Have you noticed a lot of rain this May? While it might not always be the best for outside play, it is still a really good thing! Rain plays a vital role in the ecosystem. From plants to people, rain is something for which we should give thanks! Help kids understand the importance of rain and its role in the ecosystem today!
Learn more about rain today!
- Just like people, plants need water to survive
- Rain can provide electricity through hydro power!
- Forests that experience a lot of rain are called rain forests
- A rainforest gets at least 75 inches of rain a year!
- Rain is needed for crops and foliage to flourish and nourish our bodies.
- Rain is an important part of the water cycle, here is how it works
- The heat from the sun absorbs water from the earth. Heat turns water from liquid to gas, this process is called evaporation. When water evaporates it creates clouds in the sky.
- When the clouds cool down, the water vapor does too, and the water vapor turns to liquid again, known as condensation.
- When the liquid in the clouds gets too heavy, it falls from the clouds back to the ground, known as precipitation. Sometimes it falls as rain, snow, or hail depending on the temperature.
- Oceans and lakes collect the precipitation that falls, and the cycle repeats!
Learn more about rain today!
- Just like people, plants need water to survive
- Rain can provide electricity through hydro power!
- Forests that experience a lot of rain are called rain forests
- A rainforest gets at least 75 inches of rain a year!
- Rain is needed for crops and foliage to flourish and nourish our bodies.
- Rain is an important part of the water cycle, here is how it works
- The heat from the sun absorbs water from the earth. Heat turns water from liquid to gas, this process is called evaporation. When water evaporates it creates clouds in the sky.
- When the clouds cool down, the water vapor does too, and the water vapor turns to liquid again, known as condensation.
- When the liquid in the clouds gets too heavy, it falls from the clouds back to the ground, known as precipitation. Sometimes it falls as rain, snow, or hail depending on the temperature.
- Oceans and lakes collect the precipitation that falls, and the cycle repeats!
Help kids understand how rain works by engaging with this rain-day craft!
Materials:
- Mason Jar/ Glass
- Water
- Shaving Cream
- Food Coloring
1. Set Up
Fill a glass halfway with water. Be sure to have shaving cream and food coloring handy!
2. Make a cloud
Spray the shaving cream on top of the water. Point out how the shaving cream acts as a cloud and explain that the water cycle!
3. Color
Slowly drop the food coloring on top of the shaving cream. Watch as it moves through the shaving cream cloud and into the water. The food coloring demonstrates precipitation as raindrops fall from the sky.
“The Water Cycle for Kids – How It Works – Diagram & Facts.” Science Kids – Fun Science & Technology for Kids! N.p., n.d. Web. 29 May 2017.
“School of Life Sciences | Ask A Biologist.” What Are Plants Made Of? | ASU – Ask A Biologist. N.p., 04 Feb. 2015. Web. 30 May 2017.
“Why Do We Need to Drink Water?” Healthy Eating | SF Gate. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 May 2017.
“Water Facts.” Water for the World: Water Facts. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 May 2017.