Rain Cloud in a jar Science Experiment

Teach your kids to love science by exploring the process of how rain falls with this super cool rain cloud in a jar science experiment! Kids will love this fun science experiment, especially curious little scientists! Making shaving cream rain clouds teaches kids about clouds and rain in a fun and engaging way so they can visualise the process. It is easy to prepare this experiment and the kids will be wowed!

Get your science lab coat on! You are going to love this cloud in a jar experiment, but before you get started here are a few more of our favourite easy science experiments for kids.

• Lava Lamp Science Experiment 
• Rainbow Baking Soda Science Experiment
• Rainbow Walking Water Science Experiment
• Colour Changing Flowers Science Experiment

Kids as young as preschoolers will be able to visualise the process of rain falling from the clouds thanks to the shaving cream clouds and bright blue rain used in this simple science experiment.

How do clouds drop rain?

So before you get into this cloud in a jar science experiment, here is the science behind how real clouds drop rain. Clouds are made up of millions of tiny water droplets. When these droplets of water get too heavy gravity makes them fall down as raindrops.

In this cloud in a jar experiment your cloud is make from shaving cream. Food colouring (rain) is then added to the cloud. As more and more food colouring is added to the cloud it begins to get heavy. When it gets too heavy the rain (food colouring) falls into the jar.

Cloud in a jar science experiment

Cloud in a jar experiment supplies

• Clear glass jar (or cup) 
• Shaving cream
• Blue food colouring 
• Cold water
• Plastic Spoon

How do you make a rain cloud in a jar?

STEP 1: Start by adding water

Fill the jar with cold water about ¾ full. You’ll want to leave some room for the shaving cream.

STEP 2: Add the shaving cream

Squirt a thin layer of shaving cream on top of the water making sure there are no holes. The shaving cream represents your rain cloud.

Shaving cream does rise a bit and you don’t want your layer of shaving cream to be too thick so be careful not to add to much. If you do add too much not to worry, you can always scrape some off using a plastic spoon.

STEP 3: Apply drops of food colouring

Squirt several drops of blue food colouring onto the shaving cream. The blue food colouring represents your rain. Check the water to see if you can see the food colouring seeping through the shaving cream. If you do not see this, add more food colouring until it goes through.

STEP 4: Enjoy the experiment in action!

Once you see the food colouring rain seeping through the shaving cream, sit back and watch to see what happens. You will want to do this experiment again and again! 

This is such a fun and easy science experiment for kids. We're sure your little ones will be thrilled to play and learn all about the weather by making shaving cream rain clouds as they do this fun cloud in a jar science experiment. It makes it really easy for young children to visualise what happens when it rains!

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