Learn why deserts are very hot during the day and cold at night in a simple and fun way, perfect for young children.
Imagine you are playing outside in a big sandbox that is very sunny. During the day, the sun shines very brightly, and it makes the sand and air in the desert get really hot. The sun’s light gives energy and warmth, so everything feels warm and sometimes even hot enough to burn your feet if you walk without shoes!
But at night, when the sun goes away, there is no more sunshine to keep things warm. The desert doesn’t have many trees or plants to hold onto the heat, so the warmth quickly goes away into the sky. Because of this, deserts become very cold when the sun sets and the night comes.
So, deserts get hot during the day because of the hot sunshine, and cold at night because there is nothing to keep the heat there. That’s why you have to wear sunscreen and a hat during the day, and maybe a jacket at night if you visit a desert!