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Rain catchers

How much rain fell today? Make a simple rain catcher and check it every morning.

  • 10 min + a few days
  • Low mess
  • Ages 3–5*
  • Outdoors
  • Autumn to spring
Let's do this

*Illustrative age guidance. Your child's development and circumstances matter more than a number.

A tiny plan for your day

Estimated time: 3 min to prepare · 5 min to set up · 2 min to tidy. Then check daily. Plus waiting time: a few days. It's fine to stop early.

Before you start

What you’ll need

  • A clear plastic tub or bottle, top cut off by an adult
  • A few pebbles to weigh it down
  • A marker pen or stickers

Let's begin

Five simple steps

That's the whole activity. Tick each step off as you go, and stop whenever you like.

  1. Put pebbles in the bottom so it doesn't blow over.

  2. Place it in an open spot, away from trees and roofs.

  3. Check it each morning. Mark the water level with a sticker or pen.

  4. Which day was the wettest?

  5. Tip it out and start again.

All done!

That's every step. However it went, you made a little moment together.

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