How to Create a Homemade Rain Gauge with Your Kids

Build a simple rain gauge at home using everyday materials to measure rainfall and teach kids about weather.

  1. Gather Your Materials. You'll need a clear plastic bottle (water or soda bottle works great), a ruler, waterproof tape or permanent marker, scissors, and a small funnel (or you can make one from paper). If you don't have a funnel, cut the top off another plastic bottle to create one. You'll also want some small stones or marbles to weigh down the bottom, and a notebook to record your measurements.
  2. Prepare the Bottle. Cut the plastic bottle about one-third from the top, creating two pieces. The bottom piece will be your collection container, and the top piece will become your funnel. Turn the top piece upside down and place it inside the bottom piece, creating a funnel that directs rain into the gauge. The cut edges should fit together snugly.
  3. Add Weight and Create Your Scale. Put a few stones or marbles in the bottom of your gauge to keep it stable in wind and rain. Add about an inch of water to establish your starting point. Use waterproof tape or a permanent marker to create measurement marks on the side of the bottle, starting from the water line. Mark every quarter-inch or half-inch, depending on your bottle size and how precise you want to be.
  4. Set Up Your Rain Gauge. Place your rain gauge in an open area away from trees, buildings, or anything that might block rain from falling directly into it. The gauge should sit on level ground or be secured upright. Make sure the funnel top is firmly in place and won't blow away in strong winds. A good spot might be in the middle of your yard or on a flat section of your deck.
  5. Take Daily Measurements. Check your rain gauge at the same time each day, preferably in the morning. Record the water level in your notebook, noting the date and amount of rainfall since your last measurement. After recording, pour out the excess water, leaving just your original baseline amount. This gives you a fresh start for measuring the next day's rainfall.
  6. Track and Compare Your Data. Keep a weather journal with your daily measurements. After a few weeks, you'll start to see patterns in your local rainfall. Compare your measurements with local weather reports to see how accurate your homemade gauge is. This is a great way to talk with your kids about weather patterns, seasons, and how meteorologists collect data.