March 11, 2021
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Teach kids how to measure rainfall with this homemade rain gauge. This DIY Rain gauge is simple and fun to make with kids of all ages from preschool, pre-k, kindergarten to elementary age students in first grade, 2nd grade, and 3rd grade too. Use this how to make a rain gauge as part of a kindergarten weather unit!

Teach kids how to measure rainfall with this homemade rain gauge. This DIY Rain gauge is simple and fun to make with kids of all ages from preschool, pre-k, kindergarten to elementary age students in first grade, 2nd grade, and 3rd grade too. Use this how to make a rain gauge as part of a kindergarten weather unit! 

homemade rain gauge

Do your kids like rainstorms? We don’t get a ton of rain here so when we do, it is so fun! We like to play in it too, when it’s not thunder and lightning. The part that makes me the most excited, though, is when we can turn rainstorms into a STEM activity! Our latest is this fun Flowerpot Rain Gauge. This homemade rain guage is the perfect addition to a weather lesson plans kindergarten. Use this

I’ve looked for fun rain gauge ideas and found a ton that are made from water or soda bottles. That is a genius way to recycle and make an easy rain gauge, but I wanted something a little more elevated. Something that would look super cute in our backyard or our garden!

rain craft

diy rain gauge

I was walking through the craft aisles and saw a flower pot and thought YES! This is what I want to use. So i bought one, brought it home and we continued to decorate it and turn it into a rain gauge. It is important to note that the smaller pot that I bought, does NOT have a hole in the bottom. I’m not sure how you’re supposed to water flowers that way, but it works perfectly for this project!

Supplies that you’ll need are:

  • Flower Pot
  • Pencil (optional)
  • Sharpies
  • Big Popsicle Stick

How to make a rain gauge

how to make a rain gauge for kids

We drew on some of the designs with a pencil first. Then traced over it with the sharpie. This made it super helpful for my daughter to complete it and have it look nice the way she wanted it to. We drew a sun, some clouds and raindrops covering the rest.

Next, we took a big popsicle stick and used a sharpie to write marks for ½ inch and 1 inch. All the way up.

Then we stuck the popsicle stick down in the pot and it’s ready for next time it rains. We will be able to go out and actually see how much rain we have gotten.

What does a rain gauge measure

What does a rain gauge measure

This helps children with measurements, reading a ruler, and understanding how the rain typically goes down into the ground, or makes a puddle, but it is hard to measure it. It is nearly impossible to measure unless you have a rain gauge. Yes, you can buy one, but this way is so much more fun!

Brainstorm with your kids why they would want to measure the rain? How about so you know if you need to water plants!

Free printable seasons worksheets how to make a weather vane air pressure experiments rainbow-in-a-jar-density-experiment

Weather for Kindergarten

Whether you use this weather lesson plans kindergarten or as a fun weather theme for elementary age students, you will want to check out these other fun, and FREE, resources for  teaching kids about weather:

lemon volcano experiment for kids mentos and soda experiment How to Make a Newton's Cradle You will love these simple summer science experiments that help kids learn and explore with summer seashells! For this seashell activities all you need are a couple simple materials to try your hand at an EASY acid base experiment. Try this summer science with toddler, preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, first grade, and 2nd graders too. I just love using summer activity for kids that are fun and educational too!

Summer Fun

Looking for more outdoor activities for kids and things to do in the summer? Your toddler, preschool, pre k, kindergarten, and elementary age kids will love these fun ideas to keep them busy all summer long:

This plane will FLY! I was stunned that this pool noodle airplane craft flew as high and as far for as long as it did. If I was stunned, my kids were in complete awe! Try this plane craft with preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, and 4th graders too. This pool noodle craft is perfect for lazy summer days as a summer craft for kids or as part of a transportation or plane theme! bubble snakes beach worksheets WOW your kids with this Watermelon Volcano! This summer activity for kids is a great way to sneak in a science experient.

Summer Activities for Kids

Leak-Proof-Bag color changing flowers magnets for kids sidewalk chalk paint

Fun Summer Activities for Kids

free-planting-carrot-cvc-words-activity free-spring-showers-letter-matching use jelly beans to practice counting with this easter math activity where students will count, trace numbers, and work on one to one correspondence

Spring Printables

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Deanna Hershberger is a work at home mom, coffee obsessed, a diy addict and a Netflix binger. She spends her days playing and making with her daughter and enjoys quiet nights at home with her husband. She shares all of this on her blog Play Dough & Popsicles.

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