Making It Rain
Due to Big Brother’s fascination (and fear) of various types of weather, I thought now would be a great time to start a new Weather Thematic Unit. We’re not forecasted to receive any rain for the next couple weeks around here (which we desperately need), so perhaps our little experiment will rub off on the weather!
This water cycle project idea (and many others that we’ll be trying) came from Weather Wiz Kids. Take a look at the site (created by a meteorologist), it’s got tons of great ideas!
How To Make It Rain
You will need:
- glass jar
- plate
- water
- ice cubes
What to do:
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| 1. Heat your water until it is steaming. |
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| 2. Pour the hot water into a jar until it is about 1/3 filled. Put a plate on the top of the jar. Wait a minute or two before the next step. |
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| 3. Put the ice cubes on top of the plate and watch closely to see what happens inside the jar. |
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| 4. Streaks of water will run down the side of the jar, making rain! |
This rain in a jar activity would probably be more appropriate for children who are slightly older, but Big Brother enjoyed it (for about 20 seconds, anyway). :)
Can Your Science Explain Why It Rains?
Wonder what makes it rain… Go here under “explanation” to find out!
This post was first published June 2011. Updated 2018.
Literature Link
by Robert Kalan & Donald CrewsClick here for more easy science ideas:
How To Make A Homemade Lava Lamp
Oobleck Recipe: Liquid or Solid?
Awesome Science Fair Project Ideas for Kids
Anonymous says
June 7, 2011 at 10:42 pmThis is great we did something similar, except we made our ice blue! Come by and check it out http://habeebeehomeschooling.wordpress.com/2011/04/27/indoor-rain/
Crisc says
March 18, 2012 at 10:34 pmAwesome project, found it on Pinterest. I have it pinned for a project tomorrow and that post will go up next Monday. I always link back to the “pin” but if you like I will link directly here. Just let me know =)
mom2kmjx2 says
June 16, 2012 at 9:26 pmWe are in a drought and burn ban. Going to do this tomorrow after church since we need some lol.
Laura Brown says
July 14, 2012 at 8:33 amI am sorry that you did not have a good experience in school, but many teachers I have the experience of knowing do teach this way.
Birdie says
August 21, 2012 at 5:17 pmHow neat! I think that I will do this with my children, nieces, and nephews! :)
Jessica says
March 8, 2013 at 7:24 amThanks for the idea! We tried it and I blogged about it today and linked up to this page too! Please come check out my post: http://savegreenbeinggreen.blogspot.com/2013/03/kids-crafts-inspired-from-pinterest.html
braeden says
May 8, 2013 at 7:36 pmthat was the worst ever it didn’t work at all.
Janelle Stender says
April 24, 2014 at 10:32 pmYou need to look at the bottom of the plate inside the jar. Look closely, as water vapor condenses to form water droplets on the bottom of the plate inside the jar. For more of a visual instead of a plate put plastic wrap over the top of the jar and seal with tape or a large rubber band. You will really see the condensation on the plastic wrap. Do not be so quick to judge until you fully understand the experiment. This one does work and it teachers the water cycle process.
Janelle Stender says
April 24, 2014 at 10:33 pmYou need to look at the bottom of the plate inside the jar. Look closely, as water vapor condenses to form water droplets on the bottom of the plate inside the jar. For more of a visual instead of a plate put plastic wrap over the top of the jar and seal with tape or a large rubber band. You will really see the condensation on the plastic wrap. Do not be so quick to judge until you fully understand the experiment. This one does work and it teaches the water cycle process.
techtv says
May 9, 2013 at 1:10 amwhat a cool idea…..
rach says
June 12, 2013 at 12:00 pmThis was the worst experiment ever. You don’t even need the ice, it is just the water from the steam rolling down the sides of the glass jar.
kristina says
August 20, 2013 at 11:39 pmThis is totally cool! I am pinning it to our Donald Crews Virtual Book Club for Kids Pinterest board. I’d love for you to come link it up in our Donald Crews blog hop if you have a sec http://www.toddlerapproved.com/2013/08/alphabet-train-matching-activity-for.html
Related Site says
October 25, 2013 at 8:50 amWonderful website you’ve got here.
GinaB says
February 7, 2015 at 12:22 pmSo cool. I have it down for this weeks letter of the week science project. R for Rain.
Vee says
March 30, 2015 at 11:58 amThat’s so cool!
Amanda says
September 24, 2015 at 6:37 amHi Jenae! I love this project for teaching about part of the hydrologic cycle. I put a link to it in my latest blog post to share with my readers (thank you!!). I love your blog!!
katie says
February 12, 2016 at 6:01 pmCan I microwave the water? We can not have hot plates in the classroom…
Helena Orstem says
February 27, 2019 at 3:24 amThis was the worst experiment ever. You don’t even need the ice, it is just the water from the steam rolling down the sides of the glass jar.
John Petser says
May 24, 2019 at 12:18 pmIts really a random experiment, haha i never saw his kind of experiment. For rain cloud we can use some kind of chemical.
Sharon Gore says
June 12, 2019 at 11:54 amI think that I will do this with my children. Thank you so much!