Rainstorm Window Watching Activity

A large window with a good view of the storm

A blanket and a cozy spot to sit together

Paper and crayons for drawing (optional)

When a rainstorm rolls in, resist the urge to close the curtains. Settle beside a big window with your child, wrap up in a blanket, and make it an event.

Watch the raindrops on the glass. Pick two drops near the top of the window. "Which one will reach the bottom first?" Follow them as they slide, merge, and race downward.

Close your eyes and just listen. Rain on the roof sounds different from rain against glass, which sounds different from rain splashing in a puddle below. "Is the rain getting louder or softer?"

Count what you see. How many puddles are forming? Can you spot any birds sheltering in the trees? Are the leaves moving in the wind?

Talk about where rain comes from in simple terms. "Water goes up into the sky and makes clouds. When the clouds get too full, the water falls back down as rain. Then it starts all over."

Grab paper and crayons and draw the storm while you watch it. Rain lines, grey clouds, puddles on the ground.

Rainstorms are underrated learning moments. Weather science, observation, cause-and-effect — it's all happening right outside your window.

For thunder and lightning, explain the science simply: "Lightning makes the air shake really fast, and that's the boom." Count seconds between flash and thunder to gauge distance.

If your child is scared of storms, your calm presence and curious attitude will help reframe thunder as interesting instead of frightening.

Keep a weather journal together. After each storm, write the date and draw what you saw. Over weeks, patterns emerge.