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clouds

How To Make A Cloud Spotter Craft & Bark Rubbing Craft Printables

May 7, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a cool cloud spotter craft and bark rubbing free printable craft.

When doing nature studies, two of our favorite ground activities are cloud spotting and observing tree bark.

Besides cloud drifting by can be a fun activity for children of any age. Cloud watching makes us pause to enjoy the quite details of nature.

How To Make A Cloud Spotter Craft & Bark Rubbing Craft Printables

And no two clouds are ever the same. So, this fun cloud spotter craft is a great way to take science outdoors.

Then, learning about tree bark is like not only appreciating textures but appreciating the secret bark holds about the tree.

And some bark feels like paper smooth and other bark is bumpy and cracked.

It is a fun way to take notice of trees.

BOOKS & RESOURCES FOR CLOUD SPOTTERS

Cloud Books & Resources for Kids

Add these cloud books and resources to your unit study.

Clouds (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 1)

Read and find out about how to forecast a change in weather by looking at the clouds in this colorfully illustrated nonfiction picture book.

At any given time, more than half the earth is covered with different types of clouds. Some are dark and scary rain clouds, and some are just big white puffs. What kind of cloud is in the sky above you, and what can you expect the weather to be? Instead of turning on the TV to find out what the weather will be, you can look out your window at the clouds.

This clear and appealing science book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom, is a Level 1 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out, which means the book explores introductory concepts perfect for children in the primary grades

Little Cloud board book

At last! Here's a brand-new board book edition of an Eric Carle picture book that's a favorite with littlest cloud gazers everywhere! Little Cloud likes to stand out from the crowd. When all the other clouds drift up, he goes his own way, changing shapes to become a sheep, an airplane, a shark and a funny clown. It?s all lots of fun, but so is playing with friends. So this time, Little Cloud joins the crowd, gathering with his pals into one giant cloud. And then they rain!In Little Cloud, Eric Carle celebrates the possibilities of imagination with textured collages of sky-blue and white in a story that will encourage the youngest child to "read" clouds.

Photo Credit: www.youtube.com

Types Of Clouds - The Dr. Binocs Show

Hey kids, did you know that clouds have different types too? Well, after watching this video, you'd be able to identify most of them.

And then look at these cloud activities.

CLOUD ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

  • 7 Easy Cloud Crafts For Preschoolers | Types of Clouds Activity
  • Cloud in a Jar: Make your own cloud!
  • How to Make Hot Cocoa Cloud Dough | 8 Hot Cocoa Crafts for Preschoolers
  • Little Cloud Paintings
  • How To Make A Cloud In A Water Bottle

Next, look at these fun activities to with trees and tree bark.

TREE AND TREE BARK ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

  • Easy Pine Craft Tree Ideas And A Free Life Cycle Printable
  • Famous and Historic Trees Fun Nature and History Homeschool Unit Study.
  • Why Evergreen Trees Are the Ultimate Winter Wonder & Tree Craft
  • From Forest to Fun: Unique Crafts With Tree Bark
  • Hands-On Literature Nature Study: Simple Tree Craft
  • Cardinal Birds in Winter and Birch Trees Easy Watercolor Kids Activity
  • Celebrate Arbor Day With A Fun Flowering Cherry Tree Activity
  • 10 Fun Facts About Kapok Trees You’ll Love

How To Make A Cloud Spotter Craft & Bark Rubbing Craft Printables

Finally, look at what is included in this download.

  • Bark spotter to cut out
  • Bark rubbings card
  • Cloud spotter to cut out
  • What does today cloud’s look like

HOW TO DOWNLOAD FREE PRINTABLE CLOUD SPOTTER CRAFT AND BARK RUBBING CRAFT

Now, how to grab the freebie. It’s a subscriber freebie.

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get my emails in your inbox and you get this freebie.

1) CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY EMAIL LIST & TO GET THIS FREEBIE

2) Grab the freebie instantly.

3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: clouds, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, life science, nature, nature study, tree bark, trees

7 Easy Cloud Crafts For Preschoolers | Types of Clouds Activity

July 26, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have some great cloud crafts for preschoolers for you. Also, look at my page How to Homeschool Preschool for more ideas.

Use this craft if you’re teaching about clouds or weather in general, springtime, summer skies, or need something with the letter C.

There are 4 basic types of clouds – cumulus, cirrus, stratus, and nimbus.

7 Easy Cloud Crafts For Preschoolers | Types of Clouds Activity

I’m giving you a simple explanation on two more but these four are plenty to focus on for preschoolers.

To help your preschooler understand the different types of clouds I recommend using several approaches.

Of course, the obvious is getting outside and observing clouds firsthand.

Books About Clouds

First, look at these resources about clouds.

Cloud Books & Resources for Kids

Add these cloud books and resources to your unit study.

Clouds (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 1)

Read and find out about how to forecast a change in weather by looking at the clouds in this colorfully illustrated nonfiction picture book.

At any given time, more than half the earth is covered with different types of clouds. Some are dark and scary rain clouds, and some are just big white puffs. What kind of cloud is in the sky above you, and what can you expect the weather to be? Instead of turning on the TV to find out what the weather will be, you can look out your window at the clouds.

This clear and appealing science book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom, is a Level 1 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out, which means the book explores introductory concepts perfect for children in the primary grades

Little Cloud board book

At last! Here's a brand-new board book edition of an Eric Carle picture book that's a favorite with littlest cloud gazers everywhere! Little Cloud likes to stand out from the crowd. When all the other clouds drift up, he goes his own way, changing shapes to become a sheep, an airplane, a shark and a funny clown. It?s all lots of fun, but so is playing with friends. So this time, Little Cloud joins the crowd, gathering with his pals into one giant cloud. And then they rain!In Little Cloud, Eric Carle celebrates the possibilities of imagination with textured collages of sky-blue and white in a story that will encourage the youngest child to "read" clouds.

Photo Credit: www.youtube.com

Types Of Clouds - The Dr. Binocs Show

Hey kids, did you know that clouds have different types too? Well, after watching this video, you'd be able to identify most of them.

Next, look at these types of clouds.

Types of Clouds

For an older child you may also go into additional cloud types but the first three are great basic starts.

Cumulus Clouds

  • Look like cotton balls in the sky.
  • Usually brings fair weather.
  • Can grow tall and puffy, like mountains.

Cirrus Clouds

  • Thin, wispy clouds that look like feathers.
  • Made of ice crystals.
  • Often called “mare’s tails”.

Stratus Clouds

  • Gray, flat clouds that cover the entire sky.
  • Often brings drizzle or light rain.
  • Can make the day seem gloomy.

Nimbostratus Clouds

  • Dark, thick clouds that bring rain or snow.
  • Often covers the entire sky.
  • Can make the day seem very dark.

Altocumulus Clouds

  • Gray or white clouds that look like small balls of cotton.
  • Often brings fair weather.
  • Can sometimes indicate that rain or snow is coming.

Altostratus Clouds

  • Can make the day seem gloomy.
  • Gray or blue-gray clouds that cover the entire sky.
  • Often brings drizzle or light rain.
7 Easy Cloud Crafts For Preschoolers | Types of Clouds Activity

Also, look at more crafts for preschoolers.

More Crafts for Preschoolers

  • How to Make Hot Cocoa Cloud Dough | 8 Hot Cocoa Crafts for Preschoolers
  • For the sensory seeking child this Cloud Dough Recipe and Sensory Cloud Activity will have them enthralled and busy for awhile
  • Another fantastic way to learn about the clouds up in the sky is to demonstrate the different types by creating Puffy Paint Clouds.
  • Don’t you love to watch the clouds go by and try to figure out what they look like? This Cloud Watching Craft can be done even on the gloomiest of days.
  • If you are going to get out and observe clouds first hand why not do it in style with this Toilet Paper Roll Binoculars Craft for Cloud Observation.
  • Make a Simple and Fun Hands-On Water Cycle Activity For Kids to show them where clouds fit into our water cycle.
  • Perfect for a weather unit, clouds, or spring this Paper Plate Cloud Craft is adorable, simple, and inexpensive.
  • Include a little science into a Rain Cloud Gravity Painting by teaching your child about the force of gravity in a playful way.

Types of Clouds Activity

For younger preschoolers you may choose to only do a few basic clouds or only do them one at a time each day as you talk about each type.

Older preschoolers and even kindergarteners you could do all of them on the same day and then compare them.

You will need:

  • Cotton balls/pillow stuffing
  • Blue card stock
  • Craft sticks
  • Glue
  • Marker
  • Craft paint/paintbrush.
7 Easy Cloud Crafts For Preschoolers | Types of Clouds Activity

Take a sheet of card stock or construction paper and cut it into 4 equal squares.

If you choose to create all 6 types listed above simply cut more paper squares.

7 Easy Cloud Crafts For Preschoolers | Types of Clouds Activity

Write the name of each of the types of clouds you are choosing to do across the bottom of each piece.

7 Easy Cloud Crafts For Preschoolers | Types of Clouds Activity

I find the easiest way to get the glue onto the strips is to put a little bit in a dish and let your child paint it on thickly with a paintbrush.

It is best to go ahead and ‘paint’ the shape of the cloud on with the glue.

7 Easy Cloud Crafts For Preschoolers | Types of Clouds Activity

Using a book or pictures on the internet as a reference helps them to create each type of cloud.

Press the cotton onto the glue and add or remove pieces as needed to achieve the shape.

7 Easy Cloud Crafts For Preschoolers | Types of Clouds Activity

For nimbus, stratocumulus, and cumulonimbus clouds you can have your child add a bit of gray/blue craft paint to darken the cotton.

7 Easy Cloud Crafts For Preschoolers | Types of Clouds Activity

Allow the paint and glue to dry completely on the cards then flip them over and attach a craft stick to create a handle.

Now you can use these cards as a game where you call out a cloud and they hold up the one that correctly matches.

7 Easy Cloud Crafts For Preschoolers | Types of Clouds Activity

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: clouds, earth science, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, homeschool preschool, preschool, science

Free Weather Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning

February 5, 2023 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a fun weather unit study for kids who love hands-on learning. Also, grab my other tips and ideas on my Free Earth Science Lapbook and Best Homeschool Unit Studies pages.

Too, February 5th happens to be National Weatherperson Day.

So, I thought this was the perfect time to put together a fun weather unit study full of hands-on resources, books, and videos.

Free Weather Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning

 I also have a simple activity that is very low prep and easy to set up.

You’ll probably have the three things you need on hand.

We’re make a rain cloud in a jar to allow the kids to explore and understand how clouds and rain work.

Weather is the way the air around us changes. Weather is made up of these different things:

  • Temperature
  • The Sun
  • Precipitation (rain and snow)
  • Clouds
  • Wind
  • Humidity

It can be hot, cold, wet, dry, still, or moving.

Weather is a constant meaning that it is something that we can observe and measure around us every day.

And it can really mess up our plans like ruining a park trip with a stormy day but it is very important to us.

MORE WEATHER RESOURCES

  • Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet
  • Meteorology For Kids Made Fun: Amazing Potato Straw Experiment | Free Printable

Hurricane Weather Resources

Even as devastating as they can be, even hurricanes have a purpose.

They provide a global heat balance, build new islands, bring rainfall to places that need it, break up bacteria and red tides.

Look at these hurricane weather resources:

  • How Does a Hurricane Form YouTube
  • Hurricane and Tornadoes Cryptogram Worksheet
  • Atlantic basin tracking chart
  • Hurricanes Lesson
  • The Magic School Bus Inside a Hurricane. Lesson Plan
  • What Are Hurricanes?

You can make your weather unit study as quick as a day or an ongoing constantly learning and growing topic.

There is no shortage of resources, or weather changes for that matter so the length of your study is totally up to you and your child’s interest in the topic.

For example, look at the weather books and resources.

10 Weather Unit Study Resources & Books

Add a few of these resources to your weather unit study for hands-on learning.

Eric Sloane's Weather Book

"Amateur weather forecasters (which includes just about everyone) will find this volume an informative and entertaining account of the why and how of the weather." — The Nation. In simple language, Eric Sloane explains the whys and wherefores of weather and weather forecasting — and does it in a style that's universally appealing.With humor and common sense shining through in a book that's also lively and informative, Sloane shows readers how to predict the weather by "reading" such natural phenomena as winds, skies, and animal sounds. This beautifully illustrated and practical treasure trove of climate lore will enlighten outdoorsmen, farmers, sailors, and anyone else who has ever wondered what a large halo around the moon means, why birds "sit it out" before a storm, and whether or not to take an umbrella when leaving the house.

You Wouldn't Want to Live Without Extreme Weather!

This series takes readers (Ages 8-12) on a historical journey, examining how people coped in the past and how they developed ingenious ways to make life safer and less unpleasant. Each book features full-color cartoon-style illustrations and hilarious speech bubbles to heighten interest, making the series attractive even to reluctant readers.It's a nuisance when it rains on a picnic. It's a tragedy when a tornado destroys a neighborhood. Some plants can grow only in hot, dry conditions; others require cold temperatures at certain times of year. And if the Arctic and Antarctic were less cold, melting ice would raise sea levels around the world and cause widespread flooding.

If You Were a Kid Surviving a Hurricane

If a hurricane was heading toward your home town, what would you do?

Readers (Ages 7-9) will enjoy the thrilling story of Carrie and Dan, two friends who find themselves caught in the path of a major hurricane. Along the way, they will learn how hurricanes form, how weather scientists track and study these storms, what people do to protect themselves from wind and flooding, and much more.

The Kids' Book of Weather Forecasting

With experiments, observations and activities children ages seven to thirteen will learn to predict the weather by understanding the science behind it. From foggy mornings to sunny afternoons to our changing seasons, weather forecasting is a year-round, practical science that children will have fun learning about.

Weather: Explore Nature with Fun Facts and Activities

How is a forecast predicted? What makes a rainbow? Packed with facts and activities, this book has these answers and more, and is a perfect introduction to the world of sun, snow, and rain for kids who are curious about nature.

With amazing facts about fun topics like thunder and lightning, Weather lets kids have fun and be innovative as they learn through simple activities like cloudspotting and making a barometer. It includes information on weather found in every season of the year, so kids can discover how weather works no matter what it's doing outside.

What Makes a Tornado Twist?: And Other Questions About Weather

Is each snowflake unique? What comes first: thunder or lightning? What causes the seasons? Charming illustrations, clever charts, and fun text help kids learn whatever they want to know about wild weather. No matter their question, the fascinating answers are right here!

Pet Tornado-Spin and Watch

Nature's most destructive force can be observed and enjoyed in the palm of your hand Hold Pet Tornado from top or bottom and rotate wrist form amazing funnel clouds Includes educational information aboutEF-0 to EF-5 tornados and is a perfect addition to a weather science curriculum or for your future meteorologist Great Stress reliever and the perfect desk toy.

Weather Science Lab 20 All Season Projects

Discover The Wonderful World Of Weather Science With This Scientific Weather Science Lab Kit Designed To Educate The Budding Meteorologist On The Mysteries Of The Climate And Teach Your Young Scientist How To Chart And Predict It.

Spark Your Kid'S Curiosity & Imagination: Including 20 All-Season Activities For All Climates, This Weather Project Kit Covers A Wide Range Of Weather-Related Subjects And Boosts Children'S Cognitive Skills.

Make A Cloud In The Bottle: Measure Temperature With A Real-Life Thermometer, Atmospheric Pressure With A Barometer, Keep Your Head In The Sky To Identify Clouds And Create Fluffy Snow Without Freezing Temps

Keep Children Busy Come Rain Or Shine: Let Your Kids Set Up Their Weather Station Indoors Or Pick The Right Spot For Their Experiments Outdoors. Encourage Them To Take Notes, For The Most Accurate Forecasts

Peaceable Kingdom Sunny and Stormy Day Game

LEARNING AND GROWING: Nourish your child’s social-emotional well-being through this matching-and-sharing game from Peaceable Kingdom that has three difficulty levels adaptable to your child’s age.

HOW TO PLAY: Read the book together, then use your memory skills to find the “sunny” and “stormy” matches from the book before the moon comes up. Use the sun, cloud and rainbow tokens to share the highs and lows of your own day as a family.

WE WIN TOGETHER: Talking about feelings in an age-appropriate way can nurture emotional health and encourage confidence, compassion and kindness. Sunny Stormy game and book help kick-off important conversations between kids and parents.

3 PART, 3 LEVELS: The game’s storybook, memory game and sharing activity can be done all together, or separately, and have three levels of experience to adapt to older and younger children.

INCLUDES: Full-color Picture Book, 24 Game Tiles, 1 Game Puzzle, Heart Pouch with 3 Sharing Tokens, Instructions (For ages 3 and up)

Board Game to Learn About Seasons and Weather

SMART GAMES FOR LEARNING ABOUT THE SEASONS: Easter in spring, Halloween in fall, Christmas in winter. You go sailing in summer and see butterflies in spring. Children love playing and learning about the seasons, holidays, activities, and events with our educational board game.

EASY GAMEPLAY FOR BOARD GAMES: Win the season card by matching different props with the correct season card. The first player to collect the 5 season cards wins the game. This game can be played in multiple ways. Watch the video to know more!

LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR KIDS GAMES: Review each picture card, have discussions, and guide kids to sort cards across categories. Gain knowledge about fruits, animals, activities, holidays across the different seasons. Build language, reasoning skills, season identification and categorizing, logical, creative, and critical thinking. "

In addition, add some tornado weather resources.

Tornado Weather Resources

  • How Tornadoes Work
  • Tornado Alley
  • Build your own tornado simulation chamber! 
  • Tornado Lapbook
  • Tornadoes violently rotating columns of air
  • Characteristics of a tornado
  • What is a tornado?
Free Weather Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning

Also, look at some of these vocabulary words.

Weather Related Vocabulary Words

  • equator – an imaginary line drawn around the earth equally distant from both poles, dividing the earth into northern and southern hemispheres
  • meteorologist – an expert in or student of meteorology or studying the atmosphere, especially as a means of forecasting the weather.
  • evacuate – remove (someone) or leave from a place of danger to a safer place.
  • lightning – the occurrence of a natural electrical discharge of very short duration and high voltage between a cloud and the ground or within a cloud, accompanied by a bright flash and typically also thunder.
  • typhoon – a tropical storm in the region of the Indian or western Pacific oceans.
  • low pressure –  condition of the atmosphere in which the pressure is below average 
  • high pressure – a condition of the atmosphere in which the pressure is above average
  • precipitation – is the release of water from the atmosphere to the earth’s surface as a solid or liquid. It includes rain, snow, hail, sleet and dew.
  • humidity – is how much water vapor is in the atmosphere.

Moreover add these fun ideas for a hands-on weather unit study.

Hands-on Weather Unit Study Ideas

  • Make lightning
  • This pet tornado is fun and gives your child a close up but safe look at how the wind moves during a tornado.
  • Create a weather-based art project like this rainbow Tissue Paper Craft.
  • Make a Tornado in a Bottle from Fun Learning For Kids.
  • Grab a Weather Science Lab kit and you will have all the supplies you need on hand to perform 20 all season weather related activities and experiments.
  • Watch the weather forecast on TV together for a week, talk about how you should dress and if there are any preparations or changes in your schedule that you should make due to the weather.
  • Make a DIY Weather Vane, challenge your older kids to take it to the next level.
  • If you have a budding meteorologist on your hands, you might consider investing in a Weather Station, this guy shows indoor and outdoor temps and humidity, barometric pressure, moon phases, and the forecast. This would be a great tool for tracking and recording weather patterns.
  • Erosion Hands-on Easy Homeschool Science Activity
  • Simple and Easy Instant Ice Kids Activity Homeschool Science Experiments

Additionally, look at a weather disaster timeline.

Weather Disaster Timeline

  • 1900 Massive hurricane hits Galveston, Texas
  • 1906 Massive earthquake on April 18 hits San Francisco.
  • 1906 Typhoon with tsunami kills 10,000 people after hitting Hong Kong
  • 1915 Earthquake in Avezzano, Italy kills 29,980.
  • 1940 The Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapses due to a wind-induced vibrations.
  • 1946 A 40-foot tsunami in Hawaii kills more than 170 people.
  • 1957 Hurricane Audrey kills more than 500 people in Louisiana and Texas.

More Weather Unit Study Hands-On

  • 9 Hands on Weather Activities for Kids and Awesome Weather Sensory Tray
  • 5 Simple Wind Energy Activities For Kids & Fun DIY Anemometer
  • Weather In A Bottle | How To Make An Amazing Tornado In A Jar
  • How to Make a Simple Wind Vane | Fun Wind Activities Middle School

How to Make a Rain Cloud In A Jar

You will need:

  • A clear glass jar
  • Water
  • Unscented shaving cream
  • Blue food coloring
Free Weather Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning

Directions:

Fill the jar ¾ of the way full with water, the water represents our air.

Free Weather Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning

Top with a couple inches of shaving cream, this represents clouds.

Free Weather Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning

Give your child a squeeze bottle of blue food coloring or a pipette to add it a drop at a time. This will be our rain.

Free Weather Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning

Explain to your child as the cloud fills up with the water (food coloring) it can no longer hold it, so it drops rain into the air and it falls to the ground just like in a real cloud.

You can repeat this experiment over and over.

Free Weather Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning

1 CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: clouds, earth science, earthscience, elementary science, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, rain, science, sciencecurriculum, weather

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