One hand makes the rain. The other brings out the sunshine.
This weather drawing game gives children a playful reason to pick up two crayons and experiment. There is no picture to copy perfectly and no worksheet to finish. Just a sheet of paper, a little imagination and a weather forecast they get to create.
Try it on a rainy afternoon, between homeschool activities or whenever your child wants something different to draw.
Activity at a glance
- Suggested age: 4+, adapted to your child’s comfort and ability
- Preparation: About 2 minutes
- Play time: Around 5–10 minutes, or as long as it stays enjoyable
- Supplies: Paper, two washable crayons and optional tape
Set up your weather page
Place a sheet of paper sideways on a table. If it moves around while your child draws, secure the corners with a little tape.
Draw a line down the middle. Add a small cloud near the top of each half, leaving plenty of space underneath.
Give your child one crayon for each hand. Let them choose the colours, even if their forecast includes purple rain and green sunshine.
Start with a simple invitation: “Can we make weather on both sides of the page?”
Round 1: Make the rain fall
Ask your child to draw short lines beneath each cloud.
First, try one hand and then the other. If that feels comfortable, invite them to make rain with both hands at the same time.
You can turn it into a little story:
“Here comes a tiny drizzle.”
“Now the raindrops are getting longer!”
“Can the rain slow down again?”
Keep the movements gentle. The lines do not need to match.
Round 2: Let the sunshine in
In an empty space on each side, draw a small circle for a sun.
Invite your child to add rays around each sun, using the hand on that side of the paper. They can take turns or try both hands together.
Ask: “What kind of day have you made?”
Their answer might give you the next part of the game. Perhaps one sun needs sunglasses, or a cloud is hiding behind a rainbow.
Round 3: Draw the windy paths
Now imagine the wind blowing across the page.
Use each crayon to draw a wavy path on its own side. Try small breezes, big curves or a slow spiral.
For an optional challenge, let one hand draw rain while the other draws wind. If that feels frustrating, return to making the same movement with both hands.
Make it easier or change the challenge
For an easier version: Use larger paper and chunky crayons. Let your child work with one hand at a time, or draw a few starter marks for them to follow.
For a different challenge: Ask your child to invent a weather pattern for you to copy. They might choose zigzag lightning, dotty snow or looping gusts of wind.
There is no need to complete every round.
What to notice as you play
Notice what your child enjoys, which movements feel comfortable and whether they prefer taking turns or moving both hands together.
You might say, “Your rain looks very different on each side,” rather than asking them to make it neater.
This is a drawing game, not a test. Uneven lines, different-sized shapes and changing the rules are all part of the fun.
Finish with a weather forecast
Let your child name their picture and give you a short forecast.
“Today there will be rainbow rain, curly wind and two very sleepy suns.”
You could write their words at the bottom and display the finished page. Next time, they can invent a completely different kind of weather.
For another simple activity to try at home, explore our free printable activity.