Kids Corner: Clouds Floating By

We usually walk along looking ahead or at the ground but sometimes it’s good to look upwards and have your head in the clouds. Depending on where you live you might see clouds every day or maybe just at certain times of the year. 

On a sunny day, recline on the grass and look up at the sky. Watch the clouds – how they move, make, and change shapes. Can you find one that looks like a dinosaur? Or a turtle? Then spot, describe and point out faces and other interesting shapes and colours.

Cumulus clouds are described as looking like cauliflowers. Can you spot other vegetable shapes? See if you can tell a story using the cloud shapes and get fluffy with your descriptions.

Watching and describing clouds can encourage stillness, independent thought, and imagination. Older children can be encouraged to name the cloud types – cirrus, cumulus, nimbus, etc. Watch out for the ones that look like planes or birds. They can be very realistic. 

Seek out racing clouds on a windy day. Are they high and low clouds moving at the same speed? 

Can you imagine other worlds high above in the cloudy skyscape? 

Are the types of clouds different if the wind is blowing in a different direction? 

If you keep watch for several hours, you might notice cirrus giving way to altus and then cumulus clouds. This is a sign of a warm front approaching – time to get your raincoat.