Written by If you’re looking for easy activities to keep kids busy on a rainy day, you’re in the right place. Make the most of the weather with my collection of easy science experiments for a rainy day.
Children can use the rain as part of a science experiment or be inspired by rain and weather.
I hope these rainy day activities cheer up a gloomy day wherever you are!
Science Experiments for a Rainy Day
1. Make a simple rain gauge
A rain gauge can be made easily from a plastic bottle. Either place a plastic ruler inside to measure the amount of water or use a permanent pen to mark measurements on the side.
Remember to empty the rain gauge daily to get a new measurement the next day.
2. Waterproof a Welly Boot
Find out about waterproof materials with my waterproof a welly boot STEM challenge.
The activity sheet is free to download, and then all you need are materials to test, sellotape and water.
3. Make a rain cloud in a jar
Discover how clouds form and why rain falls with a colourful rain cloud in a jar demonstration.
Clouds look grey when they are so full of water droplets that light cannot travel through them! This is why grey clouds are a sign that rain is about to fall.
4. Make a rainbow indoors
Make a rainbow indoors using a prism and torch. Rainbows are seen in the sky opposite the sun and are caused by the refraction ( bending of light ) and dispersion ( splitting up ) of sunlight in drops of rain or mist.
If you don’t have a prism, look for a rainbow in bubbles!
5. Make a water cycle model
A water cycle model is a great way to learn about evaporation and precipitation!
The model allows children to see condensation build up on the cling film, which falls as precipitation. You’ll need to wait for a sunny day to get this to work, but a rainy day is a great time to plan the activity.
6. Tornado in a Jar
Tornadoes are powerful vertical columns of rapidly spinning air that can cause vast amounts of damage. A tornado in a jar is a great way to visualise this exciting weather phenomenon.
7. Make lightning with a balloon
Did you know you can create a tiny spark of static electricity with a balloon and a metal spoon?
You’ll need to be in a dark room to see the spark.
8. Create a thunderstorm
A thunderstorm is a storm with thunder, lightning and often strong wind and rain. Lightning is a giant spark of electricity between a cloud and the ground, inside or between clouds. Thunder is the sound created by the rapid heating of the air around a lightning bolt. The air expands very quickly, creating a loud boom noise.
Thunderstorms form when warm, moist air rapidly moves upwards. The air cools, forming clouds that produce lightning, thunder, and heavy rain.
A candle carousel is a fun way to demonstrate how hot air rises.
9. Build a barometer
Barometers measure air pressure, which is one factor meteorologists use to predict the weather!
You can make a simple DIY barometer using a glass jar with a balloon taped over the top.
10. What shape is a raindrop?
Find out what shape a raindrop is, can you take a photo of a raindrop shape as water drips from a tap?
Can you think of any more rainy day science activities for us?
Science concepts
Weather
Air Pressure
Water cycle
Convection
Last Updated on February 16, 2025 by Emma Vanstone
The post 10 Easy Science Experiments for a Rainy Day appeared first on Science Experiments for Kids.
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