But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids

Vermont Public

But Why is a show led by kids. They ask the questions and we find the answers. It’s a big interesting world out there. On But Why, we tackle topics large and small, about nature, words, even the end of the world. Know a kid with a question? Record it with a smartphone. Be sure to include your kid's first name, age, and town and send the recording to questions@butwhykids.org!

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293 episodes
Updated July 24

Episodes293

Newest first

May 12, 2017 · 23 min
Why Do Cats Purr?
Why do cats purr? How do cats purr? Why can't we purr? Why do cats "talk" to people, but not other cats? Why do cats sharpen their claws?
Apr 28, 2017 · 29 min
Who Was The First Person?
Who was the first person? Paleoanthropologist Adam Van Arsdale answers one of the most frequent questions we get here at But Why. Also: how does evolution work?
Apr 21, 2017 · 42 min
The Kratts Take Kids On Wild Animal Adventures
For 20 years, brothers Chris and Martin Kratt have been taking kids on adventures around the world through their TV shows, including Wild Kratts, Zoboomafoo, and Kratts' Creatures.
Apr 14, 2017 · 27 min
How Do Butterflies Fly?
How do butterflies fly? Why are butterflies called butterflies? How do airplanes fly? If gravity pulls everything down, how do planes and rockets get up in the air?
Mar 31, 2017 · 27 min
How Do Piano Keys Make Sound?
Did you know pianos have strings and hammers? We're learning all about instruments and how they use strings to make noises.
Mar 17, 2017 · 22 min
How Do Big Plants Grow From Such Small Seeds?
Why are there so many plants? How are seeds made? How does germination work? How can plants grow so big if they start from such a small seed?
Mar 3, 2017 · 22 min
How Does NASA Drive The Mars Rover?
The discovery of seven new planets that could contain life has kids and adults pretty excited. We can't get to these planets yet but we do have tools to explore planets closer to home.
Feb 17, 2017 · 36 min
Are Yawns Really Contagious?
Why are yawns contagious? Why do we hiccup? How do teeth get loose? Why do your ears hurt when you drive up over the mountains? Why do we get dizzy when we spin? Why do people slip? Why do people…
Feb 3, 2017 · 30 min
Why Do Your Fingers And Toes Turn Wrinkly In The Tub?
Why do your fingers and toes turn wrinkly in the tub? Why are people ticklish? How do you get freckles? Why do some people have birthmarks? How do our hands feel things?
Jan 20, 2017 · 26 min
How Do Popcorn Kernels Pop?
How do popcorn kernels pop? How do salmon know where to return to spawn? How do rabbits change colors? Why does television fry your brain? How do zippers zip stuff?
Jan 6, 2017 · 24 min
Why Is The World Split Into Countries?
Why is all of the world split up into countries, states, cities and counties and more? Why can't we all just live as one big group?
Dec 23, 2016 · 24 min
How Is Chocolate Made?
How is chocolate made? Why can't we eat chocolate all the time? Why does chocolate melt? Why can't dogs eat chocolate?
Dec 9, 2016 · 29 min
What's What With The Weather?
We're getting answers to all of your weather questions! Where does snow come from? Why do clouds stay up in the sky? How hot is lightning? What are thunderstorms? How is wind made?
Nov 22, 2016 · 10 min
Thanksgiving Special: What Made The Turkey Trot To Boston?
On this special episode, we're going to listen to a story about how turkeys used to get from farms in Vermont to markets and dinner tables far away in Boston.
Nov 22, 2016 · 25 min
Why Do We Like To Eat Certain Foods?
Why do we like to eat certain foods? Why do some people like to eat spicy food and some people don't like to eat vegetables?
Nov 11, 2016 · 17 min
Ghosts And Fairies And Gnomes, Oh My!
Are ghosts real? Why do some cultures believe in fairies and gnomes and some don't? We'll learn about how beliefs in ghosts vary in different parts of the world.
Oct 28, 2016 · 22 min
Why Do Geese Fly In The Shape Of A 'V'?
How do birds fly? Why do they flock? How do they not get shocked when they sit on telephone wires? The Bird Diva has our answers to all of your questions about our feathered friends. And why do…
Oct 14, 2016 · 21 min
Who Invented The President?
Who invented the president? Which country had the first president? We answer presidential questions historical in nature with author Kenneth C. Davis.
Sep 30, 2016 · 24 min
Why Is The Sea Salty?
We're heading to the coast of Maine to learn a little bit about why the sea is salty, how mussels get their shells and how model ships get in those glass bottles.
Sep 16, 2016 · 12 min
Why Is Soccer Called 'Soccer' Instead Of 'Football'?
7-year-old Kala wants to know why we say soccer in the United States, when the rest of the world calls the game "football."

But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids

Why Do Cats Purr?

Who Was The First Person?

The Kratts Take Kids On Wild Animal Adventures

How Do Butterflies Fly?

How Do Piano Keys Make Sound?

How Do Big Plants Grow From Such Small Seeds?

How Does NASA Drive The Mars Rover?

Are Yawns Really Contagious?

Why Do Your Fingers And Toes Turn Wrinkly In The Tub?

How Do Popcorn Kernels Pop?

Why Is The World Split Into Countries?

How Is Chocolate Made?

What's What With The Weather?

Thanksgiving Special: What Made The Turkey Trot To Boston?

Why Do We Like To Eat Certain Foods?

Ghosts And Fairies And Gnomes, Oh My!

Why Do Geese Fly In The Shape Of A 'V'?

Who Invented The President?

Why Is The Sea Salty?

Why Is Soccer Called 'Soccer' Instead Of 'Football'?