Thunder and Lightning Activities

**Daisy De** · 23-07-2013, 06:24 AM

Anyone got any thunder and lightning crafts/activities to share?

We get thunderstorms so seldom would like to do something related to distract and support any los who are a bit scared. Personally, I love it so hopefully that will rub off on them.

**miffy** · 23-07-2013, 06:51 AM

I like this one

Preschool Science - thunderstorm in a cup | Brie Brie Blooms

and this is a lovely site for information about all sorts of weather

Weather Wiz Kids weather information for kids

Miffy xx

**kellyskidz!** · 23-07-2013, 06:55 AM

We're going to do glitter thunderstorm pics as I have all girls in today. (The boys usually reject glitter lol)
We might also put a jar/cup outside and she how quickly it fills as it is THROWING it down outside.
You could get musical instruments and make thunder crashes! Or make your own rains sticks
Long cardboard tube (I used kitchen roll holder)
Insert some metal screws in the sides at all angles (just push them through, making sure they don't poke out the other side)
Roll in tin foil, scrunching one end shut with foil but leaving one end open (make sure the foil is longer than the tube so you have excess at both ends to scrunch inside to keep rice etc inside)
Add rices, buttons, pasta etc
Seal other end by scrunching tin foil over
Cover in glue and tissue paper to fully seal everything inside
Shake shake shake, makes a lovely homemade rain maker xx

**miffy** · 23-07-2013, 06:57 AM

Originally Posted by kellyskidz!

We're going to do glitter thunderstorm pics as I have all girls in today. (The boys usually reject glitter lol)
We might also put a jar/cup outside and she how quickly it fills as it is THROWING it down outside.
You could get musical instruments and make thunder crashes! Or make your own rains sticks
Long cardboard tube (I used kitchen roll holder)
Insert some metal screws in the sides at all angles (just push them through, making sure they don't poke out the other side)
Roll in tin foil, scrunching one end shut with foil but leaving one end open (make sure the foil is longer than the tube so you have excess at both ends to scrunch inside to keep rice etc inside)
Add rices, buttons, pasta etc
Seal other end by scrunching tin foil over
Cover in glue and tissue paper to fully seal everything inside
Shake shake shake, makes a lovely homemade rain maker xx

Nice ideas!

You could sing "I hear thunder" too

Miffy xx

**Daisy De** · 23-07-2013, 06:58 AM

Thanks Miffy, love the Preschool Science page, will have a go at that.

I read the Weather Wiz one last night, learnt a lot myself let alone the children

**Bumble Beez** · 23-07-2013, 07:07 AM

Did this theme only a few weeks ago

First Grade Fanatics: Thunder and Lightning Oh My!

Try this site...a few good ideas for older ones

Preschool Science - thunderstorm in a cup | Brie Brie Blooms

The picture is a great idea for littlies and the cup would be great for the older ones too.

2 Teaching Mommies: Spring

Great little download pack on here too.

Play the Thunderstorm Game...
Ask the children to form a circle. Perform the motions to act out a thunderstorm. Make the children perform the actions with you. Wave your hands together back and forth to imitate the wind. Put out your hands and wave them down as you crouch to the floor imitating rain. Stamp your feet to imitate thunder. Say each word (wind, rain, thunder) as the children perform each action. You can encourage independance by having the children perform the actions on their own without your help.

Rain and Rainbows...
Explain how rainbows are formed under just the right conditions of sunlight and rain. Read books, look for rainbows if possible and have the children draw pictures of the rainbows and rain on a sunny day.

Hope that helps a little

**Mrsh3103** · 23-07-2013, 08:34 AM

I love these ideas

**The Juggler** · 23-07-2013, 01:16 PM

we played some classical music that gets louder and quieter and used drums and claves, playing quietly then getting louder and doing crashes for the thunder and lightening.

all mine are a bit wary of the thunder so thought it might help alleviate their fears

**Daisy De** · 23-07-2013, 01:26 PM

Excellent ideas everyone, will be doing lots of them.

However, just to show planning often goes to pot as soon as I put a bowl out explaining to the los we would see how much it filled up with the rain which at the time was bouncing off the patio, the sun came out and has remained out all day, typical