Can you tell the time with your own DIY sundial? Certainly, though not at night! For many thousands of years people would track the time with a sundial. Make your own sundial at home or in the classroom from simple supplies. All you need is a paper plate, a pencil and of course, a sunny day to get started. We love easy, hands-on STEM projects for kids!
How To Make A Sundial
💡 Make a water clock for another fun way to track time.
Can you tell me what time it is by using the sun? Let’s find out! Find printable instructions below.
Supplies:
- Paper plate
- Pencil
- Marker
- Sunny day
- Free Science Journal Pages
Instructions:
STEP 1: Using your pencil, mark the center of your paper plate and then poke your pencil through it.
STEP 2: Start your experiment at noon if possible.
STEP 3: Place your plate and pencil sundial on the ground outside in sunlight. Place it somewhere you can leave it for several hours.
STEP 4: Mark the shadow with the number 12 to begin.
STEP 5: Set a timer and check on your sundial at different intervals during the day. Mark the time and placement of the pencil’s shadow to tell what time it is. The more accurate you want to be, the more makings you will need.
Now you can use your sundial to tell the time, on a different day in a similar position. Take it outside and test it out!
Get your FREE printable sundial project!
What Is A Sundial?
There are many types of sundials. Most contain a ‘gnomon’, a thin rod that casts a shadow onto a dial, and a flat plate. The first sundial was created more than 5,500 years ago.
The sun’s and shadow’s movement across the sundial results from Earth’s rotation on its axis. As our planet spins, the sun appears to move across the sky when we are the ones who are moving!
💡 Learn more about the Earth’s rotation with these day and night worksheets.
A sundial works because as the sun’s position seems to move in our sky, the shadow it casts will align with lines marking each hour, telling us the time of day.
Make a sundial with our simple instructions below, and then take it outside to tell the time. If it is in full sun, it doesn’t matter which way your sundial faces. An easy way to set it up is to start it on the hour and then make a mark on the plate at regular intervals.
More Fun Outdoor STEM Projects
When you finish making this sundial, why not explore more engineering with one of these ideas below. You can find all our engineering activities for kids here!
- Build a DIY solar oven.
- Another way to observe shadows changing over the day.
- Make this erupting bottle rocket.
- Build a DIY water wall for kids from PVC pipes.
- Construct a marble run wall from pool noodles.
- Make a homemade magnifying glass.
- Build a compass and work out which way is true north.
Helpful STEM Resources To Get You Started
Here are a few resources to help you introduce STEM more effectively to your kiddos or students and feel confident when presenting materials. You’ll find helpful free printables throughout.
Printable STEM Pack for Kids
80+ Doable Engineering Projects in one convenient pack!
- Full instructions with sample images
- Activity-specific instruction sheets
- Data Collection Sheets
- Questions for Reflection
- Architecture Building Cards: Try the tallest tower challenge
- Bridge Building Cards: Explore different types of bridges to build your own.
- Paper Chain STEM Challenge: Who can make the longest chain? Great icebreaker or quick challenge!
- 3 Little Pigs Architectural Pack: Design a house that won’t blow away!
- Great marshmallow challenge: A classic challenge kids love!
- Real-world STEM challenge lesson but don’t know where to start? Our easy-to-follow template shows the steps!
- What’s the difference between a scientist and an engineer?
- Crossword and word search with engineering vocabulary.
- Engineering vocabulary cards
- Design a one-of-a-kind invention and write about it with this 5-page activity!
