The Best Children’s Books About Weather for Experimenting, Forecasting, and Fun!

You’ve made it part of your routine to check the weather forecast — it’s how you plan your wardrobe (and that of your little ones) every week. But have you ever looked up to wonder how meteorologists manage these predictions? We bet your kiddo has! You’ve likely been bombarded with ‘why’ weather questions already. Maybe you even have a future meteorologist at home. If that’s the case, you especially need to pick up some children’s books about weather!

There are so many different kinds for you and your kiddo to explore but you may not know where to start. To make your search a little easier, we compiled the best six children’s books about weather in the list below. We picked the best overall because it lays the foundation children need to keep exploring weather topics. Kids can certainly learn by reading but it’s so much more fun when they get to conduct some experiments with their own hands! We include activity books with fun at-home experiments that dazzle young learners. Each of the books we chose has a unique quality that’s worth checking out.

A-Z Animals Top Picks for Children’s Books About Weather

#1 Best Overall: WOW! Weather! by Paul Deanno (Author) and Toby Mikle (Illustrator)

The best children’s book about weather is WOW! Weather! by Paul Deanno (Author) and Toby Mikle (Illustrator).

This is a perfect first book for toddlers or kiddos who have started preschool or kindergarten. It touches on everything from hurricanes to tornadoes and lightning. It also explains complex concepts in an easy-to-understand way. For example, it explains how much a puffy cloud weighs by comparing it to the weight of elephants. It also shows how it’s possible for it to ‘snow’ in the summer. It takes the magic of weather and explains it to little ones in a fun way.

There are some animals in this book that help to tell the weather story. In this book, your child uncovers a zoo in the sky. The story starts with a young boy who discovers fascinating weather facts and then shares them with his whole family. It contains tons of vivid illustrations that help bring the weather to life on every page. Paul Deanno is an Emmy-winning broadcast meteorologist who created this book series. He has a great love and passion for weather and desires to share that with as many children as possible. He doesn’t just stop at writing books. Deanno has also visited hundreds of classrooms throughout his career to inspire children to be just as passionate about the weather and science.

However, this book is only short and only contains basic information, so for older children a more detailed book may be best.

Pros and Cons of WOW! Weather! by Paul Deanno (Author) and Toby Mikle (Illustrator)

Best Overall

"WOW! Weather!"

• Explains complex concepts in an easy-to-understand way
• Paul Deanno is an Emmy-winning broadcast meteorologist who created this book series
• Customers rate this book 4.5 out of five stars

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2. Best Activity Book: Weather Experiments Book for Kids by Jessica Stoller-Conrad

If you’re looking for a book to get your kid involved in hand-on activities then check out Weather Experiments Book for Kids by Jessica Stoller-Conrad.

This weather book for kids contains 25 hands-on activities for your kids to learn about wind, rain, hurricanes, and tons more. It’s available in Kindle and paperback formats and is ideal for children who are between eight and 12 years old. They get a chance to experiment just like scientists to discover all the fun details related to the weather. Your kid might be wondering what makes the weather change and what happens in the sky when storm clouds start to form. With this book, your child gets more than just an explanation of how these events work. It invites them to see it in action for themselves.

Your child gets to explore 25 different experiments that teach them the science behind different weather phenomena. They get to study everything from rain to fog to snow and dust storms. The book includes awesome weather facts. They learn to identify the differences between tornadoes and thunderstorms. Kids also learn why only some snow is great for making snowballs. They learn the ‘hows’ and the ‘whys’ and get to enjoy fun photos and illustrations throughout the book. It contains diagrams and pictures while it introduces new vocabulary words to help explain each new concept.

Pros and Cons of Weather Experiments Book for Kids by Jessica Stoller-Conrad

Best Activity Book

Weather Experiments Book for Kids

•  Contains 25 hands-on activities for your kids to learn about wind, rain, hurricanes, and tons more
•  Has diagrams and pictures while it introduces new vocabulary words to help explain each new concept
• Customers rate this book 4.6 out of five stars

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3. Best Forecasting Book: The Kids’ Book of Weather Forecasting by Kathleen Friestad

The best book to teach children about weather forecasting is Weather Experiments Book for Kids by Jessica Stoller-Conrad.

This weather book includes some experiments, and focuses on the observations so that children between the ages of seven and 13 can learn to predict the weather by gaining some understanding of the science around it. The book covers explanations for sunny afternoons, foggy mornings, and changing seasons. Weather forecasting covers events throughout an entire year and delivers practical scientific knowledge that kids can understand. Plus, this book makes it fun and interactive.

Pros and Cons of Weather Experiments Book for Kids by Jessica Stoller-Conrad

Best Forecasting Book

The Kids' Book of Weather Forecasting

• Teaches children to predict the weather by gaining some understanding of the science around it
• Great for those between the ages of seven and 13
• Customers rate this book 4.7 out of five stars

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4. Best STEM Book: STEM Starters for Kids Meteorology Activity Book by Jenny Jacoby (Author) and Vicky Barker (Illustrator)

If you’re looking to incorporate more science, technology, engineering, and math into your child’s life then a STEM book is the way to go. Therefore, we recommend STEM Starters for Kids Meteorology Activity Book by Jenny Jacoby (Author) and Vicky Barker (Illustrator).

This book offers and introduction to meteorology for children. It’s full color, includes tons of activities, and teaches young kids all about this important science. The book includes simple and easy-to-understand explanations and gorgeously illustrated activities on each page. Your child gets to experience all the wonders of whether while they acquire a strong passion for STEM subjects. It’s suitable for kids between six and 10 years old and is 32 pages long.

The book starts with an important introduction that answers the question “What is meteorology?” and “What is STEM?” This introduction lays the foundation for children to understand what this book is about and what areas of study come together to make predictions about the weather. The illustrations perfectly depict each topic. For example, on the ‘windy days’ page, each illustration demonstrates movement to help children grasp the concept visually. It’s incredibly informative yet written in a kid-friendly way.

However, some customer say that they wouldn’t necessarily consider this too much of an activity book, although there are a handful of drawing places. They recommend that is is paired with either a science experiment kit or a weather experiment book to enhance the experience.

Pros and Cons of STEM Starters for Kids Meteorology Activity Book by Jenny Jacoby (Author) and Vicky Barker (Illustrator)

Best STEM Book

STEM Starters for Kids Meteorology Activity Book: Packed with Activities and Meteorology Facts

• Great way to incorporate more science, technology, engineering, and math into your child’s life
• Suitable for kids between six and 10 years old
• Customers rate this book 4.7 out of five stars

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5. Best Rhyming Book: Oh Say Can You Say What’s the Weather Today? by Dr. Seuss

In our opinion, the best rhyming book about the weather is Oh Say Can You Say What’s the Weather Today? by Dr. Seuss.

This book is straight out of The Cat in the Hat Learning Library. It’s available in Kindle and hardcover formats. In the story, the cat along with some friends travels by hot air balloon into the sky. Through their fun travels, they witnessed various weather phenomena like snow, rain, thunder, hurricanes, and even tornadoes. Along their journey, they learn about different tools like anemometers and thermometers. They also learn about cloud formations, smog, fog, wind vanes, and weather folklore. They even learn how to stay safe when there’s lightning!

One customer says that it’s not as detailed as a more scientific children’s book, but it does provide some general information about basic weather that younger children find interesting.

Pros and Cons of Oh Say Can You Say What’s the Weather Today? by Dr. Seuss

Best Rhyming Book

Oh Say Can You Say What's the Weather Today?

• A classic Dr. Seuss story
• Available in kindle and hardcover formats
• Customers rate this book 4.8 out of five stars

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6. Most Fun-Filled: The Everything KIDS’ Weather Book by Joe Snedeker

You can go for a more scientific book or pick one for activities — but don’t miss out on The Everything KIDS’ Weather Book by Joe Snedeker because it’s all about fun.

This book blends the science aspect of weather with tons of games, puzzles, and facts that turn weather into something children want to explore. It explains what happens in the eye of a tornado and teaches children how hurricanes gain their strength. Your kids get an exciting look into all of the weather action that happens throughout the skies. They learn how to build a weather station of their own, how meteorologists predict the weather, and even what the term “a perfect storm” means.

Even some of the more technical lessons in this fun-filled book are exciting to learn. Kids discover how to differentiate between stratocumulus and cirrus clouds and explore how to create weather experiments at home. This book also touches on an important topic. The effects of global warming on planet earth. They get tons of exciting facts, 30 fun weather puzzles, and games. They won’t even realize they’re learning so much because it’s all about having fun throughout the process.

The only drawback to this book is that it does not include any color pictures.

Pros and Cons of The Everything KIDS’ Weather Book by Joe Snedeker

Most Fun-Filled

The Everything KIDS' Weather Book

• Explains what happens in the eye of a tornado and teaches children how hurricanes gain their strength
• Tons of exciting facts and 30 fun weather puzzles, and games
• Customers rate this book 4.6 out of five stars

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Choosing the Best: What to Look For

Start with picking up a foundational book that lays out the facts for kids. These books give children an overview of the weather, introducing them to new concepts and vocabulary words. It’s important that you pick one that aligns with your child’s current reading level. If you have an above-average reader at home, great! You may be able to explore books just ahead of their current reading level. If your kiddo already has a general understanding of the weather, you can move on to more hands-on books that incorporate activities and experiments. This way, children can enjoy a tactile learning experience along with their regular visual learning experiences.

Keep in mind that some of the books we highlight in the list above are meant for older children up to the age of 12. These can be great for environments where there are children of different ages. Some can watch while others get hands-on. However, if your child is much younger, you can enjoy a fun rhyming story with your baby or toddler. These stories have a lyrical quality and tons of brightly colored illustrations that captivate younger children. Even though they’re young, you start laying that foundation so they can begin exploring more about the weather, their environment, and nature. As their interests develop, you can continue feeding their library with more books until they reach the age when they can start trying some fun weather experiments!

Another factor to consider is the durability of the book. Younger kids do very well with board books. They’re thicker and can withstand spills! There are hardcover books that are usually aesthetically superior and that also last longer — they protect the pages with the front and back sturdy covers. Paperbacks can’t typically tolerate much abuse but if your kids treat them nicely, they can last a long time. Even long enough to be passed down to younger siblings or donated to other kiddos! The final option that is usually available is Kindle format! These can be downloaded to a tablet or iPad and read directly from the screen.