Tumble Science Podcast for Kids

How can science help people? Charita Castro is a scientist who’s spent her life using science to make kids’ lives better, all over the world. When she was little, she saw something that made her ask a big question: “Why …

What’s your favorite food? Why does it taste so good? It turns out, what we think is tasty isn’t just a matter of opinion. It’s science! Ecologist …

How long can a seed live? To find out, scientists follow a secret map on a mission under the cover of night, to find a buried treasure. It’s all part …

Can viruses live in space? That’s what our listener Julian wants to know. It turns out, that’s a question that scientists are asking, too! Kathryn …

How do you get a galaxy named for you? In this episode, we learn about the incredible life of Burçin Mutlu-Pakdil, who discovered a new type of galaxy now known as “Burçin’s Galaxy.” Since she was young, Burçin dreamed …

Fish with legs? Crazy, right? Turns out, fish with legs are a lot more real than you might think! We teamed up with What If World, one of our favorite storytelling podcasts, to answer this question both scientifically …

What are the origins of owls, and why do they stay up at night? We answer questions from two owl-curious Tumble listeners. with the help of Harvard …

What happens when a scientist is also a musician? For Barbara McClintock, the combination may have led the way to a Nobel Prize in genetics. Science historian Jocelyn Bosley tells us the story of Barbara’s remarkable …

What happens when a baby falcon meets a balloon telescope in an old Wild West town? An astrophysics animal adventure, of course! Erika Hamden is an …

Do trees fart? It’s a question that stumped scientists, and sends us on a journey to some serious science! Come with us as we ponder if trees are butts, whether farts are defined by gas or digestive systems, and why …

Do you love fossils and dinosaurs? Let us introduce you to Myria Perez, a paleontology-obsessed kid who grew up to get her dream job! Myria is a 24 …

Tumble returns with all new episodes starting January 22! We’ll have stories about fossils, telescopes, and baby falcons getting into big trouble.

How does a koala eat eucalyptus leaves? Eucalyptus is toxic to most …

A log that poops presents? Find out about Lindsay and Marshall’s favorite holiday tradition, Tió de Nadal! Followed by one of Tumble’s favorite-ever …

How did scientists develop coronavirus vaccines in record time? New York Times science reporter Carl Zimmer is our guide to the coronavirus vaccine race - from the starting line, to the point when several teams are …

Bacteria are among the simplest forms of life on Earth. Each cell is identical to the one next to it, sharing the same DNA. So why do they all act so differently? Turns out, there’s a “cookbook” inside each teeny tiny …

What are protons, neutrons, and electrons made out of? That’s what listener Xander wants to know. Physics expert Aatish Bhatia takes us on a journey into the atom, and explains how scientists discover things that are …

Happy Halloween! We’re headed to Candy Land, a sugary laboratory where mathematicians found a mysterious candy dagger appear - over and over again. So gather up your candy box, and let’s discover out why mathematicians …

How do whales use their blowholes to breathe, and what keeps them from filling up with water? There’s no better way to find out than getting up close …

Why do some trees go dormant? You’ll discover the answer for yourself in this interactive episode, with the help of tree scientist Nalini Nadkarni! Nalini has loved trees since she was little, and dreamed of inventing a …

If someone asked you to collect your poop every day for a year, would you say yes? That’s what microbiologist Lawrence David did, after watching a …

All new episodes of Tumble are starting on Friday, September 18! We have a preview of what’s coming (for kids!) and helpful advice from a teacher …

Tumble will return with Season 6 in September! In the meantime, please enjoy one of our favorite episodes from Season 5. Craving new Tumble? Check out our brand new audio course on Himalaya Learning at …

New Tumble episodes are coming next month, in Season 6! For now, please enjoy one of our favorite episodes of Season 5, with NASA astronaut Dr. Serena Auñon-Chancellor.

How do you become an astronaut? That’s what Tumble …

We're so excited to share the first episode of The Wildlife of Your Home Podcourse with you! We think of it as a true crime science story, happening in your own home. But don't be scared - this is definitely a …

Join Tumble for a first-of-its-kind, interactive, educational audio experience. The Wildlife of Your Home Podcourse is a 10 episode series that will train you to become an indoor wildlife investigator - a rare kind of …

Tumble En Español is Tumble in Spanish! We’re so excited to share our brand new podcast for Spanish speakers, Spanish learners, and everyone in …

Mystery Recipe is a children’s podcast about cooking from America’s Test Kitchen Kids. Hosted by Molly Birnbaum (our guest on “The Science of …

Stoopkids Stories is a storytelling podcast about Black characters navigating and overcoming different obstacles with family, friends and community. It’s hosted and written by performer Melly Victor.

This episode, called …

How would you reinvent something that’s been used for thousands of years, by millions of people? In this episode, we discover the process of …

Would you fly to the top of a volcano that’s about to erupt at any moment? Volcanologist Helena Buurman did, and survived to tell the tale! In 2008, …

What happened when astronomers discovered the first alien from another solar system? This is a true story! In 2017, a telescope in Hawaii spotted a …

We’re back with a new set of kids’ questions about COVID19, as well as some important updates on questions from our first coronavirus episode. Dr. Juan Dumois, infectious disease pediatrician, answers some tricky …

Why do foods smell the way that they do? A would-be chef goes on a quest to find out, after she loses the ability to smell. Molly Birnbaum, editor of …

Los virus son como los ninjas más pequeños del planeta. Tienen infinidad de trucos y misterios. ¿Cómo adquieren los animales los virus y cómo se lo pasan a los humanos? Esa era la pregunta de uno de nuestros oyentes. …

How do animals get viruses to pass on to humans? That’s what listener Ian wanted to know. To find out, we’re exploring the science of virology - the …

Si tienes preguntas sobre el coronavirus, tenemos las respuestas. El coronavirus nos está afectando a todos y puede parecer peligroso y difícil de entender. Por esta razón, Tumble reunió preguntas de sus oyentes y …

**Evidence about behavior and contagion has evolved since this podcast was released. Please refer to current reporting from trusted sources like Stat …

Can science make you better at sports? Sports scientist John Drazan says the answer is yes. John shares how losing a high school basketball game made …

What’s it like to be a kid doing experiments in one of the most famous science places in the world? Oscar and Mae Johnson were nine and twelve when they traveled to the Galapagos Islands with their scientist dad. The …

Why do dogs look and act so different from each other? Listener Finley has two Chihuahuas named Peanut and Maggie, and she wants to know why they have different head shapes. She thinks it might have something to do with …

Tumble has won a big award for two episodes: “The Cave of the Underground Astronauts” and “The Science of Whiskers.” You’ll hear them both in this twin pack of awesome stories of science discovery. 

Tumble is the 2019 …

Tumble is on winter break! In the meantime, enjoy this episode from our friends at But Why?: A Podcast for Curious Kids. We know that our listeners are some of the most curious kids on the planet, so you’re sure to love …

Tumble is on winter break! In the meantime, enjoy this bonus-size pack of science from our friends at Fun Kids Science Weekly. In this British podcast, Dan takes a look at the week’s best science stories. And they gave …

How do you become an astronaut? That’s what Tumble listener Margaret wants to know. We go straight to the source to get an answer: A NASA astronaut! Dr. Serena Auñon-Chancellor shares her journey to outer space with us. …

Why do we have snot? Do animals get stuffy noses, too? We delve into the world of thick secretions with the help of Dani Rabiaotti, zoologist and …

“What’s the oldest dinosaur?” “How did dinosaurs come alive?” We tackle two listener questions in one epic story of dinosaur domination. Scientist …

Ship ahoy! We’re taking you on an expedition at sea, to do science on a research ship! With the help of geochemist Jeanine Ash, we’re climbing on …

How do peregrine falcons dive so fast? That’s what listener Henry wants to know. Peregrines hit speeds of over 200 mph, making them the fastest …

How does a koala eat eucalyptus leaves? Eucalyptus is toxic to most animals, but they’re a koala’s only food. In this episode, we look past the cuddliness to discover how koalas manage to chow down on the Australian …

Tumble returns for Season 5 on October 4, with all new episodes!

In the meantime, enjoy one of our favorite-ever episodes.

What would happen if our …

Tumble will return with all new episodes starting October 5! Until then, listen to one of our favorite episodes.

"Do plants feel pain?" Jude's question leads us to stunning discoveries about what plants feel, what …

What are Earth’s top ten biggest animals? You’ll find that out, and more, with the help of Earth Ranger Emma! We’re sharing our favorite episode from our friends at Earth Rangers. Earth Rangers is a podcast for anyone …

Today, we’re sharing one of our personal favorite podcasts, The Past & The Curious! It’s a history podcast with great music and a sense of humor, …

Lindsay and Marshall welcomed their son Jamie in June! While we get adjusted to newborn life, we have some pod-friends filling in for us. First up: …

If you have a long trip this summer, Tumble has the perfect fuel to inspire exploration along the way! Marshall’s off exploring the deepest, darkest part of the jungle, and he put together the perfect playlist of …

Everybody poops. But why? To find out, science writer Mary Roach takes us on a journey into the alimentary canal - that's the tube that runs from our mouth to our rectum. Along the way, we learn about pooping in space, …

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a vast, swirling soup of trash, twice the size of Texas. Can we ever clean it up? That’s what 8 year old Ila wants …

We’re taking a listen back to some of our favorite moments from Season 4 of Tumble, with help from our friend Nate! Nate is the 9 year old host of …

This is the last episode of Season 4, but stay tuned for our special summer lineup! We’ll be back for Season 5 in fall 2019.

Why are butterflies so …

Why are hurricanes so powerful? Every year, monster storms develop in the Atlantic Ocean from June until November. It seems like they come out of …

How does a country start its own space program? Come with us to Ireland to find out, and meet one of the students whose childhood dreams of launching a satellite are about to come true. Lana Salmon is part of a team …

Why do seals have whiskers? Listener Karah’s question dives into the wonderful world of whisker science. Robyn Grant, a self-described “whisker …

Meet Ana Humphrey. She hasn’t graduated from high school yet, but she’s already discovered 560 places outside our solar system where we could find …

How do cheetahs get their super speed? We talk to a cheetah scientist to find out why a spotted cat is the fastest animal on Earth. Cheetahs are literally built for speed! Anne Hilborn spent months scoping out cheetahs …

Is there a hard edge to the solar system? This question led to a big, breakthrough discovery that changed the way we picture the solar system - and …

Who would win in a competition, a hamster or bacteria? Place your bets, because we’re going to tell the story of this epic science showdown. Danielle …

How do species get their scientific names? To find out, Lindsay and Marshall take a field trip behind the scenes at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. That’s where we meet Chris Mah, a sea star …

Do you love fossils, adventure, and spending time in small spaces? If so, you could become an underground astronaut! Marina Elliot, Becca Peixotto, …

Join us for a journey through Tumble's favorite animal episodes! Swim with whale sharks in Mexico, climb mountains with pikas, travel back in time to discover our earliest primate relatives, and more. Download two hours …

We're going on an indoor expedition to discover the species in our own home! You’ll never look at the bugs in your house the same way again. …

What’s it like to go inside the world’s largest bat colony? In this special bonus episode, we’re sharing part of our interview with Jessica Dreyer, …

Today we’re presenting the first episode of Becoming Mother Nature, a show from our friends at Gen-Z Media. It’s recommended for listeners 9 and up. For the rest of our listeners, we’ll be back with a new Tumble episode …

Not a true crime story, but a true science story! Starring a murder of crows, a person in a creepy mask, and one very curious scientist named Kaeli Swift. We unravel the mystery of what appears like scene from a …

It’s a scientific controversy of planetary proportions! Is Pluto a planet, or not? You decide, after we present two sides of an epic astronomy argument. Back in 2006, the International Astronomer’s Union voted on a …

A volcanologist imagines a world without volcanoes, and tells us how her recipe for homemade lava bombs might lead to discoveries about ancient …

Join us on a field trip to the biggest bat colony in the world! Bracken Cave is home to 15 million Mexican free-tailed bats. It’s the largest …

This summer, Tumble went live!! and we want to share the science magic with all our listeners. In this episode, you’ll hear our favorite parts of our …

What if you could shrink your technology down to a size that’s 100,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair? It sounds like sci-fi, but it’s …

Meet 11-year-old Sarah Galvani-Townsend! She’s our first ever kid science expert. In many ways, Sarah is a regular kid who loves science. But she’s …

It’s the tale of an epic science adventure. It’s the drama of the hunt for a dragon… a snapdragon! This isn’t the kind of dragon that breathes fire. …

Joe Hanson is a scientist who hosts PBS Digital Studio’s It’s Okay to Be Smart and Hot Mess, a new YouTube show about climate change. He’s been a longtime friend of Tumble’s, so it was a no-brainer to ask him to help …

Got a long trip coming up? Turn it into an adventure into outer space! Marshall’s headed out on an intergalactic journey. He’s lined up the best episodes on astronomy for your road trip! See what it’s like to spend a …

**Recommended for listeners age 8 and up** This week, we’re presenting a new show from our friends at Gen Z Media! It’s called Young Ben Franklin, …

This week, we’re taking you to visit one of most powerful computers in the world! It’s called MareNostrum 4, and it’s housed in a former chapel in …

You’ve never heard of a summer camp like this before. It’s a science camp, but the campers ARE the science! Imagine playing volleyball with electrode …

What would happen if our Moon suddenly disappeared? Would we still have tides? It turns out that the Moon has a much bigger influence on Earth than …

For Earth Day, we’re discovering how the tiny, adorable pika is helping scientists study climate change! Temperatures in their mountain habitat are getting warmer, and rain and snow isn’t as predictable as it used to …

What happens when a Brownie Troop goes to a weather balloon launch? One Brownie guesses that they’ll make contact with unicorns in the sky. Atmospheric scientist Gary Morris shows us what it takes to launch the biggest …

This is #2 in a series on dinosaur coprolites, AKA fossilized feces! In the 1800’s, Mary Anning was known as the best fossil hunter in England. She …

Call it fossil feces, dinosaur dung, or preserved poo. This is the first of a two part series on dinosaur poop! We kick it off with the modern-day …

Return of the mailbag! The Tumble inbox is filling up with questions, and Marshall scrambles to answer them while Lindsay relaxes with a glass of …

“How do sea stars grip onto rocks?” That’s what listener Chloe wants to know. To find out, we take a trip to an aquarium to see sea stars’ tiny tube feet in action, and call up sea star expert Chris Mah. What we learn …

“Do plants feel pain?” Jude’s question leads us to stunning discoveries about what plants feel, what they hear, and even what they talk about! …

Meet Envirobot, a robotic eel who slithers along the surface of the water, seeking the source of water pollution. The future is here, and it's full …

"How are minerals made?" "What makes rocks sparkly?" Mary Lou and Tilly are curious about minerals, the chemical compounds that make up rocks! Get ready for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Field Museum in Chicago! …

“Could we ship Earth’s extra carbon dioxide to Mars?” Our listener Ilan has come up with a brilliant plan to stop climate change in its tracks, and …

It's a mail bag episode! While Lindsay is away, Marshall is going through a bunch of listener questions and answering them as best he can. Do monkeys get ice cream headaches? Why is Play-doh so salty? Listen to find out …

Why do people believe in ghosts? And can science ever prove that they don’t exist? We take a road trip with Dennis Waskul, a sociologist who traveled …

We often talk about how there are so many great kid podcasts out there to discover. Now, we're bringing those podcasts directly to you, in this sampler pack of a bonus episode! Find these podcasts and more at …

Children are the best language learners, says psycholinguist Evan Kidd. But how do children learn languages so easily, and why is learning another …

Where does electricity come from? That's what listener Ati wants to know. Lindsay and Marshall get on the case of a massive blackout that plunged 50 million people into darkness Scientist and engineer Mike Legatt helps …

Do solar systems move? That’s what Levan wants to know. NASA astronomer Stefanie Milam shares how technology has allowed humans to see the course our …

How does our brain remember things? Neuroscientist Andre Fenton found that question has no easy answers. Andre has spent years experimenting with …

Tumble will be back with all new episodes this fall! Make sure you're subscribed to Tumble to get the first episode on September 8. This season, expect more great stories about science discovery, from around the world!

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Everybody poops. But why? To find out, science writer Mary Roach takes us on a journey into the alimentary canal - that's the tube that runs from our mouth to our rectum. Along the way, we learn about pooping in space, …

Dinosaurs didn’t roar. What?! Paleontologist Julia Clarke has been uncovering clues to how dinosaurs sounded, in ancient bird fossils from …

Are we alone in the universe, or are there other life forms out there? That's what Daniel, a listener from New Zealand, wants to know. Scientists …

Brothers Ian, Sam, and Eli want to know, “How do vaccines keep our bodies healthy?” We meet two scientists, Omar Khan and Jasdave Chahal, who have teamed up to tackle the world’s most dangerous diseases with a new …

Who is the oldest primate, and is it our great-great-great grandfather? Listener Elena's question takes us into a laboratory chock full of fossils, …

Wonder why a cat always lands on its feet? It's a question that stumped scientists for over a hundred years. Some suspected that mischievous cats were breaking the laws of physics! Was it the catnip? Or was it a mystery …

Imagine this: You’re in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico with a big fish on the line. But suddenly, you’re surrounded by whale sharks, the biggest …

What would you bring on a trip to Mars? That’s a question Sheyna Gifford had to ask herself when she packed to live on Mars for a year. Wait, what?! …

The People of the Snow with Kelly Elder

Why does it snow, where does it snow, and why are snowflakes not the same size or shape? We jump into a pile of snow questions, and find a very different kind of science in the …

Something is living in your showerhead. Scientists need your help to figure out what it is, and why it’s there. Biologist Noah Fierer is enlisting …

We dive into the gross side of science with Anna Rothschild, host of the PBS/NOVA series Gross Science! Anna tells us how a robot named Vomiting Larry helped scientists discover how to stop the spread of a potentially …

What is the Earth made of? That’s the question at the core (pun intended!) of this episode. Geologist Ta-Shana Taylor shares the fascinating story …

It's almost here! We've got brand new episodes of Tumble starting January 13. Here's a quick sample of what's to come. Subscribe now on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. Have an Android? Try our partner …

Our friends Andrew & Polly from the podcast Ear Snacks introduce their favorite Tumble episode. Listener Ilya asks if there's a way to remove all …

In this special bonus episode, some of our favorite guest scientists answer listener questions! It’s like a Tumble reunion! Learn about the bugs you can find near your home, how ants let each other know about food …

Invisibility cloaks: Not just for wizards? Listener Quinn introduces his favorite Tumble episode, where we explore the very real science behind invisibility!
Tumble t-shirts are now available in kid's, men's, and …

Our listener Griffin picked an exciting tale of outer space for this week's episode! Astronomer Joel Green explains how scientists discover and …

What makes dogs loyal? This question comes from Amalia, a sixth grade student. We ask two different dog scientists, and their answers will surprise you. We learn about an experiment that tests dogs’ loyalty - or does …

Why do people get scared and how? We ask Dr. Margee Kerr, a scientist who studies the science of fear. She once set up a basement lab in a Halloween haunted house to understand why people sign up to get scared. She …

A fan favorite episode, now with new black hole discoveries! We answer our first listener question, how do black holes work? We talk to Dr. Karl …

Send us your interviews with scientists, and they might end up on our show! In this special bonus episode, we'll teach you how to interview a scientist. It's easier than you might think, and it's super fun. You might …

Sarah Richardson, a biologist, dreams of being of a farmer. Instead of tending to barns full of cows making milk, she'll have petri dishes full of …

Where is the deepest part of the ocean, and have we been there in person? Ocean explorer Gaelin Rosenwaks answers with an amazing story of the first explorers to dive to a mysterious place called Challenger Deep. It's …

Why do batteries - even rechargeable ones - die? What if there was a battery that lasted forever? Mya Le Thai, a young scientist, was sick of recharging her phone. So she set out make make a longer lasting battery. What …

Why are there so many different species of ants? That’s what entomologist Corrie Moreau wants to know. There are more species of ants than there are …

Are cats evil, or just misunderstood? That's what our friends at Brains On debate for a panel of kid judges. Find out what they decide in this special guest episode! Plus, Lindsay and Marshall weigh in on their …

Why do fireflies flash their lights on and off, on and off? That’s what four curious kids want to know. Biologist Sara Lewis has studied fireflies …

We have a short and sweet summer episode for you! Charles Darwin is known as the father of evolution, but he got his start as a naturalist as a young …

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a vast, swirling soup of trash, twice the size of Texas. Can we ever clean it up? That’s what 8 year old Ila wants …

What are invisibility cloaks made of, and when can we buy them in gift shops? That's right, invisibility cloaks are not just for wizards anymore. We get into the very real science of invisibility with Dr. Andrea Alu. …

Where is the deepest part of the ocean, and have we been there in person? Ocean explorer Gaelin Rosenwaks answers with an amazing story of the first explorers to dive to a mysterious place called Challenger Deep. It's …

How do black holes work? And how do we learn about them, if they're impossible to see? We talk to Dr. Karl Gebhardt, who has helped discover over …

What happens to your brain when you get a concussion? It's common to get hit in the head when you play rough or risky sports. Everyone knows a concussion makes you woozy for a while. But the impacts of repeated …

We take you inside the famed Explorers Club in New York City, where we meet a real explorer! Richard Garriott de Cayeux has been around the world and into space on scientific expeditions. He shares the stories of famous …

Does the universe go on forever? Or does it have an edge? Jack and Kate have a few ideas about how to find out, involving a GoPro and a rocket. We …

What makes dogs loyal? This question comes from Amalia, a sixth grade student. We ask two different dog scientists, and their answers will surprise you. We learn about an experiment that tests dogs’ loyalty - or does …

Why do bats hang upside down? That's what fifth graders living in the Bat Capital of the World - Austin, Texas - want to know. We visit Micaela Jemison at the world headquarters of Bat Conservation International to …

Sarah Richardson, a biologist, dreams of being of a farmer. Instead of tending to barns full of cows making milk, she'll have petri dishes full of …

What would the world be like if there were no parasites? You might actually miss those mind-controlling blood suckers. Science writer Carl Zimmer …

[Now, with new information on decoy spider research!] One dark night in the Amazon, three guys stumble face first into a new discovery - and capture it all on video. Joe Hanson, from It's Okay to Be Smart, tells the …

No one knows what dark energy is or why it exists. So how did astronomers discover the mysterious force that's pulling the universe apart? Astronomer …

Emily Graslie, host of the YouTube science show The Brain Scoop, explains how an encounter with a dead mouse at a natural history museum steered her toward one of the most important discoveries of her life. (This …

Dinosaurs never went extinct. They're living in our backyards. How did scientists discover that birds are secretly dinosaurs? Science writer Riley Black tells us how some suspicious fuzz on a farmer's fossil find …

A mystery that began with an unusual star spotted in the year 1054 took almost a thousand years to solve. In this episode, supernova expert Jeffrey …

When a tiny beetle starts destroying farmers' fields in Australia, scientists decide to bring in a giant toad to bite back. But they never predicted …

What does the moment of discovery sound like? In this episode, Joe Hanson of It's Okay to Be Smart shares the story of a fellow YouTuber who stumbles upon an incredible new species while filming in the Peruvian …

Science fiction is full of adventures to distant planets outside our solar system. But it wasn't until 20 years ago that astronomers were able to …

One man's very, very unfortunate accident made him one of the most famous patients of all time. Dr. Rachel Berman shares the story of how this man helped scientists figure out what the brain does. Music in this episode …

Dr. Hayley Gillespie, an ecologist, tells us how she cracked the case of the Barton Springs Salamander's mysterious meals. Music by YACHT, courtesy …