Outdoor Learning: Make a DIY Sundial and Learn About Time

Activity Description:

Teach kids how people told time before clocks by creating a simple sundial in the backyard. This hands-on experiment blends science, history, and outdoor exploration, giving kids a fun way to understand the movement of the sun and Earth’s rotation.

How to Do It:

1. Gather Materials:

• A wooden stick, straw, or pencil (about 12 inches long)

• A paper plate, cardboard, or a flat patch of ground

• A ruler and markers or chalk

• Small rocks or stickers (optional, to mark hours)

2. Choose a Location:

• Find an open, sunny spot outside where shadows are visible throughout the day.

• Avoid areas with too much shade from trees or buildings.

3. Set Up the Sundial:

• Place the stick upright in the center of the plate or on the ground.

• If using a paper plate, poke the stick through the middle and secure it with tape or clay.

• If marking on the ground, use chalk or stones to create a clock outline around the stick.

4. Mark the Hourly Shadows:

• Start in the morning and note where the shadow falls. Mark it with a number (e.g., 9 AM).

• Return every hour and mark the shadow’s new position.

• Continue this throughout the day to complete a full sundial clock.

5. Explain the Science Behind It:

• Discuss how the sun moves across the sky as the Earth rotates.

• Explain why shadows change length and direction during the day.

• Teach that ancient civilizations used sundials before mechanical clocks existed.

6. Test the Sundial:

• The next day, check if the sundial accurately tells the time based on the sun’s position.

• Challenge kids to guess the time using only the sundial.

7. Experiment Further:

• Make multiple sundials and compare accuracy in different locations.

• Create a night-time version by tracking moon shadows.

• Discuss how sundials work differently in summer versus winter.

8. Make It More Fun:

• Decorate the sundial with colorful designs, numbers, or stickers.

• Name the sundial something fun, like “Time Traveler Tracker” or “Ancient Sun Clock.”

Bonus Tip:

Take a picture of the sundial at different times and turn it into a time-lapse learning project!

This outdoor activity teaches kids about astronomy, history, and the mechanics of time while making science fun and interactive.