Water Cycle Teaching Resources
Make teaching about water cycles easier and more fun this year with printable worksheets, classroom experiments, digital activities and plenty more teaching resources created by teachers, for teachers!
This selection of curriculum-aligned Earth science resources has been created by our expert teacher team and carefully reviewed and curated to ensure every worksheet and activity is ready to use in a classroom. Save time on lesson planning and meet your students where they're at with already differentiated resources!
Need a refresher on the water cycle, or looking for more ideas to teach this section of the science curriculum? Read on for a primer from our teacher team including a look at what the water cycle is, plus key vocabulary terms such as evaporation and precipitation.
What Is the Water Cycle? A Kid-Friendly Definition
Let's get started with a simple way to explain the water cycle to kids!
The water cycle is a process in which water moves from the ground to the air and back to the ground again. It connects the atmosphere to the land and our oceans, and it's a significant part of our weather patterns here on Earth.
The water cycle is also called the hydrologic cycle, and it's essential for all living things because it provides the water we need to drink and grow our food.
Steps of the Water Cycle
The cycle typically involves seven different steps:
Evaporation
Have your students ever left a cup of water out on a table for a few days, only to come back and find the cup is empty? This is a great example of evaporation at work. Evaporation refers to the process of water turning into a gas and going up into the air.
In the water cycle process, the sun heats the surface of the Earth, causing water to evaporate from oceans, lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water.
Transpiration
Water also evaporates from the leaves of plants and trees in a process called transpiration.
Condensation
As the water vapor rises into the atmosphere, it cools and condenses into tiny droplets, forming the clouds we see in the sky above us. We call this part of the cycle condensation.
Precipitation
Your students likely know words like rain, sleet and snow by now. But have they learned precipitation yet? When the clouds become heavy with water droplets, they release the water back to the Earth as precipitation, which can be rain, snow, sleet or hail.
Runoff
In the water cycle, the term runoff refers to the movement of water from the land surface into streams, rivers, and eventually into the oceans. When precipitation falls on the ground, it can infiltrate into the soil, evaporate into the atmosphere or flow over the land surface as runoff.
This can be an important step of the cycle as it helps to replenish streams, rivers and lakes with fresh water. But too much runoff is dangerous — it can cause flooding, erosion and other environmental issues.
Collection
When water collects in different areas, such as lakes, streams, rivers, oceans and other bodies of water, this is called "collection." The water that gathers in these locations can be used for a variety of purposes, such as drinking water or creating hydroelectric power.
Infiltration
When some of the precipitation soaks into the ground, we call this process infiltration. This is how water that's come down in the form of rain or snow or other precipitation becomes groundwater that can be used by plants or eventually flow into rivers and streams.
Percolation
Percolation is a process in the water cycle by which water moves downward through the soil and rock layers until it reaches the groundwater table.
This process helps to recharge the groundwater supply, which is an important source of freshwater for many people and ecosystems.
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A Day in the Life of a Water Droplet – Comic Strip Templates
Put your artistic skills to use as you illustrate a day in the life of a water droplet with these printable comic strip templates.
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Water Cycle Diagram
Display this water cycle diagram when teaching about the continuous movement of water above and on the surface of the Earth.
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Water Cycle Words - Illustrated Word Wall
Boost vocabulary skills and understanding with an illustrated water cycle word wall.
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Illustrating the Water Cycle – Template
Illustrate the stages of the water cycle with this printable template.
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Rain Cloud in a Jar Experiment
Use this science experiment when learning about the different types and features of clouds and how they contribute to the water cycle.
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Water Cycle Task Cards
Determine which stage of the water cycle is represented with this set of task cards.
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Water Cycle Vocabulary Cards With Definitions
Learn the vocabulary and definitions associated with the water cycle.
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Informative Text Writing Task – How Does the Water Cycle Work?
A scaffolded writing task for students to complete when learning about the informative text type.
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Set of Water Cycle Everyday Examples Posters
Learn everyday examples of evaporation, condensation and precipitation with this poster set for the classroom.
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What Am I? Water Cycle Task Cards
Test knowledge about the water cycle with these fun and engaging task cards.
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Water Cycle Interactive Clip Cards
Recognize different aspects of the water cycle and show your understanding with this water cycle interactive activity.
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Set of Graphic Organizers for the Water Cycle - Everyday Examples
Explore the different everyday examples of precipitation, evaporation and condensation with these water cycle graphic organizers.
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The Water Cycle Everyday Examples Mini Book
Learn everyday examples of evaporation, condensation and precipitation with this activity mini-book.
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Making a Mini Water Cycle - Experiment
Investigate the water cycle with this hands-on experiment.
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Water Cycle Flipbook
Learn about the steps in the water cycle with a printable flipbook.
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Water Cycle Mini Workbook
Explore the different elements of the water cycle with this activity mini book.
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Cut and Sort - Everyday Examples of the Water Cycle
Explore everyday examples of precipitation, evaporation, and condensation with this cut and paste activity.
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Water Cycle Mobile Writing Template
Explore the water cycle with this fun water cycle mobile craft template.
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Water Cycle Bingo
Learn water cycle vocabulary with this fun game of Bingo!
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Water Cycle Cut and Sort Activity
Show a deep understanding of the water cycle with this cut and paste activity.
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Water Cycle Mini-Book (Simple)
Explore the different elements of the water cycle with this activity mini book.
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Water Cycle Worksheet Pack
Discover everything there is to know and learn about the water cycle with this collection of worksheets suitable for elementary school students.
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Water Cycle Poster Set
Display this set of simple, vibrant water cycle posters when learning about each water cycle step.
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Water Cycle Cube Project
Learn about the water cycle with this fun cube activity project and template.
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Water Cycle Printable Game
Review stages of the water cycle with a printable dice game.
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Water Cycle Diagram Classroom Bulletin Board Display
Learn about the stages of the water cycle with this interactive classroom water cycle display.
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The Water Cycle - Cut and Paste Worksheet
Sequence the steps of the water cycle with a cut and paste worksheet.
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Water Cycle in a Bag – Investigation Activity
Create a water cycle in a bag, make observations, and answer discussion questions with this printable science activity.
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The Water Cycle – Google Slides Interactive Activity
Practice matching vocabulary terms, labeling a diagram, sorting examples, and more with this interactive water cycle activity.
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Water Cycle Crossword Puzzle
Review water cycle vocabulary with a crossword puzzle.
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The Water Cycle – Reading Comprehension Worksheet
Enhance your students’ comprehension and science vocabulary skills with this water cycle worksheet.
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Water Cycle Mini-Book (In Depth)
Use this 10-page mini-book when learning about the water cycle.