Podcasts · Kids & Family

Everything Under The Sun

Molly Oldfield

178 episodes

Children are full of curiosity and questions about the world.

More about the show

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 want to learn interesting facts about life on earth, this is the award winning podcast for you.

Do check out Everything Under The Sun - a curious question for every day of the year, published by Ladybird books now!

Episodes page 2 of 4

  1. Who invented chess? With Fun Master Mike from Chesskids. Why are piggy banks shaped like pigs? Why are penguins black and white?

    · 15 min · S7 E1

    We're back! Everything Under The Sun has been nominated for Best British Podcast in the kids category, has a paperback book of Everything Under The Sun coming out soon and moved to Bali, Indonesia! We're going to be…

  2. How can you store so many things in your mind? With Louise Gooding. Why is the bit in your eye around your pupil coloured? Why are tears salty?

    · 11 min · S6 E124

    On this award winning show with Molly Oldfield discover the answers to three questions sent into Everything Under The Sun by children around the world! First up we tackle Christopher's question "How can we store so…

  3. Why does our hair go static when we're jumping on the trampoline? With Fran Scott. How does electricity get into the clouds and make thunder? Why do sun and rain make rainbows?

    · 14 min · S6 E123

    On this award winning show with Molly Oldfield discover the answers to three questions sent into Everything Under The Sun by children around the world! First up we tackle Enzo's question "Why does our hair go static…

  4. Can people mind read? With Derren Brown. Have you ever lost a best friend? How many humans are in the world?

    · 17 min · S6 E122

    On this award winning show with Molly Oldfield discover the answers to three questions sent into Everything Under The Sun by children around the world! First up we tackle Maya's question "Can people mind read?" With…

  5. How do astronauts get on the space station (and what happens if they're really tall)? With Nicole Stott. How high up are clouds? Why do clouds move?

    · 10 min · S6 E121

    On this award winning show with Molly Oldfield discover the answers to three questions sent into Everything Under The Sun by children around the world! First up we tackle Jessica's question "How do astronauts get on…

  6. Why do we think it's funny when people trip and fall down? With Tweedy the Clown. Why can't horses throw up? Why are clownfish stripy?

    · 12 min · S6 E120

    On this award winning show with Molly Oldfield discover the answers to three questions sent into Everything Under The Sun by children around the world! First up we tackle Christopher's question "Why do we think it's…

  7. What is the healthiest food in the world? With Tim Spector. How was the first yoghurt made? What does the 'C' stand for in Vitamin C?

    · 17 min · S6 E119

    On this award winning show with Molly Oldfield discover the answers to three questions sent into Everything Under The Sun by children around the world! First up we tackle Mathilda's question "What is the healthiest…

  8. Who created superheroes? With Paul Levitz. Why does the British passport have a unicorn on it? Why do bulls have horns?

    · 13 min · S6 E118

    On this award winning show with Molly Oldfield discover the answers to three questions sent into Everything Under The Sun by children around the world! First up we tackle Maya's question "Who created superheroes?"…

  9. COMO Point Yamu, Phuket x Everything Under The Sun

    · 9:24 · S5 E117

    This week Molly is in Thailand, collecting questions in COMO Point Yamu, Phuket, Thailand! She has lots of questions to answer in this episode recorded at the children's club, Play by COMO including: Where do monkeys…

  10. Who was the first person to see Santa? How old is Santa? How did Father Christmas meet the elves? With Neil Gaiman. Why do red berries grow on holly?

    · 14 min · S5 E116

    On the Christmas special of this award winning show with Molly Oldfield discover the answers to four questions sent into Everything Under The Sun by children around the world! First up we have Tara's question who was…

  11. How do you make perfume? With Mandy Aftel. How is the Earth made? Where does snow come from?

    · 10 min · S5 E115

    On this award winning show with Molly Oldfield discover the answers to three questions sent into Everything Under The Sun by children around the world! First up we tackle Connie's question how do we make perfume? With…

  12. How were our bones made? With Dame Professor Sue Black. How long do humans live for? Why do we laugh when we get tickled?

    · 12 min · S5 E114

    On this award winning show with Molly Oldfield discover the answers to three questions sent into Everything Under The Sun by children around the world! First up we have Layla's question how were our bones made?…

  13. Why do dogs pant? With Crufts. Why do dogs have fur? How far up a redwood tree can a cat climb?

    · 14 min · S5 E113

    On this award winning show with Molly Oldfield discover the answers to three questions sent into Everything Under The Sun by children around the world! First up we tackle Rosanna's question "Why do dogs pant?" With…

  14. How do worms make soil healthy? With Sarah Langford. Do wormholes actually exist? How can tardigrades survive in space?

    · 12 min · S5 E112

    On this award winning show with Molly Oldfield discover the answers to three questions sent into Everything Under The Sun by children around the world! First up we tackle Zoey's question how do worms make soil…

  15. Why is the symbol for pride a rainbow? With Gareth Peter. Why are some sunsets not the same colours? Why do diamonds shine?

    · 11 min · S5 E111

    On this award winning show with Molly Oldfield discover the answers to three questions sent into Everything Under The Sun by children around the world! First up we tackle Finley's question why is the symbol for pride…

  16. Why are insects good for the planet? With Gavin Broad. Why do bees have yellow and black stripes? Why is baby poo yellow?

    · 12 min · S5 E110

    On this award winning show with Molly Oldfield discover the answers to three questions sent into Everything Under The Sun by children around the world! First up we have Enzo's question why are insects good for the…

  17. How can we understand hieroglyphics? With Ilona Regulski. Who wrote the first dictionary? Why do pens dry out?

    · 14 min · S5 E109

    On this award winning show with Molly Oldfield discover the answers to three questions sent into Everything Under The Sun by children around the world! First up we tackle Bea's question how can we understand…

  18. What colour blood do jellyfish have? What are jellyfish made of? With Juli Berwald. Why are black cats and the number 13 unlucky? Can spiders be born with less than 8 legs?

    · 15 min · S5 E108

    In this Halloween themed episode, we answer questions about jellyfish with Juli Berwald, jellyfish and coral expert and lover! She has a new book out called Life on the Rocks which is all about the urgent fight to save…

  19. How many emotions are there? With Julia Samuel. Do snails go upside down? Why do camels have lumps on their backs?

    · 12 min · S5 E107

    On this award winning show with Molly Oldfield discover the answer to three questions sent into Everything Under The Sun by children around the world! First up we tackle Beniga's question how many emotions do we have?…

  20. Why do we have mosquitos? What do clouds taste like? What noise do turtles make?

    · 9:23 · S4 E106

    On this award winning show with Molly Oldfield discover the answer to three questions sent into Everything Under The Sun by children around the world! First up we tackle why do we have mosquitos? With the help of…

  21. Soneva Jani, How many universes did the Big Bang create? Why do spinner dolphins spin? How do fish breathe underwater? Why do turtles hide in their shells?

    · 17 min · S4 E105

    On this award winning show we answer questions live with children in the Den (kids club) at Soneva Jani, a beautiful resort in the Maldives. Our questions are: How many universes did the big bang create? Why do…

  22. Soneva Fushi, The Maldives Under The Sun! With astrophysicist Sarafina Nance & Soneva marine life & Coral experts Rio and Morgane

    · 26 min · S4 E104

    This week the award winning show hosted by Molly Oldfield, author of four books including Everything Under The Sun - a curious question for every day of the year is at Soneva Fushi in The Maldives! It's a live…

  23. Why do fungi grow? With Merlin Sheldrake. How do bicycles move? Why do kangaroos have pouches?

    · 12 min · S4 E103

    This week Molly Oldfield is joined by Merlin Sheldrake author of Entangled Life to find out about fungi, why they grow, how many blue whales worth of spores they create and where you'll find the biggest organism on…

  24. Who gave numbers their names, and how did they choose them? With Marcus du Sautoy. Do all of our fingers have the same fingerprints? Why do airplane flaps go up when landing, but not when taking off?

    · 13 min · S4 E102

    Welcome back to another episode Everything Under The Sun! This week we have the fantastic mathematician and author Marcus du Sautoy, answering the question ‘Who came up with the names of numbers, and how did they…

  25. Who was the first monarch? With Dominic Sandbrook. How are books made? What are the smallest and biggest islands in the world?

    · 14 min · S4 E101

    Welcome back to another episode Everything Under The Sun! This week we have the brilliant historian and author Dominic Sandbrook, answering Penny’s question ‘Who was the first monarch of England?’ We also work out…

  26. Does the Queen Carry Money? With Dame Joanna Lumley. Why do we have bank holidays? What is the hottest country in the world?

    · 15 min · S4 E100

    Its the 100th episode of Everything Under The Sun! Which means we've answered over 300 children's questions on the show! This week Dame Joanna Lumley is our guest answering a question about The Queen for the Jubilee!…

  27. 99. Cats Under The Sun! With Adam Kay

    · 14 min · S4 E99

    On this award-winning show Molly Oldfield, the original QI elf, Guardian kids' quiz compiler and writer (of four books including Everything Under The Sun - a curious question for every day of the year) answers…

  28. 98. Why do some words rhyme? With Giles Andreae. Why do we have lips? Why do fish have scales?

    · 17 min · S4 E98

    On this award-winning show Molly Oldfield, the original QI elf, Guardian kids' quiz compiler and writer (of four books), answers questions sent in by children around the world. This week, we’re continuing our new…

  29. 97. How are sea shells formed? With Helen Scales. What is the rarest animal in the world? How long can frogs survive underwater?

    · 14 min · S4 E97

    On this award-winning show Molly Oldfield, the original QI elf, Guardian kids' quiz compiler and writer (of four books), answers questions sent in by children around the world. This week, we’re continuing our new…

  30. 96. Why are sheep so fluffy? Why do we work to make money? With Holly Tucker Why is metal cold?

    · 17 min · S4 E96

    On this award-winning show Molly Oldfield, the original QI elf, Guardian kids' quiz compiler and writer (of four books), answers questions sent in by children around the world. This week, we’re answering: Why are…

  31. 95. Why do we make mistakes? With Philippa Perry. How do birds form a murmuration and why do they do it? Who invented milkshakes?

    · 16 min · S4 E95

    On this award-winning show Molly Oldfield, the original QI elf, Guardian kids' quiz compiler and writer (of four books), answers questions sent in by children around the world. This week, we’re kicking off a new…

  32. 94. Why does Santa bring us toys? With Neil Gaiman. When was the first sighting of people putting candy canes on Christmas trees? Why do we kiss under the mistletoe?

    · 20 min · S3 E14

    On this award-winning show Molly Oldfield, the original QI elf, Guardian kids' quiz compiler and writer (of four books), answers questions sent in by children around the world. This week on Everything Under the Sun,…

  33. 93. Which country does Santa deliver his presents to first, last and middle? With Tom Fletcher. Why is it winter in Australia when it’s summer in England? Why do we get goosebumps when we’re cold?

    · 17 min · S3 E13

    On this award-winning show Molly Oldfield, the original QI elf, Guardian kids' quiz compiler and writer (of four books), answers questions sent in by children around the world. This week on Everything Under the Sun,…

  34. 92. Why do elves have pointy ears? With Lauren Child. How do sharks hear? Are stars meant to go on top of the Christmas tree or angels?

    · 17 min · S3 E12

    On this award-winning show Molly Oldfield, the original QI elf, Guardian kids' quiz compiler and writer (of four books), answers questions sent in by children around the world. This week Lauren Child, author of…

  35. 91. What was the first poem? Why do we have curse words? Why is Pluto no longer a planet?

    · 18 min · S3 E11

    On this award-winning show Molly Oldfield, the original QI elf, Guardian kids' quiz compiler and writer (of four books), answers questions sent in by children around the world. This week poetry expert William Sieghart…

  36. 90. Why are there always problems in stories? With Michael Morpurgo. How do owls see in ultraviolet light? Who decides the names for groups of animals?

    · 19 min · S3 E10

    On this award-winning show Molly Oldfield, the original QI elf, Guardian kids' quiz compiler and writer (of four books), answers questions sent in by children around the world. This week award-winning author Michael…

  37. 89. Can you make paper out of poo? With Maddie Moate. How do plants grow? How do whales poo?

    · 20 min · S3 E9

    On this award winning show we answer three questions sent in by children around the world. Can you make paper out of poo? Asks Arlo, 4. CBeebies presenter Maddie Moate has the answer. How do plants grow? Matilda, 10…

  38. 88. Why are tortoises so slow? With Sophie Dahl. Why do we get brain freeze when we eat ice-cream? Where do lions sleep?

    · 23 min · S3 E8

    On this award winning show Molly Oldfield - the original QI elf, Guardian kids quiz compiler and writer (of four books) answers questions sent in by children around the world. This week we have wonderful author Sophie…

  39. 87. What is racism & why is it bad? Ft special guest expert Laura Henry-Allain MBE, how does a Mummy chicken save her chicks if a fox tries to eat them?

    · 21 min · S3 E7

    On this award winning show we answer three questions from Tabitha, Emma and Christopher with help from special guest expert Laura Henry-Allain MBE Laura is a writer, parenting expert, Early years advisor,…

  40. 86. How are books published? With Ladybird book! Find out how Everything Under The Sun book was made!

    · 20 min · S3 E6

    In this week's show we answer three questions from Louise, Amy and Wilf. The team at Ladybird books explain how Everything Under The Sun - a curious question for every day of the year (the beautiful book of this…

  41. 85. Why do bad things exist? With guest Laura Dockrill. If a cheetah and a falcon raced who would win? What are teeth made of & why does the tooth fairy want them?

    · 14 min · S3 E5

    On this award winning show, that goes along with the Everything Under The Sun BOOK we answer three questions a week, one with the help of an expert, two are answered by Molly Oldfield, the original QI elf and author of…

  42. 84. Are footballers happy? Why do tears come when we are sad? Why do we love in tennis? Ft special guest expert Tony Adams.

    · 16 min · S3 E4

    In this week's show we answer four questions from Ted, Finn, Laurie and Louie with help from special guest expert Tony Adams. Tony Adams was England coach, played for decades for Arsenal, was the last person to score…

  43. 83. How do Electric Cars Drive? Featuring The Royal Institution, How long does it take to build a motorway? Why do we get carsick?

    · 16 min · S3 E3

    In this week's show we answer three questions from Ryan, Willa and Orla with help from special guest expert Rachel Dorris at the Royal Institution in London. We find out all about electric cars, how many are made each…

  44. 82. How do people become refugees? With Clarissa Ward, CNN.

    · 23 min · S3 E2

    In this week's show we answer three questions from Matilda, Ben and Octavia with help from special guest expert Clarissa Ward. Clarissa is an award winning journalist who reports from conflict zones including recently…

  45. 81. Apollo Under The Sun! With Stephen Fry.

    · 19 min · S3 E1

    Welcome back! Today we have questions from Jack, Penelope and Charlotte with help from our wonderful guest expert Stephen Fry. Stephen Fry is the voice of Harry Potter and Paddington and is a renowned brain box and…

  46. 80. Do unicorns exist? Why do rhinos have horns? How do narwhals use their horns? With special guest Ofra Magidor, professor of philosophy at Oxford University

    · 20 min · S2 E20

    In this week's show we answer questions from Maggie, Charlotte, Bertie and Quinn with help from special guest expert Ofra Magidor who is a professor of philosophy at Oxford University Ofra Magidor is a philosophy…

  47. 79. Why does wind blow? Why do the clocks go forwards and backwards? Why do bees make honey? Ft special guest expert Kate Martin from The National Trust.

    · 24 min · S2 E19

    In this week's show we answer questions from Arlo, Grace, Georgie, Scarlett, Grace and Poppy with help from special guest expert Kate Martin who looks after beautiful places for The National Trust. Kate looks after…

  48. 78. Why do bunnies hop? How do hens make eggs? How is a chick born? Why are some eggs speckled? With guest expert Peter Gallivan from the Royal Institution.

    · 20 min · S2 E18

    In this week's show we answer four questions from Gus, Coco, Heidi and Darcy. Peter Gallivan is in charge of things for families and children at the Royal Institution in London and writes a monthly feature for The…

  49. 77. Why do nightingales sing the most beautiful song? Ft special guest expert Sam Lee. Why are peacocks so loud? How do tadpoles swim and what is the biggest tadpole in the world?

    · 21 min · S2 E17

    In this week's show we answer three questions from Bee, Rose and Alex with help from special guest expert Sam Lee. Sam is a folk singer and writer – author of the book The Nightingale, Notes on a Songbird – who leads…

  50. 76. 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

    · 13 min · S2 E16

    In this week's show we answer three questions from Laurie, Joud and Sonny with help from special guest experts Emma Freud and Richard Curtis. Emma Freud and Richard Curtis founded Red Nose Day and Comic Relief 35…

Shows are listed from Apple Podcasts' charts and directory, and Podcast Index where it is used. Every show and episode belongs to its publisher and plays from the publisher's own feed; this site hosts none of them. Explicit shows are for adult profiles only, and children’s profiles hear only children’s shows. More about this list.