Weather in a Jar

This weather-themed experiment is a fun way to show how clouds hold and release rain.

By creating a “cloud” of shaving foam in a clear jar filled with water, children can drip coloured water on top and watch it slowly fall through like rain.

It’s a gentle, hands-on introduction to weather science — with a splash of colour and a touch of magic.

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Materials

• Clear jar or glass
• Shaving cream (foam type)
• Water
• Food colouring (blue works well, or mix your own)
• Small bowl or cup for colouring

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Tools

• Pipette, dropper, or teaspoon
• Towel or tray to catch drips

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Steps

1. Fill a clear jar about ¾ full with water.
2. Add a layer of shaving cream on top to represent the cloud.
3. In a small cup, mix food colouring with water.
4. Use a dropper or spoon to gently add coloured water to the shaving cream.
5. Watch as the colour slowly falls through the “cloud” into the water below — like rain from the sky!

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Variations

• Stormy Skies: Use dark blue, grey, or purple colourings to simulate different weather moods.
• Rainbow Rain: Try several colours at once for a bright effect.
• Observation Challenge: Ask children to guess how many drops the cloud can hold before it starts to rain.

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Why It’s Great

• Explains Weather Concepts – Visualises how clouds fill and release rain.
• Encourages Observation – Kids can watch changes and describe what they see.
• Messy but Manageable – Involves water and foam but stays mostly contained in a jar.

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Safety Tips

• Supervise children when using food colouring to avoid staining surfaces or skin.
• Ensure young children know not to touch or taste the foam or coloured water.