rain cloud water experiment

Rain Cloud in a Jar Science Experiment with Printable Recording Sheets

This rain cloud in a jar is a weather science experiment gives young children a chance to explore clouds and rain in a hands-on and engaging way!

If you are looking for a simple and easy science activity to do with the kids this spring, this is perfect for you. Plus, it includes free printable recording sheets for kids in preschool and elementary!

Make a Rain Cloud in a Jar

This classic weather activity for kids is favorite in classrooms and homes. I did a similar version of it when we did this clouds and rain experiment a while back. My version lasts a bit longer and is great way to incorporate additional fine motor practice, but I wanted to give the classic a try too.

*Note: This science experiment should be done with adult supervision at all times.

Plus, I have printable recording sheets for preschool and early elementary students and another one for older students.

Supplies Needed:

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• Printable recording sheets (button to download at the bottom of the post)
• A large jar  (I used a plastic one like this)
• Shaving cream  (not a gel version)
• Gel Food coloring  or  washable watercolors
• Pipettes  or  droppers

Setting Up the Weather Experiment

• In a small cup, mix the food coloring with some water.
• Fill the large jar with water until it is about 3/4 full.
• Place the jar and the cups of colored water on the table. Place a pipette in each cup of colored water.
• Right before the kids are ready to do the experiment, spray a bunch of shaving cream in the jar until it is just a small bit above the top of the jar.

Doing the Rain Cloud in a Jar Experiment

Ask the kids to pick up some colored water with a pipette and squirt it on top of the shaving cream cloud. Repeat this step one or two more times, but pay close attention to what is happening below the cloud!

The colored water will begin to seep down through the shaving cream and into the water below. Just like rain!

How it Works

The shaving cream represents the clouds and the water represents the air. The colored water represents rain. As the colored water saturates the “cloud”, it gets heavy and eventually is so heavy that it can no longer hold the water. It “rains” down into the jar – through the “air.” It is just like real rain falls through the air.

This was a fantastic simple science activity to do with the kids (3 and 5). So I think this would be a great one to do in the preschool classroom or at home with your own kids.

If you are doing it with a class of students, I would suggest setting up several jars and cups of colored water so that each child has a chance to add some colored water to the jar.

Check out these other neat science experiments for kids!

30 Science Activities for Preschoolers That are Totally Awesome

Growing Plants Science Activity

Melting Snow Science Experiment

Rain Cloud in a Jar

Making a rain cloud in a jar is a fun and easy way to teach children how it rains .  Kids will love the magical wow factor and YOU’LL love the easy prep!

Check out the simple step-by-step below and then take our 5 Day Challenge to set up STEM centers your students will love and to build a system for teaching STEM in your classroom!

Getting Ready

To make our rain cloud in a jar, we gathered a few simple items:

• Food coloring
• A clear jar
• Shaving cream
• Plastic pipettes

First, we mixed a few drops of food coloring into some water and set it aside. This served as our “rain.”

My preschooler loved making rain so much that we ended up repeating this activity several times with blue, yellow, purple, red and green food coloring.

I filled our glass jar about 3/4 of the way full with cool water.

Once we made a fluffy “cloud” on top of the water using shaving cream, we were ready to get to the fun part: making it rain!

I instructed my preschooler to suck up some of the colored water into her pipette and then gently squirt it on top of our shaving cream cloud. She quickly became a pro.

As she squirted more and more water onto the shaving cream, our cloud became heavier and heavier.

Within a few minutes, the first drops of colored rain made their way through the cloud and dropped into the water underneath.

There were cheers of excitement and lots of jumping up and down as we watched the colored water drop down through the clouds!

We continued to saturate the shaving cream clouds with water until they started to deflate and melt down the side of the jar.

My daughter had so much fun, we rinsed out the jar and started all over again with a new rain color!  We had a blast making differently colored rain clouds in a jar.

The Science Behind It

Clouds are formed when water vapor rises into the air and condenses onto tiny particles of dust. When billions of these droplets come together, a visible cloud forms.

Over time, the droplets and crystals that make up a cloud can attract more water to themselves.

When water droplets grow heavy enough, gravity pulls them down as raindrops.

Making a rain cloud in a jar is obviously a simplistic model of how it actually rains, but it gives young children a hands-on visual that is extremely valuable to their learning. Plus, it’s fun!

More Fun for Little Learners

Want more STEM?  Take our 5 Day Challenge to set up STEM centers your students will love and to build a system for teaching STEM in your classroom!

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Follow these steps to make rain clouds in a bottle!

Done right, this experiment has the most rewarding whoosh. It's from the Nat Geo Kids book Try This!  

WHAT'S HAPPENING?

You’re mimicking the part of Earth’s water cycle in which evaporated water (water vapor) cools and condenses, forming clouds as they connect with dust. In this experiment, the alcohol acts like the dust, providing something cool for water droplets to attach to.

When you pressurize the soda bottle by pumping air in, the air molecules collide with each other and warm the bottle. Releasing the pressure causes the water vapor to condense quickly, forming a cloud.

Fit your cork to your bottle. You may need to shave the sides off the cork to get a tight fit. Your aim here is the tightest possible seal. Then trim the cork to the length of the bike pump needle. You want the needle to be able to pass through the cork into the bottle, maintaining a tight seal.

Make a path for the cork, using your skewer, drill bit, or needle. Be sure the object you use to pierce the cork is narrower than the bike pump needle, or you won’t have a tight seal. When the cork is ready, take it out of the bottle.

Pour one teaspoon of rubbing alcohol into the bottle and screw the cap back on.

With the cap on, turn the bottle horizontal and roll it so that the alcohol sloshes around and coats the inside of the bottle thoroughly and evenly.

Insert the cork.

Insert the bike pump needle in the cork, then pump the bike pump four or five times. Sometimes when you do this the cork will blow and you’ll have your reaction. Other times you’ll have to pump a few times more, then stop and pull the needle out.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Once the pressure is released—either because the cork blows or the needle is removed—a cloud should form quickly and dramatically in the bottle. Note: Aim the bottle away from you and anyone else.

No cloud? Your seal isn’t tight enough. Try a different cork, or use duct tape to tighten the seal.

BONUS: REVERSE THE EXPERIMENT!

Before the cloud disappears, put the needle back in and pump a couple more times. The cloud should disappear as quickly as it came. Release the pressure, and the cloud will form again.

Science Lab

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MidgetMomma

Recipes, Travel, Crafts & More!

Shaving Cream Rain Cloud Science Experiment

By Stephanie on March 24, 2020 | Updated December 30, 2020 | Rate Recipe

As an Amazon Associate and affiliate with other networks, I may earn a commission from purchases made through links within this post. For more information read my disclosure page  here .

Shaving Cream Rain Cloud Science Experiment . Using a glass, shaving cream, water, and food coloring you can explore how rain clouds work!

If you are working on learning about the water cycle and looking for an easy science experiment to show how clouds work this Shaving Cream Rain Cloud Science Experiment is perfect. This rain cloud science project is perfect for kids in preschool thru elementary school. It is easy to do and the kids will have fun with it and be able to learn how rain clouds actually work.

Looking for more learning activities for kids? Check these out!

• How Plants Drink Water Celery Science Experiment
• Homemade Cloud dough
• Homemade Playdoh
• DIY Forky Craft
• Homemade Air Dry Clay
• Dish Soap Slime

How do Clouds work?

Clouds are formed when water vapor rises into the air and then when the water vapor hits cold air they turn back into water droplets. Those water droplets collect together along with other particles in the air like dust to form a cloud.

Once a cloud is formed it continues to attract water droplets. Over time clouds get so full of water that they can’t hold any more and the water falls back to the ground as rain.

How to make rain Clouds with Shaving Cream

With this easy science experiment we are going to demonstrate using water, shaving cream and food coloring how a rain cloud collects water and then rains when it gets too full.

Using shaving cream and food coloring you will be able to show how rain moves through the cloud and comes out as rain. You will want to make sure you use a dark colored food dye and white shaving cream when doing this so they can actually see the process happen. My favorite shaving cream to use for this experiment is the cheap dollar store stuff or if you are needing to order from Amazon, Barbasol is my go to.

Homeschool Clouds Lesson Plan Ideas

If you are working on a weather unit for homeschooling then this Shaving Cream Rain Cloud Science Experiment is a great science experiment. If you are focusing on clouds and rain specifically then there are lots of other resources you can use that go along with this science experiment.

You can watch the Sid the Science kid episode on PBS kids here , or grab the Sid the Science Kid Weather DVD on Amazon .

Use the form below to snag this Shaving Cream Rain Cloud Printable that we have created for you to use along with this science experiment! This printable has a section for the kids to write their hypothesis, their observations and their conclusions while doing this experiment. Once you sign up, it will send you an email to download your free printable!

If you are doing this science experiment with preschoolers or elementary kids then you can also incorporate the Little Cloud Book by Eric Carle , and make the Rain Cloud Craft or the Cloud Shapes Preschool craft .

Paint Cloud photos using homemade puffy paint , or if you can go outside use homemade sidewalk paint to draw different cloud shapes in the driveway.

Shaving Cream Rain Cloud Science Experiment  Supplies

• See through container or glass
• Small cup or container
• White shaving cream
• 7 drops blue Food coloring
• 1 cup Water

Shaving Cream Rain Cloud Science Experiment Directions

Pour water into your small cup and add the drops of blue food coloring into the cup.

In your clear containers, add water so it fills up halfway.

Top that water off with shaving cream till it reaches the top of the container, set aside for about 5 minutes for the shaving cream to settle on top of the water.

With your droppers suck up the colored water and pour it over the shaving cream. Continue to fill the shaving cream cloud with the food coloring/water mixture until the shaving cream cloud can no longer hold the water.

Watch as the colored water travels through the cloud and creates rain in the water below in the glass.

You can add different colors of food coloring and water to see what happens as you keep adding more if you would like to. Just repeat the processes using the same set up you already have.

ABOUT LAUREN

Hey There! I am Lauren, a short mom (4 foot 10 to be exact!) who has a passion for helping others and always has a cup of coffee in hand. With amazing recipes to help the home cook become a home chef, along with fun family travel, fun crafts and More! Grab a cup of coffee and join me! Read more...

Created by Stephanie

With a degree from the Culinary Institute of America in baking and pastry arts, a love for tasty food and amazing photography skills Stephanie brings the amazing recipe ideas we come up with to life. Stephanie loves crafting, all things Disney and traveling whenever possible.

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Rain Cloud in a Jar

For a fun and easy science experiment that explores weather – try this Rain Cloud in a Jar experiment . Kids can learn how it rains through this fun and engaging science experiment. This is a great activity for preschool and elementary kids. They will love seeing their “rain” fall from the cloud!

RELATED: Grow a Rainbow Experiment

Rain Cloud in a Jar Experiment

Kids love doing this easy science experiment. Not only is it a fun activity but it’s a great learning exercise too. They also get to practice fine motor work by using a pipette or dropper.

Try this experiment the classic way using only blue food coloring, or switch it up and make a rainbow rain cloud in a jar.

The Science

Cloud formation happens when water vapor rises into the air. When this vapor hits cold air, it turns into tiny droplets of water. These droplets start to stick together and form clouds. When the clouds get full of water that they can’t hold anymore, the water falls down as rain.

In this experiment, the clouds are the shaving cream and the food colored water is the rain. As you drop the colored water into the cloud the weight of the water forces itself through the cloud to “rain” down into the jar.

Supplies Needed to Make a Rain Cloud in a Jar

– Clear Vase or Mason Jar

– Shaving Cream

– Food Coloring Gel (one in each color of the rainbow) – we like to use this liquid food coloring gel since it’s concentrated and makes the colors really vibrant

– Droppers – if you want to do the rainbow of colors, you’ll need 6 droppers to separate out the colors

– Water

– Small Bowls for the Food Coloring

Watch the Video Tutorial Here!

How to make a rain cloud in a jar.

1. Add a few drops of food coloring gel for each color (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple) into a small bowl for each color. Add a little bit of water to dilute it, but not too much to keep the colors vibrant. Add a pipette into each bowl of food coloring.

2. Fill your vase or mason jar about 3/4 full of water.

3. Add shaving cream on top.

4. Now you can start dropping your “raindrops” into the vase or jar. The drops will slowly make their way through the “clouds” into the water. If you find they are not dropping down, you can also push the pipette a little bit more into the shaving cream (but be careful not to push too far or you’ll end up in the water).

Kids can have fun mixing up the colors they add to the jar. Or they can try adding the colors in the order of the rainbow to make a rainbow version!

To make the rainbow version, you will need 6 bowls (one for each color – red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple). Then quickly add each color in the order of the rainbow.

We love how easy this science experiment is to set up. And kids love to use the droppers to make it “rain”.

The rainbow version is a lot of fun to try too! We hope you enjoy this easy science experiment!

More Science Experiments

Try this fun and easy Grow a Rainbow Experiment . You only need washable markers and paper towel!

For another fun experiment, make some oobleck! 

Related Ideas:

Cloud Dough

The BEST Playdough Recipe

50+ Christmas Crafts for Kids

Salt Dough Recipe

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2 comments on “rain cloud in a jar”.

Awesome love all the science activities for the kids. They are simple and inexpensive.

These are such great ideas

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Laughing Kids Learn

Where learning is made fun

Rain cloud science experiment

May 25, 2015 by Kate 34 Comments

Here is a super simple science experiment that teaches children about clouds and  rain . It’s great fun to do at home or in the classroom and this rain cloud science experiment  only uses commonly found ingredients. 

I remember coming across a fun little science experiment while adding various pins to my Pinterest account . Super simple and using only a few commonly found ingredients , I knew we had to give it a go. It might just explain the concept of rain as a visual representation. 

Recommended age: 2 years +  (Active supervision is required on all ideas shared)

You will need – 

• Glass or jar
• shaving cream
• food colouring

Simply begin by asking your child to pour water into the glass, leaving about an inch from the rim. 

Carefully add a layer of shaving cream to the water. Be sure not to make it too thick or you’ll find you’re having to wait a long time for the magic to begin and that’s a bit boring. The shaving cream represents a cloud and the water is the atmosphere. 

Possum absolutely loved watching the streams of blue food colouring fall like droplets through the shaving cream and then swirl around the water. She was inspired to ask lots of great questions but also found it a lovely and calming experience. Hopefully you get a chance to have a go at this experiment with the little ones in your life. I really hope they enjoy it. 

How old are your children and would they enjoy this?  

Here are a few other ideas you might like – 

March 2, 2016 at 2:16 pm

You named your child possum…..

March 2, 2016 at 5:46 pm

Yes! Lovely name, isn’t it. 😀

March 5, 2016 at 12:22 am

August 24, 2016 at 2:15 am

This is so cool . I am 10 years old and loved doing this . I have done this for my home work and I am proud.thanks for the support.

August 24, 2016 at 9:24 pm

Oh Cheyenne, that’s so awesome. Congratulations and I’m glad you had fun doing this. 🙂

November 3, 2020 at 8:19 am

what are the ingredents for the rain cloud siencie ecperiment???

March 30, 2017 at 8:47 am

This is so cool I am going use this for my science fair project

March 30, 2017 at 2:10 pm

That’s so awesome and it would be perfect for a science project. 🙂

June 17, 2016 at 5:00 am

My son is 11 and he will enjoy this! I think as a tween boy he’ll enjoy black food colour. 🙂

June 17, 2016 at 10:46 am

Hi Lucinda! Oh I have no doubt your 11 year old would love this. It would be interesting to see it with black food colouring. 🙂

June 21, 2016 at 1:27 pm

ok, this is perfect! I know some of my kiddos in the clinic (paed OT) would love to do this – this week! (and my son too!) Thanks for the inspiration!

June 21, 2016 at 9:19 pm

Oh I can just imagine Anna! Thank you so kindly for your comment. 🙂

August 2, 2016 at 4:04 am

The little guys love anything with water. This is great.

August 2, 2016 at 8:37 am

Totally agree with you. Thanks Kev.

September 12, 2016 at 8:08 am

We are using it his for our science fair experiment and have lots of fun watching the food colouring react to the shaving cream.Thank you LAUGHING KIDS LEARN.

September 12, 2016 at 8:13 pm

That’s so fabulous! Thanks guys. 🙂

March 18, 2017 at 12:30 pm

Could you use whipped cream or ‘cool whip’ instead of shaving cream with the same results?

March 21, 2017 at 12:58 pm

I think you possibly could Shelley. It would be worth giving it a go. 🙂

September 7, 2021 at 11:11 am

it would probably stink and grow mold.

April 17, 2017 at 8:54 am

Can you use plastic clear cups for this activity?

April 17, 2017 at 6:14 pm

Absolutely Cindy! Have fun with this idea.

April 29, 2019 at 4:17 pm

Hi there im 12 and i have a class science projet and i have no idea what todo and my mum told me about this experiment so i think i will do it because its easy to talk about,cheap,and easy todo

May 1, 2019 at 11:26 am

Fantastic Mia. Glad I could help you out. Good luck with it all.

[…] learning through play using simple, budget friendly materials that you can find at home. OUR PICK: Rain Cloud Science Experiment 3.5/5 BEES    for thrifty learning tips, and proving there’s more to macaroni collage than […]

[…] the shaving cream and after just a few minutes, it drops through into the water looking like rain!  Rain Clouds Please click on the link to the left to see the site we learned this awesome experiment […]

[…] 4.  It’s Bath Time Rain Clouds […]

[…] And then the rain came again, so time for painting and science!  We did a simple experiment to look at clouds and how rain is formed.  You can find how to do it, here. […]

[…] STEM Rain experiment (from Laughing Kids Learn) […]

[…] Rain clouds – make some rain clouds with shaving cream and food colouring. […]

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[…] experiments are the magic milk experiment, the water walking experiment, and the shaving cream water cycle experiment. These experiments only require a few materials that you may already have at home but they are cool […]

[…] Rain Cloud Science Experiment by Laughing Kids Learn […]

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Rain Cloud in A Jar: Easy Spring Science Experiment

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Children are naturally curious about the world around them and enjoy exploring new concepts through hands-on activities. One fun and engaging activity that can help children learn about weather and the water cycle is creating a rain cloud in a jar. This science activity is easy to set up and is sure to spark the imagination of children of all ages.

In this blog post, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of creating a rain cloud in a jar. We will also explain the science behind the activity and the concepts that children can learn from it. Additionally, we will provide tips for making the activity more interactive and engaging, so your child can get the most out of the experience.

Not only is the rain cloud in a jar activity educational, but it also provides a great opportunity for parents and children to bond and learn together. So whether you are a parent, teacher, or caregiver, this activity is perfect for rainy days or any time you want to explore the wonders of the water cycle with your child.

WANT TO TRY THIS RAIN CLOUD IN A JAR EXPERIMENT WITH YOUR CHILD LATER? PIN IT NOW, FIND IT WHEN YOU NEED IT!

Make a Rain Cloud in a Jar

Making a rain cloud in a jar experiment is a fun and educational activity for kids of all ages. Follow these step-by-step instructions to make your own rain cloud in a jar:

• A clear jar or glass
• Shaving cream
• Blue food coloring
• A dropper or pipette

Make a Rain Cloud in a Jar Instructions

• Fill the jar with water about 3/4 of the way full.
• Spray a thick layer of shaving cream on top of the water to create a “cloud” on top.
• In a separate bowl, mix a few drops of blue food coloring with water to create the “rain.”
• Using a dropper or pipette, drip the blue water onto the top of the shaving cream cloud.
• Watch as the blue “rain” droplets start to gather on the underside of the shaving cream cloud, eventually becoming heavy enough to break through the “cloud” and fall into the water below.
• Explain to your child that this is how rain clouds work in the sky – moisture gathers in the clouds and eventually becomes heavy enough to fall as rain.
• Optional: You can experiment with different colors of food coloring or try adding a drop of vinegar to the blue water to make the rain droplets fall more quickly.

Science Behind Rain Cloud in a Jar

The science behind a rain cloud in a jar experiment lies in the water cycle and how clouds form. When water evaporates from the Earth’s surface, it rises into the atmosphere and eventually cools, condensing into tiny water droplets. These droplets combine to form clouds, which can grow larger and larger until they become heavy enough to release their moisture as rain.

In the rain cloud in a jar experiment, the shaving cream represents the cloud and the blue water droplets represent the rain. When the blue water is added to the shaving cream cloud, it seeps through the shaving cream and collects on the bottom of the cloud. As more water droplets form and gather on the underside of the cloud, they eventually become heavy enough to break through the shaving cream and fall into the water below.

This simple experiment is a great way to teach children about the water cycle, the science behind clouds, and how rain is formed. It’s also a hands-on way to engage children in learning and spark their curiosity about the natural world.

Age Suitability

This craft is good for toddlers aged children 2 years old and up.

The mess level for this craft is low.

Difficulty to Create 

Skills developed.

Language development, shape recognition, color recognition, hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, imaginative play, creativity.

Toddler and Preschooler Curriculums, Books & TV Show!

Play2learn toddler & preschool programs for curious toddlers.

There is no limit to your toddler’s energy and curiosity. That energy and curiosity although a joy can be challenging at times. Their interest in just about everything around them is what makes them great learners. One and two year olds can soak up so much just from their senses!

But as a teacher or parent that thirst for learning can be exhausting. That is why I created this toddler and preschooler program. To help you get the most out of this time with your curious toddler without having to come up with creative ways to play and interact with them.

Play2Learn for Toddlers  includes 20 Units for toddlers. Each 2-week toddler unit has 20 super easy to set up and engaging activities for toddlers 18 months to 3 years.

Play2Learn Preschool  which includes 20 Units for preschoolers. Each 2-week preschoolers unit has 20 unique and easy to set up and engaging activities for preschoolers 3 years to 5 years.  That’s over 800 learning activities for your toddler and preschooler at your fingertips! So many ideas you and your child will never be bored again! 

These  toddler and preschool lesson plans and activities  will definitely keep you and your toddler and preschooler busy playing and learning!

Click here for more information: Play2Learn

Designed for toddlers 18 months and up.

Book:  Exciting Sensory Bins for Curious Kids

Did you know I wrote a book of sensory bins? Click here for more information  Exciting Sensory Bin for Curious Kids . Or grab your copy at  Amazon . 

Boring afternoons are made exciting with awesome animal-based bins, like Salty Shark Bay or Yarn Farm. Pretend play bins like Birthday Cake Sensory Play or Bubble Tea Party encourage creativity and imagination. And your kids will have so much fun they won’t even know they’re getting smarter with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) activities like Sink or Float Soup, Magnetic Letter Hunt or Ice Cream Scoop and Count.

Book:  Super STEAM Activity Book for Kids

Learning all about science, technology, engineering, art, and math sets kids up for scholastic success―and it can be so much fun! Watch kids enjoy building STEAM skills as they color friendly fish, help water find its way to tree roots, solve math problems with mazes, and more. 

Find out more and grab your copy  here .

Designed for preschoolers 3 years old and up.

Book:  Big Book of Riddles for Kids

Riddle me this: What’s an exciting way to practice critical thinking while having a blast?  The Big Riddle Book for Kids , of course! From hilarious puns to tough brain teasers, kids can build problem-solving skills with hundreds of riddles that show them how to think outside the box.

• 350 riddles for kids —Have hours of fun with riddles, puns and jokes, and math and logic puzzles that’ll get their wheels turning!
• Level up their skills —Riddles get trickier as kids progress through the book, challenging them as they get better at solving puzzles!
• Double-check their work —Kids can check their answers in the back of the book with a handy answer key.

Help children expand their minds while having fun with this puzzle book for kids!

Designed for kids ages 6 years   old and up.

TV Show:  Curious Crafting

I’m so excited to share my crafting TV show  Curious Crafting  which launched in July 2022 on  TVOkids  and  TVOkids YouTube ! Season 2 airs in the summer of 2023! We were also nominated in 2023 for Best Live Action Preschool Series by the Youth Media Alliance Awards of Excellence.

Set in the ultimate crafting space, Curious Crafting is a short form pre-school age series about the joy of making crafts. I lead a rotating cast of adorable little preschoolers (including my own) making magic out of common household objects.

In each episode we transform recycled items into magical crafts like a milk carton school bus, paper bag puppet or cotton pad turtle. The crafters learn and laugh their way through each activity while demonstrating what their young imaginations can create. 

Curious Crafting shares the adventure and joy of making art with takeaway lessons for creating crafts at home.

This show designed for toddlers and preschoolers 2.5 years old and up. 

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Rainbow Rain – Rain Cloud in a Jar

Sometimes you need a simple activity, that teaches some fundamental science principles, while also being absolutely breathtakingly beautiful. This is that activity! Rainbow Rain also known as Shaving Cream Rain Cloud or Rain Clouds in a Jar, is a simple demonstration that will add some gorgeous colour and WOW factor to your weather science lessons.

Shaving Cream Rain Clouds Simple Science Experiment

What you will discover in this article!

Disclaimer: This article may contain commission or affiliate links. As an Amazon Influencer I earn from qualifying purchases. Not seeing our videos? Turn off any adblockers to ensure our video feed can be seen. Or visit our YouTube channel to see if the video has been uploaded there. We are slowly uploading our archives. Thanks!

In this activity we are learning about the weather and why it rains. Fundamental concepts but with a gorgeous, colourful, rainbow twist.

Rainbow activities are always fun as they make boring activities vibrant and exciting. So with this activity we could have stuck with a simple blue rain, but we wanted more excitement!

Plus this activity leads to a lot of different investigations and critical thinking if you let kids explore their curiosity, ask questions, and create their own variations of this activity to see what happens.

This is some of the most powerful learning for kids, because it fosters a love of learning.

Rainbow Shaving Cloud Supplies

For this activity you need:

A wide mouth jar, cup, vase or container. You can also do this in a series of cups, one for each colour. The only requirement is that the containers are clear so you can see what is happening.

Food Colouring – Water based in the squeezeable droppers is easiest, but you can adapt to any type. See our variation of this activity below for one twist!

Shaving Cream

Start by filling your container about about 3/4 full with water.

Add shaving cream at the top to create the cloud.

Now add the food colouring by dropping it onto your cloud.

Watch for your rainbow rain to start falling as your clouds fill with liquid.

Shaving Cream Rain Cloud Science

Clouds are formed from water vapour that forms into droplets in the sky. These droplets gather together, until they become so heavy that they fall down to the Earth as rain (or snow if it’s cold).

The rain falls due to gravity and is part of the water cycle .

In this experiment our rain is the the food colouring which is a water based. As we add it to our shaving cream cloud, the cloud swells with liquid just like a cloud until it becomes so heavy it falls into our water below.

There is a second scientific phenomenon we can witness as our colourful rain mixes with our water, it is called diffusion. You can learn more about diffusion here .

Cloud in a Jar Extensions

Like any great experiment, we want our kids to ask questions, to wonder, and to come up with new theories and experiments they can do to test their theories. This is part of the Scientific Method .

With our experiment we discussed different options like how water temperature might affect our results . But the thing that peaked our curiosity was the fact that water concentration in the clouds is what causes rain, so what if we increased the amount of water by diluting our food colouring?

Dig deeper! Make a Cloud in a Jar with water vapours, just like real clouds in these easy experiments .

Rainbow Rain Experiment 2

For this rain cloud variation we needed some additional glasses to mix up our food colouring with water. We also needed a way to add the colourful mixtures to our clouds. We decided on a syringe, but a pipette or even a spoon would have worked.

Then we conducted our experiment the same way we did but this time with our diluted food colouring mixes.

The results were similar but we did notice that the shaving cream cloud got much heavier and darker before releasing our colours.

Such a cool result!

This simple experiment is so much fun and a great way to foster curiosity and fun with science. If you enjoyed this experiment you might want to try one of these simple science experiments for kids.

Happy Experimenting!

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The New Rain Cloud in a Jar Experiment

• May 14, 2021 November 2, 2022

I have admired the traditional Rain Cloud in a Jar Experiment ever since I first saw it several years ago. My oldest son and I have made it together many times, and we always enjoy it. I have been wanting to create my own version, and I finally came up with something I liked!

The Traditional Experiment

In the traditional version, a jar is filled with water and topped with a shaving cream “cloud”. Next, you add water to a small dish and put in a few drops of blue food coloring. Finally, using a pipette or dropper, you drop the blue water into the cloud and when it hits saturation it “rains” down into the water below. It’s a fun experiment to do with small children, and you can explain how rain occurs.

One thing that has always bothered me about the traditional experiment is that it only lasts a few minutes before the clear water in the jar becomes saturated with blue coloring. I wanted to figure out a way around this so that the fun can last even longer, and I came up with a super easy solution!

My New Experiment

In my New Rain Cloud in a Jar Experiment, my jar is filled with baby oil. That’s the only difference! I filled the jar with baby oil, topped it with a shaving cream “cloud”, and dropped in blue-tinted water. The first time I tried this, I was very pleased with the way the blue water “rain” looked as it fell through the baby oil “sky”. But, using a dropper just didn’t create enough raindrops for my taste.

I used a push pin to poke holes in the lid of an old plastic bottle. Then, I filled it with water and added blue food coloring. When I turned the bottle upside down over the jar of oil, drops fell from each of the holes, creating a beautiful rain!

Also, I like creating the shaving cream rain cloud, and then scooping out the middle so that the drops fall straight into the oil. It’s just faster and easier this way. Personal preference.

This experiment is extra cool because you can use it to teach multiple concepts. There is the traditional lesson about how rain forms and falls from clouds. Then, there is the lesson about the density of oil vs. water. And, if enough water is dropped into the jar, it even looks like an ocean forms in the bottom. So, you could discuss the entire water cycle!

After I had dialed in all of the details of my New Rain Cloud in a Jar Experiment, I invited my little one to come give it a try. We tried both the dropper and the bottle. The dropper was easier for him, because his little hands weren’t quite strong enough to squeeze the bottle. He had fun trying both, though, and has already asked to do this experiment again! I’d call that a success!

If you are interested in trying the New Rain Cloud in a Jar Experiment, here is what I used:

The links in this post contain affiliate links and I will receive a small commission from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your consideration!

• Glass jar (Amazon)
• Fill 3/4 of the way with baby oil (Amazon)
• Top with shaving cream (Amazon)
• Mix water with blue food coloring (Amazon)
• Use a dropper to drop the water into the jar (Amazon)

Thank you for checking out my New Rain Cloud in a Jar Experiment!

“Let my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distill as the dew, as the droplets on the fresh grass and as the showers on the herb.” Deuteronomy 32:2

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6 thoughts on “the new rain cloud in a jar experiment”.

Sarah, I simply love this idea and how you have developed it to make it amazing! Thank you and thank you for allowing us to share your wonderful ideas with others! Keep it up! You are making a positive difference in the world! Amy

Thanks, Amy!! Your kind words brightened my day! – Sarah

I am with you about the traditional rain in a cloud experiment, but this is AWESOME!!!! I can’t wait to show the kids this new way. Love to see the drops in the air. Science for little ones is an open mind to new experiences. Thank you for sharing your new ideas.

I’m so glad you like this, Mercedes! I hope your kids enjoy it! Thank you for the comment! -Sarah

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I love it! But why not buy “locally”, instead of making even richer a wealthy man? It’s only my objection to that proejct. From Mallorca, Balearic Island, Spain.

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Rain Cloud in a jar Science Experiment

• Lava Lamp Science Experiment 
• Rainbow Baking Soda Science Experiment
• Rainbow Walking Water Science Experiment
• Colour Changing Flowers Science Experiment

How do clouds drop rain?

Cloud in a jar science experiment, cloud in a jar experiment supplies.

• Clear glass jar (or cup) 
• Shaving cream
• Blue food colouring 
• Plastic Spoon

How do you make a rain cloud in a jar?

Step 1: start by adding water.

STEP 2: Add the shaving cream

STEP 3: Apply drops of food colouring

STEP 4: Enjoy the experiment in action!

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Rain Cloud in a Jar Preschool Science Experiment

Doing a Rain Cloud in a Jar Experiment is perfect for preschool and Kindergarten science. This weather science experiment gives your children a chance to explore clouds and rain with hands-on activities. 

Rain Cloud Experiment

Rain Cloud in a Jar Experiment

Do you want to teach your preschooler about the weather and the water cycle in a fun and creative way? Look no further! The rain cloud in a jar science experiment is an easy, interactive activity that will have your little one learning all about how clouds work. With just a few basic materials, you can show them how clouds form and why it rains. Get ready for some educational fun!

Simple Science experiments are the best to do with preschool and Kindergarten age children, but the best thing about easy hands-on learning is it can be expanded to meet the age of your children.

Read a few weather books

As you explain about this activity let your child know: 1. Water is the Air 2. The Shaving Cream is the Cloud, and the Vapor 3. Food Coloring is the Water Droplets 4. Get ready for the rain

Preschool and Kindergarten Science Experiments

My kids love this rain cloud in a jar experiment.

Rain Cloud Science Activity

What you will need to make your rain cloud experiment is in the picture below. However, I have it displayed in a recipe list form to print out toward the bottom of the page. Have Fun!

affiliate links can be found on this blog at no cost to you.

So now you see, for this science experiment, you only need a few items that you probably already have in your home or classroom. Shaving cream, food coloring , and a glass jar or clear cup will do .

The kids will love watching as the color slowly diffuses into the cloud. You can talk about how this is similar to when the sun evaporates water from oceans, lakes, and rivers into clouds. Finally, watch in amazement as the rain starts to form at the bottom of the jar!

This is a great way to explain the water cycle and how it all begins with clouds.

Have your kids fill their pipettes or droppers with the colored water and squeeze it onto their cloud.

Let’s talk about how clouds work.

• Clouds are formed when water vapor rises into the air.
• When the vapor hits cold air, it turns back into droplets of water.
• Those tiny drops of water floating in the air collect and stick together to form clouds.
• When clouds get so full of water that they can’t hold any more water, the water falls back to the ground as raindrops.

As your cloud fills up, the food coloring will fall into the water creating a rain-like effect. 

The Rain Cloud in a Jar experiment is a great way for children to visualize the water and cloud cycle. My kids love doing this activity, and I hope yours do too.

Preschool Science Experiment

The rain cloud in a jar experiment will surely be a hit with kids of all ages. It’s an easy, fun way to teach preschoolers about weather and science engagingly and interactively.

Have fun exploring the wonders of nature together!

Grab Your Free Printable Below

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR RAIN CLOUD SCIENCE PRINTABLE

Preschool Science Experiments

Studies have shown that you will also love the following ideas if you like them. I have pulled them together for you right here!

Magic Milk Science Experiment

Ocean Science Experiments

Flower Science Activities for Preschool and Kindergarten

• Glass jar or clear container you can see through
• Food coloring or liquid watercolors
• Shaving cream

Instructions:

• Begin by filling your jar or see through container almost all of the way to the top with water.
• Layer shaving cream on top of the water to the top of the jar or container.
• Fill some small cups up with water. If you are using liquid watercolors, you can pour them directly into the small cups instead.
• Place a few drops of food coloring into each of the small cups of water and stir. Again, if you are using liquid watercolors, you can skip this step. Alternatively, you can drip the food coloring directly onto the top of the shaving cream without diluting it in water, but it will seep through much faster, and the colors will muddle together quickly, not allowing you to get the whole effect for long.
• Using an eye dropper, have your child add drops of food coloring/colored water to the top of the shaving cream cloud.
• Watch as the colors seep down through the “clouds” and begin to rain into the jar.

How to Make Your Own Rainbow Rain Experiment – DIY Rain Cloud In a Jar

By: Author Susanne Williams

Posted on Published: December 9, 2020  - Last updated: December 29, 2023

Let’s learn about the weather, and find out why it rains with this cool rainbow rain experiment .

This shaving cream rain cloud experiment is perfect for toddlers and kindergartners at home and in the classroom. All you need for this cloud science project is shaving cream and food coloring and you are good to go.

Let’s dive right in.

There are affiliate links in this post, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will be compensated if you click through and take action.

Table of Contents

Diy rainbow rain experiment, rainbow rain materials, background knowledge, step 1: prepare the rain jar, step 2: create a rain cloud, step 3: add rain to the cloud, step 4: let it rain, what is the science behind the rain cloud in a jar experiment, fun facts about rain and rain clouds, pin this fun rainbow rain experiment.

This rainbow cloud experiment for kids is not only perfect for creative sensory play. It also provides a wonderful hands-on opportunity to let children explore the concept of rain with their own eyes and supports their understanding.

Depending on your children’s age group you can easily adjust this rain cloud in a jar activity with the input of knowledge and the difficulty you are providing.

How to Make a Rain Cloud

Let’s find out how we can make it rain in a jar. Here is what you need for our fun magic cloud experiment.

• food coloring
• a big clear jar or vase
• shaving cream

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For a better understanding of this fun cloud experiment make sure to explain to your children the following facts before you get started:

• The water symbolizes the air.
• Shaving cream is our rain cloud and vapor.
• And the food coloring shows the raindrops.

Let’s create our own rainbow rain experiment now. Simply follow this easy step-by-step instruction below or scroll down to print them.

Rainbow Rain Experiment Instructions

Fill your glass jar or vase with ¾ of water.

Now place the shaving cream on the top of the water to create a big fluffy cloud.

To create rain droplets add various food colors to the shaving cream. The more drops you add, the more rain will fall.

This might be interesting for you too: STEM Education has many benefits, read more about them   here . You might also enjoy our popular  Dancing Grape Experiment ,  Fizzy Ice Project , learn  How to Grow a Rainbow , make Borax Crystal Ornaments , or check out our Rainbow Quotes .

Watch the drops of food color make their way through the cloud of shaving cream into the water. Pay attention and be prepared the droplets will fall quickly!

Oh, and if you feel like crafting our free Umbrella Templates are the perfect match for your rain cloud in a jar experiment. Or try any of our other 15 Fun Water Science Experiments for Kids and start your Weather Chart .

Through the heat of the sun, water vaporizes into the sky and forms clouds which are symbolized by our shaving cream.

As we add food coloring, the cloud slowly takes in our colored rain droplets. The clouds fill up and hold as much as they can take in before reaching their abundance. That’s when the rain falls.

• There are different types of clouds the 3 most common ones are: cirrus, cumulus, and stratus clouds.
• Did you know that water can also fall from the sky in the form of hail, sleet, or snow?
• Rain is an important part of our water cycle. Without water, most parts of our planet would turn into deserts. To learn more about our water cycle take a look here .

• To improve your children’s fine motor skills you can also use small plastic containers and a dropper instead of food coloring. Just add water to each container, add a couple of drops of food coloring to it, and stir it. Let the kids use this colored water to create rain with their pipettes.
• Besides teaching your kids about the weather this cool rainbow rain cloud experiment also gives you the perfect opportunity to explain to your children the concept of mixing colors and how new colors are created. Use the primary colors red, yellow, and blue and see what happens when they mix when the rain falls in the water.

My kids love this colorful rainbow in a jar weather activity and want to do it over and over again! It’s a creative way to illustrate how rain is falling from clouds.

Your children can learn a lot from this hands-on STEM activity, such as exploring the weather concept, including clouds, rain, or even the whole water cycle, introducing new vocabulary and the concept of cause and effect.

Therefore it is a perfect rainy day activity I can fully recommend!

Don’t forget to save this rainbow clouds experiment on Pinterest for later! Be sure you are following along with Lil Tigers.

Now it is your turn! How did your kids enjoy this easy shaving cream rainbow rain cloud experiment? Either way, let me know by leaving a comment below right now. I’d love to hear from you!

Rainbow cloud experiment

Learn about the concept of rain with this fun rainbow cloud science experiment

• Shaving Cream
• Food coloring
• Glas container

Instructions

• Fill your glas container 3/4th with water
• Add shaving cream as shown in the picture
• Add a couple of drops of food coloring on the shaving cream
• Let it rain

Monday 9th of August 2021

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Shaving Cream Rain Clouds

Explore weather science with this quick and easy cloud activity for preschool and kindergarten. Find out how to make a visual model of a rain cloud with shaving cream that is perfect for young kiddos. Great for a Spring weather theme or home science activity, making a rain cloud is a fantastic preschool science experiment !

Enjoy A Cloud Activity For Earth and Weather Science

Studying weather and experimenting with a foam rain cloud is a fantastic way to introduce kids to Earth Science. Earth Science includes the atmosphere , hydrosphere , geosphere , and biosphere . Weather deals with the day-to-day changes in the atmosphere that directly impact our lives. Should I take a rain jacket to the playground or not?

Here are some good ideas to add to your foam rain cloud activity!

Water Cycle: The foam rain cloud experiment helps kids grasp the water cycle concept, a super important part of life on Earth. The water cycle describes how water moves between the atmosphere, land, and oceans through evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. Creating a foam rain cloud allows kids to represent and understand how clouds form and produce rain visually. You can also create a water cycle in a bag !

Cloud Formation: Clouds are essential elements of weather. As a result, by experimenting with a foam rain cloud, you can discuss different kinds of clouds. Our cloud viewer project has visuals!

Precipitation Types: The foam rain cloud experiment introduces kids to different types of precipitation, including rain. But what else falls from the sky? Snow, sleet, and hail are all forms of precipitation.

Real-World Weather: Weather affects our daily lives, from what you decide to wear for the day or the activities you plan to do! Learning about weather through hands-on experiments helps kids connect scientific concepts with real-world experiences! Add this free printable weather tracker to the project.

How To Do Science Experiments At Home

Science learning starts early, and you can be a part of that with setting up science at home with everyday materials. Or you can bring easy science experiments to a group of kids in the classroom!

We find a ton of value in cheap science activities and experiments. All our science experiments use inexpensive, everyday materials you can find at home or from your local dollar store.

We even have a whole list of kitchen science experiments , using basic supplies you will have in your kitchen.

You can set up your science experiments as an activity focusing on exploration and discovery. Make sure to ask kids questions at each step, discuss what is happening, and discuss the science behind it.

Alternatively, you can introduce the scientific method, get kids to record their observations, and make conclusions. Read more about the  scientific method for kids   to help you get started.

Even though the scientific method feels like it is just for big kids…

This method can be used with kids of all ages! Have a casual conversation with younger kiddos, or do a more formal science notebook entry with older kiddos!

What Is A Rain Cloud?

This rain cloud model is an easy weather activity for Spring science and a great way to show how clouds hold water until they can no longer hold it, and then it rains!

The shaving cream is a picture of a cloud, which isn’t really light and fluffy like we imagine. Instead, clouds form from water vapor (think of steam coming from a kettle) coming together in the atmosphere.

Adding drops to the shaving cream is like more water vapor coming together in a cloud. In the atmosphere , when water vapor cools, it turns into liquid water, the rain cloud becomes heavy, and it rains. Similarly, our drops of colored water make the rain cloud “heavy,” and it rains!

Get your FREE Weather Science Worksheet Pack!

Shaving Cream Cloud Experiment

Let’s get right to our simple rain cloud model and find out how clouds form rain. Alternatively, you can try this sponge rain cloud method as well.

• jar filled with water
• shaving cream
• liquid food coloring
• an extra bowl to mix the colored rainwater

Instructions:

STEP 1:  Squirt a nice fluffy, puffy shaving cream rain cloud on top of the water in your vase or jar. We made a huge rain cloud.

STEP 2:  Mix up a separate bowl of blue tinted water. I heavily tinted it blue so we could see our rain cloud in action. Choose whatever colors you want to try for your cloud.

STEP 3  Use the eyedropper to squeeze the colored water into the shaving cream cloud. In the above picture, you can see the bottom of the cloud is quite full of our rain.

STEP 4:  Keep adding rainwater to your cloud and watch the storm take shape!

More Fun Weather Activities

Introduce your kids to fun ways to explore the weather with the various weather activities below.

• Tornado in a Bottle
• Cloud In A Jar
• Making Rainbows
• Water Cycle in a Bag
• Make A Cloud Viewer
• Make an Anemometer
• Weather Playdough Mats

Helpful Science Resources

Here are a few resources to help you introduce science more effectively to your kiddos or students and feel confident when presenting materials. You’ll find helpful free printables throughout.

• Best Science Practices (as it relates to the scientific method)
• Science Vocabulary
• 8 Science Books for Kids
• All About Scientists
• Science Supplies List
• Science Tools for Kids

Printable Weather Activities Pack

If you’re looking to have all of your printable activities in one convenient place, plus exclusive worksheets with a spring theme, our 300+ page Spring STEM Project Pack is what you need!

Weather , geology, plants, animal life cycles, and more!

14 Comments

Wow! What a brilliant idea! My toddler will be so amazed by this 🙂 Sharing on fb and pinning!!

I absolutely love this idea! Would it be ok if I used one of these pictures for a school project? It will go up on a website for a hypothetical children’s STEAM library program about weather. I will give you credit, of course!

Yes, that’s fine. Glad you like the idea. If it is going to be published on the internet, please add a link to this post! Thanks.

I was planning on doing so. Thank you very much!

Your welcome!

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Is there a book that anyone has used to go along with this lesson?

This series of science books has always been a favorite: affiliate link: https://amzn.to/2LiQlWn

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Fun Rain Cloud in Jar Science Experiment

Have you ever wanted to play with the clouds? This fun rain cloud in jar science experiment will give you and your children the chance to do just that — at least in part.

These shaving cream rain clouds will get your children excited about weather science and leave them wanting more! This is the perfect introduction or conclusion to your science unit on weather, storms, the water cycle, or ecosystems.

>> See the other weather activities for kids here.

This rain cloud in a jar experiment is super simple and super easy. And the result is amazing! So it will capture the attention of both younger and older children. So before we go into how to make a rain cloud in a jar, let’s go over some resources you may want, to take advantage of your children’s new interest in weather.

As much as thunderstorms might be a little scary, rain can be soothing and fascinating. There’s nothing like a good rain shower to clean out the air and make the world feel clean and new again. Get up close and personal with a cloudburst with these shaving cream rain clouds! Let’s get started.

This post may contain affiliate links meaning I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Read my disclosure policy here.

See a list of my favorite Amazon Deals for your home and homeschool.

Recommended Weather Books for Kids

There’s nothing like a good book to help kids learn. And these are some of our favorites for teaching about weather and rain. Follow along with National Geographic’s fantastic lineup of education books for kids, or try one of the cute stories on rainy weather, rainbows, and having fun in the rain. What will be on your list today?

Recommended Educational Weather Kits

If you’re looking for a fun and educational way to teach your kids about the weather, these toys are perfect for that purpose! Get one of these hands-on and engaging activity kits for your kids and see for yourself that they will love it!

Supplies for Rain Cloud Experiment

You’ll need a large jar for this experiment. We like mason jars, but an old spaghetti sauce or cheese spread jar would work just fine. For best results, get a quart-size or bigger jar.

You’ll also need some shaving cream and, of course, blue food coloring.

How to Make a Rain Cloud in a Jar

Ready to create the rain cloud in a jar science experiment? Let’s get started!

This experiment is actually easy to do. First, fill your jar with water, leaving only about an inch between the surface of the water and the edge of the jar.

Then spray some of the shaving foam onto the top. You’ll want enough to stick up above the jar.

Then comes the fun part. Let your kids drip some food coloring directly onto the shaving cream and watch what happens!

Watch as the magic happens for 5 minutes. Have fun with your shaving cream rain clouds!

How Clouds Make Rain

Much like our experimental shaving cream floating on the water, clouds float in the atmosphere. Clouds are, essentially, made of vaporized water droplets that have collected together, with tiny particles of dust. The water condenses slightly around the dust, and those tiny droplets stick together.

Clouds are pretty much steam or fog banks, up in the sky where they belong. So no, unfortunately, you can’t walk, sit or lay down on a cloud, no matter how fluffy it looks.

Clouds attract more and more water, which condenses and collects inside the cloud. As it condenses, it sticks together and forms bigger droplets. Eventually, those droplets become too heavy to stay floating in the air, and they fall to the earth in rain, snow, sleet, hail, ice pellets, or other precipitation.

In our experiment, the food coloring is heavier than the shaving cream. So it seeps through the cream and “falls” into the water the shaving cream is floating on. The color looks like “rain” droplets and creates interesting patterns as more food coloring drips into the water.

This Fun Rain Cloud in Jar Science Experiment is a great way to introduce children to the wonders of science. Kids of all ages can enjoy creating their own mini-rain cloud and learning the basics of how clouds form.

• 1-quart sized jar
• Enough water to fill the jar
• Foam shaving cream
• Blue food coloring

Instructions

• Fill up the jar with water, but leave about an inch of space at the top
• Fill in the space you left with a layer of shaving cream. Don't add too thick a layer, or the food coloring won't make it through quickly.
• Drop several drops of food coloring onto the shaving cream.
• Sit back and watch the food coloring release into the water!
• Observe the water for about 5 minutes to see the changes taking place.

Recommended Products

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With just a few simple materials and a little bit of water, kids can have hours of fun experimenting and creating rain clouds that appear almost magically at the touch of a button.

Not only is this experiment educational, but it’s also an engaging way for kids to learn about physical phenomena in a safe environment. It’s a perfect activity for curious minds who want to explore science!

If you’re looking for fun spring activities that elementary students will love, this  Spring Activities for Elementary Students  is the perfect list.

More Weather Activities

Rainy Day Activities for Kids

Weather Worksheets for Kids

Weather Coloring Pages

Extreme Weather Activities for Kids

Rain Activities for Preschoolers

Weather Sensory Activities

These sensory activities are perfect for little learners who are learning about the different types of weather.

Weather STEM Activities

Do you want a more fun and engaging approach? Try these weather STEM activities!

Cloud Activities for Kids

Weather Tracing Worksheets

Weather Activities for Preschoolers

Weather Crafts for Kids

Weather Games for Kids

Type of Clouds Activity with Cotton Balls

Weather Books for Kindergarteners

Water Cycle Bag Experiment

Weather Chart Printable

Water Cycle Worksheets for Kids

Simple Weather Science Experiments for Kids by STEAMsational

Weather Popsicle Stick Craft by Homeschool Preschool

I share educational printables and activities to help homeschoolers make learning science fun and engaging!

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Coffee Cups and Crayons

Simple play ideas, learning activities, kids crafts and party ideas, plus acts of kindness for kids!

January 5, 2015

Make a Rain Cloud in a Jar

Making a rain cloud in a jar is a great way to help kids visualize  how rain drops form.  It’s an easy science activity you probably already have the supplies for in your kitchen.

How to Make a Rain Cloud in a Jar

• shaving cream
• food coloring or liquid watercolor
• dropper or pipette for liquid watercolors

Start by putting a large dollop of shaving cream on top of a jar of water. Talk to the kids how about how the water droplets rise in the air and condense on dust particles. A huge group of them together is a cloud. Explain that in this demo the shaving cream is the cloud.

Add drops of liquid watercolor or food coloring. Once it gets saturated enough it will start to rain. Just like in a real cloud, once there is enough water droplets gravity pulls them back down to Earth as rain.

We ended up trying this one both liquid watercolors and food coloring. Each had a different thickness so had a little bit of a different effect. The food coloring ran through quicker and the liquid watercolors had more of a rain effect.

Both give kids the cloud cloud visual so use whatever you have on hand, but if you have both it’s fun to experiment to see the difference!

More Science Experiments to Try:

We love doing science experiments and I’m convinced if you don’t it’s just because you haven’t found the right ones yet! Here are some to try with your kids.

• Walking Water Science Experiment
• Make a Rubber Egg
• How to Make Silly Putty
• Exploding Baggie Science Experiment

Don’t let the fun and discovery stop there!

We have TONS of science experiments your kids will love on our  Super Cool Science Experiments for Kids  page! 

Take me to the experiments –>   Super Cool Science Experiments for Kids

About Megan Sheakoski

Megan is the creator of Coffee Cups and Crayons, a blog full of simple fun and learning. She believes that kids’ activities don’t have to be complicated to be fun and that learning is better with play.

February 1, 2015 at 6:05 pm

your ideas are clear and interesting. Thank you so much. i have been inspired!

August 28, 2015 at 6:22 pm

This looks like a fun activity to play around with the density of various materials. It isn’t an accurate model of how water condenses into clouds and falls as rain even though it looks like drops falling. How about using this activity as an exploration of what happens when different kinds of materials are layered or dropped on top of other layers?

March 18, 2017 at 8:49 pm

I had a student who tried this activity last year. It is great fun and a cool investigation of density but he thought it showed how rain drops actually form. Of course he also thought it should count as an experiment rather than the interesting model it is.

April 7, 2016 at 4:19 pm

This looks like an awesome activity! I think students and children would really benefit from the visualization of rain drops falling from clouds. This would easily be implemented into my classroom! Thanks for the great idea.

April 10, 2016 at 12:01 pm

April 9, 2018 at 12:30 pm

looking for a project on gravity for a 6th grader any suggestions

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