Observe and learn about the different cloud types in the sky, and do a fun word search! We can think about different weather we’ve experienced, and then create a diagram showing the cloud types. Created By Lauren Theis, Director of Education
Level: Pre-K to Elementary
Duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour
Setting: Indoors, looking out window or in your backyard
Materials:
- Bubbles
- Nature Journal or Paper and Pencil
- Construction Paper
- Crayons
- 3 cotton balls per child
- Glue
Vocabulary
Cirrus: Wispy white cloud (usually of fine ice crystals) at a high altitude
Stratus: Low clouds that stretch over large portions of sky, creating overcast conditions
Cumulus: Large, white, puffy clouds that generally appear during fair weather, although they also form thunderheads on hot days. Some carry rain.
The Activity:
Cloud Observations
Lie on your back outside on a blanket or look out a window – look up at the clouds. Describe them:
- Are they puffy, layered, wispy? What color are they? Are they all the same kind?
- Are they moving? Which way are they going?
- If you’re outside, blow some bubbles to see which way the wind is going. Are the clouds moving in the same direction as the bubbles?
- From the key, what kind(s) of clouds are in the sky today?
Have children draw a picture or write a story about the most exciting weather they’ve ever experienced. Afterward, share their pictures and stories.
Create a Cloud Chart
- Explain that stratus and cumulus are low clouds while cirrus are high clouds.
- Give each child a sheet of blue construction paper and three cotton balls.
- Have each child draw a landscape, which could show mountains, a forest, a town, or whatever they choose. They can add things to the sky such as a flying bird near the ground, a jet plane near the top of the page, and a hot-air balloon in the middle – making sure to leave enough space for the clouds!
- Once they are done drawing, have children put three kinds of clouds in their pictures – cumulus, stratus and cirrus. Demonstrate how to form the cotton balls into the three types of clouds:
- Unroll one cotton ball to make a stratus cloud
- Use some fine strands of cotton for the cirrus clouds.
- Make a puffy heap with the others for the cumulus cloud.
- Glue the stratus and cumulus clouds near the ground and the cirrus clouds at the top of the page.
- Optionally, children may write the cloud names on their cloud charts.
Click here to open a printable Cloud Word Search!
Wrap Up:
How did you like this activity? Please share any questions, comments, or photos that you and your child have on the Raritan Headwaters Learning Community Facebook Page!
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