The Minecraft Experiment

More from Tumble Science Podcast for Kids All episodes →

1. 

   S11 · E6 · 6 Feb 2026 · 27 min

   Do Animals Have Friends?

   In this episode, we talk to two scientists who study animal friendships, in different animals, and in different ways. We’ll hear from Karen Bales, who studies titi monkeys (AKA “fuzzy little guys”) and Annaliese Beery, who studies voles (AKA “the cutest rodents”). Get ready to discover how animal friends play and cuddle - and what they can teach us about our own friendships. This episode was produced thanks to a generous grant from the Greater Good Science Center. Check out their website for all kinds of awesome quizzes, information, and more! Join on Patreon to help us continue to make…

2. 

   S11 · E5 · 23 Jan 2026 · 24 min

   How Did Earth Begin?

   How did Earth get created? What did our planet begin as? Why does our world exist? What started our planet? These questions take us back billions of years to learn how Earth formed in the very beginning - and then, we’ll look to a group of mysterious asteroids that might reveal how Earth became the planet it is today. With planetary scientist Bill Bottke, we’ll hear the incredible story of Earth’s earliest days in cinematic style. And get ready for a journey to Jupiter, where a NASA mission you probably haven’t heard of is heading, in hopes of revealing mysteries hidden in the Trojan…

3. 

   9 Jan 2026 · 27 min

   The Science of Fungi

   This is a rebroadcast of one of our favorite episodes from season 9! Do fungi breathe? That’s what listener Alice wants to know - and we’ll find out in our punniest episode yet! We visit the Fungarium - the largest and oldest collection of fungi in the world with curator Lee Davies, who describes himself as a “librarian” of mushrooms. We’ll explore how fungi live and die, and why there’s so many species left to discover. Watch out for the zombie fungi! And beware, Lindsay and Marshall don’t hold back on the “fun guy” puns! To support Tumble on Patreon, visit patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Our…

4. 

   26 Dec 2025 · 17 min

   The Science of Whiskers

   This is a re-broadcast of a favorite episode from 2019. We actually won our first AAAS Kavli Award for this episode, along with The Cave of the Underground Astronauts. Check it out! Why do seals have whiskers? Listener Karah’s question dives into the wonderful world of whisker science. Robyn Grant, a self-described “whisker biologist” shares her discoveries of how whiskers work, from training a friendly seal named Moe to making slow-mo movies of super speedy “whisking.” (You will find no cuter field of research… but if you do, tell us about it!) Listen to learn about humans’ hidden whisker…

5. 

   19 Dec 2025 · 24 min

   Mailbag: Why is English so weird? Do all cats hate getting wet? Who made PB&J a combo?

   We’re wrapping up 2025 with a final Mailbag episode, featuring some of our longest-running Patrons! Did you know, when you sign up to support Tumble on Patreon, you’ll get a personalized message from Marshall? And if you’ve been supporting us for years, we might just call you up to chat! We’ll meet our mysterious patron, MiloSloth and his family, and learn why they love to support the show. Plus, why is the English language so weird? Who made PB & J a combo? And do all cats hate getting wet? We have the answers. If you want to join Milo and support Tumble on Patreon, just go to…

6. 

   28 Nov 2025 · 22 min

   The Science of Snot

   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 author of “Believe it or Snot: The Definitive Field Guide to Earth’s Slimy Creatures.” You’ll find out why we make so much mucus, and meet the slimiest animals on the planet. Plus, you’ll discover why scientists study slime, even though it’s super gross. This is a rebroadcast of one of our favorite episodes from season 5, inspired by a question we recently got from our listener Harrison, who wondered why snot exists. Hopefully this answers the…

7. 

   S11 · E3 · 14 Nov 2025 · 23 min

   What Sounds Do Fish Make?

   What sounds do fish make? 🐟🎶 We know that cows say moo, and sheep say baa, but what do fish say? Come explore “Under the Sea” to discover the chorus of fish noises with help from fish ecologist Audrey Looby. We’ll find out how fish can be sneaky, loud, and even “slimy, grumpy cuties” (Audrey’s words) who go boop boop - and what they can tell us about life underwater. 🌊 You can learn more about Audrey, and find a transcript of this episode on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com. Support us on Patreon! You’ll get ad free episodes, special chances to be on the show, and of…

8. 

   S11 · E2 · 29 Oct 2025 · 26 min

   Are Ghosts Real?

   Are ghosts real… or not? That’s what Lily wants to know. To find out, we talk to a real-life Ghostbuster and science historian Efram Sera-Shriar, who takes us on a journey back in time to when the world’s most famous scientists became ghost investigators: Sitting in on séances, inventing ghost-hunting devices, and exposing the tricks of “spirit photography.” Did you know, Thomas Edison made plans to create a phone to call ghosts? Learn all this and more when you join us on the trail of spooooky spirit science! You can learn more about Efram, and find a transcript of this episode on the blog…

9. 

   S11 · E1 · 17 Oct 2025 · 25 min

   The Dino Butt Fossil

   Did dinosaurs sniff each other’s butts like dogs? That’s what listener Ernie wants to know! We’ll dig up the surprising dino discovery that leads to our answer with the help of one of the world’s foremost animal butt experts, Dr. Diane Kelly! You can learn more about Diane, and find a transcript of this episode on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com. Support us on Patreon! You’ll get ad free episodes, special chances to be on the show, and of course, birthday shoutouts, when you sign up at the $5 level at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Find out what we’re up to - from live events,…

10. 

    3 Oct 2025 · 25 min

    Mailbag: How do asteroids form? Why don't we feel dizzy as Earth spins? Would we know if we were in a black hole?

    This is our final Mailbag episode before all-new stories of science discovery arrive on Friday, October 17. Lindsay and Marshall share behind-the-scenes updates on what’s coming up in Season 11 — plus a special challenge to guess the topics of our first three episodes! Then, astrophysicist Dr. Hakeem Oluseyi (host of NOVA’s Particles of Thought and judge on Netflix’s Baking Impossible) joins us to tackle your big-universe questions: How does your body know you’re in a black hole? How do asteroids form? Why don’t we feel dizzy as Earth spins? And… what dessert would be best to eat in space?…