Activity: Weather Watcher

Inspired by Femke Herregraven’s works in Our Silver City, 2094, this activity is all about the changing weather.

A bundle of drawings of a cloud, a pair of wellington boots, a snowflake, a rainbow, a puddle, the wind, a lightning bolt, a duck which says 'nice weather for ducks' and a statement saying 'chilly bonbons!'
An empty jar of twigs behind an image of a duck which says 'Nice weather for ducks' with pictures of a lightning bolt, wellington boots, rain drops and a cloud held up by string

Things you will need;

  • Cardboard (have a rummage in your recycling bin)
  • Twigs (have a look in the park or garden, or on your way home from school)
  • An empty jar (recycling bin again!)
  • String
  • Sticky tape
  • Scissors
  • And some colouring pens or pencils

We love to talk about the weather. Do you have any phrases or sayings in your family about weather? My Granny always said “Chilly bon bons!” when it was cold!

Have a think about all the different types of weather. What clothes might you need in these weathers?

Think of a symbol that could show each type of weather.

Using your card, draw these symbols, clothing, and sayings, then cut them out. You can add a loop of string, so that they can be hung up.

Put your twigs into the jar (like flowers in a vase) and use your ‘tree’ to display the symbols for today's weather.

Keep watching the weather and change your decorations to match what it is like outside.

Drawings of a rainbow, a sun, a duck which says 'nice weather for ducks', rain drops and a pair of wellington boots
A jar of twigs holding up drawings of a pair of wellington boots, a cloud, a rain drop ad a duck which says 'nice weather for ducks'
A tally chart of symbols titled 'weather watcher'
A drawing of a duck and a pair of wellington boots placed on top of a tally chart of symbols titled 'weather watcher'
A drawing of a sun, a cloud, rain drops and a rainbow placed on top of a tally chart of symbols titled 'weather watcher'
A jar of twigs holding up drawings of a cloud, a sun and writing which says 'Chilly BonBons'
Drawings of a cloud, a lightning bolt, and wind
A jar of twigs holding images of a cloud, a sun and an image of the wind held up by string

You could keep a tally chart, and see which symbols you have used the most. Can you see a pattern in these tallys?

Using this information, you could predict what the weather might be like tomorrow?

Tips at home:

  • Keep your weather watching tree near a window, so you can respond to changes in the weather when you notice them.
  • Make a clear space to work.
  • Gather all the things you’ll need before starting.
  • Some children might need support or supervision when cutting.

If you have a go at the activity, we’d love to see your predictions on social media #NCmaking

This activity was created by Play and Learn Facilitator, Susie Lambert

Susie looking backwards whilst holding out a cape in the style of peacock feathers

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