How Does Tides Explained-Spring and Neap Tides Work?

Tides are like waves on Earth that go up and down because of the moon and sometimes the sun pulling on our oceans.

Imagine you're playing with a bucket of water. If you pull it gently, the water moves a little, that's like a regular tide. But if you pull it really hard, or even two people pull at the same time, the water goes way up, that’s like a spring tide.

When the moon and sun both pull on Earth from the same side, their pulls join together. It's like when you and your friend both tug on the bucket at once, the water gets really high, and then really low. That’s a spring tide, named after the time of year when plants grow strong and fresh.

Sometimes the moon and sun pull from opposite sides, like you tugging one way while your friend tugs the other. Their pulls cancel each other out, so the water doesn’t go as high or as low, that’s a neap tide, which feels more calm and gentle.

So spring tides are big, neap tides are small, all because of who's pulling on the ocean!