We’re explaining thunder and lightning to preschoolers by creating an easy sensory bin. Also, look at my page How to Homeschool Preschool for more ideas.
Too, see my post Free Weather Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning.
Some weather concepts like thunder and lightning can be harder to explain to preschoolers.
Of course one of the best ways to help them understand is to see lightning and listen to the roll of thunder on a stormy day.
Also, we can use examples. For example, lightning is like a big flashlight in the sky. But lightning moves faster than anything they’ve seen.
And thunder sounds like boom because hot air explodes.
WEATHER BOOKS FOR KIDS
Next, look at some of the living books about weather.
Pictures books are great for all ages but especially for preschoolers.
13 Weather Resources and Books For Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To
Grab some of these fantastic weather resources and books to engage your youngest learners about what is weather.
Will it be warm or cold? Should we wear shorts or pants? Shoes or rain boots? What Will the Weather Be? uses colorful, simple diagrams to explain meteorology in a fun, engaging way. Perfect for young scientists and budding meteorologists, this bestseller features clear explanations of everyday weather instruments like thermometers and barometers.
- 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.
See the world in a whole new way! Acclaimed illustrator Julia Rothman combines art and science in this exciting and educational guide to the structure, function, and personality of the natural world. Explore the anatomy of a jellyfish, the inside of a volcano, monarch butterfly migration, how sunsets work, and much more. Rothman’s whimsical illustrations are paired with interactive activities that encourage curiosity and inspire you to look more closely at the world all around you.
Drip. Sip. Pour me a cup. Water is water unless...it heats up.Whirl. Swirl. Watch it curl by. Steam is steam unless...it cools high.This spare, poetic picture book follows a group of kids as they move through all the different phases of the water cycle. From rain to fog to snow to mist, talented author Miranda Paul and the always remarkable Jason Chin (Redwoods, Coral Reefs, Island, Gravity) combine to create a beautiful and informative journey in this innovative nonfiction picture book that will leave you thirsty for more.
What triggers a tornado? What can you see in the eye of a hurricane? What's the difference between a thunderbolt and a thunderclap? Popular author and artist Eric Sloane proves why weather is something best understood by seeing it. His illustrated book shows weather "happening." In fact, there's not a sunny page in it—nothing but cyclonic storms, whirlwinds, waterspouts, lightning bolts, and other fascinating, weather-related topics. More than seventy pages of drawings and diagrams make the weather come alive in a book that examines everything from storm mechanisms and cold fronts to the birth of a thunderhead.
"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.
A midwestern summer thunderstorm as seen through the eyes of artist/etcher Arthur Geisert, and depicted in unprecedented detail, beautifully hand-colored.
Thunderstorm follows the course of a storm through midwestern farm country minute-by-minute, hour-by-hour, from late morning into late afternoon. As always with Arthur Geisert, it is a meticulously executed and visually stunning piece of work. Other than the timeline that runs along the bottom border of the illustrations, there is no text, and the illustrations are continuous.
Through keen observation, Geisert beautifully captures the nuances and details of a midwestern thunderstorm, from the ever-changing color of the sky, to the actions of the human inhabitants, to the reactions of the natural world to the wind and rain. America's heartland is somewhat unfamiliar territory in the realm of picture books, but in Thunderstorm, Geisert has provided readers with valuable, breathtaking insight into one of its most natural occurrences.
A book about weather, from the animated television series on the Learning Channel.
Rain, Hail, Sleet & Snow was first published by Nancy Larrick in 1961 and served as an introduction to elementary students about how weather conditions are formed. The book has been out of print for quite some time and modern books do not offer this age group such an approachable discussion of how inclement weather is formed and the conditions that effect it. While it does not discuss the most modern tools of meteorology, it does mention the use of airplanes, satellites, and other tools of measurement. Other topics besides rain, hail, sleet and snow that are discussed are tornadoes and hurricanes, lightning and thunder, fog, humidity, water vapor, condensation, ice crystals, and the different types of clouds.
A delightful blend of serious meteorology and beautiful illustrations, this informative book displays the many talents of Eric Sloane. A writer, landscape painter, weather forecaster, and authority on early American history, Sloane takes readers with him on a voyage of discovery as he traces a single air mass from the Canadian Rockies to northern New England. A vivid narrative and the author's own pen-and-ink sketches describe the progress of the air mass over America, and tell about its encounters with other elements of weather systems and with Americans from a variety of backgrounds.
In this eye-opening trove of outdoor clues, acclaimed natural navigator Tristan Gooley shows us how, by "reading" nature as he does, you'll not only detect what the weather is doing (and predict what's coming), you'll enter a secret wonderland of sights and sounds you've never noticed before. Discover the ways that weather can reveal a hidden world with every step you take—through the woods or down a city street.
- A turbulent sky with mismatched clouds predicts bad weather.
- Snowflakes get smaller as the temperature drops.
- Dry weather and morning frost follow a clear moon.
- Gliding birds mean stable air and thus, fair weather.
- Honeybees don't leave their hives below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Crickets chirp faster as the temperature rises.
- Pine cones close their scales in high humidity.
- Perching birds face into the wind.
- Cows don't lie down before rain, but they do head home.
Simple, kid-friendly text explains the origins of fog, clouds, frost, thunderstorms, snow, fronts, hurricanes, reinforcing the explanations with clear, well-labeled drawings and diagrams. Newly revised, this edition of Weather Words and What They Mean has been vetted by an expert from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. Best of all, the book features a fun list of weird weather facts!
o you know a child who is scared or feels uneasy during thunderstorms?
The Wonder of Thunder is a lighthearted children’s rhyming picture book that helps tame fears while highlighting all the wondrous things thunderstorms can do.
Children will adore Sally Storm, a lovable character who excitedly shares all the good she can do as she swirls and tumbles overhead. This early learning picture book introduces the topic of storms, thunder, lightning and rain in a fun and non-threatening way.
Colourful and captivating illustrations pull children into the story and hold their attention through to the end, where Sally shares more fun facts about thunderstorms and engages children through direct questions.
Next, look at more hands-on weather experiments.
MORE HANDS-ON WEATHER ACTIVITIES
- Weather Activities For Early Years and Free Printable Flashcards
- Meteorology For Kids Made Fun: Amazing Potato Straw Experiment | Free Printable
- T Is For Simple Fun Thunderstorm Activities For Kindergarten
- Quick Groundhog Day Unit Study and Fun Cupcake Activity for Kids
- 7 Easy Cloud Crafts For Preschoolers | Types of Clouds Activity
- Welcome December Weather By Making an Easy Mitten Wreath With Kids
- Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet
- Weather In A Bottle | How To Make An Amazing Tornado In A Jar
- 9 Hands on Weather Activities for Kids and Awesome Weather Sensory Tray
- 5 Simple Wind Energy Activities For Kids & Fun DIY Anemometer
Finally, look at this easy lightning sensory bin.
HOW TO MAKE A LIGHTNING SENSORY BIN
First, look at this easy list of supplies.
- Black beans
- Yellow pipe cleaners
- Cotton balls
- Blue beads
Pour black beans into the bin to cover the bottom. This represents the night sky.
Bend yellow pipe cleaners into zigzag shapes to look like lightning.
Add cotton balls around the bin as clouds.
Sprinkle blue beads on top to act as raindrops.
Place all the pieces so it looks like a stormy sky.
Next, look at ways to use this sensory bin.
WAYS TO PLAY
- Kids can sort the items by type: clouds, raindrops, and lightning.
- They can pretend play by making a thunderstorm: hide lightning in the clouds, drop raindrops down into the sky, or “flash” lightning across the beans.
- Use the bin for fine motor play by scooping, pouring, and picking up beads with fingers or tongs.
- Encourage kids to create storm scenes, moving clouds around and arranging lightning bolts in different spots.
- For a calming activity, they can simply run their hands through the beans, cotton, and beads, feeling the textures.
BENEFITS OF LEARNING THROUGH PLAY
- Sparks curiosity and early science discussions about weather and thunderstorms.
- Builds fine motor skills through scooping, pouring, and picking up small items
- Encourages imaginative play and storytelling about storms
- Promotes sensory exploration with different textures (beans, cotton, beads, pipe cleaners)
- Supports sorting and categorizing skills
- Provides a calming, hands-on activity for focus and self-regulation
