Make a Rain Meter [1]
What You’ll Need
- Masking tape
- Fork
- Permanent marker
- Large clear plastic cup
What to Do
1. Place a piece of masking tape on a flat, nonstick surface, such as a kitchen counter. Lay the fork handle across the bottom of the tape.
2. Use the permanent marker to make a line on the tape above the handle. Move the fork up so it sits on the line. Draw another line above the handle. Repeat until you’ve made five lines.
3. Number the lines with the marker.
4. Place the tape on the outside of the cup. Put the cup outdoors in a spot where rain can fall in.
Extend the Fun
For younger kids: Use this as an opportunity to introduce the concept of more and less. Each time you look at the meter together, have your child note how much rain was collected and compare it to the last time you recorded the amount. Ask, “Is it more or less? How can you tell?”
For older kids: Turn this into a lesson about charts and graphs. Each week, have your child record the amount of rain collected, then make a chart or graph with the information. Which week had the most rain? Which week had the least? Keep the chart for a few months. Then ask your child to total the amounts for each month and tell you which month had the most and which had least amount of rain.