Make a simple sundial with a flat base and an upright pencil or straw, then use its moving shadow to mark the Sun’s position through the day. A sundial measures local solar time: it shows how the Sun appears to move across the sky, not necessarily the same time displayed by a modern clock. Its meaning is practical first—turning the Sun’s regular motion into a daily measure—with additional meanings attached to particular historic sundials.
What you need to make a simple sundial
For a quick activity, use a paper plate or piece of cardboard as the dial face and a pencil, straw, or card triangle as the upright piece that casts the shadow. A sturdy, level base helps keep the marks consistent. Depending on the design, scissors, tape or glue, modeling clay, a printed template, and a compass can also be useful.
- Flat paper plate or cardboard base
- Pencil, straw, or card triangle for the gnomon—the part that casts the shadow
- Tape, glue, or clay to secure the gnomon
- Marker or pencil for recording shadow positions
- Optional: scissors, a printed dial template, and a compass
NASA’s sundial activity and Mount Vernon’s activity use simple craft materials; the Met Office activity uses cardboard and recommends placing the dial on a level surface in sunlight.
How to make and use it
- Make the dial face. Attach a printed template to a flat, sturdy base, or leave a blank face and mark the shadow positions yourself.
- Fit the gnomon. Make a small central opening or slot if the design requires one. Secure the pencil, straw, or card triangle so it stands in the position specified by that design.
- Set it in a sunny place. Place the sundial outdoors where direct sunlight reaches it, on a level surface. Keep it fixed in position while you make observations.
- Orient it according to the design. Follow the directions supplied with your template. Mount Vernon’s activity says to point the “12” north using a compass, while the Met Office’s template instructs users to orient it south. Those are instructions for particular designs, not one universal setup rule.
- Mark the shadow at known times. For a blank, observation-based dial, note where the shadow falls at times you know, and write those times beside the marks. Ontario Science Centre advises returning to the same location and orientation if you have to move the dial between observations. Its activity also suggests rotating the dial shortly before noon until the straw’s shadow aligns with 12, then securing it and recording later positions.
Some craft activities use a printed or pre-marked face, while an observation-based dial develops its marks from shadows recorded over time. Either way, the gnomon must remain in the intended position and the base must not shift after the dial is set.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
#1 Best Overall
- Fully functional sundial casts a shadow on the dial to reveal the time of day. Makes a great gift.
- Manufactured from die cast, high-density aluminum alloy. Material: Aluminum.
- Extends the product life and maintains the look and function.
- Product Dimensions: 12"L X 12"W X 1"H, Color: French Bronze.
- Warranty: 1-Year. Country of Origin: Made in USA.
Why the shadow tells time
The gnomon casts a shadow onto the dial face. As Earth rotates, the Sun appears to move across the sky, so the shadow changes direction. Its length changes too, because the Sun’s height above the horizon changes during the day. A sundial therefore works best in direct sunlight; if the shadow cannot be seen, it cannot provide a reading.
NASA puts the long history simply: “For thousands of years, people have watched the Sun to tell time.” The underlying observation is the same in a homemade craft and a historical instrument: the Sun’s apparent motion follows a regular daily pattern that can be recorded against marked divisions.
Rank #2
- Material:Crafted from solid cast iron,heavy and durable,built to last.It withstands long-term outdoor use with minimal maintenance.
- Vintage Design:With antique brown finish,beautiful dragonfly and lotus patterns,equipped with Roman numeral markings and a pointer.
- Garden Decor:The ornate, weighted cast iron pedestal ensures it stays firmly placed in garden spaces,it fits seamlessly in garden beds, patio tables or balcony corners which can be decorated all year round.
- Ideal Gift:Combining vintage style and functionality, it makes a thoughtful gift for housewarmings or garden enthusiasts.
- Size:10.4*10.4*16.9 Inch,with easily installation steps,Except decor, it doubles as a whimsical time-telling piece for gardeners.
What a sundial means—and what it does not
A sundial’s primary meaning is its role as an instrument for measuring and dividing daylight. Its history also reflects changing ideas about how to divide a day. Royal Museums Greenwich describes early “temporary hours,” whose length varied with the season, and the later adoption of equal-length hours. The museum estimates that the earliest known sundial, found in Egypt, dates from at least 3,500 years ago.
One surviving example in the Science Museum Group collection is an ancient Egyptian altitude sundial, or shadow clock. Its bar is turned toward the Sun, and its shadow falls against marked time units. It shows how observation of sunlight could be translated into a practical daily measure.
Rank #3
- A Wonderful Garden Accent Piece With Etched Roman Numerals To Keep Time
- Made Of Gray European Slate
- Sundial Measures 9.8" In Diameter
- No Assembly Required
Some sundials also carry specific commemorative or decorative meanings, but these belong to individual objects rather than to all sundials. Mount Vernon says the sundial on George Washington’s mansion lawn served as a visual reminder of time to passersby. The Institute and Museum of the History of Science describes its own sundial as a “mathematical ornament” and explains symbolism in that particular design. These examples do not establish a single universal symbolic meaning for the instrument.
Why sundial time differs from clock time
A sundial indicates apparent solar time at its location. A phone or wristwatch displays civil time, which is set by time zones and may also be shifted by daylight-saving rules. A location’s position within a time zone can create a further difference between the Sun’s local position and the clock. The Institute and Museum of the History of Science illustrates date-dependent differences for its sundial in Florence; those examples apply to that site and should not be treated as a general conversion rule.
Rank #4
- Material: Crafted from cast iron, heavy and durable, not fade and will wear well in the outdoor.
- Attractive Design: Quality finish and the unique design with dragonfly and lotus, very attractive
- Garden Decor: Nice addition to the garden, yard or patio, and works perched on the pedestal of old birdbath stand.
- Easy to Install: The dragonfly piece is easy to attach to the base, the numbers are easy to read
- Great gift for gardener or landscaper, size: 10*10*3.5 inches
Making a sundial for one afternoon or for outdoors
Paper and cardboard are well suited to a short activity: they are easy to cut, mark, and reposition while learning how shadows move. A pre-marked or purchased dial can avoid recording each position by hand, but its setup still depends on the design and location. For a craft intended to last outdoors, Indiana’s Department of Natural Resources notes that a weatherproof sealer can be applied to its model; a more durable instrument also needs materials suited to exposure and a stable installation.
Try the Indiana DNR sundial instructions for a craft approach, or use a ready-made sundial if you prefer a marked face to a paper activity. A compass is optional: it is useful only when the selected design calls for a particular orientation.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Quick Recap
Best Value
- Functional brass sundial with a verdigris finish highlighted by polished brass
- Solid, thick brass casting with a bold, polished brass gnomon
- The motto reads, "I am silent without the sun."
- 10" diameter with fine detailing in a European gothic design
- Great gift idea!
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
