Activities/Rainwater Collection Experiment

Age Range

5-12 years old

Duration

45 minutes

Difficulty Level

⭐⭐

Rainwater Collection Experiment

Learn about water cycle

Nature0

Materials Needed

Clear containers (mason jars, plastic bottles, or glass bowls)

3-4

$5-12

💡 Suggested stores: Target, Dollar Tree, Amazon Prime, grocery store

Funnels (plastic or cardboard)

2-3

$3-8

💡 Suggested stores: Dollar Tree, grocery store, Target, online retailers

Cheesecloth or coffee filters

1 package

$2-6

💡 Suggested stores: grocery store, Target, Dollar Tree, Amazon Prime

Small gravel and sand

2-3 cups combined

Free-$4

💡 Suggested stores: your backyard, playground, Dollar Tree, local hardware store

Measuring cups and spoon

1 set

Free-$3

Optional

💡 Suggested stores: kitchen drawer (likely already own), Dollar Tree, Target

Common Questions

Troubleshooting

Preparation

Ensure enough time to complete the activity

Prepare required materials and tools

Choose appropriate environment and venue

Safety Tips

Please ensure activities are conducted under adult supervision and pay attention to safety.

Materials Needed

Clear containers (mason jars, plastic bottles, or glass bowls)

3-4

$5-12

💡 Suggested stores: Target, Dollar Tree, Amazon Prime, grocery store

Funnels (plastic or cardboard)

2-3

$3-8

💡 Suggested stores: Dollar Tree, grocery store, Target, online retailers

Cheesecloth or coffee filters

1 package

$2-6

💡 Suggested stores: grocery store, Target, Dollar Tree, Amazon Prime

Small gravel and sand

2-3 cups combined

Free-$4

💡 Suggested stores: your backyard, playground, Dollar Tree, local hardware store

Measuring cups and spoon

1 set

Free-$3

Optional

💡 Suggested stores: kitchen drawer (likely already own), Dollar Tree, Target

Troubleshooting

Materials Needed

Clear containers (mason jars, plastic bottles, or glass bowls)

3-4

$5-12

💡 Suggested stores: Target, Dollar Tree, Amazon Prime, grocery store

Funnels (plastic or cardboard)

2-3

$3-8

💡 Suggested stores: Dollar Tree, grocery store, Target, online retailers

Cheesecloth or coffee filters

1 package

$2-6

💡 Suggested stores: grocery store, Target, Dollar Tree, Amazon Prime

Small gravel and sand

2-3 cups combined

Free-$4

💡 Suggested stores: your backyard, playground, Dollar Tree, local hardware store

Measuring cups and spoon

1 set

Free-$3

Optional

💡 Suggested stores: kitchen drawer (likely already own), Dollar Tree, Target

Troubleshooting

Rainwater Collection Experiment

Materials Needed

Clear containers (mason jars, plastic bottles, or glass bowls)

Funnels (plastic or cardboard)

Cheesecloth or coffee filters

Small gravel and sand

Measuring cups and spoon

Common Questions

QWhat age is this activity best for?

QDo I need special equipment or can I use household items?

QHow long does water stay fresh in the collection containers?

QWhat if we live somewhere that doesn't rain often?

QCan we do this on an apartment balcony or do we need a yard?

Troubleshooting

My child loses interest halfway through the experiment and wants to move on to something else.

The container tips over or the setup feels too complicated for my young child to help with.

We live in a dry climate or it hasn't rained in weeks, so we can't actually do the experiment.

My child wants to taste or drink the collected rainwater, and I'm worried about safety.

Preparation

Safety Tips

Rainwater Collection Experiment

Materials Needed

Clear containers (mason jars, plastic bottles, or glass bowls)

Funnels (plastic or cardboard)

Cheesecloth or coffee filters

Small gravel and sand

Measuring cups and spoon

Common Questions

QWhat age is this activity best for?

QDo I need special equipment or can I use household items?

QHow long does water stay fresh in the collection containers?

QWhat if we live somewhere that doesn't rain often?

QCan we do this on an apartment balcony or do we need a yard?

Troubleshooting

My child loses interest halfway through the experiment and wants to move on to something else.

The container tips over or the setup feels too complicated for my young child to help with.

We live in a dry climate or it hasn't rained in weeks, so we can't actually do the experiment.

My child wants to taste or drink the collected rainwater, and I'm worried about safety.

Preparation

Safety Tips

Rainwater Collection Experiment

Materials Needed

Clear containers (mason jars, plastic bottles, or glass bowls)

Funnels (plastic or cardboard)

Cheesecloth or coffee filters

Small gravel and sand

Measuring cups and spoon

Common Questions

QWhat age is this activity best for?

QDo I need special equipment or can I use household items?

QHow long does water stay fresh in the collection containers?

QWhat if we live somewhere that doesn't rain often?

QCan we do this on an apartment balcony or do we need a yard?

Troubleshooting

My child loses interest halfway through the experiment and wants to move on to something else.

The container tips over or the setup feels too complicated for my young child to help with.

We live in a dry climate or it hasn't rained in weeks, so we can't actually do the experiment.

My child wants to taste or drink the collected rainwater, and I'm worried about safety.

Preparation

Safety Tips