Guess what?
The rainy season is here in the Philippines, which makes it the perfect time to teach kids about rain.
But hey, even if it’s not raining where you are, this is still an activity you shouldn’t pass up!
Why?
It’s real easy to do, costs nothing and is very, very educational. The kiddo and I successfully did this yesterday (mad scientist laugh), so let me share our experience.
Oh, there’s also an added bonus to doing this which I’ll tell you later on.
Materials:
- Small pot, measuring cup (1 cup), plastic cup (stay away from glass), plastic wrap and a rubber band (big enough to wrap around the cup).
- Visuals so you can easily explain the experiment in relation to the water cycle.
Steps:
1. Bring 1 ½ cups of water to a boil.
2. Transfer 1 cup of the hot water into a plastic cup. Do this as fast and safely as possible.
3. Cover the glass with plastic wrap and make sure there are no holes.
4. Place the rubber band around the cup to secure the wrap.
5. After 5 minutes, you’ll see…
Water droplets forming on the sides of the cup and under the plastic wrap
Note: The wrap is like a cloud and this step shows kiddos what evaporation is.
6. Put the glass inside the refrigerator. After 10 minutes, get it and you’ll see that…
The plastic has formed into a U shape and the droplets have merged into single drop
Note: Putting the cup in the refrigerator explains condensation, while the U shape of the plastic signifies the clouds being too heavy to hold all the water vapor. The droplet – which needs help falling down, so tap away – is precipitation or better known as rain.
But before you do it…
Here are a few safety tips:
- Make sure your child is at a good distance when boiling water.
- Let the kiddo use a pot holder while scooping hot water from the pot to the cup.
- Hold the cup securely should you let your child place the rubber band around it.
Now, remember I told you there was a bonus to this activity?
Quality time. Simple!
Now here’s a challenge: Do this today if you can; if not, get it done within the week.
It’s easy, simple, educational and fun. Are you up for the challenge?
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About Anne Mercado
I love this! I’m going to do it this summer when DS and I do our “weather week.” Thanks so much for sharing!
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Twitter: VenturesofHome
A weather week is a great idea! If you like to share how the experiment goes, feel free to come back and tell me all about it.
I just the water cycle with my kids at school and this would have been a perfect end of the unit activity. I’m bookmarking it to use next year!
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Twitter: HezziD
Do you teach kids?
That’s a neat idea. haha I was learning while reading your post.
Never really understood rain and all that. That was really cool! Thanks for the great idea! 
Spaghetti Pie
This rain experiment is pretty cool
Of course, my 5 year old had difficulties saying condensation and evaporation, but the whole experience went well.
This is wonderful. I’m always looking for ways to help my children think scientifically. Thanks!
My kid is THAT kid
Twitter: lonnacottrell
I’ll probably have more experiments in the coming months so you may want to stay tuned.
What a fun activity to do!! I will most certainly try this with my own brood! By the way your site looks beautiful!! As always I love to stop by here, you always have the best ideas!
In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning
I was actually thinking of whether you’d be interested in this activity or not since your kids are older. Glad you’re going to do it with them; it’s insanely easy to do
Glad you like the new theme! It’s simple and warm… Just how moms should be. Haha
This is fabulous. I home schooled my kids for ten years, and they loved studying weather, using a similar experiment. I recently heard my 15 year old explain the water cycle to his 7 year old sister referencing the experiment we had done (when he was about 7!)
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Twitter: karen_dawkins
Wow, you homeschooled your kids? That’s amazing!
This is way cool. I’m going to try it with my granddaughter!!! Thanks for sharing!
~Erin
Daddy’s Hands
Twitter: ErinPatrick
I think it’s great that you’ll be doing this with your granddaughter, Erin. How old is she, by the way?
Wonderful post Anne, I will be putting this experiment on my science calender for the new homeschool season.
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Wow that’s cool! There are other rain experiments out there but this seems to be the easiest.
Remember I told you that the kitchen and I don’t get along? Well, we did for this experiment
So cool!
It’s like General Science all over again!
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Twitter: RebelSweetHrt
Haha yeah it is
Cool project. Especially the cheap and easy part. When my kids were growing up, it was so fun to teach them about the weather and the water cycle. Never had this to show them though…wish I’d read your post 10 years ago…lol
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Twitter: BeckyJane_
Becky, I was in my 20′s 10 years ago sooooo, am not sure I would have known this activity about rain haha. But you made me laugh
Thanks for dropping by!
:O)
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Twitter: BeckyJane_
Wonderful idea – though I think I will wait. My one year old does not understand hot or danger yet.
Twitter: yourchildsfood
Definitely have to wait!
But you may check this out for your kiddo: 5 Fun Activities to Build Your Toddler’s Fine Motor Skills — at least numbers 1, 3 and 5.
What a wonderful experiment! I will definitely try this one out with my four kiddos
Thanks!
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Twitter: verosview
Glad you’ll try this out, Veronica. If you want, you could come back and let me know how it went
Would love to hear from you again!
Hi, just dropping by from VB.
I absolutely love this activity! What a fun way to teach young kids about rain.
I’ve visited your site several times and just love it. Thanks for all the great tips!
Blessings,
Marcia
It has begun! And there it goes!
It really is… although I’m not entirely sure my 5 year old understood what I said about evaporation, condensation and precipitation, we still had fun! And it’s very easy to do again.
Thanks so much for visiting and coming back; I really appreciate it. May I invite you to join my mailing list where you can get free email updates? That way, I can (cyber) deliver posts to you each week. If this is something you’d like, click here.
Hope to see you more, Marcia!