What Causes the ‘Tides’ and Why Do They Change Daily?

The tides are like the ocean breathing in and out because of the pull from the moon and sun.

Imagine you’re holding a balloon filled with water. If someone pulls on it gently, the water stretches out, that's what happens to our oceans when the moon is nearby. The side of Earth facing the moon gets pulled toward it, making the water rise, creating a high tide. On the opposite side of Earth, the water also rises because Earth itself is being pulled away from that side, like when you pull a blanket off one end, the other end bunches up. That's another high tide!

As Earth spins, different parts face the moon at different times. When your part of the ocean faces the moon, you get a high tide. Later in the day, when it’s on the opposite side of Earth, you might be near that other high tide, and the water between them goes down, making a low tide.

Sometimes the sun joins in, giving tides an extra push, like two friends pulling together! That makes bigger tides called spring tides.