This is the first of a series of weather science related posts. We are going to start by finding out how to make a rain gauge. I did this a few weeks ago with my three children and they love going outside every day to see how much it has rained. It has definitely helped my 2 year old learn to recognise numbers as well.
How to make a rain gauge
You’ll need
An empty jar or plastic bottle ( remove labels )
Permanent marker
Tape
Scissors
Ruler
Instructions
There are two ways to make the rain gauge, either by using an empty jar or a plastic bottle.
Jar Rain Gauge
Place the ruler on the side of the jar and mark in cm up the side.
Plastic Bottle Rain Gauge
Cut the top off the bottle, and place upside down inside the main body. Get an adult to help as the edges might be sharp.
Place a ruler on the side of the bottle and mark in cm up the side.
Bury the bottle outside, it should be in an open area and away from any trees which might trap some of the rain. Leave the top sticking out. We didn’t bury ours very well, you might want to put yours further into the ground.
How to record the weather
The important part of recording the weather is that is needs to be done frequently. You should record the amount of rain in the bottle/jar each day and empty out the rain each time.
Can you design a table to record the results?
Free Rain Gauge Instructions Printable
More weather science experiments for kids
We’ve got lots more weather science activity ideas here, including making a pinwheel, a storm in a jar and lots more.
Safety Notice
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.
I made these with the boys a couple of years back and they loved them. We put the markings on a spoon as they could lift them out to check, which was easier for them
Neat! We did a bottle outdoors to see how much rain… it filled all the way up. Too much rain 🙂 I like this one better, I think we’ll add this in soon. Thanks for sharing.
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[…] We’re going to think about outside again. This is a good activity for a rainy day. Do you remember in Nursery when we thought about the rain and lots of rhymes with rain in them? Here is one of the rhymes we sang in Nursery- It’s Raining, It’s Pouring https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/school-radio/nursery-rhymes-its-raining-its-pouring/z6hq92p I wonder if you can remember it. I’d like you to sing the rhyme and maybe you could put on a little concert for your grown ups. You could even video call one of your family members and show them how good you’ve got at it. If you want to really impress them you could learn a few rhymes about the rain. Doctor Foster Went to Gloucester https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/school-radio/nursery-rhymes-doctor-foster-went-to-gloucester/zhkf6v4 I Hear Thunder https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/school-radio/nursery-rhymes-i-hear-thunder-andy-day/zvjrf4j We’re Marching in our Wellingtons https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/school-radio/nursery-rhymes-marching-in-our-wellingtons/z7mj47h If you would like an extra challenge, why not make a rain gauge to put outside so you can see how much it has rained? You can find out how to make one by clicking on the link here https://www.science-sparks.com/weather-make-a-rain-gauge/ […]
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I made these with the boys a couple of years back and they loved them. We put the markings on a spoon as they could lift them out to check, which was easier for them
That is a fantastic idea! Thank you. x
Oh, I want to make this!
Let us know how you get on!
My son would so want to do this! thank you for the idea and instructions!!
Neat! We did a bottle outdoors to see how much rain… it filled all the way up. Too much rain 🙂 I like this one better, I think we’ll add this in soon. Thanks for sharing.
Visiting from Science Sunday!
*One Day* I will make a WHOLE weather station with the kids…
Thank you for liking to Kids Get Crafty!
Maggy
I am trying to make a whole weather station 🙂
Always finding something interesting on your site- love it! Thank you so much for linking up to The Sunday Showcase.
I’m so glad you like it. x
Thanks for the idea. We are started nature study today and this will be a nice addition.
This is amazing, I really wanna make this.thanks for sharing this.