Some students may moan and groan on a rainy day because they don't get to play outside. But with the rain splattering against the classroom windows and the sound of thunder in the distance, it’s a great opportunity for making art!

Elementary teacher Nancy Jang loves to celebrate rainy weather with an art project that’s easy to do and has a huge visual impact. In Jang’s lesson, students use multiple mediums such as crayons, watercolors, and a photo to create an eye-popping, gorgeous, rainy day fantasy portrait. Here’s how to get started. 

Begin With Rainy Day Reads

Get your students ready to create their art with these colorful picture books that celebrate rainy days.

Rainy Day Art Lesson

Step 1: Take a picture of each of your students on a plain light-colored background with one of their arms sticking out as if they are holding an imaginary umbrella. Print the pictures in black and white on 8.5" x 11" paper. You can print up to four pictures on a single page to save ink.

Step 2: Direct each student to draw a large umbrella and gray rain clouds using crayons on a blank piece of paper. They should also draw small lines using light blue or white or gray crayon to create rain drops. Students can include puddle shapes on the ground and elements such as lightning or a rainbow, if desired. Color using dark hues.

Step 3: Have students use blue, purple, and/or black watercolor paints to fill in the background of the picture.

Step 4: Cut out each student’s photograph and glue under the umbrella so that it looks like the student is holding the umbrella. Ta-da! The magical rainy day portraits are now complete!

Be sure to also check out these must-have books to teach about weather.  

Shop more books about rain below! You can find all books and activities at The Teacher Store.