1,001+ Fun Facts for Kids

“Good.” “Fine.” “Okay.” If these are the answers you get after asking how your kids’ day was, shake up family dinner with interesting facts for kids. Bonding over a meal can be a special routine, especially with these conversation starters to pique everyone’s interest. For inquisitive little ones, parents looking to entertain and educate, or planning trivia night dinner parties, these weird facts, random facts, and cool facts are all on the table, pun intended. 

Table of Contents

Fun and Tasty Food Facts for Kids
Common Animal Facts for Kids
More Unique and Exotic Animal Facts for Kids
Earth and Natural Phenomena Facts for Kids
Solar System and Planet Facts for Kids
Historical Figures and Events Plus Holiday Facts for Kids
More Fun for Kids, Including 8 Activities, School Snacks, and Meal Prep Ideas

Fun and Tasty Food Facts for Kids

Spark an even greater interest in food with surprising facts about their favorite ingredients. 

Fruit Facts for Kids

1. Apples are made up of 25 percent air, which is why they float in water.
2. Bananas are berries! Botanically speaking, a berry must have three distinct fleshy layers, which is why bananas fall into this category. 
3. Watermelons are 92 percent water, making them a delicious and hydrating snack on hot summer days.
4. Every cranberry contains four air pockets, which is why they float when farmers flood bogs to harvest them. 
5. The color of an orange’s skin depends on where it’s grown. In regions where the temperature isn’t cold enough for the skin to turn orange, they stay green or yellow, even when ripe.

Vegetable Facts for Kids

1. Tomatoes are technically fruits, not vegetables, because they develop from the flower of the tomato plant and contain seeds.
2. Peas are one of the oldest cultivated crops. They’re native to the Mediterranean and have been dated back to the Neolithic period. 
3. Green, yellow, orange, and red bell peppers are all the same vegetable at different stages of ripeness. As they ripen, they change in color and sweetness.
4. Broccoli was developed by breeding certain types of wild cabbage and was cultivated in Italy during Roman times.
5. Cucumbers are about 95% water, making them a refreshing and hydrating snack.

Snack Facts for Kids

1. Inside a popcorn kernel’s hard outer surface is a small amount of water stored inside the soft starch. As the kernel heats up, the water expands, turns to steam, and builds pressure until it pops. 
2. There are over 1,800 different types of cheese in the world.
3. The first modern chocolate bar was invented by Joseph Fry in 1847, who discovered that he could make a moldable paste by adding melted cacao butter back into Dutch cocoa.
4. Yogurt is made by fermenting milk with friendly bacteria, which may support digestion.
5. Carrots were originally purple when grown in Afghanistan 5,000 years ago. The orange variety became popular in the 17th century through selective breeding to create a sweeter carrot.

Common Animal Facts for Kids

From taking several days to digest food or running at speeds a car might drive, embrace your wild side with astonishing facts about popular animals including fast-moving cheetahs, delicate butterflies, and facts about dogs for kids. 

In This Section

Animal Facts for Kids
Lion Facts for Kids
Dolphin Facts for Kids
Dog Facts for Kids
Penguin Facts for Kids
Polar Bear Facts for Kids
Shark Facts for Kids
Cheetah Facts for Kids
Owl Facts for Kids
Panda Facts for Kids
Tiger Facts for Kids
Bat Facts for Kids
Butterfly Facts for Kids
Koala Facts for Kids
Octopus Facts for Kids

Animal Facts for Kids

1. The blue whale is the largest animal on the planet, reaching lengths of up to 100 feet.
2. Elephants can’t jump. (Neither can sloths, chameleons, porcupines, or hippos.)
3. When they’re dancing, a group of flamingos is called a “flamboyance.”
4. Sloths can take between 11 to 30 days to digest their food.
5. A group of owls is called a “parliament.”
6. Koalas sleep up to 20 hours a day.
7. Octopuses have three hearts and blue blood.
8. Dolphins sleep with one eye open. It’s known as unihemispheric sleep, when only one brain hemisphere sleeps at a time.
9. Giraffes have the same number of neck vertebrae as humans: seven.
10. Bees communicate with each other about the location of food sources through a “waggle dance,” where they circle around in figure-eight patterns while wagging their bodies.
11. Cows develop strong bonds with one another and can become stressed when separated.
12. Crocodiles can’t stick their tongues out due to a membrane that keeps it on the roof of their mouth.
13. Sea otters hold hands while sleeping to avoid drifting apart.
14. A snail can remain in a sleep-like state for up to three years. 
15. Starfish have no brains or blood.

Lion Facts for Kids

1. A lion’s roar can be heard up to five miles away.
2. Male lions have manes, which grow darker with age.
3. Lions are the only cats that live in groups, known as “prides.”
4. A lion’s tongue is as rough as sandpaper and used to lick the skin off prey.
5. Female lions do the majority of the hunting for the pride.
6. Lions rest and sleep for up to 21 hours a day.
7. Lions can run at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour in short bursts.
8. A lion’s roar is used to communicate with other lions and to warn off intruders, as well as locate one another over long distances.
9. Lion cubs are born with spots that disappear as they grow older.
10. The darker a male lion’s mane, the healthier he is.
11. Lions can leap as far as 36 feet.
12. A lion’s heel doesn’t touch the ground when it walks.
13. Lions have retractable claws that can be kept sharp for hunting.

Dolphin Facts for Kids

1. Dolphins can recognize themselves in mirrors.
2. Dolphins use echolocation to navigate and hunt for food. When echolocating, dolphins produce short, broad-spectrum burst-pulses that sound to us like “clicks.”
3. Like humans, dolphins use both verbal utterances and nonverbal gestures to communicate, including whistles, clicks, and loud broadband packets of sound called “burst pulses.”
4. Dolphins can swim up to 25 miles per hour.
5. Each dolphin has a unique whistle—known as a “signature whistle”—that it uses to identify itself.
6. There are 36 species of marine dolphins.
7. Dolphins can hold their breath underwater for 8 to 10 minutes.
8. Some dolphins use sponges to protect their snouts from sharp rocks and shells while foraging.
9. Dolphins are social mammals and live in groups called “pods.”
10. Developed in the 1970s, Dolphin Assisted Therapy (DAT) is a form of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) where people interact with dolphins.
11. Dating back to ancient Greece, there have been claims of dolphins rescuing people from sharks, helping drowning sailors, and guiding boats through rough waters.
12. Baby dolphins are called calves.
13. The orca, also known as the killer whale, is actually the largest member of the dolphin family. 
14. The orca can grow up to 32 feet long. 
15. The height a dolphin can jump varies by species, but the wild bottlenose dolphin can jump up to 15 feet.
16. Dolphins have excellent eyesight both in and out of water.

Dog Facts for Kids

1. Dogs have been domesticated for over 14,000 years.
2. A dog’s sense of smell is 40 times better than a human’s.
3. The American Kennel Club recognizes over 340 different dog breeds worldwide.
4. Dogs can hear sounds at frequencies twice that of humans.
5. The Basenji is known as the “barkless dog” because it doesn’t bark. Instead, it creates an unusual yodel-like sound because of its unusually shaped larynx.
6. A Greyhound can run up to 45 miles per hour.
7. Dogs sweat through their paw pads, which helps them cool down.
8. A dog’s nose print is unique, much like a human’s fingerprint.
9. Puppies are born deaf and blind.
10. Dogs have a special membrane in their eyes (called the tapetum lucidum) that allows them to see in the dark.
11. The average dog is as intelligent as a two-year-old child.
12. A dog’s whiskers act like radar detectors by picking up faint vibrations caused by air current changes. At home, it helps pets locate their food bowls or favorite toys at night.
13. Dogs have three eyelids, including one to keep their eyes moist and protected.
14. The Saluki is the oldest dog breed, dating back to ancient Egypt.
15. Dogs can be trained to detect diseases such as cancer and diabetes.

Penguin Facts for Kids

1. Penguins are flightless birds that live primarily in the southern hemisphere.
2. The Emperor Penguin is the tallest and heaviest of all penguin species.
3. Penguins can drink seawater thanks to a special gland that filters out the salt.
4. Penguins can hold their breath underwater for up to 20 minutes.
5. Penguins have a layer of blubber and tightly packed, oily feathers to keep them warm.
6. The black and white coloring of penguins is a form of camouflage called countershading.
7. Penguins spend roughly half their lives in the water and half on land.
8. The smallest penguin species is the Little Blue Penguin, which stands about 15 inches tall.
9. Whether it’s claiming a nesting territory or recognizing their chicks, penguins communicate through vocalizations and body language called displays.
10. During breeding season, male penguins gift female penguins with pebbles.
11. Penguins can swim at speeds between 15 to 25 miles per hour.
12. Some penguin species can dive to depths of over 500 feet.
13. With the exception of emperor penguins, parents take turns incubating their eggs and feeding their chicks.
14. The Galapagos Penguin is the only penguin species that lives north of the equator.
15. Penguins have been around for over 60 million years.

Polar Bear Facts for Kids

1. Polar bears have black skin underneath their white fur to help absorb heat from the sun.
2. Polar bears are excellent swimmers and can swim for hours at a time.
3. Polar bears primarily eat seals.
4. A polar bear’s sense of smell is so strong it can detect a seal up to five miles away.
5. Polar bears can run as fast as 25 miles per hour for short distances.
6. Polar bears are the largest land carnivores.
7. Polar bears’ fur is actually transparent and appears white because it reflects visible light.
8. Adult polar bears can weigh between 900-1,600 pounds.
9. Polar bears use sea ice as platforms to hunt for seals.
10. Though they’re born on land, polar bears are classified as marine mammals because they spend most of their lives on the sea ice of the Arctic Ocean.
11. A polar bear’s paw can measure up to 12 inches across.
12. Polar bears have 42 teeth.
13. The scientific name for the polar bear is Ursus maritimus, which means “sea bear.”
14. Female polar bears usually give birth to litters of two. 
15. Polar bears keep their noses warm by covering them with their paws while they sleep.

Shark Facts for Kids

1. There are over 500 different species of sharks.
2. Sharks have been around for over 400 million years.
3. The largest shark is the whale shark, which can grow up to 40 feet long.
4. Sharks have multiple rows of teeth that are constantly replaced throughout their lives.
5. Great white sharks can detect a single drop of blood in 25 gallons of water.
6. Sharks do not have bones; their skeletons are made of cartilage.
7. The fastest shark is the shortfin mako shark, which can swim at speeds up to 46 miles per hour.
8. Greenland sharks have the longest lifespan of any known vertebrate, estimated to be between 250 and 500 years. 
9. Hammerhead sharks have a 360-degree field of vision.
10. Sharks have special electroreceptor organs called ampullae of Lorenzini that allow them to sense electrical fields in the water.
11. The smallest shark species is the dwarf lantern shark, which is only about 8 inches long.
12. Sharks have been known to exhibit social behaviors, such as forming schools.
13. The skin of a shark is covered in tiny, v-shaped scales called dermal denticles.
14. Most sharks are cold-blooded, but some, like the great white, can regulate their body temperature.

Cheetah Facts for Kids

1. Cheetahs are the fastest land animals, capable of reaching speeds up to 70 miles per hour.
2. Cheetahs can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just a few seconds.
3. Cheetahs have large nasal passages and lungs to help them intake more oxygen during sprints.
4. Unlike other big cats, cheetahs can’t roar, but they purr. 
5. Cheetahs have distinctive black “tear marks” that run from the inner corners of their eyes to the sides of their mouths and help reduce glare from the sun.
6. Cheetahs’ claws are partially retractable, giving them extra grip when running.
7. Cheetahs are known for their agility and can make sharp turns at high speeds.
8. Cheetahs hunt primarily during the day to avoid competition with other predators.
9. Cheetah cubs have long, grayish manes that help them blend into tall grass.
10. A cheetah’s diet mainly consists of small- to medium-sized ungulates, such as gazelles and impalas.
11. Cheetahs communicate with each other through vocalizations such as chirps, growls, and purrs.
12. Cheetahs have a gestation period of about three months, and litters usually consist of three to five cubs.
13. Some male cheetahs live in small groups called coalitions, usually consisting of brothers.

Owl Facts for Kids

1. Owls have the ability to rotate their heads up to 270 degrees.
2. Owls are known for their excellent night vision and can see in almost complete darkness.
3. Owls have specialized feathers that help them fly silently.
4. There are over 250 species of owls.
5. The barn owl is known for its heart-shaped face.
6. Owls can be found on every continent except Antarctica.
7. Owls have asymmetrical ears that allow them to pinpoint the location of sounds.
8. An owl’s eyes are fixed in their sockets, so they must turn their heads to see in different directions.
9. Some owl species can turn their heads almost completely upside down.
10. Owls are carnivorous and primarily eat small mammals such as voles or mice.
11. Owls swallow their prey whole and later regurgitate indigestible parts (such as bones and fur) as pellets.
12. The smallest owl species is the elf owl, which is about the size of a sparrow.
13. Snowy owls are known for their striking white feathers and are native to the Arctic tundra.
14. Owls use their talons to catch and kill their prey.
15. The great horned owl is one of the most common and widespread owls in the Americas.

Panda Facts for Kids

1. Giant pandas are native to China and live in bamboo forests.
2. The giant panda is considered a national treasure in China.
3. A panda’s diet consists almost entirely of bamboo, which makes up 99% of their food intake.
4. Pandas have a “pseudo thumb,” an extended wrist bone that helps them grasp bamboo.
5. Newborn pandas are about the size of a stick of butter.
6. Pandas are excellent climbers and can also swim.
7. Pandas spend about 12 hours a day eating.
8. Pandas have a thick coat of fur that keeps them warm in cold climates.
9. The average lifespan of a panda in the wild is between 15-20 years.
10. Pandas are solitary animals and prefer to live alone.
11. Pandas communicate with each other through vocalizations and scent markings.
12. The red panda, despite its name, is not closely related to the giant panda.
13. Pandas have very strong jaws and teeth to help them crush tough bamboo.
14. Pandas play a crucial role in the ecosystem. Seeds and plant matter collect on their fur and are spread throughout their habitat as they move.
15. Conservation efforts have helped increase the panda population in recent years.

Tiger Facts for Kids

1. Tigers are the largest species of cat in the world.
2. Each tiger has a unique pattern of stripes on their fur, and the skin under their fur is also striped!
3. Tigers are excellent swimmers and enjoy being in the water.
4. The Bengal tiger is the most common tiger subspecies.
5. A tiger’s roar can be heard up to two miles away.
6. Tigers are solitary animals and typically hunt alone.
7. Marking their territory is one way tigers communicate with each other.
8. Tigers can leap distances of up to 33 feet.
9. Tigers primarily hunt large prey such as deer and wild boar.
10. The Siberian tiger is the largest tiger subspecies.
11. Tigers have a lifespan of about 10-15 years in the wild.
12. White tigers are not a separate subspecies, but the result of a genetic mutation called leucism. 
13. Tigers use their tails for balance while running and leaping.
14. Tigers have retractable claws that they use to catch and hold onto their prey.
15. The tiger’s scientific name is Panthera tigris.

Bat Facts for Kids

1. Bats are the only mammals capable of sustained flight.
2. There are over 1,400 species of bats.
3. Bats use echolocation to navigate and find food in the dark.
4. The smallest bat is the bumblebee bat, measuring just over 1 inch in length.
5. The largest bat is the flying fox, which has a wingspan of up to 6 feet.
6. Bats play a crucial role in pollination and seed dispersal.
7. Some bats can eat up to 1,200 mosquitoes in an hour.
8. Vampire bats are one of three bat species that feed on blood.
9. Bats have a highly developed sense of hearing.
10. Most bats are nocturnal and are active at night.
11. Bats can live for over 20 years.
12. Bats hang upside down because it allows them to take off into flight more easily.
13. Bats are the sole pollinators of the agave plant.
14. Some bat species migrate to warmer climates during the winter.
15. Bats communicate with each other using a variety of sounds, including clicks and chirps.

Butterfly Facts for Kids

1. There are about 17,500 species of butterflies in the world.
2. Butterflies have taste buds in their feet.
3. The process of metamorphosis transforms a caterpillar into a butterfly.
4. Monarch butterflies migrate up to 3,000 miles to their wintering grounds.
5. Butterflies can see ultraviolet light, which helps them find nectar.
6. The lifespan of a butterfly can range from a few days to 11 months.
7. Butterflies have a long, coiled proboscis that they use to drink nectar.
8. The largest butterfly species is the Queen Alexandra’s birdwing, with a wingspan of up to 11 inches.
9. Butterflies are important pollinators for many plants.
10. Some butterflies, like the Viceroy, mimic the appearance of toxic species to avoid predators.
11. The colors on a butterfly’s wings are created by tiny scales that reflect light.
12. Butterflies can fly at speeds of up to 12 miles per hour.
13. Many butterflies have patterns on their wings that serve as camouflage.
14. The Painted Lady is the most widespread butterfly species in the world.
15. Butterflies use their antennae to sense the air and navigate.

Koala Facts for Kids

1. Koalas are marsupials, meaning they carry their young in a pouch.
2. Koalas primarily eat eucalyptus leaves, which are toxic to most other animals.
3. Koalas sleep up to 20 hours a day due to the energy it takes to break down their food.
4. A baby koala is called a joey.
5. Koalas have two opposable thumbs on each hand to help them climb.
6. Koalas have a special digestive organ called a cecum to help break down eucalyptus leaves.
7. Koalas are not bears; they are more closely related to wombats.
8. Koalas communicate through a range of vocalizations, including snores and bellows.
9. Koalas have a strong sense of smell to help them select eucalyptus leaves with the fewest toxins.
10. Each koala has a unique nose pattern, much like a human fingerprint.
11. Koalas live between 10-12 years in the wild.
12. A koala’s fur is thick and woolly to protect them from the elements.
13. Koalas are mainly found in eastern and southeastern Australia.
14. Koalas have sharp claws to help them grip tree bark.
15. Koalas’ low-energy lifestyle helps them conserve energy for digesting their food.

Octopus Facts for Kids

1. There are about 300 species of octopus.
2. An octopus can change color and texture to blend into their surroundings.
3. An octopus has nine brains; one central brain and a mini-brain in each arm.
4. Octopuses can regenerate lost limbs.
5. Octopuses are highly intelligent and have been known to solve puzzles.
6. The giant Pacific octopus is the largest species, with an arm span of up to 14 feet.
7. Octopuses have no bones, allowing them to squeeze through tiny spaces.
8. Octopuses can eject ink to confuse predators and make a quick escape.
9. Octopuses have suction cups on their arms that can taste and feel the environment around them.
10. Some octopuses use tools, such as coconut shells, for shelter from predators.
11. Octopuses can swim by expelling water through a siphon in a process called jet propulsion.
12. The mimic octopus can imitate the appearance and movements of other sea creatures such as lionfish, jellyfish, and sea snakes.
13. Octopuses are colorblind.
14. Octopuses are solitary animals and usually live alone in dens or crevices among rocks and coral.
15. Female octopuses can lay up to 100,000 eggs at a time.

Unique and Exotic Animal Facts for Kids

You might not be scared of spiders after learning unique facts about them. (Did you know their silk can be as strong as steel?) Plus, surprise your friends with facts about rare animals like reindeer.

In This Section

Spider Facts for Kids
Elephant Facts for Kids
Giraffe Facts for Kids
Jellyfish Facts for Kids
Sea Turtle Facts for Kids
Bee Facts for Kids
Turkey Facts for Kids
Wolf Facts for Kids
Axolotl Facts for Kids
Bear Facts for Kids
Capybara Facts for Kids
Fish Facts for Kids
Gorilla Facts for Kids
Jaguar Facts for Kids
Kangaroo Facts for Kids
Reindeer Facts for Kids

Spider Facts for Kids

1. There are over 45,000 known species of spiders.
2. Spiders have eight legs and most have eight eyes.
3. Spiders produce silk, which is stronger than steel but of the same thickness.
4. Spiders are found on every continent except Antarctica.
5. The largest spider is the Goliath birdeater, with a leg span of up to 11 inches.
6. Some spiders, like the jumping spider, have excellent vision and can leap up to 20 times their own body length.
7. Spiders use silk to create webs, wrap their prey, and build egg sacs.
8. Black widow spiders have an hourglass-shaped marking on their abdomens. 
9. Some spiders, like the diving bell spider, can live underwater by creating air bubbles around their bodies.
10. The Brazilian wandering spider was named the world’s deadliest spiders multiple times by Guinness World Records.
11. Spiders can regenerate lost legs.
12. Male spiders often perform elaborate courtship dances to attract females.
13. Spiders play a crucial role in controlling insect populations.
14. The wolf spider carries its egg sac on its back.
15. Tarantulas may live up to 30 years in captivity.

Elephant Facts for Kids

1. Elephants are the largest land animals on Earth.
2. Elephants have excellent memories and can remember locations and other elephants for decades.
3. An elephant’s trunk has over 40,000 muscles and can be used for a variety of tasks, like drinking water or greeting other elephants.
4. Elephants are social animals and live in herds led by a matriarch.
5. Elephants communicate using low-frequency sounds called infrasound, which can travel long distances.
6. Elephants use their trunks to drink water by sucking it up and then squirting it into their mouths.
7. Elephants can consume up to 600 pounds of food in a single day, though 300 pounds is more typical.
8. Elephants have thick, padded feet that help them walk quietly despite their size.
9. African elephants have larger ears than Asian elephants, which help them regulate their body temperature.
10. Elephants are known to exhibit behaviors associated with mourning and empathy.
11. Elephants are capable of complex problem-solving, such as digging holes with their trunks to find water.
12. Baby elephants are called calves and are cared for by the entire herd.
13. Elephants can swim and use their trunks as snorkels.
14. An elephant’s tusks are actually elongated incisor teeth and can grow throughout their lives.
15. Elephants have a lifespan of up to 70 years in the wild.

Giraffe Facts for Kids

1. Giraffes are the tallest mammals on Earth, with males reaching heights of up to 18 feet.
2. A giraffe’s neck is too short to reach the ground. To drink, a giraffe has to splay their forelegs or bend their knees before they can lower their necks to reach the surface of the water.
3. A giraffe’s tongue can be up to 18 inches long.
4. Giraffes can run at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour for short distances.
5. Giraffes have a unique gait called “pacing,” where both legs on one side move together.
6. Giraffes have evolved to sleep as little as 30 minutes per day. 
7. Each giraffe’s spots are unique to each individual animal.
8. Giraffes give birth standing up, and the calf falls about six feet to the ground.
9. Giraffes have large hearts, weighing up to 25 pounds, to pump blood to their heads.
10. Giraffes’ necks have a special valve system to prevent blood rushing to their heads when they bend down.
11. Giraffes primarily feed on acacia leaves, which are high in nutrients and moisture.
12. Giraffes have excellent eyesight and can spot predators from up to one mile away.
13. Giraffes can close their nostrils to protect against sandstorms and ants.
14. Male giraffes use their necks to fight in a behavior known as “necking.”
15. Giraffes are social animals and live in loose herds called “towers.”

Jellyfish Facts for Kids

1. Jellyfish are 95% water.
2. Jellyfish have no brain, heart, bones, or eyes.
3. Jellyfish fossils have been found from the Cambrian period, dating back over 500 million years ago.
4. Some jellyfish are bioluminescent, meaning they can produce their own light to startle predators.
5. The Australian box jellyfish is one of the most venomous creatures in the ocean.
6. Jellyfish can range in size from less than an inch to over six feet in diameter.
7. A group of jellyfish is called a “swarm” or a “bloom.”
8. Jellyfish use their tentacles to sting and capture prey.
9. Jellyfish move by contracting and relaxing their bell-shaped bodies.
10. Some jellyfish species can live forever through a process called transdifferentiation. When facing physical injury or starvation, they can leap back in their development process, transforming back into a polyp colony that eventually buds into a body genetically identical to the injured adult.
11. Jellyfish are found in every ocean, from the surface to the deep sea.
12. The lion’s mane jellyfish is the largest species, with tentacles that can reach over 120 feet long.
13. A jellyfish’s mouth is in the center of its body, and it uses the small opening to both eat and discard waste.
14. Jellyfish are mainly composed of a gelatinous substance called mesoglea.
15. Some jellyfish species have symbiotic relationships with algae, which live inside their tissues.

Sea Turtle Facts for Kids

1. Sea turtles have been around for over 110 million years.
2. Sea turtles can hold their breath for up to seven hours while resting underwater.
3. Sea turtles return to the same beach where they were born to lay their eggs.
4. There are seven species of sea turtles.
5. Sea turtles have flippers instead of legs, which make them strong swimmers.
6. The leatherback sea turtle can dive to depths of over 4,000 feet.
7. Sea turtles are omnivores and their diet includes jellyfish, seaweed, and small fish.
8. Sea turtles have a hard shell called a carapace that protects them from predators.
9. Female sea turtles lay their eggs in nests on sandy beaches.
10. The temperature of the sand determines whether sea turtle hatchlings will be born male or female.
11. The lifespan of a sea turtle ranges from 50 to 100 years.
12. Sea turtles use the Earth’s magnetic field to navigate long distances.
13. Hatchling sea turtles use the moonlight to find their way to the ocean.
14. Sea turtles play a crucial role in marine ecosystems by maintaining healthy seagrass beds and coral reefs.
15. Sea turtles face threats from habitat loss, pollution, and fishing activities.

Bee Facts for Kids

1. Bees are essential pollinators, helping plants produce fruits and vegetables.
2. There are over 20,000 species of bees worldwide.
3. Honeybees communicate with each other through a movement called the “waggle dance.”
4. A single honeybee can pollinate up to 5,000 flowers in one day.
5. The queen bee can lay up to 2,000 eggs in a single day.
6. Bees have five eyes: two large compound eyes (to see colors, movement, and patterns) and three smaller simple eyes (for detecting light).
7. Honey never spoils; it has been found in ancient Egyptian tombs still edible after 3,000 years.
8. Bees have a special stomach called the honey stomach for storing nectar.
9. Worker bees live for about six weeks, while the queen can live for several years.
10. Bees can see ultraviolet light, which helps them find nectar-rich flowers.
11. A hive can contain up to 60,000 bees.
12. Bees are the only insects that produce food eaten by humans.
13. The hexagonal shape of honeycomb cells is the most efficient structure for storing honey.
14. Bees can differentiate human faces and can recognize their beekeeper.
15. Honeybees are not native to the Americas; they were brought by European settlers during the 17th century.

Turkey Facts for Kids

1. Wild turkeys can fly at speeds of up to 55 miles per hour.
2. Turkeys have a unique call known as a gobble, which can be heard up to a mile away.
3. The bright red, fleshy growth on a turkey’s neck is called a caruncle.
4. Male turkeys are called toms, and females are called hens.
5. Turkeys can run at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour.
6. Turkeys have excellent eyesight and can see in color.
7. Wild turkeys roost in trees at night to stay safe from predators.
8. The turkey’s scientific name is Meleagris gallopavo.
9. Turkeys have a wingspan of up to six feet.
10. The color of a turkey’s head can change from red to blue to white, depending on whether it’s calm or excited.
11. Turkeys have around 5,000 to 6,000 feathers.
12. Turkeys can produce a variety of sounds, including clucks, purrs, and yelps.
13. Benjamin Franklin proposed the turkey as the national bird of the United States.
14. Turkeys have a field of vision of about 270 degrees.
15. Turkeys have a unique beard, which is a cluster of long, hair-like feathers on their chest.

Wolf Facts for Kids

1. Wolves are the largest members of the dog family.
2. Wolves live and hunt in packs, which include 4-9 members on average, but can sometimes reach up to 30.
3. Wolves communicate through howls, growls, barks, and body language.
4. A wolf’s howl can be heard up to 10 miles away in open terrain.
5. Wolves have powerful jaws and can exert a bite force of over 1,200 pounds per square inch.
6. Wolves can run at speeds of almost 40 miles per hour.
7. Wolves primarily prey on large animals such as deer, elk, and moose.
8. A male and female wolf typically serve as the pack’s alpha pair by overseeing their offspring. 
9. Wolves have a strong sense of smell and can detect prey from over a mile away.
10. Pups are born blind and deaf and are cared for by the entire pack.
11. Wolves have thick fur that keeps them warm in cold climates.
12. The gray wolf is the most common and widespread species of wolf.
13. Wolves can travel long distances, sometimes covering over 30 miles in a day.
14. Wolves are known for their loyalty and strong social bonds within the pack.
15. Wolves play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems by controlling the population of their prey.

Axolotl Facts for Kids

1. Axolotls are amphibians native to Mexico, often called “Mexican walking fish.”
2. Axolotls have the remarkable ability to regenerate lost body parts, including their brains, hearts, jaws, limbs, lungs, ovaries, spinal cords, skin, and tails.
3. Axolotls remain in their larval stage their entire lives, a condition known as neoteny.
4. Axolotls can grow up to 12 inches long.
5. Axolotls come in a variety of colors, including pink, brown, and white.
6. Axolotls have external gills that look like feathery branches on the sides of their heads.
7. Axolotls are carnivorous and primarily eat small fish, worms, and insects.
8. As they age, axolotls simply get bigger and bigger.
9. Axolotls are critically endangered in the wild due to habitat loss and pollution.
10. Axolotls are popular pets due to their unique appearance and regenerative abilities.
11. Axolotls can live up to 15 years in captivity.
12. Axolotls have tiny, lidless eyes and a wide mouth that appears to be smiling.
13. In addition to their gills, axolotls can also absorb oxygen through their skin.
14. Axolotls are used in scientific research to study regeneration and development.

Bear Facts for Kids

1. There are eight species of bears, including the polar bear, grizzly bear, and panda bear.
2. Bears are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals.
3. Grizzly bears have a biting force of over 1,200 PSI, which is enough to crush a bowling ball or an iron skillet.
4. Bears have the best sense of smell than any animal on earth, even better than dogs.
5. Bears can run at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour.
6. Bears have non-retractable claws that they use for digging, climbing, and catching prey.
7. Most bears hibernate during the winter months.
8. Bear cubs are born during hibernation and are very small, weighing less than one pound.
9. Bears can walk a short distance on their hind legs, which they do to get a better view or scent of what’s in front of them.
10. Grizzly bears can be identified by the hump on their shoulders, which are strong from digging and turning over rocks.
11. Sun bears are the smallest bear species, with adults weighing between 60-150 pounds.
12. Bears communicate through vocalizations, body language, and scent markings.
13. The sloth bear has a long, shaggy coat and feeds primarily on termites and ants.
14. Bears are highly intelligent and have been known to use tools like sticks as back scratchers. 
15. The Andean bear, also known as the spectacled bear, is the only bear native to South America.

Capybara Facts for Kids

1. Capybaras are the largest rodents in the world.
2. Capybaras are native to South America and live near bodies of water like lakes, rivers, and ponds.
3. Capybaras are excellent swimmers and can stay submerged for up to five minutes.
4. Capybaras have webbed feet to help them swim.
5. Capybaras are social animals and live in groups of 10-20.
6. Capybaras communicate using a variety of sounds, including whistles, barks, and purrs.
7. Capybaras are herbivores and primarily eat grasses and aquatic plants.
8. Capybaras’ teeth grow continuously, so they chew on plants to keep them from getting too long.
9. Capybaras have a special digestive system that allows them to digest high-fiber foods.
10. Capybaras are often seen with birds, such as the yellow-headed caracara, which feed on the insects in capybaras’ fur.
11. Capybaras can weigh up to 140 pounds.
12. Capybaras are most active during the early morning and late afternoon.
13. Capybaras have a lifespan of up to 10 years in the wild.
14. Capybaras can sleep in the water with only their noses above the surface.
15. Capybaras are closely related to guinea pigs—both belong to the cavy family, which includes 14 species of rodents.

Fish Facts for Kids

1. There are over 33,000 species of fish in the world.
2. Fish can be found in nearly every aquatic environment, from deep oceans to high mountain streams.
3. Scientists can determine a fish’s age by counting growth rings on its scales or its ear bones (called “otoliths”).
4. The smallest fish is the Paedocypris, which is less than half an inch long.
5. Fish have gills that allow them to extract oxygen from water.
6. Some fish, like the lungfish, can breathe air.
7. Fish can swim at various speeds; the sailfish is the fastest, reaching speeds of up to 68 miles per hour.
8. The coelacanth is a prehistoric fish that was thought to be extinct until it was discovered off the coast of South Africa in 1938.
9. Fish navigate using a lateral line system that helps them sense vibrations in the water.
10. Many fish species can change color to blend in with their surroundings.
11. Some fish, like the clownfish, have a symbiotic relationship with sea anemones. The anemone protects the clownfish from predators, while the clownfish provides the anemone with nutrient-filled algae. 
12. Fish use their fins to steer, stop, and stabilize themselves in the water.
13. The electric eel can produce an electric shock of up to 600 volts.
14. Some fish, like salmon, migrate long distances to spawn.
15. Fish communicate through a variety of sounds, including grunts, clicks, and whistles.

Gorilla Facts for Kids

1. Gorillas are the largest primates in the world.
2. Gorillas live in the forests of central Africa.
3. Gorillas are herbivores and primarily eat leaves, stems, and fruit.
4. A group of gorillas is called a “troop.”
5. The leader of the troop is called a silverback, which is an adult male with a silver patch of hair on his back.
6. Gorillas have unique fingerprints, much like humans.
7. Gorillas can live up to 35-40 years in the wild.
8. Gorillas communicate using a variety of sounds, facial expressions, and body postures.
9. Gorillas have a gestation period of about 8.5 months and usually give birth to one infant at a time.
10. Baby gorillas are called infants and are cared for by their mothers for several years.
11. Gorillas are highly intelligent and have been observed using tools like twigs for scooping up food.
12. Gorillas have strong social bonds and often groom each other to reinforce relationships.
13. Gorillas have opposable thumbs and big toes, which help them grasp objects.
14. Gorillas can walk on two legs for short distances but primarily move on all fours.
15. Gorillas play a crucial role in their ecosystem by dispersing seeds through their feces.

Jaguar Facts for Kids

1. Jaguars are the largest cats in the Americas.
2. Jaguars have the strongest bite force of any big cat, allowing them to crush bones.
3. Jaguars are excellent swimmers and often hunt in the water.
4. A jaguar’s spotted coat helps them blend into the forest environment.
5. Jaguars are solitary animals and leave scent markings to claim their territory.
6. Jaguars are crepuscular, meaning they can be active during the day or night, and hunt most often during dusk and dawn. 
7. Jaguars have a gestation period of about 100 days and usually give birth to 2-4 cubs.
8. Jaguars are apex predators and play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of their ecosystem.
9. There are around 173,000 jaguars left in the world, and most live in the Amazon rainforest and the Pantanal, the largest tropical wetland, located in Brazil. 
10. Jaguars communicate through vocalizations, scent markings, and visual signals.
11. Jaguars can live up to 12-15 years in the wild.
12. Jaguars are known to prey on a wide variety of animals, including deer, monkeys, and even caimans.
13. Jaguars have powerful legs and can leap up to 20 feet in a single bound.
14. Jaguars are primarily found in rainforests but can also live in savannas and grasslands.
15. A jaguar’s scientific name is Panthera onca.

Kangaroo Facts for Kids

1. Kangaroos are marsupials native to Australia.
2. Kangaroos have powerful hind legs that allow them to leap great distances.
3. Kangaroos use their tails for balance while hopping.
4. A group of kangaroos is called a mob, troop, or court.
5. Female kangaroos have a pouch where they carry their young, called joeys.
6. Joeys are born very small and continue to develop in the mother’s pouch.
7. A red kangaroo can travel at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour.
8. Kangaroos are herbivores and primarily eat grasses, leaves, and shrubs
9. Kangaroos can swivel their ears in all directions to pick up sounds.
10. The red kangaroo is the largest marsupial, with males reaching up to 6 feet tall.
11. Kangaroos can swim and are often seen crossing rivers and lakes.
12. Kangaroos can pause their pregnancy—known as “embryonic diapause”—if environmental conditions are not suitable for raising a joey.
13. Kangaroos communicate through a series of clicks, coughs, and foot thumps.
14. Depending on the species, a kangaroo’s fur coat can be red, gray or light to dark brown.
15. Kangaroos are known for their strong social bonds and often groom each other.

Reindeer Facts for Kids

1. Reindeer, also known as caribou in North America, are native to arctic and subarctic regions.
2. Both male and female reindeer grow antlers, which they shed and regrow each year.
3. Reindeer have a thick coat of fur and a layer of fat to keep them warm in cold climates.
4. Reindeer hooves are specially adapted to walk on snow and ice.
5. Reindeer migrate long distances, sometimes traveling over 3,000 miles in a year.
6. Reindeer can run at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour.
7. Reindeer have a keen sense of smell, which helps them find food under the snow.
8. Reindeer primarily eat lichens, mosses, and other vegetation.
9. Reindeer are social animals and live in large herds.
10. Reindeer noses are specially adapted to warm the air they breathe before it reaches their lungs. 
11. Reindeer calves are born with a thick coat of fur and can stand and walk within hours of birth.
12. Reindeer have a unique way of communicating through vocalizations and scent markings.
13. Reindeer play a crucial role in the cultures and economies of indigenous Arctic peoples. The animals are used as a food source, but no parts go to waste— reindeer hides and leather are also used for crafting.
14. The legend of Santa’s reindeer has made them a popular symbol during the Christmas holiday.
15. Reindeer are excellent swimmers and can cross rivers and lakes during migration.

Earth and Natural Phenomena Facts for Kids

Do you know how long ago dinosaurs roamed the earth? How about the number of stars that exist in the galaxy? Dig into facts about our planet, the solar system, and countries around the world. 

In This Section

Dinosaur Facts for Kids
Tornado Facts for Kids
Volcano Facts for Kids
Ocean Facts for Kids
Hurricane Facts for Kids
Rainforest Facts for Kids
Science Facts for Kids
Tsunami Facts for Kids
Grand Canyon Facts for Kids
Fun Facts About the United States for Kids
Fun Facts About Antarctica for Kids
Mexico Facts for Kids
Japan Facts for Kids
Argentina Facts for Kids

Dinosaur Facts for Kids

1. Dinosaurs lived on Earth between 240 and 230 million years ago.
2. The word “dinosaur” means “terrible lizard.”
3. Some dinosaurs were herbivores, while others were carnivores.
4. The Tyrannosaurus rex was one of the largest meat-eating dinosaurs.
5. The longest dinosaur was the Argentinosaurus, which could reach up to 130 feet in length.
6. Dinosaurs are believed to have gone extinct around 65 million years ago, at the end of the Cretaceous period.
7. The Stegosaurus had a small brain, but a large body.
8. Some dinosaurs, like the Velociraptor, had feathers.
9. The Triceratops had three horns and a large bony frill that helped shield its neck from predators.
10. Dinosaur fossils have been found on every continent, including Antarctica.
11. The Brachiosaurus had long necks that allowed them to eat leaves from tall trees.
12. The Ankylosaurs had a club-like tail used for defense.
13. Some dinosaurs, like the Microraptor, were capable of gliding.
14. The Diplodocus was one of the longest land animals to ever exist.
15. Dinosaurs reproduced by laying eggs.
16. The Parasaurolophus had a long crest on its head that it used to produce sounds and spot other members of its species.
17. The Spinosaurus is believed to be the longest carnivorous dinosaur.
18. Some paleontologists believe that birds are the modern descendants of dinosaurs.
19. The Velociraptor was actually much smaller than depicted in movies, about the size of a turkey or medium-sized dog.
20. The fossils of the first dinosaur ever discovered were found in 1819 by British fossil hunter William Buckland.

Tornado Facts for Kids

1. A tornado is a rapidly rotating column of air that touches the ground and extends from a thunderstorm.
2. Tornadoes can occur on every continent except Antarctica.
3. The United States experiences more tornadoes than any other country, primarily because it has a large central core with relatively flat terrain.
4. Tornadoes are most common in a region of the U.S. known as “Tornado Alley.”
5. The Enhanced Fujita Scale—or EF Scale—is used to rate the intensity of tornadoes.
6. The most violent tornadoes can have wind speeds of over 300 miles per hour.
7. A tornado watch from the National Weather Service means that conditions are favorable for tornadoes to form.
8. A tornado warning means that a tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar.
9. When tornadoes form over water, they are called waterspouts.
10. Most tornadoes don’t travel more than six miles before dying out.
11. Tornadoes can vary in size, with the average being 660 feet wide.
12. A tornado’s path can be less than a mile to over 100 miles long.
13. The sound of a tornado has been described as similar to a freight train.
14. Tornadoes can cause significant damage to buildings, trees, and vehicles.
15. The safest place to be during a tornado is in a basement or an interior room without windows.
16. Tornadoes are most likely to occur between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m.
17. The deadliest tornado in U.S. history occurred in 1925. Known as the Tri-State Tornado, it moved across southeast Missouri, southern Illinois, and southwest Indiana.
18. Tornadoes can lift heavy objects, including cars and even houses.
19. The central part of the U.S. is known for having “tornado season” in the spring and early summer.
20. Doppler radar is a crucial tool for meteorologists to detect and track tornadoes.

Volcano Facts for Kids

1. A volcano is a mountain that opens downward to a pool of molten rock below the Earth’s surface.
2. A volcanic eruption occurs when magma, volcanic ash, and gases escape.
3. There are over 1,500 potentially active volcanoes worldwide.
4. The most active volcano in the world is Kilauea on the Island of Hawaii.
5. The Ring of Fire is a region around the Pacific Ocean where more than 900 volcanoes are found.
6. Lava can reach temperatures of up to 2,200° F. 
7. The largest volcano on Earth is Mauna Loa in Hawaii.
8. A volcanic eruption can create new land, such as islands.
9. Volcanic ash can travel hundreds of miles and affect air travel.
10. There are different types of volcanoes, including shield, composite, and cinder cone volcanoes.
11. The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. buried the city of Pompeii, preserving it until the ruins were discovered in the 16th century.
12. Geysers and hot springs are often found near volcanic areas.
13. A caldera is a large crater formed by a volcanic explosion or collapse.
14. Volcanic eruptions can trigger tsunamis if they occur underwater.
15. Volcanoes exist on other planets! The largest volcano in our solar system is Olympus Mons, found on Mars.
16. Volcanic soil is rich with minerals and good for growing crops.
17. Volcanoes are classified as active, dormant, or extinct.
18. Volcanoes can erupt with explosive force or ooze lava more gently.
19. Volcanic lightning, called a “dirty thunderstorm,” can occur during an eruption due to the collision of ash particles.
20. Maleo birds bury their eggs in the sand or soil near volcanoes to keep them warm. 

Ocean Facts for Kids

1. Oceans cover about 71% of the Earth’s surface.
2. There are five major oceans: the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic.
3. The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest ocean.
4. The Mariana Trench, located in the Pacific Ocean, is the deepest part of the world’s oceans, with charted depths exceeding 6.5 miles.
5. Ocean currents function like a conveyor belt, transporting warm water and precipitation from the equator toward the poles, and cold water from the poles back to the tropics, which helps regulate the Earth’s climate. 
6. More than 80% of the ocean is unexplored and unmapped.
7. Oceans are home to a diverse range of marine life, from tiny plankton to giant whales.
8. With such a variety of living species, coral reefs are known as the “rainforests of the sea” due to their biodiversity.
9. The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is the largest coral reef system in the world.
10. Scientists estimate that oceans produce half of the world’s oxygen through the process of photosynthesis. Phytoplankton use sunlight and nutrients—such as phosphate, nitrate and calcium—to create energy, take in carbon dioxide, and release oxygen.
11. The Gulf Stream is a powerful ocean current that influences the climate of the eastern United States and western Europe.
12. Ocean tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun.
13. The salinity of ocean water is about 35 parts per thousand. Put another way, about 3.5% of the weight of seawater comes from the dissolved salts.
14. The Sargasso Sea, located within the Atlantic Ocean, is known for its floating golden seaweed called Sargassum.
15. The ocean floor features underwater mountains, valleys, and plains.
16. Hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor release hot, mineral-rich water that supports unique ecosystems.
17. The Antarctic Circumpolar Current is the world’s largest ocean current.
18. The Indian Ocean is the warmest ocean on the planet.
19. Oceans are a major source of food, providing fish, shellfish, and other marine products.
20. Plastic pollution is a significant threat to ocean ecosystems.

Hurricane Facts for Kids

1. A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone with strong winds and heavy rain.
2. Hurricanes form over warm ocean waters near the equator.
3. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1st to November 30th.
4. Hurricanes are called typhoons in the western Pacific Ocean and cyclones in the Indian Ocean.
5. The center of a hurricane is called the eye, which is usually calm.
6. Surrounding a hurricane’s eye is the eye wall, where the heaviest rain occurs.
7. Hurricanes are categorized from 1 to 5 in intensity on the Saffir-Simpson scale based on wind speed.
8. The most intense hurricanes are classified as Category 5, with wind speeds exceeding 157 miles per hour.
9. Hurricanes can cause storm surges, which are large waves that flood coastal areas.
10. The word “hurricane” comes from the Taino Native American word “Huracan,” meaning “evil spirit of the wind.”
11. Hurricane hunters are pilots that fly into hurricanes to gather data.
12. The deadliest hurricane in U.S. history was the Galveston Hurricane on September 8, 1900.
13. Hurricanes can produce tornadoes and heavy rainfall that lead to flooding.
14. The warm waters of the Gulf Stream can fuel and intensify hurricanes.
15. Satellites and radar are used to track and predict hurricanes.
16. Hurricane names are rotated every six years, and names of particularly destructive hurricanes are retired.
17. Hurricanes can travel up to 600 miles across and reach heights of 9 miles into the atmosphere.
18. Evacuation plans and emergency kits are essential for hurricane preparedness.
19. The fastest wind speed ever recorded in a hurricane was 215 miles per hour during Hurricane Patricia in 2015.
20. After landfall, hurricanes can weaken rapidly but still cause significant damage.

Rainforest Facts for Kids

1. Rainforests are home to more than half of the world’s plant and animal species.
2. The Amazon Rainforest is the largest rainforest in the world.
3. Rainforests are home to 20% of the world’s birds.
4. There are two types of rainforests: tropical and temperate.Tropical rainforests are located near the equator, while temperate rainforests are found in coastal regions.
5. Rainforests receive between 80 to 400 inches of rain each year.
6. The canopy layer of a rainforest is home to many birds, insects, and mammals.
7. Rainforests help regulate the world’s climate by absorbing carbon dioxide.
8. The understory layer of a rainforest—made up of young trees, short species of trees, shrubs, and soft-stemmed plants—receives very little sunlight.
9. Many of the foods we eat, such as bananas, coffee, and chocolate, come from rainforests.
10. Because they’re so densely packed with vegetation, it can take ten minutes for a falling raindrop to travel from a rainforest’s thick canopy to the floor.
11. The rainforest floor is covered with a thick layer of decaying plant material.
12. Deforestation is a major threat to rainforests and their inhabitants.
13. Indigenous people have lived in rainforests for more than 11,000 years.
14. The Amazon River flows through the Amazon Rainforest and is the second longest river in the world.
15. Rainforest plants have developed unique adaptations to survive in their environment.
16. Epiphytes—including orchids, mosses, and ferns—are plants that grow on other plants in rainforests.
17. Rainforests are located in regions like South America, Africa, Southeast Asia, and Australia.
18. The biodiversity in rainforests includes species that are not found anywhere else on Earth.
19. Conservation efforts are essential to protect rainforests and their ecosystems.

Science Facts for Kids

1. Water is the only substance that exists naturally on Earth in all three states: solid, liquid, and gas.
2. The adult human body is made up of about 60% water.
3. Light travels at a speed of approximately 186,282 miles per second.
4. There are 118 elements in the periodic table, which was created by Dmitri Mendeleev in 1869.
5. Scientists estimate the Earth is around 4.5 billion years old.
6. A year on Mercury is just 88 Earth days long.
7. The Earth orbits the Sun at a speed of about 67,000 miles per hour, or 18.5 miles per second.
8. DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, carries the genetic information for all living organisms.
9. The Milky Way galaxy is home to over 200 billion stars.
10. The smallest bone in the human body is the stapes, located in the ear.
11. The Sun is a medium-sized star and will eventually become a red giant.
12. Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert sunlight into energy.
13. The Earth’s core is as hot as the surface of the Sun.
14. Sound travels four times faster in water than in air.
15. The first law of motion, formulated by Isaac Newton, states that an object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by an external force.
16. Oceans contain about 97% of the Earth’s water.
17. The largest planet in our solar system is Jupiter.
18. A black hole is a region of space where gravity is so strong that not even light can escape.
19. The human brain contains approximately 86 billion neurons.
20. These animals have all been in outer space: chimpanzees, monkeys, dogs, mice, and a guinea pig.

Tsunami Facts for Kids

1. A tsunami is a series of ocean waves caused by underwater earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides.
2. The word “tsunami” comes from the Japanese words “tsu” (harbor) and “nami” (wave).
3. Tsunamis can travel across entire ocean basins at speeds of up to 500 miles per hour.
4. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami was one of the deadliest natural disasters in history.
5. Tsunami waves can reach heights of over 100 feet.
6. The first sign of a tsunami is often a rapid and unusual retreat of water from the shoreline.
7. Tsunamis can cause extensive damage along coastlines.
8. Early warning systems like sirens are in place to detect and alert people of impending tsunamis.
9. Tsunamis are more common in the Pacific Ocean due to the presence of tectonic plate boundaries.
10. The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan caused the meltdown of three nuclear reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.
11. A one-mile high tsunami wave can travel up to 10 miles inland.
12. Tsunamis can cause underwater landslides and disrupt marine ecosystems.
13. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center monitors seismic activity and issues warnings for the Pacific region.
14. Tsunamis can also be caused by meteor impacts.
15. Tsunamis retain their energy, meaning they can travel across entire oceans with limited energy loss.
16. Tsunamis can generate strong and dangerous currents in coastal areas.
17. The amplitude of a tsunami increases as it approaches shallow water.
18. Scientists can estimate the time when a tsunami will arrive based on calculations using the depth of the water, distances from one place to another, and the time that the earthquake or other event occurred.
19. The oldest recorded tsunami occurred in 479 B.C.
20. Education and preparedness are key to reducing the impact of tsunamis on communities.

Grand Canyon Facts for Kids

1. The Grand Canyon is located in Arizona.
2. It is about 277 miles long and up to 18 miles wide.
3. The Grand Canyon is over a mile deep at its deepest point.
4. The Colorado River flows through the Grand Canyon.
5. The Grand Canyon is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
6. The Grand Canyon holds millions of years of geological history—its oldest rocks are 1.8 billion years old.
7. President Woodrow Wilson established The Grand Canyon as a national park in 1919.
8. The Havasupai people have lived in the Grand Canyon area for 800 years.
9. The Grand Canyon has a wide range of ecosystems, from desert to forest.
10. Visitors can take guided tours, hike, or even raft through the Grand Canyon.
11. The Grand Canyon was formed by erosion from the Colorado River over millions of years.
12. The South Rim is the most visited part of the Grand Canyon.
13. The Grand Canyon Skywalk is a glass bridge that extends over the edge of the canyon.
14. More than 1,500 plants, 355 birds, 89 mammals, 47 reptiles, 9 amphibians, and 17 fish species are found in the Grand Canyon.
15. The temperature at the bottom of the Grand Canyon can be significantly hotter than at the top.
16. The Grand Canyon’s unique rock formations are called “buttes” and “mesas.”
17. The Grand Canyon’s geological formations include the Vishnu Basement Rocks, some of the oldest exposed rocks on Earth.
18. The Grand Canyon is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
19. The Grand Canyon is a popular destination for photographers due to its stunning vistas.
20. The Colorado River continues to shape the Grand Canyon today.

Fun Facts About the United States for Kids

1. The highest peak in North America is Denali in Alaska, which stands at 20,310 feet tall.
2. The bald eagle, a symbol of strength and freedom, is the national bird of the United States.
3. George Washington, who served from 1789 to 1797, was the first president of the United States.
4. New York City’s Statue of Liberty, a gift from France in 1886, is a symbol of freedom and democracy.
5. Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872, was the first national park in the U.S. and is known for its geysers and hot springs.
6. Mount Rushmore features the faces of four U.S. presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt.
7. New York City, known for its skyline and vibrant culture, is the largest city in the United States.
8. There are 429 national park sites in the U.S., but only 63 have the “National Park” designation in their names. The others fall into several categories including National Battlefields, National Historic Sites, National Monuments, National Seashores, and National Recreation Areas.
9. The Missouri River, stretching over 2,341 miles, is the longest river in the United States.
10. Purchased from Russia in 1867, Alaska is the largest state in terms of land area and is known for its vast wilderness and natural beauty.
11. Celebrated on July 4th, Independence Day commemorates the U.S. independence from Britain in 1776.
12. Located in Los Angeles, California, Hollywood is the heart of the U.S. film industry.
13. Lakes Superior, Huron, Michigan, Erie, and Ontario span a total surface area of 94,600 square miles and are connected by rivers, making them the largest freshwater system in the world.
14. NASA, the U.S. space agency, was responsible for the Apollo missions that landed the first humans on the moon in 1969.
15. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Liberty Bell is an enduring symbol of American independence.
16. Silicon Valley, a region in California, is a global center for technology and innovation, home to many leading tech companies.
17. The Great Basin Desert, spanning parts of Nevada, Utah, and California, is the largest desert in the U.S.
18. The U.S. flag has 13 stripes representing the original colonies, and 50 stars for each state.

Fun Facts About Antarctica for Kids

1. Antarctica is the coldest, driest, and windiest continent on Earth.
2. It is home to the South Pole, the southernmost point on Earth.
3. About 98% of Antarctica is covered in ice.
4. There are no permanent human residents in Antarctica, only scientists and researchers.
5. The ice in Antarctica holds about 70% of the world’s fresh water.
6. Hidden under the ice sheet is Lake Vostok, a freshwater lake buried under two miles of frozen water. 
7. Antarctica is considered a desert due to its very low precipitation levels.
8. Antarctica is home to several species of seals and whales.
9. In the summer, Antarctica experiences 24 hours of daylight, known as the Midnight Sun.
10. The Antarctic ice sheet is the largest single mass of ice on Earth.
11. Antarctica is governed by an international treaty that was signed in 1959 by 12 nations.
12. There are mountains in Antarctica, including the Transantarctic Mountains.
13. Some parts of Antarctica have not seen rain or snow for over 2 million years.
14. The Southern Ocean surrounds Antarctica.
15. Antarctica was first sighted in 1820 by explorers.
16. Antarctica is home to unique ice formations called “blue ice.”
17. The temperature in Antarctica can drop as low as -128.6° F.
18. There are active volcanoes in Antarctica, including Mount Erebus.
19. The ice in Antarctica is up to 2.7 miles thick in some places.
20. If you stand at the South Pole, you are at the southernmost point on Earth. From here, no matter where you look, every direction is north.

Mexico Facts for Kids

1. Mexico is the 14th largest country in the world by land area.
2. The official name of Mexico is the United Mexican States.
3. Mexico City, the capital, is one of the oldest cities in North America, founded in 1325.
4. Mexico is known for its rich cultural heritage, including the ancient Maya and Aztec civilizations.
5. Spanish is the official language of Mexico.
6. Mexico has 31 states and one federal district.
7. Mexico is famous for its delicious cuisine, including tacos, enchiladas, and mole.
8. Mexico is home to the world’s largest pyramid, the Great Pyramid of Cholula.
9. The Day of the Dead, Día de los Muertos, is a famous Mexican holiday honoring deceased loved ones.
10. Mexico is the largest producer of silver in the world.
11. The country has a diverse landscape, including deserts, mountains, and tropical rainforests.
12. Mexico’s national sport is charrería, similar to rodeo.
13. The Chichen Itza Pyramid is one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
14. Mexico is the birthplace of chocolate, derived from the cacao plant.
15. The Mexican flag features an eagle eating a snake, based on an Aztec legend.
16. Mexico has nearly 7,000 miles of coastline.
17. The Mariachi music tradition, embracing both indigenous and foreign elements, originated in Mexico.
18. Mexico has a wide variety of wildlife, including jaguars, monkeys, and toucans.
19. Mexico is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region of active volcanoes and frequent seismic activity. 
20. Mexico’s Independence Day is celebrated on September 16th.

Japan Facts for Kids

1. Japan is an island nation in east Asia made up of four main islands: Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku. There are also more than 3,000 small adjacent islands and islets in the Nanpo chain, and more than 200 other smaller islands in the Ryukyu archipelago.
2. Tokyo is the capital city of Japan and one of the largest cities in the world.
3. Japan is known for its rich cultural heritage, including tea ceremonies and martial arts.
4. The Japanese flag is white with a red circle in the center, representing the sun.
5. Japan has a population of over 125 million people.
6. Japan experiences frequent earthquakes due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire.
7. Japan is famous for its cherry blossom season, which attracts tourists from around the world.
8. Sushi, a popular Japanese dish, is made with vinegared rice and various types of seafood.
9. Mount Fuji is the highest peak in Japan and an iconic symbol of the country.
10. Japan has a highly efficient and advanced public transportation system, including bullet trains called Shinkansen.
11. Traditional Japanese clothing includes kimonos and yukatas.
12. Japan has more than 3,000 hot springs, known as onsen.
13. Japan is a leader in technology and innovation, home to companies like Sony, Toyota, and Nintendo.
14. Japanese gardens are known for their beauty and tranquility, often featuring ponds, bridges, and stone lanterns.
15. Japan is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including ancient temples and historic villages.
16. The Japanese school year starts in April and ends in March, with two long holidays in the summer and winter.
17. Japan has a strong tradition of festivals, known as matsuri, which celebrate various aspects of Japanese culture and history.
18. The Japanese language has three writing systems: kanji, hiragana, and katakana.
19. Japan has a unique tradition of gift-giving, with specific customs for different occasions, including refusing a gift multiple times as an act of politeness before finally receiving it.
20. Japan is known for its anime and manga (entertainment such as animated television and comics), which have a large following both domestically and internationally.

Argentina Facts for Kids

1. Argentina is the second-largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil.
2. Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city in Argentina.
3. Argentina is known for its diverse landscapes, including the Andes mountains, Pampas plains, and Patagonian desert.
4. The official language of Argentina is Spanish.
5. Tango music and dance originated in Argentina.
6. Argentina is famous for its beef and barbecue, known as asado.
7. Argentina has a population of over 45 million people.
8. The Iguazu Falls, one of the largest waterfall systems in the world, is located on the border of Argentina and Brazil.
9. Argentina gained independence from Spain on July 9, 1816.
10. The Argentine flag consists of three horizontal stripes: light blue, white, and light blue, with a sun symbol in the center.
11. Football (known as soccer in the U.S.) is the most popular sport in Argentina, and the country has produced many famous players, including Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi.
12. Argentina is home to the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia.
13. The Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina is one of the few advancing glaciers in the world, which means as it grows in size, cracks and crevasses appear and result in chunks of ice breaking off the glacier.
14. Argentina’s national drink is yerba mate, a native herb that is steeped like tea.
15. Argentina has a strong literary tradition, with famous writers such as Jorge Luis Borges.
16. Argentina is a leading producer of wine, particularly Malbec.
17. The Andes mountain range forms the natural border between Argentina and Chile.
18. Argentina has diverse wildlife, including pumas, jaguars, and capybaras.
19. Argentina has a variety of climates, from subtropical in the north to subpolar in the south.
20. The national flower of Argentina is the kapok flower.

Australia Facts for Kids

1. Australia is the smallest continent and the sixth-largest country in the world by land area.
2. The capital city of Australia is Canberra, while Sydney is the largest city.
3. Australia is known for its unique wildlife, including kangaroos, koalas, and wombats.
4. The Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef system, is located off the coast of Queensland in Australia.
5. Indigenous Australians have lived in the country for over 65,000 years.
6. Australia is surrounded by the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
7. Australia is famous for its iconic landmarks, such as the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
8. The official language of Australia is English.
9. Australia is home to some of the world’s oldest rainforests, located in the Daintree region.
10. The Outback is a vast, remote area of Australia known for its rugged landscape and extreme temperatures.
11. Australia is a major producer of wool and is known for its sheep farming.
12. Australia is divided into six states and two territories.
13. Most of the rocks providing the foundation of Australian landforms were formed during Precambrian and Paleozoic time, some 4.6 billion to 252 million years ago.
14. The national gemstone of Australia is the opal.
15. Australia is one of the world’s largest producers of gold, iron ore, and zinc.
16. The national sport of Australia is cricket, and the country also has a strong rugby tradition.
17. Australia has more than 10,000 beaches.
18. Australia has around 650 national parks.
19. The Great Victoria Desert is the largest desert in Australia.
20. Australia has hosted the Olympic Summer Games twice: 1956 in Melbourne and 2000 in Sydney. It will host for a third time in 2032 in Brisbane.

Solar System and Planet Facts for Kids

For facts that are out of this world, keep reading to learn more about the sun, our planets, and the solar system.

In This Section

Solar System Facts for Kids
Space Facts for Kids
Planet Facts for Kids
Earth Facts for Kids
Mars Facts for Kids
Facts About the Sun for Kids
Moon Facts for Kids
Saturn Facts for Kids
Uranus Facts for Kids
Mercury Facts for Kids
Neptune Facts for Kids
Jupiter Facts for Kids
Venus Facts for Kids

Solar System Facts for Kids

1. The solar system is composed of the Sun, eight planets, their moons, and other celestial bodies like asteroids and comets.
2. On the International Space Station, a crew of seven people live and work while traveling at a speed of five miles per second, orbiting Earth about every 90 minutes.
3. Particles in the Sun’s upper atmosphere are so hot and energetic that they speed out into space as part of the solar wind.
4. The asteroid belt is located between Mars and Jupiter.
5. Space junk is any human-made object orbiting Earth that no longer serves a useful purpose, and scientists estimate there are roughly 500,000 pieces floating around today, including fragments from rockets and satellites.
6. The Oort Cloud is a distant region of the solar system that is thought to contain trillions of comets.
7. The solar system formed about 4.6 billion years ago.
8. Meteorites—aka space rocks—typically range between the size of a pebble and a fist.
9. Approximately 30 meteor showers occur each year that are visible to observers on Earth.
10. The solar system is located in the Milky Way galaxy.
11. Each planet orbits the Sun in an elliptical path.
12. The solar system is constantly moving through space, orbiting the center of the Milky Way galaxy.
13. A fireball is a meteor. It’s brighter than the planet Venus.
14. The solar wind is a stream of charged particles released from the Sun’s atmosphere.
15. The solar system’s planets have a wide variety of climates, surfaces, and atmospheres.
16. The heliosphere is the bubble-like region of space dominated by the solar wind.
17. The Voyager spacecraft has traveled beyond the solar system’s outer reaches.
18. The solar system is about 26,000 light-years from the center of the Milky Way galaxy.
19. Studying the solar system helps scientists understand the formation and evolution of planetary systems.

Space Facts for Kids

1. Space is a vast region that begins about 62 miles above Earth’s surface.
2. There are more stars in the universe than there are grains of sand on all the beaches on Earth.
3. When astronauts visit space, they can temporarily grow up to 3% taller because the lack of gravity allows their spines to stretch out.
4. There are eight planets in our solar system: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. 
5. A light-year is the distance light travels in one year, about 5.88 trillion miles.
6. Neptune and Uranus have such extreme weather that scientists believe it can rain diamonds.
7. The smallest planet in our solar system is Mercury.
8. The International Space Station (ISS) orbits Earth and is a space laboratory where astronauts live and work.
9. There’s no wind or water on the Moon to wash away astronauts’ footprints.
10. The Moon is Earth’s only natural satellite.
11. The surface of the Moon is covered with craters caused by meteorite impacts.
12. Asteroid belt objects are made of rock and stone. Some are solid objects, while others are orbiting “rubble piles”.
13. Saturn is famous for its stunning rings, made mostly of ice and rock.
14. A comet is a small, icy object that orbits the Sun and has a glowing tail.
15. The Hubble Space Telescope has provided some of the most detailed images of space.
16. The Kuiper Belt is a region beyond Neptune that contains many small icy bodies.
17. Astronauts experience weightlessness, or microgravity, while in space.
18. The speed of light is about 186,282 miles per second.
19. The Andromeda Galaxy is the closest spiral galaxy to the Milky Way.
20. Space exploration began with the launch of the Soviet satellite Sputnik 1 in 1957.

Planet Facts for Kids

1. The planets in order from the Sun are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
2. The four inner planets—Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars—are rocky and are called terrestrial planets.
3. The four outer planets—​​Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—are gas giants, composed mainly of hydrogen and helium.
4. All planets orbit the Sun in a counterclockwise direction.
5. In 1994, astronomers saw a comet, Shoemaker-Levy 9, breaking up under Jupiter’s gravity and slamming into the atmosphere.
6. Venus is the hottest planet in our solar system due to its thick atmosphere.
7. Mercury and Venus do not have moons, and scientists aren’t sure why.
8. The dwarf planet Pluto was reclassified from a planet in 2006.
9. Pluto was once considered the ninth planet in our solar system, but was classified as a dwarf planet in 2006. Pluto still has many asteroids and other space rocks in its flight path, and has not absorbed them over time like the larger planets have done.  
10. Pluto is orbited by five known moons, the largest of which is Charon.
11. There have been more missions to Mars than any other planet. 
12. It takes more than 4 hours for light to reach Neptune from the Sun. 
13. Saturn is famous for its rings, but scientists don’t know how old they are.
14. Except for the Earth (which is a Germanic word meaning “the ground”) the planets are named after gods from Roman and Greek mythology. 
15. Earth’s spin speed is slowing: every year it takes our planet a little longer to complete one full revolution on its axis.
16. You can’t walk on Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, or Neptune because they have no solid surface.
17. If you could fly a plane to dwarf planet Pluto, the trip would take more than 800 years!
18. Slow-moving Neptune, which was discovered in 1846, only finished its first full post-discovery orbit in 2011.
19. Uranus is the coldest planet in the solar system.
20. The study of planets is called planetary science.
21. Each planet has unique features and characteristics that make it different from the others.

Earth Facts for Kids

2. Earth is the third planet from the Sun in our solar system.
3. Earth isn’t perfectly round. The planet’s rotation causes it to bulge at the equator and flatten at the poles, but the variations in gravitational pull are too small to be seen in pictures, so Earth appears perfectly round to the human eye. 
4. Earth has a powerful magnetic field called the magnetosphere that protects it from solar winds.
5. The Earth’s atmosphere is composed of 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen.
6. Earth is the only planet known to support life.
7. Earth’s interior is not solid, but rather has a semi-solid or ‘squishy’ consistency owing to high temperatures and pressures. 
8. The highest point on Earth is Mount Everest, standing at 29,029 feet.
9. The lowest point on Earth is the Dead Sea, at about 1,410 feet below sea level.
10. The Earth rotates on its axis once every 24 hours, creating day and night.
11. Earth orbits the sun once every 365.25 days, which is why we have leap years.
12. The Earth’s core is made primarily of iron and nickel.
13. The Earth’s crust is divided into tectonic plates that move and cause earthquakes.
14. The moon is gradually drifting away from Earth at a rate of approximately 4 cm per year.
15. The Atacama Desert, located in South America, is widely considered to be the driest place on Earth.
16. The Earth’s tilt on its axis causes the seasons to change.
17. Despite being the second smallest continent in size (after Australia), Europe is home to more than 746 million people, making it the third largest continent on Earth in terms of population (after Asia and Africa).
18. The longest river in the world is the Nile, which runs through northeastern Africa.
19. The Earth’s atmosphere protects us from meteoroids, most of which burn up before hitting the ground.
20. California and Oregon house the tallest trees on Earth—the coastal redwoods and giant sequoias. 

Mars Facts for Kids

1. Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun and is often called the Red Planet.
2. The red color of Mars comes from iron oxide, or rust, on its surface.
3. The northern side of Mars is full of flat plains and the southern side has ridges and craters.
4. Mars has a thin atmosphere composed mostly of carbon dioxide.
5. Mars has two small moons, Phobos and Deimos.
6. The average temperature on Mars is about -80° F.
7. Mars has the longest canyon in the solar system, Valles Marineris.
8. Scientists believe that Mars once had liquid water on its surface.
9. Identical twin rovers like Curiosity and Perseverance are robots exploring the surface of Mars.
10. Mars has seasons similar to Earth due to its tilted axis.
11. Mars’ surface features include mountains, valleys, and dry riverbeds.
12. Mars is about half the size of Earth.
13. A day on Mars, called a sol, is slightly longer than an Earth day at 24.6 hours.
14. The thin atmosphere on Mars means that liquid water cannot exist on the surface for long.
15. Mars has been a target of more than 40 space missions since the 1960s.
16. Dust storms on Mars can cover the entire planet and last for weeks.
17. The northern and southern ice caps on Mars are made of water and carbon dioxide ice.
18. Mars’ gravity is about 38% that of Earth’s.
19. Mars has no magnetic field to protect it from solar radiation.
20. Future missions aim to search for signs of past life on Mars and prepare for human exploration.

Facts About the Sun for Kids

1. The Sun is a star at the center of our solar system.
2. The Sun is about 93 million miles from Earth.
3. The Sun is composed mostly of hydrogen and helium.
4. The temperature at the Sun’s core is about 27 million degrees Fahrenheit.
5. The Sun is about 4.6 billion years old.
6. It takes light from the Sun about 8 minutes to reach Earth.
7. The Sun’s surface temperature is around 10,000° F.
8. The Sun generates energy through nuclear fusion, a process that happens when two nuclei join to form a single nucleus.
9. The Sun’s diameter is about 109 times that of Earth’s.
10. The Sun is classified as a G-type yellow-dwarf main sequence star.
11. Solar flares and sunspots are signs of the Sun’s magnetic activity.
12. The Sun’s gravity holds the solar system together, keeping everything in its orbit.
13. The outer layer of the Sun is called the corona, visible during a solar eclipse.
14. Because it’s a star, the sun doesn’t have any moons.
15. The Sun’s energy drives Earth’s weather and climate.
16. Solar wind from the Sun can create auroras, or the Northern and Southern Lights.
17. The Sun rotates on its axis about once every 25 days at its equator, known as differential rotation.
18. The Sun’s light and heat are crucial for life on Earth.
19. The Sun is the biggest object in our solar system.
20. The study of the Sun is called heliophysics.

Moon Facts for Kids

1. The moon can experience earthquakes, called “moonquakes”, though they are usually weaker and last longer than the ones on Earth.
2. The Moon’s surface is covered with craters, formed by meteorite impacts.
3. The Moon is about 238,855 miles from Earth.
4. It takes the Moon about 27.3 days to orbit Earth.
5. The Moon has phases, including new moon, first quarter, full moon, and last quarter.
6. The far side of the Moon is not visible from Earth.
7. The Moon’s gravity affects Earth’s tides.
8. The first humans to walk on the Moon were astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin in 1969.
9. The Moon has no atmosphere, which means there is no weather.
10. The surface of the Moon is covered in a layer of dust called regolith.
11. The Moon is about 25% the size of Earth.
12. The Moon’s gravity is about 17% that of Earth’s.
13. Lunar eclipses occur when the sun casts Earth’s shadow onto the moon.
14. The Moon’s surface temperature can range from extremely hot to extremely cold.
15. The Moon was formed about 4.5 billion years ago.
16. The Moon has mountain ranges, valleys, and plains.
17. The largest crater on the Moon is the South Pole-Aitken Basin.
18. The Moon’s interior is believed to have a small, solid iron core.
19. The Moon doesn’t make its own light—“moonlight” is actually reflected sunlight.  
20. There are plans to return humans to the Moon in the near future through NASA’s Artemis program.

Saturn Facts for Kids

1. Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun in our solar system.
2. Saturn can’t support life as we know it, but some of Saturn’s moons have conditions that might.
3. Saturn is a gas giant, composed mainly of hydrogen and helium.
4. Saturn has at least 146 moons.
5. Saturn’s rings are divided into seven groups, named alphabetically in the order they were discovered.
6. Saturn’s diameter is about 9 times wider than Earth’s.
7. A day on Saturn is about 10.7 hours long.
8. Saturn takes about 29.5 Earth years to complete one orbit around the Sun.
9. Saturn’s atmosphere features strong winds and storms, including the Great White Spot.
10. Titan, Saturn’s largest moon, has a thick atmosphere and lakes of liquid methane and ethane.
11. Saturn’s density is so low that it would float in water if a large enough body of water existed.
12. Saturn’s radio signals are not powerful enough to be detected from Earth.
13. Saturn’s rings were first observed by Galileo Galilei in 1610.
14. The Cassini spacecraft arrived in orbit in 2004 and has provided detailed information about Saturn and its moons.
15. Enceladus, one of Saturn’s moons, has geysers that spew water ice into space.
16. Saturn’s name comes from the Roman god of agriculture.
17. Saturn’s hexagon-shaped storm at its north pole is a unique atmospheric phenomenon.
18. Saturn’s rings are thought to be remnants of comets, asteroids, or shattered moons.
19. Saturn has been visited by four spacecraft: Pioneer 11, Voyager 1, Voyager 2, and Cassini.
20. The temperature on Saturn can drop to -288° F.

Uranus Facts for Kids

1. Uranus is the seventh planet from the Sun in our solar system.
2. Uranus is a gas giant, composed mainly of hydrogen, helium, and methane.
3. Uranus is unique because it rotates on its side, with an axial tilt of almost 98°.
4. Uranus has 27 known moons, with Titania being the largest.
5. Uranus has a faint ring system, discovered in 1977.
6. Uranus’ blue-green color comes from methane in its atmosphere.
7. A day on Uranus is about 17 hours long.
8. Uranus takes about 84 Earth years to complete one orbit around the Sun.
9. Uranus’ atmosphere features strong winds that can blow faster than 500 miles per hour.
10. Uranus was discovered by astronomer William Herschel in 1781.
11. Uranus’ name comes from the Greek god of the sky.
12. Uranus has a magnetic field that is tilted and offset from its center.
13. The Voyager 2 spacecraft provided detailed information about Uranus during its flyby in 1986.
14. Uranus’ moons are sometimes referred to as the “literary moons,” named after characters from the works of William Shakespeare and Alexander Pope, such as Oberon and Ariel.
15. The temperature on Uranus can drop to -371° F.
16. Uranus’ rings are composed of chunks of ice that have been darkened by rocks.
17. Uranus’ equator is almost perpendicular to its orbit, resulting in extreme seasonal variations.
18. Uranus’ atmosphere is mostly hydrogen and helium, with traces of water, ammonia, and methane.
19. Uranus has been observed from Earth using telescopes and space-based observatories.
20. Uranus’ tilt may have been caused by a collision with an Earth-sized object.

Mercury Facts for Kids

1. Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun in our solar system.
2. Mercury is the smallest planet, with a diameter of about 3,032 miles.
3. A year on Mercury is just 88 Earth days long.
4. Mercury has no atmosphere, leading to extreme temperature variations.
5. The temperature on Mercury can reach up to 800° F during the day and drop to -290° F at night.
6. Mercury’s surface is covered with craters, similar to the Moon.
7. Mercury has a large iron core, making up about 75% of its radius.
8. Mercury rotates very slowly—one day-long spin lasts for 59 Earth days.
9. Mercury has a weak magnetic field, about 1% as strong as Earth’s.
10. Mercury has been visited by two spacecraft: Mariner 10 and Messenger.
11. Mercury’s surface features include cliffs, valleys, and plains.
12. The Caloris Basin on Mercury is one of the largest impact craters in the solar system.
13. Mercury has very little gravity, only about 38% of Earth’s gravity.
14. Mercury’s name comes from the Roman messenger god.
15. Mercury has no moons or rings.
16. Mercury’s orbit is highly elliptical, varying its distance from the Sun.
17. Ice has been detected in permanently shadowed craters at Mercury’s poles.
18. Mercury’s sky would appear black during the day due to the lack of atmosphere.
19. Mercury’s surface has many long, steep cliffs called scarps.
20. Mercury is the second-densest planet in the solar system, after Earth.

Neptune Facts for Kids

1. Neptune is the eighth planet from the Sun in our solar system.
2. Neptune is composed mainly of hydrogen and helium, with a small amount of methane.
3. Neptune has a deep blue color due to methane in its atmosphere.
4. Neptune has 14 known moons, with Triton being the largest.
5. A day on Neptune is about 16 hours long.
6. Neptune takes about 165 Earth years to complete one orbit around the Sun.
7. Neptune’s atmosphere features the Great Dark Spot, a huge spinning storm.
8. Neptune’s rings are faint and made up of dust particles and ice.
9. Neptune’s magnetic field is tilted and offset from its center.
10. Neptune was discovered in 1846 by Johann Galle and Urbain Le Verrier using the Fraunhofer Telescope at the Berlin Observatory.
11. Neptune’s name comes from the Roman god of the sea.
12. Neptune’s moon, Triton, has geysers that spew nitrogen gas.
13. The Voyager 2 spacecraft provided detailed information about Neptune during its flyby in 1989.
14. The temperature on Neptune can drop to -373° F.
15. Neptune has a storm system called the Scooter that moves around the planet rapidly.
16. Neptune’s interior is composed of rock, water, ammonia, and methane.
17. Neptune’s rings are named after astronomers who contributed to the study of the planet, including Galle, Le Verrier, Lassell, Arago, and Adams.
18. The temperatures, pressures, and materials that characterize Neptune are likely too extreme and volatile for organisms to adapt to. 
19. Scientists think there might be an ocean of hot water under Neptune’s cold clouds, but it doesn’t boil away because incredibly high pressure keeps it locked inside.
20. Neptune’s extreme winds can reach speeds of up to 1,200 miles per hour.

Jupiter Facts for Kids

1. Jupiter’s dark orange stripes are called belts, while the lighter bands are called zones, and they flow east and west respectively.
2. Jupiter is composed mainly of hydrogen and helium.
3. Jupiter has at least 75 moons, with Ganymede being the largest.
4. Jupiter’s Great Red Spot is a gigantic storm that’s about twice the size of Earth and has raged for more than a century.
5. A day on Jupiter is about 10 hours long.
6. Jupiter takes about 12 Earth years to complete one orbit around the Sun.
7. Jupiter has a strong magnetic field, 20,000 times stronger than Earth’s.
8. Jupiter’s atmosphere features bands of clouds and storms.
9. Jupiter’s four largest moons are called the Galilean moons: Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto.
10. Jupiter’s rings are made of dust particles.
11. Jupiter emits almost twice as much heat than it receives from the Sun.
12. The Galileo spacecraft provided detailed information about Jupiter and its moons from 1989 to 2003.
13. Jupiter’s gravity is about 2.5 times that of Earth’s.
14. Jupiter’s name comes from the king of the Roman gods.
15. Jupiter’s moon Europa is believed to have a subsurface ocean.
16. Jupiter’s rapid rotation causes it to have a flattened shape at its poles.
17. NASA’s Pioneer 10 and 11, and Voyager 1 and 2 were the first spacecraft to fly by Jupiter in the 1970s.
18. Jupiter’s interior is thought to consist of a core of rock and metal surrounded by a layer of metallic hydrogen.
19. Jupiter’s rocky moon Io is the most volcanically active body in the solar system.
20. Jupiter’s strong magnetic field creates intense radiation belts.

Venus Facts for Kids

1. Venus is the second planet from the Sun in our solar system.
2. Venus is similar in size and structure to Earth but has a thick, toxic atmosphere.
3. Venus is the hottest planet in the solar system, with surface temperatures around 900° F.
4. Venus’ atmosphere is composed mainly of carbon dioxide and sulfuric acid clouds.
5. Venus has a day longer than its year; it takes about 243 Earth days to rotate once and 225 Earth days to orbit the Sun.
6. The surface of Venus is covered with volcanoes, mountains, and vast plains.
7. Venus rotates in the opposite direction of most planets, known as retrograde rotation.
8. Venus’ thick atmosphere creates a strong greenhouse effect, making it hot enough to melt lead.
9. Venus is often called Earth’s “sister planet” due to its similar size and proximity.
10. Venus is named after the Roman goddess of love and beauty.
11. Venus is the brightest object in the sky after the Sun and Moon, often visible just before sunrise or after sunset.
12. The surface pressure on Venus is about 92 times that of Earth’s.
13. The Magellan spacecraft mapped the surface of Venus using a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR).
14. Venus has no moons or rings.
15. Venus’ surface features include vast lava plains and large impact craters.
16. Venus has a thick, hazy atmosphere that obscures its surface from view.
17. Due to its slight tilt, Venus does not have noticeable seasons.
18. Venus has the longest rotation period of any planet in the solar system, taking 117 Earth days.
19. The Soviet Union’s Venera missions were the first to land on Venus and send back data.
20. The surface of Venus indicates that the planet has undergone recent volcanic activity.

Historical Figures and Events Plus Holiday Facts for Kids

Calling all history buffs! Expand your knowledge of some of history’s most prominent figures, including Martin Luther King, Jr. and Benjamin Franklin. There’s also a list of spooky facts for fans of Halloween.

In This Section

George Washington Facts for Kids
Black History Facts for Kids
Rosa Parks Facts for Kids
Titanic Facts for Kids
Harriet Tubman Facts for Kids
Jackie Robinson Facts for Kids
Martin Luther King Jr. Facts for Kids
Benjamin Franklin Facts for Kids
Halloween Facts for Kids

George Washington Facts for Kids

1. George Washington was born on February 22, 1732, in Westmoreland County, Virginia.
2. George Washington is often called the “Father of His Country.”
3. George Washington had four brothers, two sisters, and four step-siblings.
4. Before becoming president, George Washington was a general and commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.
5. George Washington’s face appears on the U.S. one-dollar bill and the quarter.
6. George Washington did not have any biological children but adopted the two children of his wife, Martha Custis.
7. George Washington was unanimously elected president by the Electoral College.
8. George Washington established many protocols for the new government, including the inaugural address and the Cabinet system.
9. George Washington declined a third term to safeguard against the type of tyrannical power held by the British during the Colonial period.
10. George Washington died on December 14, 1799, at the age of 67.
11. George Washington’s estate in Virginia, Mount Vernon, is now a museum open to the public.
12. George Washington helped oversee the drafting of the U.S. Constitution in 1787.
13. George Washington was a surveyor by profession before his military and political career, documenting the territory along Virginia’s western frontier. 
14. George Washington led the American victory at the Battle of Yorktown, which ended the Revolutionary War.
15. Every year since 1896, the Senate has observed George Washington’s birthday by selecting one of its members, alternating parties, to read his 7,641-word Farewell Address in legislative session. 
16. George Washington is the only president who did not live in the White House, as it was not completed until after his presidency.
17. George Washington was known for his excellent leadership and integrity.
18. The capital of the United States, Washington, D.C., is named in George Washington’s honor.
19. George Washington was a founding member of the Society of the Cincinnati, an organization for Revolutionary War officers.
20. George Washington’s birthday is celebrated as a federal holiday, known as Presidents’ Day.

Black History Facts for Kids

1. Black History Month is celebrated every February in the United States.
2. February was chosen for Black History Month in recognition of the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. During the Civil War, Lincoln worked to abolish slavery and expand the rights of Black Americans. Douglass, a formerly enslaved man, became a leader who fought to end slavery during the abolitionist movement.
3. The first Black member of the U.S. Senate was Hiram Revels in 1870.
4. Harriet Tubman escaped from slavery and helped 70 slaves to freedom via the Underground Railroad.
5. Rebecca Lee Crumpler was the first Black woman in the United States to qualify as a doctor, and opened her own medical clinic in Boston to treat women and children who lived in poverty.
6. The 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment was one of the first Black units in the Civil War.
7. Barack Obama became the first Black president of the United States in 2009.
8. Baseball was a segregated sport until Jackie Robinson joined the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1947.
9. The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement in the 1920s that celebrated African American art, music, and literature.
10. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
11. Martin Luther King, Jr. skipped two grades and entered college at the age of 15. He was admitted to Morehouse College in 1944 and graduated in 1948 with a degree in sociology at the age of 19. 
12. The Black Panther Party was founded in 1966 to challenge police brutality and advocate for Black rights.
13. Maya Angelou was a renowned poet, author, and civil rights activist.
14. Thurgood Marshall was the first Black Supreme Court Justice, appointed in 1967.
15. Philip Downing created a metal box with four legs, which he called the letter box, which was a predecessor to the mailbox.
16. George Washington Carver invented many uses for peanuts, sweet potatoes, pecans, and soybeans like rubber, adhesives, dyes, and pigments.
17. The Tuskegee Airmen were the first Black military aviators in the U.S. Armed Forces.
18. The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, declared all enslaved people in Confederate states to be free.
19. Juneteenth was first celebrated in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865, when enslaved Americans first heard the news that slavery had ended. Because Texas is located so far away from the rest of the South, it took two years for news of the Emancipation Proclamation (which was signed in 1863) to reach the state, prompting celebrations filled with food and togetherness.
20. Though they were forbidden from signing up officially, a large number of Black women served as scouts, nurses, and spies in the Civil War.
21. The National Museum of African American History and Culture opened in Washington, D.C., in 2016.

Rosa Parks Facts for Kids

1. Rosa Parks was born on February 4, 1913, in Tuskegee, Alabama.
2. On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white passenger on a segregated bus. Her arrest sparked a 381-day boycott of the Montgomery bus system. Her case moved slowly through the appeals court, but on 13th November, 1956, the Supreme Court ruled that bus segregation was unconstitutional.
3. Rosa Parks is often called the “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement”.
4. Rosa Parks was a seamstress by profession before becoming a civil rights activist.
5. Rosa Parks was an active member of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People).
6. Rosa Parks worked alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement.
7. In 1999, Rosa Parks was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, one of the highest civilian honors in the United States.
8. Rosa Parks wrote an autobiography titled “Rosa Parks: My Story” in 1992.
9. A commemorative statue of Rosa Parks stands in Washington, D.C.
10. Rosa Parks moved to Detroit, Michigan, in 1957, where she continued her work for civil rights.
11. Rosa Parks co-founded the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development to provide youth leadership programs.
12. Rosa Parks’ act of defiance in the Montgomery Bus Boycott became a symbol of the fight against racial segregation and injustice.
13. Rosa Parks passed away on October 24, 2005, at the age of 92.
14. Rosa Parks’ legacy is celebrated every year on Rosa Parks Day, which is observed on February 4th (her birthday) or December 1st (the day she refused to give up her seat on the bus) in various states.
15. Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her seat was not the first act of defiance on a Montgomery bus, but it became the most famous.
16. Rosa Parks was honored with a statue in the National Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol in 2013.

Titanic Facts for Kids

1. The Titanic was a British passenger liner that sank on its maiden voyage in 1912.
2. The Titanic was considered unsinkable due to its advanced safety features.
3. The Titanic struck an iceberg on the night of April 14, 1912 and the ship sank in the early hours of April 15, 1912.
4. Over 1,500 passengers and crew lost their lives in the Titanic disaster.
5. The Titanic was one of the largest and most luxurious ships of its time.
6. The Titanic was built by the shipbuilding company Harland and Wolff in Belfast, Ireland.
7. The Titanic could carry over 2,200 passengers and crew.
8. There were only enough lifeboats for about half the people on board the Titanic.
9. The Titanic’s radio operators sent distress signals, which were picked up by nearby ships, and the RMS Carpathia arrived to rescue survivors about two hours after the Titanic sank.
10. The wreckage of the Titanic was discovered in 1985 by Dr. Robert Ballard.
11. The Titanic’s remains are located about 12,500 feet below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean.
12. Many artifacts from the Titanic have been recovered and are displayed in museums.
13. The Titanic’s passengers included some of the wealthiest people in the world at the time.
14. The Titanic disaster led to changes in maritime laws, including improved lifeboat requirements and better communication protocols.
15. The story of the Titanic has been depicted in numerous books, movies, and documentaries.
16. The Titanic’s captain was Edward John Smith, who went down with the ship.
17. The Titanic had a gymnasium, swimming pool, libraries, and fine dining restaurants.
18. The Titanic’s band continued to play music as the ship sank, providing comfort to passengers.

Harriet Tubman Facts for Kids

1. Harriet Tubman was born an enslaved person in Dorchester County, Maryland, in 1822.
2. Harriet Tubman’s name was originally Araminta Ross, but she later changed her first name to Harriet, which was her mother’s name.
3. In the fall of 1849, Harriet Tubman escaped from slavery alone, and found freedom in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
4. Harriet Tubman was nicknamed “Moses” for leading enslaved people to freedom at great risk to her own life.
5. Harriet Tubman made 19 trips back to the South to rescue enslaved people.
6. Harriet Tubman used a network of secret routes and safe houses known as the Underground Railroad.
7. On June 2, 1863, under the command of Union Colonel James Montgomery, Harriet Tubman became the first woman to lead a major military operation in the United States when she and 150 African American Union soldiers rescued more than 700 enslaved people in the Combahee Ferry Raid during the Civil War.
8. Harriet Tubman guided the Combahee River Raid, which freed over 700 enslaved people.
9. After the Civil War, Harriet Tubman worked to fight for women’s suffrage and civil rights.
10. Harriet Tubman established the Harriet Tubman Home for the Aged in Auburn, New York.
11. Harriet Tubman suffered from seizures and headaches due to a head injury she received as a child.
12. Harriet Tubman was illiterate but incredibly resourceful and courageous.
13. Harriet Tubman was awarded a military pension for her service in the Union Army.
14. After the Civil War, Harriet Tubman settled in Auburn, New York with her parents. 
15. Harriet Tubman passed away on March 10, 1913 around the age of 93.
16. The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park is located in Maryland.
17. Harriet Tubman’s face is set to appear on the $20 bill beginning in 2030.
18. Harriet Tubman used coded songs to communicate escape plans.

Jackie Robinson Facts for Kids

1. Jackie Robinson was born on January 31, 1919 in Cairo, Georgia.
2. Jackie Robinson attended UCLA, where he became the first athlete to earn varsity letters in four sports.
3. From 1942 to 1944, Jackie Robinson served in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged, allegedly due to two ankle injuries he sustained playing football in 1937, and again in 1941.
4. After leaving the army, Jackie Robinson played baseball for the Kansas City Monarchs.
5. Jackie Robinson was the first Black American to play Major League Baseball in the modern era.
6. Jackie Robinson was named Rookie of the Year in 1947.
7. Jackie Robinson played for the Dodgers from 1947 to 1956.
8. Jackie Robinson was a six-time All-Star and won the National League MVP award in 1949.
9. Jackie Robinson helped lead the Dodgers to six National League pennants and one World Series title in 1955.
10. Jackie Robinson played multiple positions, including first base, second base, and outfield.
11. Jackie Robinson faced significant racism and discrimination in his baseball career, but remained resilient and dignified.
12. Jackie Robinson’s jersey number, 42, was retired across all Major League Baseball teams.
13. Jackie Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.
14. After retiring from baseball, Jackie Robinson became a civil rights advocate and businessman.
15. Jackie Robinson Day is celebrated annually on April 15th in Major League Baseball.
16. Jackie Robinson wrote an autobiography titled “I Never Had It Made”.
17. Jackie Robinson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously in 1984.
18. The Jackie Robinson Foundation provides scholarships and leadership training to minority students.

Martin Luther King Jr. Facts for Kids

1. Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia.
2. Martin Luther King Jr. was a leader of the Civil Rights Movement and is best known for his nonviolent approach to fighting racial injustice.
3. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington in 1963.
4. Martin Luther King Jr. was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.
5. Martin Luther King Jr. helped organize the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955.
6. After graduating from Crozer Theological Seminary in 1951, Martin Luther King Jr. pursued a doctorate in systematic theology at Boston University.
7. Martin Luther King Jr.’s leadership led to significant changes in civil rights laws, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
8. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the founders of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) to coordinate civil rights activities.
9. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday in the United States, celebrated on the third Monday in January.
10. Martin Luther King Jr. was an advocate for economic justice and organized the Poor People’s Campaign.
11. Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested multiple times for his activism and faced threats to his life.
12. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee.
13. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” is a key document in civil rights literature.
14. The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial is located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
15. Martin Luther King Jr. led the Selma to Montgomery marches to demand voting rights for Black Americans.
16. Martin Luther King Jr.’s philosophy of nonviolence was influenced by Mahatma Gandhi.
17. Martin Luther King Jr. received the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously in 1977.
18. Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream Speech” was partially improvised and this iconic phrase was left out of the original draft.

Benjamin Franklin Facts for Kids

1. Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17, 1706 in Boston, Massachusetts.
2. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.
3. Benjamin Franklin was a scientist, inventor, diplomat, and author.
4. Benjamin Franklin is best known for his experiments with electricity, including demonstrating the connection between lightning and electricity using a kite.
5. Benjamin Franklin invented the lightning rod, bifocal glasses, and the Franklin stove.
6. Benjamin Franklin founded the first public library in America, the Library Company of Philadelphia.
7. Benjamin Franklin was the youngest son and the 15th of 17 children.
8. Benjamin Franklin served as the first U.S. Postmaster General.
9. Benjamin Franklin was an ambassador to France and played a crucial role in securing French support during the American Revolution.
10. Benjamin Franklin established the University of Pennsylvania in 1740.
11. Benjamin Franklin published the popular “Poor Richard’s Almanack” under the pseudonym Richard Saunders.
12. Benjamin Franklin was a member of the Committee of Five that drafted the Declaration of Independence.
13. Benjamin Franklin helped negotiate the Treaty of Paris, which ended the American Revolutionary War.
14. Benjamin Franklin was a strong advocate for colonial unity and independence.
15. Benjamin Franklin was a prolific writer and his autobiography is considered a classic of American literature.
16. Benjamin Franklin was a founder of the American Philosophical Society, the first scholarly society in America.
17. Benjamin Franklin’s face appears on the U.S. $100 bill.
18. Benjamin Franklin was known for his witty sayings and proverbs, such as “A penny saved is a penny earned,” published in his almanac. 
19. Benjamin Franklin died on April 17, 1790 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the age of 84.

Halloween Facts for Kids

1. Halloween is celebrated on October 31st every year.
2. Halloween has its origins in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts.
3. The tradition of carving pumpkins into jack-o’-lanterns comes from an Irish myth about “Stingy Jack,” believed to be an evil spirit. Irish children would put a piece of glowing coal in a carved potato, turnip, or beet to commemorate this trickster.
4. The name “Halloween” comes from “All Hallows’ Eve,” the night before All Saints’ Day.
5. Trick-or-treating became popular in the United States in the early 20th century.
6. The largest pumpkin ever grown weighed over 2,700 pounds.
7. Orange is a traditional Halloween color to represent the warmth and abundance of the harvest season.
8. The most popular Halloween costumes include witches, ghosts, and superheroes.
9. Haunted houses are a popular Halloween attraction, with many people visiting them for a scare.
10. The tradition of bobbing for apples dates back to Roman times.
11. Halloween is the second-largest commercial holiday in the United States, after Christmas.
12. The word “witch” comes from the Old English word “wicce,” meaning “female magician.”
13. Candy corn was originally called “chicken feed” and was created in the 1880s.
14. Halloween parties often include games like pin the hat on the witch and mummy wrapping.
15. The movie “Halloween,” released in 1978, is one of the most famous horror films of all time.
16. In Ireland and Scotland, children carve turnips instead of pumpkins for Halloween.
17. In 2023, consumers in the United States spent about $3.6 billion on candy.

More Fun for Kids, Including 8 Activities, School Snacks, and Meal Prep Ideas

Go beyond fun facts with even more creative ideas to keep kids entertained. We also rounded up our best healthy snack ideas since staying well-fed is a priority whether you’re planning a summer adventure, prepping for school, or lounging around on the weekend. 

1. For snow days home from school or rainy days when it’s too wet to wander outside, try an indoor scavenger hunt or make a batch of DIY Play-Dough. 
2. When kids are out of school for the summer, pack a family-friendly picnic or try a new learning app.
3. If you have five minutes, make this quick and easy treat to enjoy after lunch. 
4. Prep your pantry with the best school snacks (according to kids), wholesome baby and toddler snacks, and parent-approved favorites.
5. Get everyone involved with dinner prep using kid-friendly 15 of our top recipes they’ll be excited to help make (and eat!). Baked fish sticks, chicken lettuce wraps, and falafel pitas are easy and delicious. 
6. Packing a healthy school lunch doesn’t have to be daunting—get our best tips for smooth mornings. 
7. Blogger Cheryl Malik shares her meal prep ideas and favorite snacks. 
8. Get ready for the school year with these back-to-school tips to ease the transition from summer to fall.