How Does Rain Form

If you are putting together a weather theme, here’s a easy and fun weather activity the kiddos are going to love! Science doesn’t get much simpler than a sponge and a cup of water to explore how rain forms. Where does rain come from? How do clouds make rain? These are all great questions that kids love to ask. Now you can show them how a cloud works with this easy to set up a rain cloud model.

Sponge Rain Cloud Model for Spring Weather Activities and Preschool Science

Explore How Clouds Make Rain For Spring Science

Spring is the perfect time of year for science! There are so many fun themes to explore. For this time of the year, our favorite topics to teach kids about spring include plants and rainbows, geology, Earth Day and of course weather!

Science experiments, demonstrations, and STEM challenges are awesome for kids to explore a weather theme! Kids are naturally curious and looking to explore, discover, check out, and experiment to discover why things do what they do, move as they move, or change as they change!

All our weather activities are designed with you, the parent or teacher, in mind! Easy to set up and quick to do, most activities will take only 15 to 30 minutes to complete and are filled with hands-on fun! Plus, our supplies lists usually contain only free or cheap materials you can source from home!

Get ready to add this simple rain cloud in a jar activity to your weather lesson plans. If you want to learn all about where rain comes from, let’s dig in! While you’re at it, make sure to check out these other fun weather science activities for kids.

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WHERE DOES RAIN COME FROM?

Rain comes from clouds and clouds are formed by water vapor rising in the air. These water molecules will clump together and eventually form a cloud you can see. These water droplets will attract more water droplets and the cloud will get heavier and heavier.

Like a cloud, the sponge will eventually get over-saturated and start to drip through to the jar below. When a cloud gets filled with water, it releases the water in the form of rain.

Check out this fun water cycle activity to learn more about where rain comes from.

HOW TO MAKE A RAIN CLOUD

Let’s get right to our simple rain cloud model and find out how clouds form rain. Alternatively, you can try this shaving cream rain cloud method as well.

YOU WILL NEED

Sponge
Blue food coloring
Jar
Pipette

RAIN CLOUD IN A JAR SET UP

STEP 1: Get the sponge slightly damp and put it on top of a jar.

STEP 2: Color some water blue.

STEP 3: Use a pipette to transfer the colored water to the sponge.

Like a cloud, it will eventually get over-saturated and start to drip through to the jar below, making rain.

Tip: Kids love water play so make sure to have plenty of paper towels handy too! Of course, you have plenty of sponges too. If you have simple trays to place each activity on, they will help contain any water spill. I do love dollar store cookie trays for this purpose.

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