Spring is a season of growth, renewal, and—of course—unpredictable weather. From rain showers to budding flowers, the changing environment offers countless opportunities for children to learn through play. At ABC Child Development Center in Greeley, we embrace the season by incorporating weather-themed STEM activities into our after-school programming, making learning fun, hands-on, and deeply connected to the world around us.
By exploring weather patterns through engaging science experiments and activities, children develop essential skills in observation, inquiry, and critical thinking. These activities for school age children in Greeley help bridge the gap between classroom concepts and real-world applications—making science both accessible and exciting.
Why Spring Is the Perfect Time for Weather Learning
Spring is a dynamic season—temperatures shift, rain falls, clouds roll in, and sometimes snow still lingers. These environmental changes spark natural curiosity in children and provide perfect context for learning about:
- The water cycle
Cloud formation - Rain measurement
- Wind and air pressure
- The science behind lightning and thunder
At ABC, we take advantage of this natural curiosity by offering weather-themed STEM activities that teach children about the forces of nature while encouraging creativity, exploration, and problem-solving.
Indoor & Outdoor Weather-Themed STEM Activities
Here are some of our favorite weather-related activities for school-age children that can be done both at our center and at home. These fun, educational projects are designed to stimulate interest in science while allowing children to explore the environment around them.
1. Rain in a Jar
What You Need:
- A clear jar
- Shaving cream
Blue food coloring - Water
- Dropper or spoon
What to Do:
Fill the jar with water and top it with shaving cream. Drop blue food coloring onto the shaving cream and watch as it “rains” into the jar below.
Science Behind It:
This experiment models how clouds hold moisture and eventually release it as rain. It’s a great visual introduction to precipitation in the water cycle.
2. DIY Rain Gauge
What You Need:
- A clear plastic bottle
- Ruler
- Marker
- Small rocks or pebbles
What to Do:
Cut off the top of the bottle and place rocks in the bottom to stabilize it. Add measurement lines along the side and place it outside. After a rainy day, check how much water collected.
Science Behind It:
This teaches children how scientists measure rainfall and how precipitation levels affect the environment.
3. Cloud Watching & Classification
What You Need:
- Sky view
- Notebook or journal
- Cloud classification chart
What to Do:
Spend time observing the sky. Ask children to describe and sketch what they see. Use a cloud chart to identify types like cumulus, cirrus, and stratus.
Science Behind It:
Children learn how different cloud types indicate various weather conditions, improving observation and categorization skills.
4. Wind Speed Anemometer
What You Need:
- 4 paper cups
- 2 straws
- Pencil with eraser
- Pushpin
- Hole punch
What to Do:
Create a basic anemometer using the cups and straws, and observe how fast the cups spin in the wind.
Science Behind It:
This introduces children to wind measurement and the concept of air pressure and weather forecasting.
5. Lightning in a Pan (Static Electricity Experiment)
What You Need:
- Aluminum pie pan
- Styrofoam plate
Pencil with eraser - Wool fabric
What to Do:
Rub the Styrofoam plate with wool to build static electricity. Place the pie pan (with pencil attached) on top of the plate. Then touch the pencil—you may feel a small shock.
Science Behind It:
Teaches children about static electricity, the same phenomenon behind lightning during storms.
How These Activities Foster Development
These hands-on experiences are more than just fun—they’re essential to a child’s growth in multiple developmental areas:
Cognitive Skills
Children engage in hypothesis-making, problem-solving, and critical thinking as they ask questions and draw conclusions from each experiment.
Language Development
As they describe what they observe and document their findings, children strengthen their vocabulary and communication skills.
Social-Emotional Learning
Group activities teach cooperation, patience, and turn-taking—important components of emotional intelligence and teamwork.
STEM Readiness
Early exposure to science, technology, engineering, and math fosters interest in these fields, laying a foundation for future learning.
Making Science Fun at ABC Child Development Center
At ABC Child Development Center in Greeley, we’re proud to offer enriching after-school programs that keep children engaged year-round. Our weather-themed activities are just one example of how we use the world around us to spark interest in STEM and encourage lifelong learning.
Our dedicated educators guide children through inquiry-based learning that meets them at their developmental level while challenging them to grow. Whether indoors with a science experiment or outside cloud-watching, every activity is designed to be safe, age-appropriate, and developmentally supportive.
For more tips and seasonal learning resources, visit our Resource Page.
Open Enrollment for Summer Camp is Now Open!
Spring isn’t the only season filled with learning and fun—summer at ABC Child Development Center is packed with exciting activities, themed weeks, and continued exploration. Our school-age summer camp blends fun with hands-on learning to keep your child active, engaged, and prepared for the next school year.
Want to learn more or reserve your child’s spot?
Visit ABC Child Development Center to learn more about our programs and contact us to schedule a tour or enroll today!