This weather unit study for kids is perfect for the whole family to dive into together! This unit study is divided into ten specific topics, covering all aspects of learning about the weather.
Get excited, my friend, for some fun hands-on learning! This weather unit study includes these topics: climate, temperature, the water cycle, clouds, forces and winds, thunder and lightning, tornadoes, hurricanes, snow, and weather forecasting!
My boys and I loved this one – Sam’s favourite was making the tornado and Ben’s favourite was learning to read a thermometer—which, by the way, I adore was his favourite part!
Within our Weather Unit Study, each of the 10 topics includes:
- a hands-on activity
- a curated YouTube video
- book suggestions
- a math or literacy enrichment activity
- an interesting fact
- a discussion question
Wondering if unit studies are right for your family? Grab a sample pack and take a peek inside my Stars and Constellations Unit Study! You can also see the entire collection of Unit Studies available in my shop right here.
I just know you are going to love this Weather Unit Study. Have a peek, and get immediate access, right here:
Here are the 10 topics covered in our Weather Unit Study:
(to check out this unit study, or to order it and get immediate access, check it out here)
1. Climate
We discovered what the difference was between climate and temperature and we discovered what climate WE live in. We used this information to dive into some research about plants that grow in our climate and used this research to plan out a “dream garden”. Hopefully in the spring we will put the garden drawings into action!
2. Temperature
There is no better way to learn about temperature than by learning to read a thermometer and record some temperatures. The boys loved recording the temperature outside for a week, checking to see how the sun/shade affected our temperature readings, as well as figuring out what time of day is typically the warmest.
3. The Water Cycle
We used a simple Ziploc bag to make a model of the water cycle! It was hung up in our window, and we could see how water evaporates, collects, and then “rains” back down.
4. Clouds
Can you name the 4 different types of clouds? You will certainly be able to after this fun hands-on activity! Use cotton balls to learn all about the different clouds and what each one looks like and can mean for our weather.
5. Forces and Winds
Learning about wind and the amazing power it has is a fun and exciting topic. We brought the power of wind down to a very small and manageable size by putting it right into our children’s hands. We made a simple paper windmill as we learned all about wind power.
6. Thunder and Lightening
The reason I love that my Ben’s favourite part of this unit study was learning to read a thermometer is because of this hands-on activity. We created LIGHTNING! I mean, how was that now his favourite part?! By using items found in our kitchen cupboard, we were able to create static electricity and make a spark that looked just like a bolt of lightning.
7. Tornadoes
Tornadoes are amazing forces of nature and some of the most extreme forms of weather. My boys were mesmerized as we learned about tornadoes in this weather unit study. We simply used two big plastic water bottles, warming the mouth of each with a lighter so they ‘stuck’ together and secured with duct tape. It was such an easy science demonstration, and the kids LOVED it!
8. Hurricanes
Hurricanes were another huge hit to learn about in our weather unit study. The YouTube video for this topic was spectacular, and the hands-on activity really helped my boys to understand why there is a calm, stillness in the “eye of the storm”. For this activity, we simply used water, blue food colouring, a paper clip, and a bowl. There are no fancy supplies required for these unit studies – just things you already have at home.
9. Snow
Learning about snow and snowflakes is a must with a weather topic for kids! You don’t need snow for this hands-on activity, so you can do it any time of the year. All snowflakes are symmetrical and have 6 sides. You can use a mirror and Qtips (or cotton swabs) to make gorgeous, symmetrical, snowflake art.
10. Weather Forecasting
Finally, we finished our weather unit study with a section on weather forecasting. We learned how meteorologists make predictions about the weather. We became weather forecasters ourselves and made a homemade weather vane using a simple plastic container, straw, pin, and a little bit of cardboard. Children will learn all about the cardinal directions (North, South, East, and West) as they track the wind with their printable “Wind Tracker”. Who knew learning could be this much fun?!
When we dive into unit studies, we don’t necessarily do all ten topics. We play it by ear and see what the kids are into. But this weather unit study had my children’s attention from the very first topic to the last! We did all ten topics from this unit study. I just love when they LOVE learning.
Would you like to get this Weather Unit Study? You will receive it immediately in your email. It includes:
- All instructions and printables for the Hands On Activities
- Curated YouTube videos with information about each of the 10 topics
- A booklist for the library
- A math or literacy enrichment activity for each of the 10 topics
- An interesting fact for each topic
- And a discussion question for each topic (perfect for journal writing!)
You can grab your Weather Unit Study right here!
Thank you so much for reading! Please let me know if you have any questions,
xo
Sarah
P.S. Grab a sample pack and take a peek inside three of my Unit Studies! You can also see the entire collection of Unit Studies available in my shop right here.
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