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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 3 of 4

  1. 75. How did the Egyptians make pyramids & why did they wrap Mummies in bandages? Ft special guests Justin Pollard & Adam Rutherford. Who was the first Mummy in my family? Why can’t babies sweat?

    · 17 min · S2 E15

    In this week's show we answer four questions from Arthur, Scarlet, Coco and Beth with help from special guest expert Justin Pollard. Justin is a historian and writer. He writes questions for the TV show QI and is a…

  2. 74. What was the first planet in the solar system? How many stars are in the sky? How do fireworks get up in the sky? Ft special guest expert author of Space Detectives, Mark Powers.

    · 17 min · S2 E14

    In this week's show we answer three questions from Ted, Polly and Tara with help from special guest expert Mark Powers. Mark is the author of Space Detectives a story about two boys who go to space to run an ice cream…

  3. 73. Why do hamsters eat their own poo? With Kim Hillyard Why is my poo stinky? How do you make electricity out of poo?

    · 15 min · S2 E13

    In this week's show we answer three questions from Matilda & Tabitha, Cleo and Magnus with help from special guest expert the picture book writer and illustrator Kim Hillyard. Kim has written two picture books, one…

  4. 72. Why do you get sleepy and hungry at night? Ft. Lizzie Loves Healthy. Do fish Sleep? Do spiders sleep at night or during the day?

    · 14 min · S2 E12

    In this week's show we answer three questions from Goldie, Meg and Isla and Valentin with help from special guest expert Lizzie King of Lizzie Loves Healthy. Lizzie is a family nutritionist and cook book writer who…

  5. 71. Why are some flowers prickly? Ft. Willow Crossley Why do we send flowers on Valentine’s Day? Why does chocolate melt?

    · 15 min · S2 E11

    In this week's show we answer three questions from Faye and Maya, Ethan and Alex with help from special guest expert Willow Crossley. Willow Crossley is a florist and a writer who lives in Oxfordshire with her three…

  6. 70. Why do elephants have trunks? Why do snails come out with it rains? With the Natural History Museum What noise do spiders make?

    · 16 min · S2 E10

    In this week's show we answer three questions from Arlo, Beatrice and Henry and Isabelle with help from special guest experts Jon Ablett from the Natural History Museum in London. Jon Ablett is a world expert on…

  7. 69. Why do we daydream? Ft special guest expert Lauren Child. Where does paper come from? Why do we shiver when we scrape our fingers down a blackboard?

    · 20 min · S2 E9

    In this week's show we answer three questions from Bea, Beatrice and Wilf with help from special guest expert Lauren Child. Lauren Child is a much loved children’s author and illustrator who has written classic series…

  8. 68. Why do crabs walk sideways? How were skateboards invented? Why haven’t hover boards been invented? Ft special guest experts Professor Schmitt and Doug Millard (Science Museum)

    · 15 min · S2 E8

    In this week's show we answer three questions from Leo, Dragon and Cecily with help from special guest experts Professor Schmitt and Doug Millard from the Science Museum in London. Professor Schmitt is a world expert…

  9. 67. Why don’t spiders get stuck in their own webs? Where do bricks that build houses come from? How long does it take to build a motorway? Ft special guest Charlie Luxton

    · 14 min · S2 E7

    This week we answer three questions from Orla, Reuben and Gil with the help of expert Charlie Luxton. Charlie is an architect who specialises in environmentally friendly homes. We find out how spiders manage to trap…

  10. 66. Why do people need a stage to act? How many people are there in the world? Are there more boys or girls in the world? Ft special guest expert actor Dan Stevens

    · 14 min · S2 E6

    In this week's show we answer three questions from Tasso, Lily and Mia with help from special guest expert Dan Stevens. Dan Stevens is an English actor who now lives in America, he shot to fame in Downton Abbey and…

  11. 65. Why do we do yoga? How fast can dogs run? How do rabbits bounce? Ft special guest expert Zephyr Wildman

    · 14 min · S2 E5

    In this week's show we answer three questions from Goldie, Tasso and Sophia with help from special guest expert Zephyr Wildman. Zephyr is a wonderful yoga teacher who teaches in London as well as on retreats around…

  12. 64. Christmas questions galore! Ft special guest Neil Gaiman. Plus…Are all snowflakes a different shape? Why is Boxing Day called Boxing Day?

    · 19 min · S2 E4

    In this week's show we answer lots of questions from Tabitha, Jensen, Eleanor, Alice, Ollie, Jack, Chessie and Eleanor with help from the wonderful writer Neil Gaiman. Neil is the author of lots of books for children…

  13. 63. Why do mushrooms & toadstools not like light? Why is it hot in Australia when it’s cold in England? Where do the Northern Lights come from? Ft special guest expert Lee Davies from Kew Gardens

    · 13 min · S2 E3

    In this week's show we answer questions from Orla, Emilia, Zac, Ambrose and Portia with help from special guest expert Lee Davies from Kew Gardens in London. Lee is curator of fungi at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Lee…

  14. 62. Why does clay get hard? How is fire made? Why were chimney sweeps always boys? Ft special guest expert Grayson Perry

    · 17 min · S2 E2

    In this week's show we answer three questions from Evangeline, Roman and Clara with help from special guest expert the artist Grayson Perry. Grayson is a world-renowned artist, writer and TV presenter and works a lot…

  15. 61. Why do rockets fly to planets? If you let go of a helium balloon would it go into space? How many satellites are there in space? Ft special guest expert Richard Branson.

    · 15 min · S2 E1

    Welcome back to the second series of Everything Under The Sun! Thanks for sending in your questions. In this week's show we answer three questions from Ithaca, Benji and Elijah with help from special guest expert Sir…

  16. 60. How are Dictionaries Made? How are Blue Plaques decided? How is Earwax made?

    · 10 min · S1 E61

    This week we answer three questions, how are dictionaries made? How are Blue Plaques decided and how is earwax made? Our guest expert is Catherine Sangster from the Oxford English Dictionary! Find out who the first…

  17. 59. How do Buds & Leaves appear on trees? W National Trust. Seeds with Alys Fowler and Why are blueberries blue?

    · 9:56 · S1 E60

    Today we answer four spring like questions, they are from Seraphina, Alex, Elizabeth and Anurada they are: how do buds appear on trees? how do trees make their leaves? what the husks of seeds are made out of? Why…

  18. 58. Why do We Dream? Why are Sloths so Sleepy? Why are Camels grumpy?

    · 11 min · S1 E59

    Hello and welcome to episode 58 of Everything Under The Sun – I hope everyone is doing okay at home! This week we're talking about sleepy sloths, dreams and camels. Our first question is about a sleepy animal, called…

  19. 57. How Many Countries are there in the World? Why is the Red Sea so named? Why does Poland have a desert?

    · 11 min · S1 E58

    Hello and welcome to episode 57 of Everything Under The Sun – a weekly podcast answering all the most pressing questions children around the world have about life on earth! Even though we can’t visit any at the moment…

  20. 56. Who was the First Comedian? With Dan Schreiber from NSTAAF Why do Ducklings Learn How to Swim So Fast? Plus we uncover a mystery object spotted by two listeners on their run.

    · 17 min · S1 E57

    Hello and welcome to episode 56 of Everything Under The Sun – a weekly podcast answering all the most pressing questions children around the world have about life on earth! My name is Molly and today I have three…

  21. 55. Why do Koalas Climb? How do Frogs Jump? With Paolo curator of zoology at the National Museum of Ireland. Why don't Water Boatmen Sink?

    · 10 min · S1 E56

    Hello and welcome to episode 55 of Everything Under The Sun! I know a lot of you children listening might be at home at the moment, hopefully with lots of people around you having fun but still you might be missing…

  22. 54. Who Invented Music? With Jack Savoretti. Why do Armadillos have little Heads and Big Bottoms? How Do Mermaids Wee?

    · 13 min · S1 E55

    Hello and welcome to 54th episode of Everything Under the Sun, a weekly podcast answering all the most pressing questions children around the world have about life on earth. My name is Molly and today I have three…

  23. 53. How Can Bumblebees support their weight? Why do Baboons Have Bare Bottoms? Why do Saguaro Cactus Plants Have Arms?

    · 14 min · S1 E54

    Bumblebees! Baboons! Saguaros! This episode is for all the children who are going to be at home for a while, this is so you can all hear each other's voices and learn new things! Please do send your favourite episode…

  24. 52. A Year Around The Sun! Why do Flowers Smell? With Sir Tim Smit, The Eden Project. What is Inside of Tree Trunks? How High Can Bees Fly?

    · 14 min · S1 E53

    Hello and Welcome to a very special episode of Everything Under The Sun. Today is the 52nd episode of the podcast, which means this beloved podcast has taken a full trip around the sun! It has been such a lovely year…

  25. 51. Why do Bubbles Pop when you Touch them? With Helen Czerski. What is Dew? Why do we Hiccup?

    · 9:53 · S1 E52

    Today’s questions are about DEW, BUBBLES and HICCUPS. First up is Maggie who would like to know - what is dew? Find out how water can be three things, and how it turns into dew. Our next question is why do bubbles…

  26. 50. How Long would it take for my Hair to be like Rapunzel? How Long is a Giraffe’s Neck? How Long can Humpback Whales Hold their Breath for?

    · 9:29 · S1 E51

    Today we’re answering three questions about LONG things! One’s about long hair, the next about long necks and the last about long breaths! Our first question comes from Sophie, she would like to know: how long would…

  27. 49. Why Do Horses wear Shoes? with Clover Stroud. What Noise Does a Zebra Make? Can Animals Catch a Cold?

    · 10 min · S1 E50

    This week on the podcast we find out about horses and their shoes, zebras and their noises and sneezing animals! Our first question is from Isabel, she would like to know, what noise does a zebra make? Have a listen…

  28. 48. Valentine's Day Under The Sun! Why do Roses Have Thorns? Who Invented Chocolate? Why is the Leaning Tower of Pisa Leaning?

    · 10 min · S1 E49

    Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! Today is a day people send cards, roses and chocolate to the ones they love. So our first two questions are about those two lovely things! Find out why roses have thorns to protect…

  29. Christmas Under The Sun! With writer Neil Gaiman

    · 15 min · S1 E48

    Merry Christmas Everyone! This week we tackle four questions. They are: Mrs Christmas help Father Christmas to see who is naughty and who is nice? Neil Gaiman, author of Coraline, Stardust, The Ocean at the End of…

  30. 47. Natural History Museum under the Sun! Why are Plants Green? How much Bamboo can a Giant Panda eat? Is Dippy the Diplodocus a Boy or a Girl?

    · 10 min · S1 E47

    Hello and welcome to 47th episode of Everything Under the Sun. This week’s show is made with support from the Natural History Museum in London. They have a magazine called Wild World for children who are members of…

  31. 46. What Would We Do if we Didn’t have a Prime Minister? With Benjamin Zephaniah. How much Plastic is in the Sea? Where Will the Polar Bears go if the Ice Caps Melt?

    · 13 min · S1 E46

    This week’s questions are about politics, plastic and how climate change affects polar bears. Poet Benjamin Zephaniah talks us through what it might be like to have no Prime Minister, and we find out about the plastic…

  32. 45. Why do Leaves Fall in Autumn? How do Birds make their Nests? How was Football Invented?

    · 18 min · S1 E45

    Everything Under the Sun is back! This week we're answering questions about autumn leaves, birds nests and football! To answer the question about leaves we have Karen from The Woodland Trust in England. Join us to…

  33. 44. Babies Under The Sun! How are Identical Twins Made? with Dr. Chris van Tulleken. How do Babies Learn to Talk? with Charles Fernyhough. Why do the Feathers of Baby Penguins Change when they get

    · 14 min · S1 E44

    Today is the 44th episode of Everything Under the Sun, a weekly podcast answering all the most pressing questions children around the world have about life on earth. Our first question comes from Violet and Tabitha…

  34. 43. Why do we Make Art? With Oliver Jeffers. What is the Biggest Painting in the World? Why do Butterflies have Patterns on their Wings?

    · 12 min · S1 E43

    Art Under The Sun! This week our first question is why do people make art? To answer it we have Oliver Jeffers who is a brilliant artist who paints, illustrates, makes sculptures and creates books including The Heart…

  35. 42. How does Yoga help you Relax? How do Springs on a Trampoline help you Bounce so High? Why do Roller Coasters make your Tummy Tickle?

    · 11 min · S1 E42

    How does Yoga help you Relax?How do Springs on a Trampoline help you Bounce so High? Why do Roller Coasters make your Tummy Tickle? Hello and welcome to 42nd episode of Everything Under the Sun, a weekly podcast…

  36. 41. Where do Fruits come from? Why are Chillies so Spicy and Hot and what is the Hottest Chilli Called? Do Nectarines have Nectar in them?

    · 11 min · S1 E41

    Today we’re talking about FRUIT! Our first fruity question comes from Tessa, she would like to know, where do fruits come from? To answer Tessa’s fab question we have Sir Tim Smit who built the amazing Eden Project…

  37. 40. Trees Under The Sun! How Many Trees are there in the World? Why are Trees Important? How many Trees grow in the Amazon Rainforest?

    · 13 min · S1 E40

    Today we’re talking TREES and the Amazon Rainforest. Our first question comes from Jude, he would like to know how many trees there in the world, find out how many trillion trees grow on earth and how they were…

  38. 39. Firsts Under The Sun! Who was the First Artist? With artist Rob Ryan. What was the First Sport? What was the First Musical Instrument?

    · 12 min · S1 E39

    Hello! It’s episode 39 of Everything Under the Sun and were talking about FIRSTS! The First Artists, the First Sports and the First musical instruments! The first question is from Emily, who lives in South Africa,…

  39. 38. Why Do We have an Appendix? Why Can’t Humans Wiggle their Ears? How Do Our Eyes See?

    · 11 min · S1 E38

    This week’s questions are all about our bodies! Find out why we have an appendix with Dr. Chiara Hunt, she is a doctor and runs The Bump Class for Mums and Dads who are about to have a baby. She also co-hosts a…

  40. 37. How many Monkeys can a Python Eat in One Go? Why do Squirrels like Eating Nuts? Do Koalas get Bored only Eating Eucalyptus?

    · 13 min · S1 E37

    Hello and welcome to episode 37 of Everything Under the Sun, a weekly podcast answering all the most pressing questions children around the world have about life on earth. Today our questions are all about animals and…

  41. 36. Why is Cricket called Cricket and What are The Ashes? What does Incy Wincy Spider Need? How Do Grasshoppers eat?

    · 10 min · S1 E36

    Hello! This week because the Ashes cricket match between England and Australia has just begun our first question is about cricket. It is from Matilda who would like to know why cricket is called cricket and what are…

  42. 35. Why is the Sky Blue? Where do Clouds come from? Why Do Clouds Float over the Sky? How do Clouds make rain? Why is Bird Poo White?

    · 16 min · S1 E35

    Hello! This week we’re chatting about the sky! The sky itself and why it is blue, clouds that float through it and birds that fly through it. Our first question comes from Sophia she would like to know why the sky is…

  43. 34. Everything Around The Moon! A 50 years since Apollo 11 celebration. Why do we see the moon in the day? Why haven’t people been to the moon since Apollo 17? How do astronauts see in the dark?

    · 13 min · S1 E34

    Everything Around The MOON! July the 20th will mark the 50th anniversary of when humans first landed on the moon! Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Mike Collins made it to the moon. Mike Collins stayed in the command…

  44. 33. Why did Tut become King at age 9 and how did he die? How do Cows make Milk? Who made the First Ice Cream?

    · 15 min · S1 E33

    Hello and welcome to episode 32 of Everything Under the Sun, a weekly podcast answering all the most pressing questions children around the world have about life on earth. Our first question comes from a whole class…

  45. 32. Why do Monkeys throw Poo? How do Salamanders regrow Body Parts? How do Whales Sleep?

    · 12 min · S1 E32

    Hello and welcome to episode 32 of Everything Under the Sun! This week I went to the Bradford Literary Festival to talk about my books, The Secret Museum, WOW Museums, Natural Wonders of the World as well as Everything…

  46. 31. Everything in the Multiverse! What was before The Big Bang? How long has the Storm on Jupiter been raging for? What Noise does a Capybara make?

    · 13 min · S1 E31

    Everything in the Multiverse! This week is episode 31 of Everything Under The Sun and we’re answering questions from Charlie, Menashe and Ray about The Big Bang, the storm on Jupiter and all the funny noises a capybara…

  47. 30. Why are Reptiles so Shy? How do some Lizards walk on Water? What are your Toes for?

    · 11 min · S1 E30

    Reptiles! Lizards that walk on Water! Toes! Join us today to listen to the answers to three questions, from Ralph, Lila and Julia. They would like to know why reptiles are so shy, how some lizards walk on water and…

  48. 29. Daddys Under The Sun! Which Animal makes the Best Daddy? Why do Chief Gorillas have Silver Hairs on their Back? Why do Men Have Nipples?

    · 11 min · S1 E29

    This Sunday is Father’s Day in the UK, so this week is a celebration of Daddy’s and male things! Our first question is from Tasso who would like to know which animal makes the best Daddy? Find out about a tiny monkey…

  49. 28. Oceans Under The Sun! With Philip Hoare and the Natural History Museum. Why is the sea salty? Why does an octopus have three hearts? Why are orca whales black and white?

    · 11 min · S1 E28

    Today I have three questions about the OCEAN and creatures in it! Because June 8th is World Oceans Day, a global celebration with hundreds of events around the world celebrating the ocean, including Everything Under…

  50. Highlights Under The Sun!

    · 16 min

    Everything Under The Sun is on holiday this week (researching next week’s episode about the oceans by swimming in it!) but we recently won a bronze at the British Podcast Awards for Best Family Podcast so we thought it…

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