What You Need

• Blanket
• A day with fluffy clouds in the sky
• "It Looked Like Spilt Milk" (book)

Read "It Looked Like Spilt Milk together." Then, head outside and lie on your backs next to each other.You can even do this activity with an infant; your baby will enjoy feeling the breeze, experiencing the new environment, and being close to you.

Gaze at the sky together and notice the clouds. Ask your child things like, “What shapes do you see?” and “What animal does that cloud look like?” You might need to take the first step by saying something like, “I see two round ears — that cloud looks like a bear!” This activity might spark your child’s curiosity. He or she might ask things like, “What are clouds made of?” and “Why are they different shapes?” Find answers to these questions and more information at www.window.ucar.edu.

What Your Child Learns

Through this activity, children connect literature to a real-life experience. They learn that books offer information and learning. Children develop observation and language skills as they look for shapes in the clouds.