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

Nov 14, 2025 · 36 min
How big is a Macy's parade balloon?
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is an American tradition. It’s been going since 1924. This year marks the 99th parade (it took three years off during World War II). It’s famous for elaborate floa…
Oct 31, 2025 · 26 min
Why are there so many colors?
What’s your favorite color? Where do colors come from?Why do people see colors? Does everyone see colors the same way? How many colors are there in the world? We learn about colors with Kassia St. C…
Oct 17, 2025 · 19 min
How is candy made?
Who invented candy? Why is it so sweet? Why does hard candy melt in your mouth? How are candy corn, gummies and nerds made? What makes pop rocks pop? We talk with traditional candy makers at Sticky…
Oct 3, 2025 · 30 min
Why do horses sleep standing up?
Why are horses so big? Why do horses have tails and manes? How do their legs move? Are their bones in their hooves? What do they eat and how do they run and jump? We tackle those questions and more…
Sep 19, 2025 · 26 min
When did volcanoes start existing?
Volcanoes have been erupting on Earth for BILLIONS of years, and they’re still creating new landscapes today! Volcanoes can seem mysterious and scary, but people all over the world have learned to l…
Sep 5, 2025 · 27 min
How are glaciers formed?
But Why went somewhere really cool - literally - and we’re taking you along! We visited Sólheimajökull, a glacier in southern Iceland and then talked with University of Iceland glaciologist Guð…
Aug 29, 2025 · 13 min
How does wildfire smoke travel so far?
Have you noticed especially hazy skies where you live over the last few summers? While many parts of the world are experiencing more frequent and intense wildfires, even places that are nowhere…
Aug 22, 2025 · 39 min
Why are puffins' beaks so colorful?
Have you ever seen a puffin? With their bright beaks, orange feet and black and white coloring, these birds are very cool to look at. And we’ve gotten a lot of questions about them! In this e…
Aug 8, 2025 · 34 min
Who invented the English language?
Where did the English language come from? Why do words have silent letters? Why do some people have accents? Why do some words sound similar? Answers to all of your questions about English and…
Jul 25, 2025 · 14 min
Chameleons, jellyfish and ballerinas! Check out But Why Bites
For today’s episode, we’re doing something a little different! We’re going to be listening to our video series, But Why Bites! (Even without the video part, they’re really cool!) Every other week ov…
Jul 11, 2025 · 29 min
Who created math problems?
Who created math problems? Why does one plus one equal 2 and not 11? Why do numbers go on forever? Why are numbers for counting? Why do you need math?If you love math, this is the episode for you.…
Jun 27, 2025 · 28 min
Why do some people like spicy food?
Ever wondered why some spices burn your throat while others tickle your nose? Or why some of us live for spicy foods while others sweat at the mere thought of a habanero? How do pickles stay…
Jun 13, 2025 · 22 min
Why do we need to use sunscreen?
It’s summer and that means slathering yourself with sunblock before you’re allowed to go run around outside. Not everyone loves that ritual: sunscreen can be cold or sticky. Sometimes it gets in you…
May 30, 2025 · 34 min
Are horseshoe crabs…crabs?
How did horseshoe crabs get their names? Are they even crabs? And did they really exist before the dinosaurs? Early spring presents a unique opportunity to see these living fossils up close as they…
May 16, 2025 · 21 min
Who invented emoji?
Emoji are those little images you can send in text messages to friends and family. Nine-year-old Leila in New Jersey wants to know how they were invented. So in this episode we find out with Jane…
May 9, 2025 · 10 min
Why do walruses look so weird?
Why do walrus look the way they do? Why do they have such long tusks? Do they have other teeth? Do walruses migrate? We learn all about these majestic giants with Adam Ratner of the Marine Mammal…
May 2, 2025 · 28 min
What’s a seal? What’s a sea lion?
What’s the difference between seals and sea lions? Do seals bark? Are they gray? Do harbor seals live in snowy regions? Why do sea lions eat fish? Why do sea lions fight each other? Seals and sea l…
Apr 18, 2025 · 28 min
Do atoms never touch?
Everything in the Universe is made up of atoms. But what are these tiny particles? And if we can't see them, how do we know they exist?
Apr 4, 2025 · 23 min
How are records made?
How are records made? How does a record player make sound? Why are we still listening to and buying records when there are so many digital ways to listen to music?! But Why visits Gold Rush Vinyl…
Mar 21, 2025 · 25 min
Who invented tacos?
Do you love tacos? Then you’re not alone! Tacos originated in Mexico but they’re popular worldwide and they are ever evolving. Kids have a lot of questions about this favorite food so we visited Nix…

But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids

How big is a Macy's parade balloon?

Why are there so many colors?

How is candy made?

Why do horses sleep standing up?

When did volcanoes start existing?

How are glaciers formed?

How does wildfire smoke travel so far?

Why are puffins' beaks so colorful?

Who invented the English language?

Chameleons, jellyfish and ballerinas! Check out But Why Bites

Who created math problems?

Why do some people like spicy food?

Why do we need to use sunscreen?

Are horseshoe crabs…crabs?

Who invented emoji?

Why do walruses look so weird?

What’s a seal? What’s a sea lion?

Do atoms never touch?

How are records made?

Who invented tacos?