Make a Fun and Simple Sundial!

For kids

Learn how to build your own sundial! It's a fun way to see how the sun tells time. You'll need a few simple things to get started.

What You'll Need

• A paper plate
• A pencil
• A ruler
• A small ball of clay or playdough
• A sunny spot
• A watch or phone with the correct time

Steps

1. Find a sunny spot outside.
2. Place your paper plate flat on the ground.
3. Use the ruler to draw a line from the center of the plate to the edge. This is your 12 o'clock line.
4. Place the clay or playdough in the center of the plate.
5. Stick the pencil straight up in the clay. This is your gnomon, the part that casts the shadow.
6. At the current time (check your watch or phone), mark where the pencil's shadow falls on the plate with a small line and write the time next to it.
7. Wait an hour. Mark where the shadow falls now and write the new time.
8. Keep marking the shadow's position every hour.
9. The lines you make will show the time! You can now use your sundial to tell time.

Why This Works

The sun's position in the sky changes throughout the day. The pencil casts a shadow that moves as the sun moves. By marking the shadow's position at different times, you create a way to tell time using the sun!

Here's an interactive diagram of your sundial:

Safety

Always have an adult help you when you are outside. Make sure you are in a safe area away from traffic or other dangers. Be careful not to look directly at the sun.

Have fun making your sundial! You can try this activity on different days to see how the sundial's time changes as the seasons change.