Have you ever played a game where you look for shapes or images in the clouds as you lie on the grass? Or maybe you’ve gazed at the clouds while driving in the car. Clouds are a neat weather project to explore for spring science. Make a cloud viewer and take it outside for a fun cloud identification activity. You can even keep a cloud journal!

LEARN ABOUT CLOUDS WITH A CLOUD VIEWER

make a DIY cloud viewer to explore types of clouds outsidePin

Identify Clouds

With the warmer spring weather comes much more outdoor time! Why not make a cloud viewer and spend time exploring the sky outside? Our handy FREE printable cloud chart is a great way to learn about the different cloud types while outdoors. Have you ever noticed how clouds are different from day to day or if there’s a storm brewing?

ALSO CHECK OUT: Nature Activities For Kids

Types of Clouds

Learn the various cloud names below. The simple visual representation of each cloud will help all ages learn about the different types of clouds in the sky. Scientists also classify clouds by their height or altitude in the sky, low, middle, or high. 

High-level clouds are mostly made of ice crystals, while mid-level and low clouds are mostly made of water droplets that can turn into ice crystals if the temperature drops or the clouds rise quickly.

Cumulus: low to middle clouds that look like fluffy cotton balls.

Stratocumulus: low clouds that look fluffy and gray and may be a sign of rain.

Stratus: low clouds that look flat & gray, and spread out, may be a sign of drizzle.

Pin

Cumulonimbus: very tall clouds that span low to high, a sign of thunderstorms.

Cirrocumulus: high clouds that look fluffy like cotton balls.

Cirrus: high clouds that look wispy and thin and appear during good weather. (Cirrostratus)

Altostratus: middle clouds that look flat and gray and are usually a sign of rain.

Altocumulus: middle clouds that look small and fluffy.

Pin

Make a Cloud Viewer

This is easy to make and use in the classroom, at home, or with a group. Plus it’s a great activity to pair with a lesson on the water cycle.

YOU WILL NEED:

  • Jumbo craft sticks
  • Light blue or blue craft paint
  • Cloud Chart Printable
  • Scissors
  • Paintbrush
  • Hot glue/hot glue gun

HOW TO MAKE A CLOUD VIEWER

STEP 1: Carefully glue four craft sticks together to make a square.

Pin

STEP 2: Glue the 5th stock on the bottom center to hold the cloud viewer.

Pin

STEP 3: Spread out some scrap paper or newspaper, paint the sticks blue and let them dry.

Pin

STEP 4: Download and print your cloud chart. Cut out the different types of clouds and glue around the blue square.

Pin

Cloud Identification Activity

Time to head outside with your cloud viewer! Take the bottom of the stick and hold your cloud viewer to the sky to identify clouds.

  • What type of clouds do you see?
  • Are they low, middle, or high clouds?
  • Will there be rain coming?
Pin

What are Other Ways to Make Clouds?

  • Make cotton ball cloud models. Use cotton balls to create each of the types of the clouds. Use blue paper as your background. Cut out the cloud descriptions and have a friend match them to your cotton ball clouds.
  • Make playdough clouds with our free weather playdough mats bundle.
  • Paint the types of clouds! Use white puffy paint and cotton balls or Q-tips to paint clouds on blue paper.
  • Keep a cloud journal and record the clouds you see in the sky at the same time each day!
Pin

Looking for easy-to-print activities and inexpensive problem-based challenges?

We have you covered…

—>>> FREE Spring STEM challenges

More Fun Weather Activities for Kids

Click on the image below or on the link for all our weather activities for kids.