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During our weather unit, we decided to spend some time learning about extreme weather conditions. So of course we decided to make a tornado in a bottle.
Making a tornado in a bottle is an easy and effective way to show kids the twisty way that tornadoes move across land.
You’ll find more resources for learning about weather on Weather Unit Study page my Weather Activities Pinterest board.

To make a tornado in a bottle, you will need two empty 2-liter bottles and a tornado tube.
We filled one 2-liter bottle about 3/4 full with water. Next, we attached the tornado tube to the top. Then we attached an empty 2-liter bottle to the other end of the tube.

To make a tornado, you then simply need to turn the bottles over and give them a little circular shake.
Watch this short video to see how our tornado worked out.
More weather resources
More weather posts from Gift of Curiosity:
- Books about the weather
- Weather 3-part cards
- DIY weather station
- Water cycle demonstration
- Two ways to make a cloud in a jar
- Cloud classification activities
- Make it rain in a jar
- DIY weather vane
- Wind resistance experiment
- How do hurricanes form?
- Weather Bingo game
You’ll find more resources for learning about weather on Weather Unit Study page my Weather Activities Pinterest board.
This is what I’ve been looking for. We are a homeschooling family. I’ve been looking for a unit study which I can use as a teaching tool to help my kids learn more about the weather. Thank you very much. May I print a couple of copies off or not?
Yes, you are welcome to print for personal or classroom use. Enjoy!
Wow! I like your Tornado In Bottle!
Hi! Where did you find the red fitting? Thank you!
From Amazon: https://amzn.to/2OG7XdT
Hey Mrs. Katie
Is it best to only use 2 liter bottles?
Thanks so much
Monica
I believe a 2 liter bottle will work best, but you can certainly try with smaller bottles to see what happens.