• Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Activity, Change, Progress

  • HOME
  • How to
    • Preschool
    • Kindergarten
    • Middle School
    • High School
  • Planner
  • Lapbooks
    • Trioramas
    • History Games
  • Shop
  • GET STARTED NOW!
    • Learning Styles
  • 7 Step Planner
    • DIY Best Student Planner
    • Free & Easy DIY Home Management Binder
  • Unit Studies
    • Creation to Ancients
    • Middle Ages to Reform
    • Exploring to Revolution
    • World Wars to Today
    • Science
    • Free Art Curriculum Grades 1 – 8
  • Curriculum
    • More Unit Studies
    • Geography
    • Writing PreK to 12th
    • Geronimo Stilton
  • BootCamp
    • Resources
      • Dynamic Subscriber Freebies
      • Exclusive Subscribers Library
      • Ultimate Unit Study Planner

weather

Weather Activities For Early Years and Free Printable Flashcards

March 6, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have some fun weather activities for early years. Also, I have this fun Free Weather Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning post for more teaching ideas.

And I have some free printable weather flashcards.

Hands-on activities is the best way to get little children involved and weather flashcards can teach them weather awareness.

Weather Activities For Early Years and Free Printable Flashcards

When you introduce ideas like thunderstorms or floods, you can use the cards to explain safety precautions.

One of my favorite parts of using these weather flashcards is that it promotes conversation with your little ones and it promotes their curiosity.

In addition, as you introduce the weather flashcards kids learn about the seasons.

Also, allow kids to pick the card to show what the weather is daily.

WEATHER BOOKS FOR KIDS

Next, look at these fun weather resources for kids

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.

What Will the Weather Be?

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.

TEDCO-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.

Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World

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.

Water Is Water: A Book About the Water Cycle

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.

Book of Storms: Hurricanes, Twisters and Squalls

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.

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.

Thunderstorm

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.

The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm: A Book About Weather

A book about weather, from the animated television series on the Learning Channel.

Rain, Hail, Sleet & Snow

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.

Look at the Sky and Tell the Weather

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.

The Secret World of Weather: How to Read Signs in Every Cloud, Breeze, Hill, Street, Plant, Animal, and Dewdrop

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.

Weather Words and What They Mean

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!

The Wonder Of Thunder: Lessons From A Thunderstorm

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.

Also, look at these weather activities for early years.

WEATHER ACTIVITIES FOR EARLY YEARS

  • 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
  • T Is For Simple Fun Thunderstorm Activities For Kindergarten
Weather Activities For Early Years and Free Printable Flashcards

HOW TO DOWNLOAD THE FREE WEATHER FLASHCARDS

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

When you sign up to follow me, you get access to this freebie.

1) Sign up on my email list to follow me and get this freebie and many others.
 2) You’ll instantly be directed to download the printable.
3) Last, look for my emails in your inbox as a follower. Glad to have you following me!

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: flashcards, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, weather

Meteorology For Kids Made Fun: Amazing Potato Straw Experiment | Free Printable

December 16, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a fun meteorology for kids amazing potato straw experiment sure to give you the eww and aww moment you need in your science day. Also, I have this fun Free Weather Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning post for more teaching ideas.

Learning about air pressure should be fun. When kids can’t see something like air, for example, show them what air can do.

First explain what is air pressure. Air pressure is the force that the air exerts on everything around us.

Meteorology For Kids Made Fun: Amazing Potato Straw Experiment | Free Printable

And it’s pushing on us all the time although we don’t really know it.

Too, air is made of tiny particles (molecules) that are constantly moving and bumping into things.

Although we can’t see, air is all around us.

Too, air has weight. It presses down on everything here on Earth.

WEATHER BOOKS & RESOURCES FOR KIDS

Also, here are a few weather and book related resources.

Add them to your home library.

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. "

Then, look at more hands activities to go with our meteorology for kids activity today.

METEOROLOGY FOR KIDS ACTIVITIES

  • 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
  • T Is For Simple Fun Thunderstorm Activities For Kindergarten
  • 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
Meteorology For Kids Made Fun: Amazing Potato Straw Experiment | Free Printable

Additionally, look at more facts about air pressure.

FACTS ABOUT METEOROLOGY AND AIR PRESSURE FOR KIDS

Look at these simple facts.

  • Air pressure can be high or low.
  • Low pressure can lead to clouds and storms
  • But high pressure is often associated with sunny skies and clear weather.
  • Air pressure decreases with altitude. That is why it’s hard to breathe at high altitudes because there is less oxygen.
  • Scientists use instruments like barometers to measure air pressure.

And look at these words to define.

  • pressure
  • atmosphere
  • molecules
  • vacuum
  • weather

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

GRAB THE FREE PRINTABLE BEFORE THE EXPERIMENT

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

Meteorology For Kids Made Fun: Amazing Potato Straw Experiment | Free Printable

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

2) Grab the freebie now.

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

Finally, look at this fun experiment to learn about the power of air pressure.

AMAZING POTATO STRAW EXPERIMENT

In this activity, we’re going to explore how air pressure can create force and movement.

Look at this easy list to get the wow factor.

Gather all ages around, it really is that cool!

Supplies:

  • 1 raw potato
  • 1 paper straw (note we tried a flexible straw and used a jumbo smoothie straw for variables)
Meteorology For Kids Made Fun: Amazing Potato Straw Experiment | Free Printable

Directions:

Grab a raw potato and a paper straw.

Try to insert the straw into the potato.

Meteorology For Kids Made Fun: Amazing Potato Straw Experiment | Free Printable

Use the free printable to have your student write his observations and guesses.

Try again and hold a thumb over the end of the straw as you try to insert it. How is this possible?

Meteorology For Kids Made Fun: Amazing Potato Straw Experiment | Free Printable

Because of air pressure!

Meteorology For Kids Made Fun: Amazing Potato Straw Experiment | Free Printable

When a thumb is placed over the opening of the straw it traps air making the straw stronger.

Meteorology For Kids Made Fun: Amazing Potato Straw Experiment | Free Printable

This allows the straw to pierce into the raw potato without bending or breaking. Do it again!!

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: air pressre, elementary science, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, potato, science, straw, weather

T Is For Simple Fun Thunderstorm Activities For Kindergarten

October 8, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Thunderstorm activities for kindergarten will make a big impact if they are fun and hands on to get and keep your child’s interest. Also, grab my other tips, ideas, and crafts for kindergarten on my page Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum.

Today I have a fun puffy fingerpaint thunderstorm sensory activity.

Your child will love this along with plenty of other resources like books, videos, and more hands-on activities.

T Is For Simple Fun Thunderstorm Activities For Kindergarten

Thunderstorms? Those massive, dark clouds aren’t just your average weather event; they are a display of the wild energy that’s going on up in our atmosphere.

And thunderstorms come with lightning, thunder, and sometimes even hail, which can be scary, but they’re also cool.

For our curious learners we’re going to break down how thunderstorms form and what they include through fun activities.

BOOKS ABOUT WEATHER FOR KIDS

First, look at some of these weather books for kids

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.

What Will the Weather Be?

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.

TEDCO-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.

Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World

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.

Water Is Water: A Book About the Water Cycle

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.

Book of Storms: Hurricanes, Twisters and Squalls

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.

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.

Thunderstorm

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.

The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm: A Book About Weather

A book about weather, from the animated television series on the Learning Channel.

Rain, Hail, Sleet & Snow

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.

Look at the Sky and Tell the Weather

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.

The Secret World of Weather: How to Read Signs in Every Cloud, Breeze, Hill, Street, Plant, Animal, and Dewdrop

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.

Weather Words and What They Mean

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!

The Wonder Of Thunder: Lessons From A Thunderstorm

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, here is some information to share with your kindergartener as you learn about the power and beauty of thunderstorms.

THUNDERSTORM FACTS FOR KIDS

What is a thunderstorm?

A thunderstorm is a storm with lightning and thunder. It is caused by the buildup of static electricity in the atmosphere.

How do thunderstorms form?

Thunderstorms form when there is a lot of warm, moist air near the ground. This air rises and cools, causing water vapor to condense into clouds.

As the clouds grow taller, they become unstable and the updrafts and downdrafts in the cloud become stronger. This causes the cloud to become electrified.

What is lightning?

Lightning is a bolt of electricity that travels between two objects with different electrical charges. In a thunderstorm, lightning can travel between the clouds, between the clouds and the ground, or even between the ground and the clouds.

T Is For Simple Fun Thunderstorm Activities For Kindergarten

What is thunder?

Thunder is the sound that is made by the shockwave that is created by lightning. When lightning travels through the air, it heats the air around it.

 This causes the air to expand rapidly, creating a shockwave that travels through the air at the speed of sound.

MORE KINDERGARTEN HOMESCHOOL CURRICULUM ACTIVITIES

  • How to Create the Perfect Kindergarten Homeschool Set Up
  • Best Kindergarten Health Curriculum Easy Ideas For Activities
  • 8 Best Summer Unit Studies For Kindergarten | Free Ant Study
  • 10 Kindergarten Sensory Bin Ideas | How To Make A Summer Sensory Bin
  • How to Create a Kindergarten Math Game With Popsicle Sticks
  • 8 Stellaluna Kindergarten Activities | How To Make A Coffee Filter Bat Craft
  • First Day Of Kindergarten Homeschool Ideas | Free Scavenger Hunt Cards
  • Math Made Easy: Engaging Addition For Kindergarten Dice Activities
  • T Is For Simple Fun Thunderstorm Activities For Kindergarten
  • Fun and Easy Tissue Paper Crafts for Kindergarten
  • Fun Kindergarten History Activities: How to Create Royal Peg Dolls
  • Enhance Your Language Arts Kindergarten Curriculum with Free Flip Books

THUNDERSTORM RESOURCES & ACTIVITIES

Thunderstorms are fascinating and educational experiences for children of all ages.

Here are a wonderful variety of activities that you can do with your child to help them learn more about thunderstorms.

Spell out weather words like ‘thunderstorm’ with letter tiles and have your child identify each letter and the sound it makes.

T Is For Simple Fun Thunderstorm Activities For Kindergarten

Make a Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet to keep track of the weather every day including thunderstorms.

Dig deeper into the science of thunderstorms with this What Causes a Thunderstorm Science Activity.

Little busy hands will love exploring this Thunderstorm Play Dough as you read about how and why they happen.

Watch Thunder and Lightning on YouTube and discuss the different aspects of thunderstorms that are covered.

Create a Lightning Storm in a Cup Luminary to demonstrate the lightning and make a cute little night light that your child can put on their bedside table.

Observe a thunderstorm from a safe distance. Explain to your child what is happening during the storm, such as the formation of clouds, the lightning and thunder, and the rain.

Point out different types of clouds, such as cumulonimbus clouds, which are associated with thunderstorms.

Discuss the different stages of a thunderstorm, such as the developing stage, the mature stage, and the dissipating stage. Count the seconds between the lightning and thunder to determine how far away it is (then divide by 5) if its 20 seconds the lightning is 4 miles away.

Building a Thunderstorm Sensory Bin makes an amazing activity while your child is learning through listening.

Learn about thunderstorms with books, videos, and flashcards like this eboo set.

It’s a favorite that we reach for time and again with nature topics.

T Is For Simple Fun Thunderstorm Activities For Kindergarten

THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITIES FOR KINDERGARTEN – FINGER PAINTING

You will need:

  • Craft paints
  • Paper plate
  • Sensitive shave cream
  • Art paper
T Is For Simple Fun Thunderstorm Activities For Kindergarten

First, make a small pile of shaving cream for every color you wish to use.

Add washable craft paint to each pile, good options for a thunderstorm are white, gray, black, and of course yellow for the lightning.

T Is For Simple Fun Thunderstorm Activities For Kindergarten

Stir each one together well to combine paint and shaving cream.

Set out thick paper with your DIY finger paints.

T Is For Simple Fun Thunderstorm Activities For Kindergarten

Encourage your child to use their hands (or a brush) to swirl, smash, swirl, and squish paint all over the paper to create a dark chaotic stormy sky.

T Is For Simple Fun Thunderstorm Activities For Kindergarten

Let them layer colors and vary the thickness, exploring with the paint.

T Is For Simple Fun Thunderstorm Activities For Kindergarten

Of course, they will want to add some zig zagging lightning streaking through the sky.

T Is For Simple Fun Thunderstorm Activities For Kindergarten

Allow the painting to dry and make another if they like. Perhaps create a different weather fingerpainting to compare the two.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: How To - - - Tagged With: hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, kindergarten, science, thunderstorms, weather

Alphabet Letter R is for Rainbow Craft for Preschool | Fun Rain Mobile

January 7, 2024 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Create this R is for rainbow craft. And find plenty more ideas to enjoy a rainbow (and rain) themed unit with your preschooler. Also, I have more alphabet letter fun on my page How to Homeschool Preschool.

Rain and rainbows are a perfect theme for introducing the letter R.

They are fun, colorful, and a natural part of life.

But rather than just focusing on rainbows you can use it as a starting point to create a fun little unit all about weather.

Alphabet Letter R is for Rainbow Craft for Preschool | Fun Rain Mobile

Add a special focus on r is for rainbow and incorporate math, language arts, science, and history as well.

There are plenty of great ideas to keep your preschooler busy and engaged throughout the study.

And you can choose as many or as few as you like to customize it to what fits your family and your schedule.

More How to Homeschool Preschool Letter of the Week Activities

  • Alphabet Letter A is for Apple Craft for Preschool | Fun Apple Study
  • Letter O is for Owl Preschool Craft | Fun Great Horned Owl Study
  • Alphabet Letter H Handprint Craft For Fun Preschool Horse Study
  • How To Make An Alphabet Teeth Cleaning Activity | 5 Preschool Letter T Crafts
  • Alphabet Letter R is for Rainbow Craft for Preschool | Fun Rain Mobile
  • Alphabet Letter M is for Monkey Handprint Preschool Fun Monkey Study
  • Alphabet Letter G is for Gorilla Fun Paper Plate Preschool Mask
  • W Is For Winter Craft Easy Snowman Oobleck Activity
  • Letter E Is For Eagle Easy Preschool Eagle Study
  • Alphabet Letter N Is For Nest Handprint & Fun Nests Preschool Craft
  • B is for Bird Craft | Free Preschool Bluebird Study
  • X is for X Ray Craft | Unique Crayon Resist Skeleton

Language Arts Focus Day 1

Start the week by demonstrating for your child how to make the letter R sound. You can use catchy videos to help what they learn really stick.

Letter/Sound Recognition- Learn the Letter R with a favorite of mine, Jack Hartmann.

His videos are so much fun while sounding out the letter. And words that start with the letter as well as hand motions, dancing, and memorable teaching.

Book- The sweet story A Rainbow of My Own is a great read aloud to tie in with the rainbow theme and is presented in easy-to-understand language.

Alphabet Letter R is for Rainbow Craft for Preschool | Fun Rain Mobile

Craft/Activity- I found a matching upper and lower case Rainbow Alphabet Activity that goes along with my book selection for the day- A Rainbow of My Own.

Song/Fingerplay- A little twist on an old classic, this version of Singing in The Rain will have your little one up and dancing.

Snack- Keep it simple but I think this Froot Loops Rainbow Craft and Snack will still be a big hit, just look how cute it is.

Science Focus Day 2

Keep preschoolers engaged with hands-on experiments and simple discussions about how it rains as well as why rainbows appear after a rain.

This Rain Cloud in a Jar activity is a fantastic visual for young children to understand why and how rain falls.

Letter/Sound Recognition- The Rainbow Alphabet Matching Game offers a free printable for matching lower and uppercase letters.

Book- The simple text of Rainbows introduces young learners to the science behind rainbows. Including why rainbows occur and what they are made of.

Craft/Activity – Try this super fun and engaging Scented Rainbow Science For Preschoolers activity, preschoolers love that fizzing foaming reaction.

Another fantastic science activity is the Rainbow Skittles Experiment.

Song/Fingerplay- While your child may already know the colors of the rainbow, they will still enjoy singing along to The Rainbow Colors Song.

Snack-Rainbow Yogurt Bark is healthy but will appeal to both their eyes and taste buds. I think this is a great easy snack that they can also help prepare.

Alphabet Letter R is for Rainbow Craft for Preschool | Fun Rain Mobile

Then add some R is for rainbow craft math.

Math Focus Day 3

Additionally, you can keep it very simple by creating a math activity with a single piece of blue construction paper and a marker.

Cut out 10 raindrop shapes and number them 1-10, have your child place them in order.

To make it a little more challenging line them up and pull out a number or two and have your child place the number in the correct spot.

As they advance you can also use them to ask your child to demonstrate things like show me one more than 3, one less etc.

Alphabet Letter R is for Rainbow Craft for Preschool | Fun Rain Mobile

Letter/Sound Recognition- Create the Raindrops Letter Matching craft.

Use construction paper or craft foam for an easy and fun game, focus on a few letters or all.

Book- Before you get the rainbow you get – Rain!  A cute storybook about finding joy in the rain and all the fun it brings.

Craft/Activity-Another fantastic idea for math is to practice simple Math With a Rainbow Abacus that will delight your child while they learn basic number sense.

Song/Finger Play-Revisit Jack Harmann for a catchy song about the Colors of The Rainbow.

Snack- Enjoy a snack or lunch starting with R, here are some ideas to get you started -Ravioli, rice, ramen, ranch dressing, raw carrots, raisins, Romaine lettuce, and raspberries.

History/Geography/ Focus Day 4

This topic is a great time to introduce community helpers like meteorologists to your child.

Watch a few minutes of the weather report and talk it over with your child. 

Letter/Sound Recognition- Remember that you do not always have to focus on just the letter you are learning for the week.

It is truly best to continually review what you have learned and at least introduce new letters and sound organically if not for mastery just for familiarity.

Cut rainbow colors of construction paper into ¼ their size and write the name of the color at the top so your child can see it.

Have them go on a hunt around the house and find objects of that color, as they place them practice sounding out the first letter of each object.

Alphabet Letter R is for Rainbow Craft for Preschool | Fun Rain Mobile

Book- The Rain Came Down.

Craft/Activity- Let your child enjoy dramatic play time as a meteorologist. Create this Fun Felt Weather Chart that is fantastic for daily use during your morning time.

Song/Fingerplay- Let’s go back to practicing The Letter R Sound.

Review upper and lower case, and learning words that start with the letter R.

Silly and memorable you may find your preschooler singing this song all day.

Snack-This treat covers rainbow and rice krispies! These Rainbow Rice Krispies look delicious and are a fun way to celebrate the theme.

Books for Learning About R is for Rainbow Craft

8 R is for Rainbow Books

R is for rainbow. Add some books and resources for a fun unit study rainbow theme.

A Rainbow of My Own

A small boy imagines what it would be like to have his own rainbow to play with.

Rainbows (Amazing Sights of the Sky)

One of the best things about a rainy day is the possibility of seeing a rainbow, but there's more to rainbows than meets the eye! Simple text introduces readers to the science behind rainbows. Including why rainbows occur and what they are made of.

What Makes a Rainbow?: A Magic Ribbon Book

A rainbow of ribbons magically appear when you open the pages of this innovative book! Toddlers will love listening to the charming story and seeing a different colored ribbon with the turn of each page. The last page is sure to delight with all the colors of the rainbow. What a fun way to learn colors!

Rain!

One rainy day in the city, an eager little boy exclaims, “Rain!” Across town a grumpy man grumbles, “Rain.” In this endearing picture book, a rainy-day cityscape comes to life in vibrant, cut-paper-style artwork. The boy in his green frog hat splashes in puddles—“Hoppy, hoppy, hoppy!”—while the old man curses the “dang puddles.” Can the boy’s natural exuberance (and perhaps a cookie) cheer up the grouchy gentleman and turn the day around?

The Rain Came Down

"On Saturday morning, the rain came down. It made the chickens squawk. The cat yowled at the chickens, and the dog barked at the cat. And still, the rain came down."The barking dog wakes the baby, the dog barks louder, and a policeman comes. His police car blocks traffic, and a woman in a taxi yells, so the taxi driver honks his horn. The truck driver in front of him gets mad and starts honking back. The beauty parlor owner comes out to look, and she bumps into the barber, and they begin to argue. A painter bonks the barber on the head with a can of paint, and then the baker opens up his umbrella and pokes the pizza man. On and on and on until suddenly . . . . . . the rain stops!The sun comes out, everything shimmers, and all of the bickering townspeople make amends–even the arguing children, who get free ice cream cones.

Who Likes Rain?

With spring come April showers. It's time to put on a raincoat, grab an umbrella, and head outdoors. The worms like rain, and so do the fish and frogs. But what about the cat and dog? In this lyrical picture book, one spunky little girl discovers just who likes rain―and who doesn't―as she explores the rainy-day habits of the world around her.

Newton's Rainbow: The Revolutionary Discoveries of a Young Scientist

Famed for his supposed encounter with a falling apple that inspired his theory of gravity, Isaac Newton (1642–1727) grew from a quiet and curious boy into one of the most influential scientists of all time. Newton's Rainbow tells the story of young Isaac―always reading, questioning, observing, and inventing―and how he eventually made his way to Cambridge University, where he studied the work of earlier scientists and began building on their accomplishments. This colorful picture book biography celebrates Newton's discoveries that illuminated the mysteries of gravity, motion, and even rainbows, discoveries that gave mankind a new understanding of the natural world, discoveries that changed science forever.

Quiet Bunny's Many Colors

Quiet Bunny loves the bright colors of spring: the yellow ducks, green frogs, and blue jays —everything but his own mousy-brown and wintry-white fur. It takes the help of a wise old owl for Bunny to realize that it's the rainbow of colors, including his own, that makes the world so beautiful.

Also, add day 5.

Language Arts Focus Day 5

Of course, throughout the week you have been repeating the letter R’s sound, pointing it out whenever you see it,

Also, you’re doing a language arts rich activity like reading aloud.

But take another day to do some additional intentional activities.

Letter/Sound Recognition- Squishy sensory fun is a great practice idea for pre-writing skills, use the Rainbow Bag Writing Tray to introduce “writing” with a finger before picking up pencils.

Book- Who Likes Rain? I feel like this one is a wonderful combination of picture book and science book, as it talks about who and why they like (and need) the rain.

Craft/Activity- Create this Fun Rain Mobile below for an art project in line with our theme that can be hung up anywhere.

I am also quite certain that most kids would love to dig into a sensory bin with this DIY Rainbow Spaghetti as the base, colorful and squishy fun.

Song/Fingerplay- If you are not already familiar with them The Laurie Berkner Band is another really good resource for children’s songs covering a lot of topics and “Umbrella” is so contagious!

 Snack-A healthy and easy treat to start off the day this Rainy Day Breakfast will be fun and delicious.

Alphabet Letter R is for Rainbow Craft for Preschool | Fun Rain Mobile

Finally, look at this r is for rainbow craft rain mobile.

Fun R is for Rainbow Craft Rain Mobile

You will need:

  • White and blue craft foam
  • Rainbow colored pipe cleaners
  • String
  • Scissors
  • Hot glue/tacky glue
Alphabet Letter R is for Rainbow Craft for Preschool | Fun Rain Mobile

First, lay two sheets of white craft foam together and cut out two symmetrical clouds shapes as large as you would like it to be.

Alphabet Letter R is for Rainbow Craft for Preschool | Fun Rain Mobile

Use a small cylinder-shaped object to bend lengths of rainbow colored pipe cleaners into somewhat similar shapes and sizes.

Alphabet Letter R is for Rainbow Craft for Preschool | Fun Rain Mobile

Layer the rainbow colors and attach with glue, talking to your child as you do it together about the order the colors appear in the rainbow.

You can use hot glue for a quicker dry time but if you want to let your child do as much of the project as possible opt for a strong hold tacky glue instead.

Alphabet Letter R is for Rainbow Craft for Preschool | Fun Rain Mobile

Cut varying lengths of string and glue across the bottom of one of the cloud shapes.

Alphabet Letter R is for Rainbow Craft for Preschool | Fun Rain Mobile

Make a small loop of string and attach to the top of the same cloud to create a hanger.

Alphabet Letter R is for Rainbow Craft for Preschool | Fun Rain Mobile

Cut raindrops from craft foam and glue onto the strings.

Alphabet Letter R is for Rainbow Craft for Preschool | Fun Rain Mobile

2 CommentsFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool preschool, letter sounds, phonics, preschool, preschool skills, rain, rainbow, unit study, weather

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

November 7, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

You’ll love this free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up a Storm Worksheet for your child to mark off the month, season, and weather each day. Also, I have this fun Free Weather Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning post for more teaching ideas.

It is a fun and colorful worksheet that you can print for each week to write on, or you can laminate it and use a dry-erase marker to make it a reusable resource.

One of the first formal things that you can do with a young child is track the weather every day and for that I have also created a felt weather chart. 

It’s quick, easy, and inexpensive. 

If you include your child in the making of it then it will take on even more meaning and get them excited to learn.

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

I truly believe that younger children should have lots of fun hands-on activities, rather than a lot of sit-down desk time.

It’s a wonderful time to explore the world around them, read wonderful books together, and learn through play.

I have all that and more for you today to create a super weather unit for kids of multiple ages from my own craft and worksheets to facts, more hands-on activities, and great resources.

5 Weather Facts 

  1. Weather includes things like wind, lightning, storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, rain, hail, snow, and more.
  2. Weather happens when different parts of the Earth get different amounts of heat from the Sun, this creates different climates.
  3. A weather forecast is a prediction of what the weather will be like over a period of time.
  4. Lightning is caused by a buildup of static electricity inside a storm cloud. Tiny water molecules called hydrometeors bumping around each other create a static electric charge- much like rubbing your socks over the carpet.
  5. Fog is a cloud that touches the ground. Amazing, it happens when it’s very, very humid – 100%.
Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

Also, you’ll love some of these beautiful books about weather.

I lean toward living books first then add in books for reference too.

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.

What Will the Weather Be?

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.

TEDCO-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.

Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World

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.

Water Is Water: A Book About the Water Cycle

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.

Book of Storms: Hurricanes, Twisters and Squalls

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.

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.

Thunderstorm

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.

The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm: A Book About Weather

A book about weather, from the animated television series on the Learning Channel.

Rain, Hail, Sleet & Snow

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.

Look at the Sky and Tell the Weather

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.

The Secret World of Weather: How to Read Signs in Every Cloud, Breeze, Hill, Street, Plant, Animal, and Dewdrop

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.

Weather Words and What They Mean

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!

The Wonder Of Thunder: Lessons From A Thunderstorm

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, add in some fun hands-on activities.

Hands-on Weather Activities

  • Be sure to include my Weather In A Bottle | How To Make An Amazing Tornado In A Jar. 
  • The Water Cycle In A Bag is a pretty simple activity that helps make the concept of water cycles a little more concrete.
  • Easy Breezy Windy Art: A STEAM Activity for Kids.
  • Also, check out my Free Weather Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning.
  • A cute sensory tray and another handful of ideas are over on my Hands-on Weather Activities for Kids and Awesome Weather Sensory Tray post.
  • If you are talking winter you want to make these Winter STEAM: Symmetrical Snowflakes.
  • 5 Simple Wind Energy Activities For Kids & Fun DIY Anemometer.
  • This Rainy Day Window Art is a simple and sweet craft that even little toddler hands can do.
  • Practice fine motor skills while you talk about Storm Cloud Threading.
  • And of course, at the end of a storm, we get a beautiful rainbow that you can recreate with the Coffee Filter Rainbow Craft.
Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

Also, look how to make this felt weather chart.

Felt Weather Chart – The Magic School Bus Kicks Up a Storm Worksheet

Have your child simply step outside or even look out the window each day and encourage them to independently choose and put up the weather symbols that match the weather. 

We are also going to add a cute little thermometer to it to give them an easy introduction to hot and cold temperatures.

You will need:

  • 12×18 Light blue felt (or 8×12)
  • 8×12 felt in various colors  
  • Felt adhesive or iron-on letters 
  • Round dowel, rods, or flat craft sticks
  • Paint Pens or Markers
  • Glue gun
  • Scissors
Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

Hot glue your dowel or craft stick across the top of your felt, be sure that it is centered. 

Apply more hot glue along the wood and then fold it over one time so that it has a clean and neat finish.

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

Repeat the same at the bottom of the felt.

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

Now, sit down with your little one and talk about the different kinds of weather, help them draw different weather symbols like a sun, raindrops clouds, lightning, etc., and cut them out of felt.

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

Next, you can use permanent markers or paint pens to add any features or details you would like. 

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

While you are probably not going to be doing your weather chart during a tornado you might still just make one to talk about what a tornado is and if you live in an area with tornadoes, it is a good time to talk about what to do during one.

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

You don’t want to use regular paint and paintbrushes because you don’t want to add any weight to your felt pieces or take away from the “stickiness”.

Kids DIY Felt Weather Chart

For our snowflakes, we folded up squares of white felt and cut little triangles and rounded corners out of them just like you do when creating paper snowflakes.

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

Now, on the bottom, right corner, we’re going to create a “thermometer” by tracing, a small round object for the bulb at the bottom and using a ruler for the street vertical part of the thermometer you can make it as small or large as you want but you want to make it large enough to fit felt pieces on.

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

I started by tracing them with a pencil and then filling it in with a silver paint marker just outside the edges of what I traced so that when the felt was on you could still see the “glass” of the thermometer.

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

To create the color indicators for the thermometer, trace the round object again on dark blue felt. Then make them equal sizes of rectangles from blue, yellow, orange, and red felt.

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

Apply hot glue to the thermometer, smoothing it out as much as you can, press down each piece blue at the bottom, then yellow, then orange, and finally red.

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

Cut out a little black felt arrow for your child to move to indicate the temperature on the thermometer.

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

Add your sturdy stickers to the top to spell out Weather.

I  added a little extra hot glue to the back even though they were adhesive to be sure they were secure.  

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

Your child can then use the big open space to change out the weather each day.

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

To store unused pieces, I really love these sturdy bags, you can fit all the pieces plus a few books and other resources in them.

How to Get The Magic School Bus Kicks Up a Storm Worksheet

Now, how to grab the free pages. This is a subscriber freebie.

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get access to my subscribers library and this The Magic School Bus Kicks Up a Storm Worksheet.

However, not all my freebies are in the library (wink).

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

I like to keep up to date with what is valuable to you so I can give you more, some freebies you must sign up again on the form below even if you are already a follower.

And it’s the only way I have of freely delivering them to you. Just follow the steps below.

► 1) Sign up on my list.
► 2) Go to your inbox and confirm your email from the automatic reply I sent you. If you’re already a confirmed subscriber, you will not have to do this. You’ll receive the freebie instantly.
 ►3) Last step. look for my reply AFTER you’ve confirmed your email.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: artnotebookingpages, earth science, earthscience, elementary science, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, notebooking, science, weather

  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Footer

Privacy Policy | About Me | Reviews | Contact | Advertise

Categories

Archives

Tina Robertson is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 · 5 TNT LLC · Log in · Privacy Policy