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Cloud Spotter's Guide

Learn the four main cloud families, then head outside to spot them, name them and guess what the weather might do next.

Ages
6–11
Time
About 20 min
Subject
Science & STEM
Difficulty
easy
Where
Outdoor
Who
Solo or family

What children will learn

  • Recognise cumulus, stratus, cirrus and cumulonimbus clouds
  • Use describing words to explain what clouds look like
  • Connect cloud types with possible weather

You'll need

  • This page printed
  • A pencil
  • A blanket or towel to lie on
  • Cotton wool balls, glue and blue paper (optional, for a cloud chart)

Safety first

  • Never look directly at the sun.
  • Wear a hat and sunscreen when lying outside.
  • If you hear thunder or see lightning, go inside straight away.

How to do it

  1. Learn the names together. Cumulus means 'heap' (puffy, like cotton wool). Stratus means 'layer' (a flat grey sheet). Cirrus means 'curl' (thin, wispy streaks high up). Cumulonimbus clouds are huge towers that can bring storms.
  2. Lie on a blanket outside and look at the sky (never at the sun). Which cloud family can you see? Tick it on the sheet and write the day and time.
  3. Describe each cloud: Is it high or low? Fluffy or flat? White or grey? Is it moving fast or slowly?
  4. Make a prediction: puffy white cumulus often mean fair weather, while grey stratus can bring drizzle and tall cumulonimbus can bring thunderstorms. Check the sky again later — were you right?
  5. Optional: make a cloud chart by stretching and gluing cotton wool onto blue paper to show each cloud type.

Make it easier

Just look for 'puffy', 'flat' and 'wispy' clouds, and find shapes like animals and faces.

Make it harder

Learn the in-between names, such as altocumulus and cirrostratus, and keep a cloud log for a week.

Parent tip: Cloud spotting fits into any car trip or walk to the shops — ask 'What cloud family is that?' and let your child be the expert.

Cloud Spotter's Guide

Name: ____________________ Date: ____________

CumulusStratusCirrusCumulonimbus
Puffy heaps, like cotton woolFlat grey layer, like a blanketThin wispy streaks, high upGiant tower, can bring storms
Seen on:Seen on:Seen on:Seen on:

Tick a box and write the day and time each time you spot a cloud family.

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Fantastic work! Every little step helps you grow.