Cloud Spotting Forecast Log

What you need

• Paper, 7 sheets
• Crayons or markers, a handful
• Phone, 1, for a daily reminder (optional)

How to do it

Grown-up prep: Choose a safe outdoor spot you can visit at the same time each day for a week, such as a doorstep or a garden. Remind kids never to look directly at the sun.

1. Day one: read your cheat sheet and meet the four cloud families.
2. Go to your sky-watching spot at your chosen time.
3. Look up and find the clouds. Never look at the sun!
4. Draw the clouds you see on a fresh sheet of paper.
5. Name each cloud using the four families on your cheat sheet.
   Ask: Which cloud family is that one, and what clue told you?
6. Write your weather guess for tomorrow under your drawing.
7. Next day: check your guess, tick right or wrong, then draw again.
   Ask: Was your guess right? What clue helped, or what did you miss?
8. At the end of the week, count your ticks and score your forecasting.
9. Now share your forecast with a friend! Can you beat your score next week?
   Ask: Which cloud was your best clue, and what will you look for next time?

Play it again

• Family forecast: everyone makes a guess and the best forecaster wins.
• Cloud bingo: make a card with the four cloud types and cross them off as you spot them.
• Sky photo log: take a photo each day and match it to your drawing.