An essential part of the morning routine is knowing what the day’s weather forecast will bring us here in southeast Michigan. Will it be chilly or a bit on the warm side? Do we need to wear a raincoat to the bus stop, or are shorts and sandals in order? To help get your family out the door, designate your child as a junior meteorologist and have them create their very own DIY weather station. Using the day’s forecast provided a favorite weather app, your child can translate that into an analog forecast for everyone at home to see.
Materials
- 1 piece of foam core (this multi-pack from Elmers works great)
- Washi tape
- Drill punch
- Brass office brads
- Double-sided tape
- Construction paper in an assortment of colors
- Alphabet stickers
- Scotch dry erase tape
- Scissors
- Hole punch
Instructions
To get your board started, place a long piece of washi tape down the center of your foam core, stopping just a few inches from the bottom.
Next, place another piece of washi tape to section off the bottom of the board and center of the top area.
At the washi tape intersection in the center of the board, create a hole by using a drill press. If you don’t have a drill press, scissors will do just fine.
Along the bottom area of the board, add alphabet stickers to spell out “TODAY.” Add a small piece of dry erase tape right next to it.
Cut a rectangle from one of your pieces of construction paper and punch a hole in end. Insert an office brad into the hole in the paper and then into the hole in the board. Fasten in the back of the board.
In the four quadrants you created on the board, create an icon out of construction paper for sun, snow, rain and clouds. Attach to the board with double-sided tape. With those images in place, your child has a dial to point to the day’s suggested weather outcome and write in the projected temperature on the piece of dry erase tape!
