Activity best for children age 4 and up

Have you ever looked into the sky and seen clouds? Do you know what they are made out of or how they are formed? Clouds are formed when gas or vapor molecules stick together and form droplets. When large groups of these droplets are floating together in the sky we see clouds. There are 10 different kinds of clouds including cumulus with round, puffy tops and flat bottoms, cirrus clouds that look like wispy streaks across the sky, and stratus clouds that appear on misty overcast days.

Clouds can be different shapes, sizes, and sit at different heights in the sky. They can also warm or cool our planet depending on their height, thickness, and structure. Scientists study clouds by making observations from land, but also from space. Satellites in space help scientists learn even more about clouds. Are you ready to make some of your own cloud observations? Head outside and observe the clouds with the worksheet provided below.