. How do submarines sink? Why do skunk's stink?
In this episode, Rose Ayling-Ellis joins the show to discuss the invention of sign language. The program also explores the mechanics of how submarines sink and resurface, and the science behind why skunks produce a strong odor.
- #152 Which flower has the most petals? w/ Carlos Lehnebach. Which dog is the best at smelling? Which daffodils are there in the world?
In this spring-themed episode, botanist Carlos Lehnebach discusses flowers with many petals. The show also covers the dog breed with the best sense of smell and various types of daffodils.
- #151 How Did Ancient Egyptians Blow Their Noses? w/ Justin Pollard. How do hedgehogs make their homes? How do caterpillar eggs stick to leaves?
In this episode of Everything Under The Sun, historian Justin Pollard discusses how ancient Egyptians blew their noses. The program also explores the construction of hedgehog homes and how caterpillar eggs attach to leaves.
- #150 How do we know about the Kraken? w/ Katherine Rundell. How do sea creature not get water in their eyes? How many metres deep is the ocean?
In this 150th episode of Everything Under the Sun, author Katherine Rundell discusses the legends of the Kraken. The episode also explores how marine life protects their eyes underwater and examines the depth of the Earth's oceans.
- #149 How do underwater volcanoes erupt w/ Robin George Andrews. Why does lava not melt volcano's rocks? Why are dolphins so clever?
In this episode of Everything Under the Sun, volcanologist Robin George Andrews discusses how underwater volcanoes erupt and why lava does not melt a volcano's rocks. The host also explores the reasons behind the intelligence of dolphins.
- #148 What sound do sharks make? w/ James Maclaine. Who Were The First Ninjas? Who's The Strongest, Samurais or Ninjas?
James Maclaine from The Natural History Museum discusses the sounds made by sharks, the origins of the first ninjas, and compares the strength of samurais and ninjas.
- #147 When were the first pirates? w/ Iszi Lawrence. What was the first book written? What is water made out of ?
In this episode of Everything Under the Sun, guest Iszi Lawrence joins to answer questions about the history of pirates, the chemical composition of water, and the origin of the first books.
- #146 How do solar panels make electricity? With Yasmin Ali. Why do people smile back when we smile on them? Why does the moon follow us?
In this episode, guest Yasmin Ali explains how solar panels generate electricity. Additionally, the show discusses the reasons behind why people smile back at each other and why the moon appears to follow us.
- #145 Why do some countries have wars? With Lord Alf Dubs. Why are baby animals so cute? How did chicken pox get it's name?
In this episode, Lord Alf Dubs discusses why wars occur between countries. The show also explains the evolutionary reasons behind the cuteness of baby animals and explores the origin of the name chickenpox.
- #144: Bee stings, colours, and maths with Chris Haughton
In this episode of Everything Under The Sun, Molly explores facts about bee stingers and the perception of color. Additionally, children's author Chris Haughton discusses the origins of mathematics and his new book, The History of Informat…
- How many kilos can a whale eat? With Tom Mustill. How do mermaids grow their tails? What lives in the Mariana Trench?
In this episode, whale expert Tom Mustill discusses how much whales eat. The show also explores how mermaids grow their tails and examines the creatures that inhabit the Mariana Trench.
- Why do people yawn? With Dr Sarah Holper. Why do lions have manes? Which ocean animals are already extinct?
In this episode, Dr. Sarah Holper discusses why people yawn, while other segments explore why lions have manes and which ocean animals are now extinct.
- Can animals laugh? Why do sperm whales sleep vertically? With Felix Marx from Te Papa Museum. Why do people say that cats have nine lives?
This episode features answers to questions about animal laughter, the vertical sleeping habits of sperm whales, and the origin of the saying that cats have nine lives. Dr. Felix Marx joins to discuss whale behavior.
- How did the Milky Way form? With Jim Al-Khalili. Why is there no gravity on space? Why is Earth called Earth?
In this episode, theoretical physicist Jim Al-Khalili explains the formation of the Milky Way. The podcast also explores the reality of gravity in space and discusses the historical origins of the name of planet Earth.
- Why do people's voices sound different? With Professor Guri Sandhu. How do echoes work? How did the Grand Canyon open up?
In this episode of Everything Under The Sun, Professor Guri Sandhu explains why people have different voices. The episode also explores the science behind echoes and the geological formation of the Grand Canyon.
- What happens to garbage that is not recycled? With James Piper. Why does pollution cause climate change? Which part of the world is most affected by global warming?
In this episode, guest James Piper joins to discuss where unrecycled garbage goes and the impact of recycling. The episode also explores the link between pollution and climate change, and examines which parts of the world are most affected…
- Why do our hearts beat when we're afraid? How are spiders born? Why do some children look like their parents?
In this episode, Teddy Keen explains the survival instincts behind racing hearts when afraid. The podcast also explores how spiders are born and why children often inherit physical traits from their parents.
- How are robots made? Why is the immortal jellyfish immortal? Can babies talk to other babies?
This episode of Everything Under The Sun answers questions about how robots are built, the longevity of the immortal jellyfish, and whether babies can communicate with each other. Guest Raia Hadsell from Deep Mind joins to discuss robot de…
- Where were the first schools? With Jonathan Taylor. How did some homo sapiens survive the Ice Age? Why do men have beards?
In this episode of Everything Under The Sun, guest Jonathan Taylor discusses the history of the first schools. The show also explores how early homo sapiens survived the Ice Age and investigates the scientific and unique reasons behind why…
- How is magic made? With Sophie Dahl. Why do bats hang upside down? How does kinetic sand work?
Author Sophie Dahl answers questions about how magic is made. The episode also explores the reasons why bats hang upside down and explains the science behind kinetic sand.
- Why do people get wrinkles? With Ross Barr. How does sunscreen work? How are stars made?
In this episode of Everything Under The Sun, guest Ross Barr explains why people develop wrinkles, followed by explanations of how sunscreen works and how stars are formed. The podcast answers various questions submitted by children.
- What noises did dinosaurs make? With Jack Horner. Who built the Eiffel Tower? Why do nails grow?
This episode of Everything Under The Sun answers questions about the noises dinosaurs made with paleontologist Jack Horner, the history of the Eiffel Tower, and why nails grow.
- Why is lava so hot? With Robin Andrews. What are fireworks made of? Why do pandas eat bamboo?
In this episode, science journalist Robin Andrews explains why lava is hot. The show also covers the ingredients in fireworks and discusses why pandas eat bamboo.
- Why does an elephant's tummy rumble? With Jonathan Balcombe. Why do we get pins and needles? How do mirrors reflect?
This episode of Everything Under The Sun answers questions about why elephant tummies rumble, the cause of pins and needles, and how mirrors reflect light. Jonathan Balcombe joins to discuss elephant biology.
- Why are bugs so little? With Erica McAlister. What are electrons made of? What is the richest place in the world?
In this episode, guest Erica McAlister explains why bugs are small. The show also explores what electrons are made of and discusses how the world's wealth is calculated and distributed.
- Would it be possible to transfer your body onto a computer? With Lath Carlson. How do aeroplanes fly? How many eggs does an octopus lay?
This episode investigates the possibility of transferring the human body onto a computer with guest Lath Carlson, explains the science behind how aeroplanes fly, and explores how many eggs an octopus lays.
- Why is garlic good for your heart? With Tara Lee. How do skunks get their smell out? Do seagulls and snakes sneeze?
In this episode of Everything Under The Sun, nutritionist Tara Lee explains the cardiovascular benefits of garlic. Additionally, the episode explores the biological reasons behind skunk musk release and how seagulls and snakes clear their…
- How was ballet invented? With Dame Darcey Bussell. Why do penguins waddle? What are bones made from?
In this episode, guest Dame Darcey Bussell discusses the origins of ballet. The show also covers the reasons behind a penguin's waddle and explains the composition and growth of human bones.