Springtime Science: Discovering Weather Patterns

Spring is an exciting time of year when nature begins to wake up from its winter nap. Flowers bloom, birds return, and the weather becomes a fascinating mix of sunshine, showers, wind, and everything in between! At Lyndon Learning Daycare, we use this lively season as an opportunity to introduce our little learners to the wonderful world of weather through hands-on science activities and playful exploration.

From observing clouds to creating their own “rain,” children begin to understand that the changing sky tells a story—and they love being the scientists who get to investigate it!


Why Teach Weather Science in Early Childhood?

Learning about weather isn’t just fun—it’s foundational. Springtime science introduces children to basic concepts in:

☁️ Observation and prediction – What do clouds mean? Will it rain?
🌦️ Patterns and changes – Why is it sunny one day and stormy the next?
🌡 Measurement and tools – How do we know how warm or windy it is?
🌀 Cause and effect – What makes wind blow or rain fall?

Through age-appropriate weather science, we help kids develop critical thinking, vocabulary, and curiosity about the natural world—all while getting outside and having fun!


Spring Weather Activities at Lyndon Learning

We bring weather science to life through playful, sensory-rich activities that allow children to see, feel, and experience weather firsthand. Here are some of our favorite springtime science experiences:

1. Cloud Watching & Charting

Children lay on the grass and watch clouds drift by, learning about shapes and types like cumulus (fluffy) and stratus (flat).
🖍 They draw what they see and chart the weather each day—sunny, cloudy, windy, or rainy—building early graphing and recording skills.

2. DIY Rain Clouds in a Jar

Using shaving cream and colored water, children make their own “rain clouds” in a clear jar to simulate how clouds become heavy and release rain.
🌧 This visual science experiment teaches concepts like absorption and precipitation in a way that’s magical and easy to understand.

3. Weather Station Play

Our pretend-play area includes weather tools like thermometers, wind socks, and rain gauges (many handmade by the children themselves!).
🌡 Kids act as weather reporters, learning new vocabulary like temperature, forecast, and humidity while practicing storytelling and communication skills.

4. Rainbow Science

Spring showers often bring rainbows, and we explore the science behind them with light refraction experiments using spray bottles and sunlight.
🌈 We also create rainbows with prisms and art supplies—linking science with creative expression.

5. Windy Day Fun

On breezy spring days, we bring out streamers, pinwheels, and paper kites to observe how the wind moves.
🌀 We ask questions like, “Which direction is the wind blowing?” and “What makes it go faster?”—prompting simple hypothesis-making and observation.


Building Weather Vocabulary & Scientific Thinking

Alongside each activity, we introduce age-appropriate weather words like:

  • Storm

  • Breeze

  • Thunder

  • Lightning

  • Forecast

  • Cloudy

By hearing, seeing, and using these words in context, children develop strong language skills and early scientific thinking, such as making predictions and comparing outcomes.


Connecting Science to Everyday Life

One of the best parts of learning about spring weather is that it’s something children can observe every day—on the playground, on the way to daycare, or looking out their window at home.

We encourage families to ask their child questions like:
👀 “What kind of clouds do you see today?”
🎒 “What do you think we should wear if it’s windy?”
🌧 “Do you think it will rain later?”

These simple conversations help children connect what they learn in daycare to the world around them, reinforcing their curiosity and confidence.


Final Thoughts

At Lyndon Learning Daycare, we believe that science begins with wonder—and springtime is full of wonders just waiting to be explored. By helping children observe, ask questions, and explore the changing weather, we’re planting the seeds for a lifelong love of learning and discovery.

Want to learn more about how we bring science and play together every day? Contact Lyndon Learning Daycare to schedule a visit or join our spring adventures! 🌤🌈🌦