Fall is the perfect time to explore weather changes all around us. Kids can observe shorter days, cooler temperatures, falling leaves, and even seasonal storms. These hands-on fall weather science projects make it easy to connect real seasonal changes to big science ideas.
Fall Weather Science for Kids
- Field of Science: Earth Science / Weather & Climate
- Grade Levels: Elementary (K–5)
- Concepts Explored: Weather patterns, temperature, air pressure, water cycle, seasonal changes, and how living things adapt to fall weather.
Fall Weather Science Projects
🔎 Please click on the titles to learn more about each experiment or demonstration. Many projects include a free printable to add to your fall science journal.
1. Fall Temperature Tracker
Keep a daily log of morning and afternoon temperatures for two weeks. Graph the data to see how temperatures cool down in fall.
NGSS Guiding Questions:
- What patterns do I notice in temperature over time?
- How does fall weather compare to summer?
2. Pine Cone Weather Station
Observe how pine cones open and close depending on humidity levels. Use them to predict if the weather will be dry or damp.
NGSS Guiding Questions:
- How can plants give us clues about weather?
- What evidence shows changes in humidity?
3. Rain Gauge STEM Project
Make a simple rain gauge using a clear jar or bottle to measure fall rainfall. Compare amounts after each storm.
NGSS Guiding Questions:
- How can I measure the amount of rain that falls in a certain period of time?
- What patterns do I see in rainfall during fall?
4. Wind Speed with an Anemometer
Build a simple anemometer with cups and straws to track how windy fall days can be.
NGSS Guiding Questions:
- How can I measure wind?
- How does wind speed change from day to day?
5. Leaf Chromatography Experiment
Explore why leaves change color in fall by separating pigments with chromatography (coffee filters + rubbing alcohol).
NGSS Guiding Questions:
- Why do leaves change color in the fall?
- What evidence shows there are hidden pigments in leaves?
6. Cloud Watching
Observe clouds during the fall and sketch different types of clouds. Record what weather follows each cloud type.
NGSS Guiding Questions:
- What kinds of clouds do I see in fall?
- How can clouds help predict the weather?
7. Pumpkin Decomposition Experiment
Track how a pumpkin changes outside in fall weather and learn about decomposition and moisture levels.
NGSS Guiding Questions:
- What happens to organic matter when exposed to fall weather?
- How does temperature and moisture affect decomposition?
8. Air Pressure with a Jar & Balloon
Stretch a balloon over the mouth of a jar and place the jar in hot or cold water. Watch how the balloon moves as air pressure changes.
NGSS Guiding Questions:
- How does temperature affect air pressure?
- How can air pressure changes be linked to weather?
9. Weather in a Jar (Mini Water Cycle)
Fill a glass jar with hot water, then cover it with a plate holding ice cubes. Watch condensation form inside to model clouds and rain.
NGSS Guiding Questions:
- How do clouds form?
- What happens when warm air meets cold air?
10. Homemade Barometer
Use a jar, balloon, and straw to make a simple barometer that shows changes in air pressure before storms.
NGSS Guiding Questions:
- How does air pressure affect weather?
- Can changes in pressure help predict storms?
11. Static Electricity & Fall Air
Rub a balloon on your hair and use it to pick up small bits of paper. Connects to drier fall air and static electricity.
NGSS Guiding Questions:
- What is static electricity?
- Why is static stronger in drier air?
12. Evaporation Experiment
Place shallow pans of water in sun, shade, and wind to see which evaporates faster in fall weather.
NGSS Guiding Questions:
- What factors affect how fast water evaporates?
- How does the weather influence evaporation rates?
13. Frost on a Can (Condensation Demo)
Fill a can with ice and salt water, then observe as frost forms on the outside — a sight reminiscent of chilly fall mornings.
NGSS Guiding Questions:
- How does condensation form?
- Why does frost appear on cold surfaces?
14. Wind Vane for Fall Breezes
Make a simple wind vane with a straw, a pin, and a paper arrow to track wind direction.
NGSS Guiding Questions:
- How can we measure wind direction?
- What patterns do I notice about wind during fall?
Fall Weather Science Information
Weather describes short-term conditions, such as rain, wind, and temperature, while climate describes long-term patterns. In the fall, cooler temperatures, shorter daylight hours, and seasonal storms are all part of larger weather patterns.
By observing and recording these changes, kids learn to identify patterns and connect them to scientific concepts, such as the water cycle, air pressure, and seasonal adaptations.
Branch of Science: Earth Science (Weather & Climate), with crossovers to Life Science (plant responses, animal adaptations) and Physical Science – air pressure (forces), evaporation (matter), static electricity (energy).
Core Concepts Explored:
- Weather patterns and seasonal changes
- Measuring and recording weather (temperature, rainfall, wind, humidity)
- Air pressure, evaporation, and condensation
- Plant and animal responses to environmental changes
- Decomposition and the recycling of matter
Recommended Grade Levels:
- K–2: Simple observations (temperature tracking, pine cone weather, cloud journal).
- 3–5: Collecting and graphing data (rainfall totals, wind measurements, leaf chromatography).
- Upper elementary extensions: Modeling air pressure with a barometer, connecting static electricity to dry air, and designing full weather stations.
NGSS Connections:
- K-ESS2-1: Use and share observations of local weather conditions.
- 3-ESS2-1: Represent data to describe typical weather conditions.
- 3-ESS2-2: Obtain and combine information to describe climates in different regions.
- 5-ESS2-1: Develop a model showing how matter (water) moves between air, land, and water.
Extension Activities
- Compare your fall data to summer or winter for a year-long weather study.
- Research how animals adapt to fall weather (migration, hibernation, thicker fur).
- Set up a class weather board with daily student “meteorologists.”
Make It a Science Project
Turn these into experiments by asking testable questions:
- Do daytime and nighttime temperatures change at the same rate in fall?
- Does location (sun vs. shade) affect the rate of pumpkin decomposition?
- Which factors (sun, wind, or shade) affect evaporation the most [evaporation experiment here]?
- How does air pressure change before a storm?
🔎 This is a fantastic opportunity to explore using the scientific method [here].
Related Science Activities
- Pumpkin Science Experiments
- Homemade Weather Station for Kids
- Water Cycle in a Bag Experiment
- Fall Life Science Projects
- Winter Weather Science Projects
- Spring Weather Science Projects
Fall Weather Science Projects FAQ
What are some fun fall weather science experiments for kids?
Kids can try tracking fall temperatures, building a rain gauge, testing wind speed with a homemade anemometer, or doing a leaf chromatography experiment to see why leaves change color.
Why do leaves change color in the fall?
Leaves change color because chlorophyll, the green pigment, breaks down in cooler weather and less sunlight. This reveals other pigments like yellow, orange, and red that were hidden in the leaf.
How can I teach kids about fall weather?
You can set up simple hands-on activities like keeping a weather journal, measuring daily rainfall, watching cloud patterns, and comparing daytime and nighttime temperatures. These activities help kids notice real seasonal changes.
What is a simple fall science project for elementary students?
A pine cone weather station is an easy project! Kids can observe how pine cones open on dry days and close on humid days, making a natural weather predictor.
What NGSS standards fit with fall weather science projects?
Fall weather activities connect with NGSS topics like:
- K-ESS2-1: Use and share observations of local weather conditions.
- 3-ESS2-1: Represent data to describe typical weather conditions.
- 5-ESS2-1: Develop a model showing how water cycles between air, land, and water.
How do you make weather science fun in the fall?
Connect experiments to the season! Use pumpkins for decomposition projects, colorful leaves for chromatography, and fall storms for rain and wind investigations. Seasonal themes make the science feel relevant and exciting.
