Water is essential to life on Earth. All of our water has been here for hundreds of millions of years. Water never leaves our planet, and no new water is ever made. The water cycle is the process that moves water around the Earth, recycling it so that it can be used over and over again.
Only 2.5% of the water on Earth is fresh water. The rest is sea water and is stored in the oceans. Most of the fresh water is trapped in ice/snow or is underground. Less than 1% of all of the water on Earth is available for all of the animals and humans to use!
Teach your children about the water cycle using our handy topic guide!
Teaching Ideas
- Set up a mini water cycle in your classroom to see what happens.
- Try this selection of activities to help children learn about evaporation.
- Use photographs of clouds to teach your class about the different types of clouds and the Water Cycle.
- Tom McLaughlin’s wonderful picture book about a boy who can see new worlds developing in the clouds is a great starting point for learning. Use it in your classroom with our suggested teaching ideas.
- Try out some of these fun water cycle activities and experiments in your classroom.
Resources
- Help your children to understand the water cycle with our PDF and Powerpoint topic guide. The pack also includes an image pack, labelling activity, glossary, wordsearch and display banner.
- This primary resource from National Geographic features 25 ways that pupils can help save water, keep our oceans, rivers and streams clean, and protect our planet’s aquatic animals.
- The Geographical Association have put together a great range of resources and teaching ideas for investigating rivers and the water cycle.
Water Cycle Knowledge Organiser
Members of Teaching Packs can download a comprehensive knowledge organiser to accompany this topic. It includes key information that your children can use for reference and research, along with labelled diagrams and a glossary of key vocabulary.
Not a member yet? Join us today!
Water Cycle Facts
- Water is constantly being recycled so the water you drink today could be the same water dinosaurs drank millions of years ago.
- A small thunderstorm can generate an average of 2000 tons of rain.
- The water cycle describes the movement of water throughout Earth’s surface, atmosphere, and underground.
- The Sun is the driving force of the water cycle.
Videos
How does rain form and what is the water cycle?
This video from the Met Office is a great introduction to the water cycle. It covers rainfall, evaporation, condensation and more.
Running time: 1:47
The Science of Clouds
This animated video teaches children about clouds. It explores how clouds are formed, the different types of clouds and has a number of interesting facts!
Running time: 5:42
The Water Cycle Song
This song by Have Fun Teaching introduces the water cycle to your children and includes information about evaporation, condensation and precipitation.
Running time: 3:41
Books
Ethan the Raindrop
Ethan is a young raindrop living a very content life floating in a cloud with his brothers and sisters. But a trip over the big blue ocean brings a huge event that changes his life forever.
The Water Princess
Learn about the life of a child growing up in a place where water isn’t readily available.
Lila and the Secret of Rain
Without rain the well in the village will run dry and the crops will fail. Lila is so worried that when her grandfather whispers to her the secret of rain, she decides to go and talk to the sky herself.
The Rhythm of the Rain
From tiniest raindrop to deepest ocean, this breathtaking celebration of the water cycle captures the remarkable movement of water across the earth in all its majesty.
The Great Big Water Cycle Adventure
Follow the journey of a young boy and girl as they float, splash and slide through the incredible water cycle story.
Water is Life
This book helps younger learners understand where water comes from and how to protect our water sources.
Water
This book helps children to learn about the water cycle, discovering how rain and snow flow into our lakes, rivers, and oceans, and later evaporate into the sky again.
The Water Cycle at Work
This title introduces readers to the water cycle. Each stage of the water cycle and why it is important to humans is explained.
Links
- National Geographic Kids have some useful background information that your children can use for research and reference.
- Water Aid have a selection of resources, lesson plans and assembly materials for KS2 children.
- Yorkshire Water also have a large set of educational resources for students of different age groups.
- You can also learn about the water cycle on this site from NASA.
Are you teaching your children about other topics? Explore our full collection of guides!
