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Home » Key Stage 2 Science » How to make a sundial

How to make a sundial

Modified: Mar 28, 2025 · Published: May 5, 2020 by Emma Vanstone · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Before we had clocks and watches people used sundials to mark the passing of time.

A sundial measures time by the position of the sun and usually has markings for each hour of sunlight. Sundials have something in the centre which casts a shadow over the markings showing what the time is. There are lots of ways to make a simple sundial, you can draw around your shadow from the same central point at different times throughout the day, use stones or even just a simple straw or stick like we did.

Image on a metal sundial
Sundial

On a real sundial the central part ( gnomon ) usually sticks up at an angle from the dial plate ( base of the sundial ). It’s the shadow of the gnomon that moves around.

What you need

A sunny spot

Pen or chalk

Straw or Stick

Plasticine

How to make a simple sundial

You’ll need a sunny spot that doesn’t get shady.

Sundial made with  a straw and plastcine

If you’re using chalk you can draw directly on the ground, otherwise pen and paper work well too.

We used plasticine to make the straw stay upright.

We started our recording at 12 noon and watched as the shadow of the straw changed over the afternoon, marking every hour. We were a bit late with one of our readings as you can see.

Simple sundial made with a straw and plasticine

Where was the first sundial?

The earliest known sundial was thought to have been made by Ancient Eqyptians around 1500bc.

More sundial ideas

We love this shell version from KCEdventures.

This beach version is brilliant too, all you need a stick and a sunny beach.

sundial on a beach
Conceptual sundial on the beach sand, as background

You might also like my collection of summer science experiments for a hot day.

Homemade sundial made from a straw and plasticine. Fun summer science activity for kids #summerscience #scienceforkids #scienceexperiments

Last Updated on March 28, 2025 by Emma Vanstone

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Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

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