How to Make a Sundial for Children's Crafts
Sundials are like natural clocks in that they tell the time based on where the sun falls in the sky. To read a sundial, you watch where a shadow falls and infer where the sun is. A sundial is a fun craft to do with children--whether they need a school science project or just something educational to spend their time with.
Things You'll Need
- Cardboard
- Art supplies (crayons, ribbons, glue, etc.)
- Scissors or hole puncher
- Stick (>6 in.)
- Black permanent marker
Instructions
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1
Cut out a large circle from a piece of cardboard. Allow children to use art supplies to decorate the circle as desired. Make sure to leave a blank rim around the edge of the circle.
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2
Use the scissors or hole puncher to make a hole in the center of the circle, and insert a stick through the hole to create the sundial.
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Help your child find a sunny spot for the sundial. Poke the stick far enough into the soil so that the sundial will stay secure.
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4
Instruct your child to go outside every hour on the hour, and use the permanent marker to write a number in the place on the sundial where the shadow of the stick reaches. You may complete this process over several days, and you may only create a sundial that keeps time for part of the day, such as from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., depending on your schedule.
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To use your sundial, look at where the shadow of the stick falls. If it falls halfway between the 4 and the 5, for example, the time is 4:30.
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Tips & Warnings
Your child may have to spend a few days refining the sundial and learning how to read it precisely. That's part of the fun!
Make sure that the sundial is not on top of any planted seeds. The sundial will block the sun from reaching the area.
