How to Teach Your Child About the Weather

This daily activity involves your child with recognizing the weather outside and teaches basic weather concepts. You'll use materials found at home or around the classroom to create these projects. Children love this hands-on activity while learning about weather. The pictures to the side show the weather chart I have created and use with my child. Use these ideas and images for your own chart.

Create a Weather Chart

Use a regular-sized piece of paper for the background. If you only have white computer paper, don't worry, it will work just fine. If you have decorated paper with theme borders, use it. You can also decorate your own paper with a weather related border theme. Use small suns, clouds, and snowflakes.

Creating the Sun

On another piece of paper draw a sun. You can use yellow construction paper or color a sun yellow on white paper. Don't worry if you lack artistic skills. Just keep it simple with a circle and triangles for the sun's rays. Add a smiley face inside the circle. Below the sun, write the word "Sunny."

Creating the Cloud

Draw a fluffy cloud on a piece of blue construction paper. If you're using white paper, color the cloud blue. Below the cloud, write the word "Cloudy." Add a smiley face for fun.

Creating the Rainy Cloud

Draw another fluffy cloud with rain drops below it. Write the word "Rainy" beneath the cloud. Add a smiley face.

Creating the Snowman

Next, draw a snowman on white paper. Again, simple is best. Draw three small circles for eyes, a long triangle for the nose, a smile, stick arms, and a square hat. Write "Snowy" beneath the snowman.

Tip for Non-Artists

To make your drawings look more professional, outline your drawings with a black marker. This trick always makes the drawing pop and really gets your child's attention. Sharpie markers are handy for projects like this, but regular black markers work fine, too. If you're serious about quality, use India ink pens and markers. India ink is very permanent, goes on smooth, and leaves a very professional touch to your drawings.

Cutting the Shapes

Cut out each picture with the word beneath it. Leave about a quarter of an inch of space around the edges. If you can laminate them, do so. If not, don't worry, they will still last for a while and if they get torn, they are easy to replace since you know how to make them.

Envelope for Holding the Shapes

Get any type of envelope and cut off the flap. Use this envelope to store your weather pictures when you're not using them. If you have a long envelope, cut it in half and make a pocket.

Display the Chart

Post your background of the weather chart on the wall. If you're teaching at home, put the chart at the eye-level of your child. If you're using this at school, staple this on the bulletin board. Next, tape the envelope near the chart. This will give your child easy access to the weather shapes.

Teaching the Weather

Explain to your child what you've made. Tell him or her that this is their own special weather chart. Review each of the weather pictures and describe the type of weather each picture represents. Attach tape to the center of the background page.

Ask your child to look outside and see what the weather is doing. Tell them to pick the picture that represents the weather for the day. Let them place the picture to the tape on the chart.

Remind your child each day to check the weather and change the weather chart. They will catch on fast and love their own weather chart. This fun activity encourages learning and excites them about their environment.