Explore ‘Rain’ Activities With Infants, Toddlers, Preschoolers, and School-Aged Children

Here comes the rain! The sound of raindrops on the window!

Pitter Patter! Pitter Patter!

‘It raining! It’s pouring! The old man is snoring.’

Traditional nursery rhyme

Let’a explore rain with children!

Rainwater Collection Activity

See how much rain falls in a hour or overnight.

What you will need:

clear containers or measuring cups (recycle ice cream pails are great)

masking tape

permanent markers

of course. a rainy day!

Mark down measurements (1/4,1/2, 3/4, 1 cup, etc...) with a permanent marker and masking tape.

Keep the container outside on a rainy day. Then record the next day how much has fallen!

Weather ‘Rain’ Cycle In A Bag Activity

https://www.instagram.com/p/CATNgQfBHqN/?igshid=z1jo5ejoq8yi

Why does it rain? What happens to the clouds when it rains?

This activity helps children to gain a better understanding of why it rains and what happens to the clouds,

What you will need:

1/4 water or rain water

1 or 2 drops food colouring

permanent markers for drawing

zip-loc bag

Have children draw clouds on a ziploc bag. Fill the bag with 1/4 cup water. Add a few drops of blue food colouring. Seal it and tape it on a window. Watch what happens in a couple of hours, then the next couple of days.

Discuss the four stages :evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection. A great activity for preschoolers and school-aged children!

´It Looks Like Spilt Milk´ Prop Story

Retelling this classic children’s story written by Charles G. Shaw.

Use shaving cream to create the characters of the story. Don’t forget the split milk!

View it on ECR Network Connections YoutubeChannel

Storytelling ´It Looks Like Spilt Milk:

https://youtu.be/pUEuo5AlpwE

Rain Play dough

https://www.instagram.com/p/CATWoMnBfQ3/?igshid=yvkvlr3j3k06

Make play dough with rain water. Collect rainwater overnight. Safe, non-toxic, edible for older infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-aged children!

Ingredients

2 cups flour

1 cup salt

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 tablespoon cream of tartar

1 1/2 cups RAINWATER 2-3 drops blue food colouring

Mix the ingredients up. knead into dough texture. If too sticky, add more flour. If too dry, add more rainwater. Store in a sealed container. It can last 2-3weels!

Substitute: gluten-free flour

Tip: Make a sensory play dough bag for younger infants and children with sensory sensitivities. Place rain play dough in a zip-loc bag. Seal it with duct tape.

If children are reluctant to touch the play dough, have them explore it with kitchen utensils.

Children learn by watching, so adults start playing with the play dough. Show how to use the play dough safely. Have fun!

Puffy Rain Clouds With Rain Water

https://www.instagram.com/p/CATP1YGhwyH/?igshid=33yllrx0zh99

Make clouds with puffy paint (shaving cream & while glue).

Painting fluffy clouds with a paintbrush!

Collect rain water overnight. Add blue food colouring to the rainwater.

Make raindrops by using eyedrops and the rainwater.

Tip: For infants, place puffy paint and raindrops in a sealed sensory bag. Seal it with masking tape. Place on high chair tray, floor or window.

For more developmentally appropriate activities for children, please visit ECE Network Connections on different social media outlets.

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