Make a sundial
Make a simple sundial using a paper plate, pencil gnomon, and compass; mark hourly shadows, observe sun movement, and learn about time and Earth’s rotation.
About this activity
Make a simple sundial using a paper plate, pencil gnomon, and compass; mark hourly shadows, observe sun movement, and learn about time and Earth’s rotation.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Find a sunny flat spot outside and set the paper plate flat on the ground.
- 2
Step 2
Press a small ball of modeling clay into the center of the plate and push the pencil into the clay so it stands straight up.
- 3
Step 3
Hold the compass beside the plate and gently rotate the plate until the pencil points toward north.
- 4
Step 4
Look at a clock and remember the current time when you see a clear shadow from the pencil.
- 5
Step 5
Put a small dot on the plate at the tip of the pencil shadow using the marker.
- 6
Step 6
Write the remembered time next to the dot on the plate.
- 7
Step 7
Repeat Steps 4 to 6 every hour for at least four hours to collect hourly shadow marks.
- 8
Step 8
Draw a straight line from the center of the plate through each dot out to the rim using your marker.
- 9
Step 9
Label each line with the time you wrote so your sundial shows the hours clearly.
- 10
Step 10
Watch how the shadow moves around the plate and notice which direction it travels.
- 11
Step 11
Share a photo or description of your finished sundial on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do I make a paper plate sundial step-by-step?
Place a paper plate on a flat, sunny spot. Use a compass to find true north and mark it on the plate’s edge. Push a pencil through the center so it stands upright (the gnomon). At the top of each hour, mark where the pencil’s shadow tip falls and label the time. Observe the shadow move throughout the day to see how the sun’s position changes and tells time.
What materials do I need for a paper plate sundial?
You’ll need a paper plate, a straight pencil or wooden skewer for the gnomon, a compass (or a smartphone compass app), a marker or pen for labeling, and tape or glue to secure the gnomon. Optional items: a ruler to find the plate’s center and sticky tack to keep the plate from shifting. Adult supervision is recommended when using a compass app or sharp objects.
What ages is making a paper plate sundial suitable for?
This activity suits children about 5–12 years old. Younger kids (5–7) enjoy placing the gnomon and watching shadows with help from an adult. Ages 8–12 can accurately mark hourly shadows, use a compass, and record observations to learn about Earth’s rotation. Adjust tasks for skill: let small children observe and older kids handle measurements and labeling independently.
What are the benefits of making a paper plate sundial?
Making a sundial teaches observational science, basic astronomy, and how Earth’s rotation causes day and night. It builds measuring skills, time awareness, and patience as children record hourly changes. The craft encourages outdoor play and hands-on learning, connecting classroom concepts to the real world. It also sparks curiosity about navigation, seasons, and how people used sundials historically.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we don't have modeling clay or a compass?
Use rolled-up aluminum foil or playdough to hold the pencil upright (Step 2) and a smartphone compass app or a paper map with a known landmark to find north for Step 4.
My pencil keeps falling over or the plate moves—how do I fix that?
Press a larger ball of clay around the pencil and press the plate edges down or tape the plate to the ground so the gnomon stays vertical (Step 2) and your hourly shadow dots (Step 6) remain accurate.
How can I change the activity for younger or older children?
For younger kids have an adult hold the compass and place sticker dots while writing times for Steps 4–6, and for older kids collect marks every 30 minutes, calculate angle differences between the labeled lines (Step 8), or remake the sundial on wood for permanence.
How can we make the sundial more permanent or creative?
Decorate, paint, and varnish the paper plate or transfer the lines onto a wooden base, add seasonal date marks by repeating Steps 4–6 on different days, and then photograph the finished sundial to share on DIY.org.