10 Simple Weather Science Experiments & Crafts

Students learn best when a variety of senses are engaged during the learning process. So this week, I want to share with you some fun and simple weather science experiments and crafts that you can do with your students that are sure to leave a lasting impression.

Weather Science Experiments

1. Rain Cloud in a Jar- The only materials needed are some plastic jars, foam shaving cream, gel food coloring, pipettes, small cups, and water. See the experiment on the Fun Learning for Kids website.

2. Walking Water Rainbow Experiment- If you have the materials handy from the experiment above, you can use many of them for this one. You will need 6 jars, food coloring (red, yellow, and blue), paper towels, a spoon, and water. See step-by-step instructions from The Stem Laboratory.

3. Tornado in a Jar- Another use for those jars is with this experiment! When I did it years ago, I had collected glass baby food jars from families. This way every student could make one to take home. I guess this will depend on how you feel about students having a glass jar. Anyway, the materials needed for this one are one or more jars with lids, liquid dish soap, vinegar, and water. Get the experiment from PBS kids by clicking on the button below.

4. Tornado in Plastic Bottles- For this one, you’ll need 2 2-liter empty pop (or soda) bottles, a tornado tube, and water. Optionally, you can add in food coloring to the water. You’ll fill one of the bottles about 2/3 full with water and add the food coloring (if desired). Then, you’ll attach the filled bottle to the empty one with the tornado tube. Turn the bottle over and turn your hand with a stirring motion to create a vortex inside the bottle as it pours into the empty bottle. Students love to do this!

5. Track and Graph Temperature- You will need a thermometer and a graph. Place the thermometer outside the classroom window in a place where your students will be able to see it daily. If your classroom is upstairs in the building or doesn’t have a window, find an easily accessible place that your class will pass every day. Possibly a window on the way to the cafeteria or out to recess. Have your students check and record the temperature daily on a graph for at least one month. You can easily create a plot or bar graph through Google docs or Canva, or use this free one from Teachers Pay Teachers.

After the month is over, look for the patterns and trends that have emerged. The best months to do this would be when the seasons are changing in the location where you live. So, in the lowcountry, October or March would be great options!

Weather Crafts

1. Seasons Paper Plate- Materials for this craft include paper plates, pencils, and crayons/colored pencils. Students will divide a paper plate into fourths by drawing a line vertically and horizontally on the plate. Each section of the plate will be decorated and labeled a different season. Students can be assessed by checking to see if the seasons are written in the correct order and if their drawings match the typical weather of each season. Note: I would not use markers because they tend to rub off of the plates.

2. Pinwheels- Students can make their own pinwheel to see which direction the wind is coming from or how strong the wind is. Materials are cardstock, paper straws, pony beads, and paper fasteners. Check out how to make it from KC Parent. The cardstock can be decorated with markers first, before folding, if desired.

3. Windsock- A windsock is another wind craft where students can see which direction wind is coming from and how strong it is blowing. The materials for this project are cardstock or toilet paper rolls, markers, crepe paper, yarn, a hole puncher, and tape. Students will first decorate their cardstock, or toilet paper roll, with markers. Then, it will be folded into a tube shape and attached with tape. Students may attach pieces of crepe paper to one end with tape. The other end can be hole punched with 2 holes to tie a piece of yarn to. This is the hanger for the windsock. Then, go outside and let students explore!

4. Cotton Ball Clouds- The materials needed to make this craft are cotton balls, liquid glue, construction paper, and markers. Students will use the cotton balls to make models of the different types of clouds. The students will need to pull and stretch the cotton to make some of the kinds of clouds, such as cirrus clouds. Students will, then, put glue on the paper to stick the cotton down. Finally, the students will label the cloud types.

5. Suncatcher- Students can make a suncatcher to hang on the window. This could be as simple as cutting a shape out of clear contact paper, pulling the paper off and letting students stick tissue paper squares onto it until the sticky part is completely covered. Then, punch a hole in the top and attach a piece of yarn to hang it.

Conclusion

When students are actively doing, instead of just listening and watching, learning sticks better! That is why it is important to get students up and moving and experiencing science. While Generation Genius is great, nothing beats the look on a students’ face when they are doing and seeing science in real-life! I say this with first hand experience, as I have done all of these science experiments and crafts with my students at one time or another. These are the experiences your students will look back on and remember with fondness and, hopefully, remember the lesson you taught them, too.

This post follows last week’s post on The Best Weather Books for Your Classroom Based on SC Science Standards. Be sure to click and check it out!