experiments to do with the water cycle

Water Cycle, Rain Cycle Science Experiments and Craftivity

Let’s learn about the water cycle 3 simple water cycle experiments & a craftivity.

Here are 3 of my favorite water cycle experiments as well as a craftivity.  These science experiments are simple to set up and use common household items. The water cycle wheel craftivity gives students a visual representation of the stages of the water cycle and how they repeat over and over again.

First, introduce your students to the water cycle and the following terms: evaporation, condensation, precipitation, collection.

The earth has a limited amount of water.  This water keeps going around and around in what we call the water cycle.  When the sun heats the water in the lakes, streams, oceans, etc. some of it turns to a gas (water vapor). This is called evaporation . This invisible water vapor is light and rises into the air.

When the water vapor hits the cold air high up in the atmosphere it turns back to water droplets and collects in clouds.  This is called condensation.

When too many water droplets form in a cloud, the cloud gets heavy and the water falls back to the earth in the form of rain, hail, sleet, or snow.  This is called precipitation.

When the water falls back to the earth, it may fall back in the streams, lakes, ocean, etc. or it may fall on the land. This is called collection . When it falls on the land, it either soaks into the earth for plants to drink or runs over the soil and back into the streams, lakes, oceans, etc. and the cycle begins all over again.

I like using word wall cards as visual aides to help reinforce the words and their meanings. I use one set for student use in the writing center and another set for instruction and our word wall.

These simple science experiments will help demonstrate the water cycle or parts of the water cycle.

Experiment 1

Items Needed: large bowl mug or small cup plastic wrap string or large rubber band water

Place the mug or small cup in the center of the bowl.  Fill the bowl with water about 2/3 of the way up the cup (do not put water inside the cup).

Cover the bowl with saran wrap and either tie it with string or place a large rubber band around it to secure the plastic wrap.

Place it outside in a sunny area for a few hours.

After several hours, allow students to observe the bowl.  The plastic wrap will have condensation and some of the condensation will have dripped or fallen into the cup/mug.

This experiment demonstrates the heat of the sun turning the water in the bowl to vapor (evaporation).  The vapor turning back to water droplets on the saran wrap (condensation), drops getting too heavy and falling back down (precipitation) to the water in the bowl or in the mug which represents mountains or land (collection).

After the experiment I check students’ understanding of the water cycle vocabulary words and how the experiment demonstrated each stage of the water cycle by having them label a picture of the experiment.

Seesaw, Google Slides, or Pic Collage (Pic Kids) can also be used to check students’ understanding of the stages of the water cycle and how they were demonstrated in the experiment. Take pictures of the experiment and have students insert them in the appropriate places.

Experiment 2

Items Needed: Ziploc baggie tape blue food coloring (optional) marker (optional) water

If desired, draw water, a cloud, and a sun on the Ziploc baggie with a marker.

Add a small amount of water to the baggie without getting the sides wet.

Add a few drops of blue food coloring to the water (optional).

Hang on a sunny window for several hours.

After several hours or when heavy condensation appears on the bag, remove the bag and allow students to observe.  Tap the bag, if necessary, to make the water droplets fall.

This experiment allows students to observe the water from the bag evaporating, condensing, falling like precipitation, and collecting again at the bottom.  Notice that the water does not stay blue once it evaporates.  This is because the food coloring is heavier than the water vapor and thus stays down, much like the salt from the ocean water.

After the experiment, check students’ understanding by having them draw and label a picture of the experiment using the water cycle vocabulary words or use Seesaw, Pic Collage (Pic Kids), or Google Slides to insert a photo of the experiment and label it with the text feature.

Experiment 3

Items Needed: shaving cream small glass medium glass straw or eye dropper blue food coloring water

Place approximately 3 tablespoons of water in the small glass and add about 10 drops of blue food coloring.

Fill the medium glass with water. Add 1-3 inches of shaving cream to the top.  The more shaving cream used the longer the experiment will last.

Add the colored water to the shaving cream drop by drop using an eye dropper or by dipping the straw in the colored water, placing your finger over the end, holding it over the shaving cream, and lifting your finger enough to allow drops of colored water to drip onto the shaving cream.

Continue dropping the water onto the shaving cream until you observe it getting too heavy and “rain” starting to come out below.  Depending on the amount of shaving cream used, this could take anywhere from 40-100 drops.

This experiment demonstrates what happens in the clouds during the water cycle. When a cloud accumulates too many water droplets they fall in the form of precipitation.  In the experiment, after a certain point the shaving cream can no longer absorb the water drops and gravity pulls them down into the water.

Optional: Prior to dropping the water in the shaving cream cloud, have students predict how many drops of water they think the cloud will hold before it starts to “rain” and have them record it.  During the experiment, count the number of drops and compare it to students’ guesses.

After the experiment have students draw and explain what they learned.

Water Cycle Wheel Craftivity

As a culminating activity, have students color a picture of the water cycle, label it using the vocabulary words, and glue it to a paper plate.

Make a raindrop “arm” and attach it to the paper plate with a brass fastener.  Students move the raindrop through the different stages of the water cycle.  This gives students a visual representation of the water cycle and how it repeats over and over again.

If you would like to use the printable pages and patterns for the water cycle wheel craftivity with your students, they are available here along with additional crafts and activities.

What fellow teachers are saying about these activities and resource:

“Love this! It is one of the best products I have!” – Krystal L.

“LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! This product included so many fun activities to teach about the water cycle. My students were definitely engaged and begging for more.” – Keeping it Cool in Kindergarten

“Cannot say how much I loved this! My Kinders had so much fun with the activities I got from this, and it was the perfect accessory to our water cycle unit! Love it.” – Vanessa G.

“So many great resources for the price! My kids LOVED this!! I could not believe how many great activities were in here. Print and go…. AWESOME!” – Ewa B.

“This is an amazing resource. A wide range of experiments and activities. My students were engaged the ENTIRE time! Thank you so much!” – Buyer

“The best water cycle activity out there!” – Leslie B.

“My students loved the experiments. I have done these experiments before, however the difference is the detailed recording sheets are sooo much better than what I have done. They helped solidify the learning experiences from the experiment and bring everything all together.” – Mountain view learning

“My students loved these Water Cycle experiments! I believe the water cycle is a hard concept for first graders to grasp but this resource made it much easier for them to understand. Plus this resource is so fun!” – Krista B.

“This was awesome! My Grade 2 kids loved the activities and really got interested in science!” – Rebecca T.

“This resource contains so much – step-by-step experiments with recording sheets, crafts, cut & paste diagrams, a relevant book list – I have been able to choose the best activities for each class as well as the supplies I have available. Wonderful!” – Camille W.

“I love this unit! It perfectly covers our 2nd grade standard and my kids loved it!” – Sarah R.

“As I am in a hybrid learning environment currently, this resource was used for both in person and online work. The families LOVED the easy to follow experiments and the hands on water cycle project really helped them synthesize the content.” – Megan R.

“My kiddos enjoyed having this packet. Parents said they appreciated the experiments because it made learning at home more engaging. Was able to use quickly for remote learning due to COVID 19. Thank you!” – Najah L.

“This resource was so easy to use for distance learning. I was able to send select pages to my students for them to do their experiments at home!” – Sydney W.

Have engaging science experiments and STEM activities throughout the entire school year with this money-saving Science & STEM Bundle !

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St. patrick’s day rainbow experiment, math activity, writing craftivity & game, rain activities, books, songs, and art project .

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I’m Tina and I’ve taught preK and K for 20+ years. I share fun and creative ideas that spark your students’ love for learning. 

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5 Water Cycle Experiments You Need to Try

Just so you know, this post contains affiliate links. That means if you use them to make a purchase, I may earn a commission. You can read my full affiliate disclosure  HERE .

Water cycle experiments have a unique way of adding hands-on fun to your lesson plans. Whether you’re homeschooling one or multiples, I highly recommend trying these in your homeschool!

How to Include Water Cycle Experiments in Your Lesson Plans

Unit studies are a great option for homeschooling families (and you can find a bunch of Online Unit Studies I created at Techie Homeschool Mom ). Why do I love them? Well, for starters, we have four kiddos ranging from 3 to 10 years old. There are many times we like to learn about a topic all together – so, to make it easier I go to unit studies!

When doing a unit study, you’re often left to piecing together your own curriculum and resources to use. Again, this can be another perk of using this method. Instead of feeling like you have to stick to a rigorous plan or schedule, you can create your own plans.

For example, if you’re studying the weather, there are so many books and free online printables you can use (like this free printable weather activity pack ) to build a great study! And, don’t forget the activities!

When you’re studying anything about the weather, these water cycle experiments are worth a try. Simply set aside 20-30 minutes to do them with your kids – they’ll love them. Try one or try them all!

5 Water Cycle Experiments to Try in Your Homeschool

Each of these can be modified for any age and grade. In fact, I recommend putting all hands on deck for lots of learning fun.

Indoor Water Cycle Experiments

Although we can witness parts of the water cycle by seeing clouds in the sky, rain on rainy days, and dew drops on a cool morning, each step of it is not always visible. This experiment will help you physically see each step up close and personal…not to mention, in real time.

• Large Glass Bowl
• Small Glass Bowl
• Boiling Water
• Salt (optional)

Directions:

• Add 2 tsp of salt into the large glass bowl. This is an optional step and will allow kids to taste the natural filtering of the water that takes place during the cycle process.
• Pour boiling water into the glass bowl and mix until all of the salt has dissolved.
• Place the small bowl in the center of the large bowl (make sure it doesn’t float).
• Cover the large bowl with cling wrap (not too tight or too loose).
• Place a handful of ice cubes in the center of the cling wrap.
• Let the natural process of the water cycle begin.

Learn About Evaporation with Salt

Evaporation is a type of vaporization that occurs on the surface of a liquid as it changes into the gas phase. This experiment will show how this process works using salt.

• Food coloring
• Pour water into your bowl and add a few drops of food coloring to it, stir it around.
• Add your salt to the the water. The more salt you add, the more dramatic the effect.
• Set aside for a few days and watch to see what happens!

How do clouds make rain?

We can see clouds in the sky and we can see rain when it falls. What isn’t as noticeable is the process right before it starts to rain.

Within a cloud, water droplets condense onto one another, causing the droplets to grow. When these water droplets get too heavy, it begins to rain. See if you can make this happen!

• clear cup (or mason jar)
• shaving cream
• food coloring (blue)
• Put water in the cup, leaving enough room for (shaving cream) clouds. The water represents “air.”
• Put a shaving cream cloud on the top. The cloud represents water droplets.
• Put blue food coloring on the cloud. This shows what happens when the water gets heavier.
• Wait to see what happens when the water gets heavy on the cloud.

Make a Rain Cloud in a Jar

When you look into the sky, you can visibly see clouds… but how did they get there?

A cloud is formed when water vapor condenses into water droplets that attach to particles (of dust, pollen, smoke, etc.) in the air. When billions of these water droplets join together, they form a cloud. Try to make your own cloud in a jar with this experiment!

• A jar with lid
• About 1/3 cup hot water
• Start by pouring the hot water into the jar. Swirl it around a bit to warm up the sides of the jar.
• Turn the lid upside down and place it on the top of the jar. Place several ice cubes onto the lid, and allow it to rest on the top of the jar for about 20 seconds.
• Remove the lid, quickly spray a bit of hairspray into the jar, and then replace the lid with the ice still on top. Watch the cloud form. Remove the lid to let the cloud escape

Water Cycle in a Bottle

This experiment will help you create your own biome in a bottle and watch the water turn into a gas, turn back into a liquid, and fall back into the bottom of the bottle. These are each valuable steps in the water cycle process.

• Plastic bottle
• Plastic cup
• Ice cubes (optional)
• Blue food coloring
• Permanent marker
• Remove the label from the bottle. Add a drop of blue food coloring to the bottle and fill about 1/3 of the way with water. Screw the cap on tightly.
• Turn the bottle upside down inside a cup.
• Place a couple of ice cubes on top of the bottle and set it in a sunny location.
• Check the bottle after about an hour.

Water Cycle Lapbook

In addition to these water cycle experiments, I have a Water Cycle Lapbook your kids might enjoy putting together during your water cycle unit study!

You can grab the printable Water Cycle Lapbook Project here .

And finally, no matter what science projects you do in your homeschool, I’ve got a free Scientific Method template you can use to easily help your kids learn the process of the scientific method. Click the banner below to grab yours!

I hope you love performing these water cycle experiments with your kids! Let me know in the comments: have you tried any of these? Which one was your favorite?

Related Posts

• Scientific Method for Kids: An Easy Step-by-Step Guide
• 5 Simple Nature Walk Resources for Your Homeschool
• Easy Water Cycle Project: Printable Lapbook Template
• Density Lesson Plan for Elementary {and a Freebie!}

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37 Water Science Experiments: Fun & Easy

We’ve curated a diverse selection of water related science experiments suitable for all ages, covering topics such as density, surface tension, water purification, and much more.

These hands-on, educational activities will not only deepen your understanding of water’s remarkable properties but also ignite a passion for scientific inquiry.

So, grab your lab coat and let’s dive into the fascinating world of water-based science experiments!

Water Science Experiments

1. walking water science experiment.

This experiment is a simple yet fascinating science experiment that involves observing the capillary action of water. Children can learn a lot from this experiment about the characteristics of water and the capillary action phenomenon. It is also a great approach to promote scientific curiosity and enthusiasm.

Learn more: Walking Water Science Experiment

2. Water Filtration Experiment

A water filtering experiment explains how to purify contaminated water using economical supplies. The experiment’s goal is to educate people about the procedure of water filtration, which is crucial in clearing water of impurities and contaminants so that it is safe to drink.

Learn more: Water Filtration Experiment

3. Water Cycle in a Bag

The water cycle in a bag experiment became to be an enjoyable and useful instructional exercise that helps students understand this idea. Participants in the experiment can observe the many water cycle processes by building a model of the water cycle within a Ziplock bag.

4. Cloud in a Jar

The rain cloud in a jar experiment is a popular instructional project that explains the water cycle and precipitation creation. This experiment is best done as a water experiment since it includes monitoring and understanding how water changes state from a gas (water vapor) to a liquid (rain) and back to a gas.

Learn more: Cloud in a Jar

5. The Rising Water

The rising water using a candle experiment is a wonderful way to teach both adults and children the fundamentals of physics while also giving them an exciting look at the properties of gases and how they interact with liquids.

6. Leak Proof Bag Science Experiment

In the experiment, a plastic bag will be filled with water, and after that, pencils will be inserted through the bag without causing it to leak.

The experiments explain how the plastic bag’s polymer chains stretch and form a barrier that keeps water from dripping through the holes the pencils have produced.

Learn more: Leak Proof Bag Science Experiment

7. Keep Paper Dry Under Water Science Experiment

The experiment is an enjoyable way for demonstrating air pressure and surface tension for both adults and children. It’s an entertaining and engaging technique to increase scientific curiosity and learn about scientific fundamentals.

Learn more: Keep Paper Dry Under Water Science Experiment

8. Frozen Water Science Experiment

The Frozen Water Science Experiment is a fun and engaging project that teaches about the qualities of water and how it behaves when frozen.

You can gain a better knowledge of the science behind the freezing process and investigate how different variables can affect the outcome by carrying out this experiment.

9. Make Ice Stalagmites

10. Bending of Light

A fascinating scientific activity that explores visual principles and how light behaves in different surfaces is the “bending of light” water experiment. This experiment has applications in physics, engineering, and technology in addition to being a fun and interesting method to learn about the characteristics of light.

11. Salt on a Stick

This experiment is an excellent way to catch interest, engage in practical learning, and gain a deeper understanding of the characteristics of water and how they relate to other substances. So the “Salt on Stick” water experiment is definitely worth trying if you’re looking for a fun and educational activity to try!

Learn More: Water Cycle Experiment Salt and Stick

12. Separating Mixture by Evaporation

This method has practical applications in fields like water processing and is employed in a wide range of scientific disciplines, from chemistry to environmental science.

You will better understand the principles determining the behavior of mixtures and the scientific procedures used to separate them by performing this experiment at home.

13. Dancing Spaghetti

Have you ever heard of the dancing spaghetti experiment? It’s a fascinating science experiment that combines simple materials to create a mesmerizing visual display.

The dancing spaghetti experiment is not only entertaining, but it also helps you understand the scientific concepts of chemical reactions, gas production, and acidity levels.

14. Magic Color Changing Potion

The magic color-changing potion experiment with water, vinegar, and baking soda must be tried since it’s an easy home-based scientific experiment that’s entertaining and educational.

This experiment is an excellent way to teach kids about chemical reactions and the characteristics of acids and bases while providing them an interesting and satisfying activity.

15. Traveling Water Experiment

In this experiment, you will use simple objects like straws or strings to make a path for water to pass between two or more containers.

Learn more: Rookie Parenting

16. Dry Erase and Water “Floating Ink” Experiment

The dry-erase and water “floating ink” experiment offers an interesting look at the characteristics of liquids and the laws of buoyancy while also being a great method to educate kids and adults to the fundamentals of science.

Learn more: Dry Erase and Water Floating Ink Experiment

17. Underwater Candle

In this experiment, we will investigate a connection between fire and water and learn about the remarkable factors of an underwater candle.

18. Static Electricity and Water

19. Tornado in a Glass

This captivating experiment will demonstrate how the forces of air and water can combine to create a miniature vortex, resembling a tornado.

Learn more: Tornado in a Glass

20. Make Underwater Magic Sand

Be ready to build a captivating underwater world with the magic sand experiment. This experiment will examine the fascinating characteristics of hydrophobic sand, sometimes referred to as magic sand.

21. Candy Science Experiment

Get ready to taste the rainbow and learn about the science behind it with the Skittles and water experiment! In this fun and colorful experiment, we will explore the concept of solubility and observe how it affects the diffusion of color.

Density Experiments

Density experiments are a useful and instructive approach to learn about the characteristics of matter and the fundamentals of science, and they can serve as a starting point for further exploration into the fascinating world of science.

Density experiments may be carried out with simple materials that can be found in most homes.

This experiment can be a great hands-on learning experience for kids and science lovers of all ages.

22. Super Cool Lava Lamp Experiment

The awesome lava lamp experiment is an entertaining and educational activity that illustrates the concepts of density and chemical reactions. With the help of common household items, this experiment involves making a handmade lava lamp.

Learn more: Lava Lamp Science Experiment

23. Denser Than you Think

Welcome to the fascinating world of density science! The amount of matter in a particular space or volume is known as density, and it is a fundamental concept in science that can be seen everywhere around us.

Understanding density can help us figure out why some objects float while others sink in water, or why certain compounds do not mix.

24. Egg Salt and Water

Learn about the characteristics of water, including its density and buoyancy, and how the addition of salt affects these characteristics through performing this experiment.

25. Hot Water and Cold-Water Density

In this experiment, hot and cold water are put into a container to see how they react to one other’s temperatures and how they interact.

Sound and Water Experiments

Have you ever wondered how sound travels through different mediums? Take a look at these interesting sound and water experiments and learn how sounds and water can affect each other.

26. Home Made Water Xylophone

You can do this simple scientific experiment at home using a few inexpensive ingredients to create a handmade water xylophone.

The experiment demonstrates the science of sound and vibration and demonstrates how changing water concentrations can result in a range of tones and pitches.

Learn more: Home Made Water Xylophone

27. Create Water Forms Using Sound!

A remarkable experiment that exhibits the ability of sound waves to influence and impact the physical world around us is the creation of water formations using sound.

In this experiment, sound waves are used to generate patterns and shapes, resulting in amazing, intricate designs that are fascinating to observe.

28. Sound Makes Water Come Alive 

These experiments consist of using sound waves to create water vibrations, which can result in a variety of dynamic and captivating phenomena.

29. Water Whistle

The water whistle experiment includes blowing air through a straw that is submerged in water to produce a whistle.

This experiment is an excellent way to learn about the characteristics of sound waves and how water can affect them.

Water Surface Tension Experiments

You can observe the effects of surface tension on the behavior of liquids by conducting a surface tension experiment.

By trying these experiments, you can gain a better understanding of the properties of liquids and their behavior and how surface tension affects their behavior.

30. Floating Paperclip

In this experiment, you will put a paper clip on the top of the water and observe it float because of the water’s surface tension.

31. Water Glass Surface Tension

Have you ever noticed how, on some surfaces, water drops may form perfect spheres? The surface tension, which is a characteristic of water and the cohesive force that holds a liquid’s molecules together at its surface, is to blame for this.

32. Camphor Powered Boat

The camphor-powered boat experiment is a fun and fascinating way to explore the principles of chemistry, physics, and fluid mechanics. In this experiment, a miniature boat is used to travel across the water’s surface using camphor tablets.

33. Pepper and Soap Experiment

The pepper in a cloud experiment is a simple and interesting activity that explains the concept of surface tension. This experiment includes adding pepper to a bowl of water and then pouring soap to the mixture, causing the pepper to move away from the soap.

Learn more: Pepper and Soap Experiment

Boiling Water Experiments

Experiments with boiling water are an engaging and informative way to learn about physics, chemistry, and water’s characteristics.

These investigations, which include examining how water behaves when it changes temperature and pressure, can shed light on a variety of scientific phenomena.

It’s important to take the proper safety measures when performing experiments with hot water. Boiling water can produce steam and hot particles that are dangerous to inhale in and can result in severe burns if it comes into contact with skin.

34. Make It Rain

This experiment can be accomplished using basic supplies that can be found in most homes, make it an excellent opportunity for hands-on learning for both kids and science lovers.

Learn more: Make it Rain

35. Fire Water Balloons

Learning about the fundamentals of thermodynamics, the behavior of gases, and the effects of heat on objects are all made possible by this experiment.

36. Boil Water with Ice

The Boiling Water with Ice experiment is an engaging and beneficial approach to learn about temperature and the behavior of water. It can also serve as an introduction for further discovery into the wonderful world of science.

37. Boil Water in a Paper Cup

The “boil water in a cup” experiment is an easier but powerful approach to illustrate the idea of heat transmission by conduction. This experiment is often used in science classes to teach students about thermal conductivity and the physics of heat transfer.

Similar Posts:

• 68 Best Chemistry Experiments: Learn About Chemical Reactions
• Top 100 Fine Motor Skills Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers
• Top 50 Fun Food Science Experiments

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Water Cycle Experiment

Experiment to change water into 3 phases.

Posted by Admin / in Matter Experiments

In this water science experiment we will see the water cycle in action as it transitions through 3 different phases including liquid, gas, and solid. The following items are needed to conduct the water cycle experiment.

Materials Needed

• 2 metal cans (label removed)
• rock salt or table salt
• crushed ice
• Food coloring

EXPERIMENT STEPS

Step 1: Fill both cans with crushed ice.

Step 2: Add water to both cans. Fill the cans to about 1" below the top of the can.

Step 3: Add 3-4 drops of food coloring to one of the cans. In the example, red food coloring was used. Stir in the food coloring to make a consistent color.

Step 4: Add 3-4 drops of food coloring to one of the cans. In the example, red food coloring was used. Stir in the food coloring to make a consistent color.

Step 5: Wait a few minutes and observe what happens to the outside of both cans.

Step 6: Stir in about 3 tablespoons of rock salt or table salt into each can.

Step 7: Wait 15 minutes and observe the outside of both cans.

Science Learned - The Water Cycle

The air around both cans is cooled by the cold water. As the air is cooled it condenses. Water molecules in the air around the cans collect on the cold cans. The water is clear, not red because the source of the water is not from the can, but from the air around the can. When salt is added to the cans, the temperature of the ice water is lowered. This further cools the water that has collected on each can causing it to turn to frost. The experiment proves that water molecules in gas form will turn to liquid water when rapidly cooled. The liquid water will then turn to a solid (frost) when cooled below 32 degrees F.

The water cycle is an important part of the earth's natural science. The water cycle provides rain and snowfall which replenishes the water supply to help support life.

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Liquid Density Experiment

in Matter Experiments

Experiment with the density of different types of liquids.

Air Pressure Experiment

Simple Experiment with a good visual demonstration of changing air pressure.

Hot and Cold Water Density

Use this simple experiment to demonstrate hot and cold water density..

7 Amazing Ideas for Teaching the Water Cycle

The water cycle is the process by which water evaporates from the Earth’s surface, rises into the atmosphere, and falls back down to the surface as precipitation.

In this post, we explore 7 fun and engaging ideas for teaching kids about the water cycle. From hands-on investigations and activities to stations and task cards, these ideas will help kids learn about the water cycle in a meaningful and interactive way.

1. Observe a Water Cycle Baggie

This idea is an oldie, but a goodie. 

It’s important for students to understand how the Sun and ocean interact in the water cycle. Water at the surface of the ocean evaporates and rises due to energy from the Sun. It becomes water vapor.

As the water vapor cools during condensation into liquid water, it gathers together in clouds. Then the liquid water falls as precipitation .

1. Draw the water cycle carefully on a baggie using a Sharpie. Don’t push too hard or your bag might rip!

Include the sun, a cloud, and the ocean. Also write the processes.

2. When you’re done writing, add some water to the bag, seal it shut, and tape it to the window.

3. Observe your water cycle baggie for a few days. You’ll see the evaporation and condensation right before your very eyes!

4. Be sure to have students record their observations and draw their water cycle baggies in their science notebooks!

2. Flip with a Water Cycle Flipbook

Need a NO PREP science review activity? Make a flip book to review the water cycle!

This flip book is easy to assemble and fun to create with students as they wrap up their learning.

Accompany this activity with a video from our friend at  Mad Garden Science  on YouTube.

See it on TPT: Water Cycle Flipbook

3. Weather and Water Stations

Study the water cycle alongside weather and climate with 9 easy prep station activities. This is a particularly great option if you’re short on time during your weather and water unit!

See it on TpT!  Weather and Water Stations

5. Dive Deep with the Clouds Phenomena-based Science Unit

Teach your students the details of cloud formation and how clouds can help us predict the weather with this full unit! 

You’ll  use a cloud window to observe the weather each day, make predictions about the weather based on cloud types, support a claim with evidence and reasoning, and even make a cloud in a jar!

See it on TpT!  Clouds and Weather Unit

6. Roll the Dice with a Water Cycle Cube Simulation

This activity is a simulation game in which students move through the water cycle as a drop of water.  The activity I used is no longer available but you can find something similar  here .

6. Assess with Water Cycle Task Cards

When it’s time to check for understanding, you’ll want to have some task cards on hand. I use two different sets– one for vocabulary and one with more rigorous questions for test prep.

See them on TpT! 

Water Cycle Vocabulary Task Cards

Water Cycle Test Prep Task Cards

7. Enrich with a Water Cycle Digital Choice Menu

Use as enrichment! This digital choice board is perfect for advanced students who crave new learning and want to dive a little deeper into the topic of study.

The work is done for you to just assign and go! 

See it on TPT:   Water Cycle Digital Choice Menu

Top Teaching Tools

Try out these top teaching tools to help your students learn all about the water cycle!

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5 thoughts on “7 amazing ideas for teaching the water cycle”.

Thanks for sharing these great ideas! I always like to follow up my version of the water cycle simulation by having my students (2nd grade) create a comic strip that follows their “journey” as they share these stories they see the patterns. I love teaching the water cycle, so many great experiences!

Love the comic strip!

Thanks for sharing the Ocean Notebook freebie!

Love the Water Cycle simulation cubes idea, but where do you find the cubes?

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As a new teacher, I struggled to plan engaging, rigorous science lessons. Throughout my time teaching upper elementary and in my graduate studies, I discovered what worked well and developed science curriculum for busy teachers.  Now, teachers across the country use Science Penguin activities every single day in their classrooms!

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Education Through Entertainment

How to make a water cycle in a bag | steam activity for kids.

Posted on Tue, Jul 12, 2016

Do your kids ask you why it rains?  Or maybe how clouds happen?  Spend an afternoon teaching them with this easy to do science experiment where you and your kids will make a water cycle in a bag!

This is also a great activity for elementary science classes.  Imagine your window covered in your student's shimmering water cycle experiments!

Follow these simple, step-by-step directions to create something fun (and educational) with your kids today.

Watch this video to see how it's done:

Step 1: What You'll Need

You need just a few common household items to create your water cycle display:

Plastic zip lock-style bag

Permenant marker(s)

Blue food coloring

Step 2: Decorate the Bag

Before you do anything else, decorate your bag!

Use your permenant marker (washable markers will wash right off) to draw a sky in the upper half of your plastic bag.  Include clouds and the sun, as they are important elements to the water cycle.

Step 3: Prepare the Water

Next, fill a cup with regular tap water.  Then add a couple of drops of blue food coloring to it to make it stand out.  Swirl the cup of water a few times to mix the coloring until it's a nice, solid blue.

Now, carefully pour the water into the plastic bag and zip it closed.  Make sure it's nice and tight!  You don't want any water to be able to escape.

Step 4: Hang Up the Bag

Once your water has been added to the bag and it's sealed up, it's time to hang it up on a window!  Pick a window that gets a lot of sunshine for best results.  Cut two long pieces of tape and stick them to the corners of your bag.  Then, press the tape tightly to the window - you don't want your bag to fall down!

Step 5: Wait and Observe

Wait a couple of hours and check on your experiment.  You should see a change in your bag between two hours and 1 day (depending on the amount of sun and the time of day you started).

Eventually, you will begin to see droplets of water sticking to the side of the bag.  Some of these will be up high (in the clouds) while other droplets will be on their way back down (like rain).

Why is this happening?  It's because the water in the bag is being heated up against the sunny window.  That water turns into a gas through the process called evaporation.  In nature, evaporated water vapor goes into the atmosphere, but in our bag, it has nowhere to go, so it ends up sticking to the sides of the bag, turning back into a liquid as condensation.  That condensed water then slides back into the pool of water below as "rain".

Keep checking back on your experiment a few times a day, or anytime it's sunny to see the water cycle progress!

With some simple materials and a weekend afternoon, you and your kids can have a great time learning about the water cycle together.

If you enjoyed making your Water Cycle in a Bag, try our other Building Up STEAM activities and experiments!

About Mobile Ed Productions:

Mobile Ed Productions, Inc. has been in business since 1979, producing educational, entertaining school assemblies and hands-on workshops.  Based out of Michigan, the company creates, designs, markets and distributes innovative ways to make learning fun in the form of live presentations and interactive exhibits.

Topics: ideas for STEAM , DIY , Building Up STEAM , Rainy Day Activity

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The water cycle.

Below, you'll find some helpful information and links to experiments and resources about the water cycle for use in the classroom or at home. We hope these resources help you introduce the importance of clean, safe water to your students.

The Water Project is dedicated to providing clean, safe water to people in the developing world who suffer needlessly without it. We hope you'll introduce our work to your students or classmates.

The Water Cycle - What is It?

Read more here »

Interactive Water Cycle Presentation A flash animated activity that lets you control the water cycle as you learn. (FLASH Required)

The USGS Water Cycle Presentation (No Flash Needed)

Water Cycle Downloadable Poster

Create a Mini Water Cycle Create a mini water cycle using a bowl, a mug, some plastic wrap and a rubber band to show how evaporation, condensation and precipitation occur in a closed system.

The Water Cycle & The Water Crisis (PDF) Learn what happens when the water cycle doesn't work for people. Discover how simple interventions can restore balance in the system and how you can help.

Evaporation

All Dried Up A simple experiment showing how evaporation rates are different based on the amount of light a cup of water receives.

The Case of the Disappearing Water (PDF) This lesson includes a story about a missing person where one of the few clues is a cup of water that has partially evaporated. Students must conduct an experiment to see how long it takes for the given amount of water to evaporate in order to find out where the missing person is located. While meant for grades 4-6, the story could easily be rewritten for older grades as a "forensic science" case.

Water Purification by Evaporation and Condensation (PDF) An activity to illustrate how the water cycle helps to purify water.

Condensation

Make a Cloud in a Bottle Highlighting the concepts of air pressure and temperature in cloud making, this experiment uses a burnt match and some water to create a cloud inside of a plastic bottle. Due to the use of matches an adult is necessary.

Precipitation

The Rainmaker This experiment uses a burner to heat water and a cookie tray of ice cubes above it to show how water vapor turns into precipitation like rain.

Collection (and Conservation)

Leaky Faucets Matter This activity challenges students to be more aware of leaks in their house by showing just how much water can be lost through a single leaky faucet over time.

** PLEASE NOTE: All of the links in the "Resources" section of our website are provided for your convenience. The Water Project, Inc. does not endorse any of the linked content. The owners and creators of the content on these third-party sites are solely responsible for that content. If you have concerns about any of these links, please note its URL and contact us here .

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20 Fun Water Cycle Activities for Middle School Students

June 24, 2022 //  by  Kimberly Lange

Water is a part of our everyday life, these 20 experiments and lessons can teach your Middle School students all about the water cycle!

Looking for fun ways to teach your Middle School students all about the water cycle and types of precipitation? Tired of reading long, boring passages out of a textbook? Look no further than these 20 hands-on water cycle activities for middle school to get them to join in the fun and learning.

From creating Winter snow to learning about Spring showers; From making your rain measuring device to creating your own water cycle. We have an activity to fit each step in the cycle.

1. Make Your Own Instant Ice

Hail is a big part of the water cycle. This is the perfect activity to teach you how to make an instant ice structure using a jar, ice cubes, a bottle of purified water, and a plate.

Learn More: Steam Sational

2. Make a Water Cycle Poster

This colorful water cycle diagram will help middle school students learn about types of water bodies, groundwater storage, groundwater depletion, mountain slope, water conservation, and cloud formation.

Learn More: Pinterest

3. Learn all About Evaporation

This experiment will teach your students how and why evaporation occurs. You'll need a cup of water, food coloring, a coffee filter, a metal mesh strainer, a pan, and a stove. The green water vapor will be seen on the coffee filter as the water shifts from liquid to gas .

Learn More: Capri Plus

4. Causes of Condensation

This hands-on activity will help your students learn all about condensation, a form of water vapor, and how water moves. All you need is glasses, ice, and warm water!

Learn More: Laura Candler

5. Make Your Own Rain Gauge

With this easy project, your students will learn about the relationship between weather and fresh water supply. This simple tool has helped many people determine amounts of water from rain and is a great tool if you are a farmer to measure agricultural water.

Learn More: A Reason For Homeschool

6. Pumpkin Jack Life Cycle Teaches You Concepts of the Water Cycle

This Pumpkin life cycle lesson is fun for all grade levels and will teach your students about evaporation from plant leaves. Watch as the water molecules move from the pumpkin and form liquid water droplets on the container.

Learn More:  Kelly's Classroom Online

7. National Geographic Teaches You the Water Cycle

This educational website teaches you about the different parts of the water cycle, water shifts, and the different phases of water.

Learn More:  Nat Geo Kids

8. Resources For Lessons About Weather

Every lesson plan will help teach your students about the weather , aspects of weather forecasting, accurate weather predictions, weather maps, air quality activities, and details of cloud formation.

Learn More:  Teach Engineering

9. Interactive Lessons to Help You Teach Different Concepts of Water

These pre-made digital activities will give your students information on concerns about water availability, water analysis, distribution of water, and water use. This is the perfect resource for differentiating teaching for your gifted students. It's also a great resource to teach your students about their water footprint and how to be responsible with water.

Learn More:  The Water Project

10. Cloud Types Sorting Games

This interactive resource will help students with cloud classification and additional resources about cloud types and how they form.

Learn More:  Teachers Pay Teachers

11. Teach Your Students the Cause and Effect of Water Pollution

This hands-on activity poses thought-provoking questions about the causes of water pollution and what effect it has on access to fresh water. This is the perfect opportunity to teach students to be responsible, take care of their resources, and how they can help reduce water pollution.

Learn More: More Time 2 Teach

12. Learn All About the Rate of Evaporation

This experiment allows students to explore how water evaporates using real-time student data and determine if water molecules evaporate faster when heated.

Learn More:  Middle School Chemistry

13. Blow Your Own Frozen Snow Globe

This simple yet fun activity only requires freezing temperatures and some soap bubbles. Blow a bubble onto the snow or ice and watch as beautiful ice crystals start to form all around. You'll feel like Elsa after this experiment!

Learn More: Lori Grimmett

14. Become a Cloud Spotter With This Experiment

Before cloud formation can occur, water needs to evaporate. In this hands-on activity, using a jar, hot water, and ice will make a visible cloud and teach your students about the cycle of precipitation.

Learn More: Research Parent

15. Watch These Short Videos About the Water Cycle

This educational blog post with fun short videos about the water cycle will give your students a good understanding of the water cycle.

Learn More:  Learning Online

16. Make a Cloud in a Jar

This miniature water cycle experiment will teach your students how clouds hold water up until they are full, and then they form drops of rain and it starts to drip. You'll need two jars, water, and blue food coloring.

Learn More: Cool Science Experiments Headquarters

17. Learn About the Earth's Atmosphere

This simple experiment will help your students understand the different layers that are found in the Earth's atmosphere, in which layers our weather and clouds can be found, and where surface water and other types of water bodies can be found.

Learn More:  Homeschool Rebecca Reid

18. Learn All About the Greenhouse Effect

Global Warming is an ongoing issue, especially in today's times. This experiment will help your middle school students understand the cause and effect of greenhouse gasses and the key processes of greenhouse gases.

Learn More:  Pinterest

19. Learn About the Water Cycle in a Bag

This interactive water cycle diagram will teach your student how the water cycle works while teaching them how water moves from clouds to different types of water reservoirs.

Learn More: Rookie Parenting

20. Make a Snowstorm in a jar

This experiment is not just fun, but beautiful too! All you need to make a Winter Wonderland is a mason jar, baby oil, glitter, white paint, and Alka Seltzer.

Learn More: One Little Project

These twenty experiments,  lessons, and activities with curated resources will make your middle school classroom fun, engaging, and informative. These different science topics and science games will teach your middle school students about the water cycle in no time.

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30 Easy Water Experiments For Kids

Water experiments aren’t just for summer! Water is easy and budget-friendly for science learning with preschoolers, elementary-age kids, and even middle school science. We love simple science experiments that are a breeze to pull off, simple to set up, and kids love! What’s better than that? Check out our list below of our favorite science experiments with water and look for the free printable water themed science camp week guide!

SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS WITH WATER

What do all these science experiments and STEM projects below have in common? They all use water!

These water experiments are perfect for at home and in the classroom with simple household items like salt. Also, check out our science experiments with baking soda.

Let’s dig in if you want to explore science with water as the main ingredient! While you’re at it, make sure to check out more kid-friendly science experiments.

Our science activities and experiments are designed with you, the parent or teacher, in mind! Easy to set up, and quick to do, most activities will take only 15 to 30 minutes to complete and are heaps of fun!

USING THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

The scientific method is a process or method of research. A problem is identified, information about the problem is gathered, a hypothesis or question is formulated from the information, and the hypothesis is put to the test with an experiment to prove or disprove its validity. Sounds heavy…

What in the world does that mean?!? The scientific method should be used as a guide to help lead the process.

You don’t need to try and solve the world’s biggest science questions! The scientific method is all about studying and learning things right around you.

As kids develop practices that involve creating, gathering data evaluating, analyzing, and communicating, they can apply these critical thinking skills to any situation. To learn more about the scientific method and how to use it, click here.

Even though the scientific method feels like it is just for big kids…

This method can be used with kids of all ages! Have a casual conversation with younger kiddos or do a more formal notebook entry with older kiddos!

Click here to get your 12 days of science challenge calendar!

WATER EXPERIMENTS FOR KIDS

Click on each link below to explore cool experiments with water! Here you will find easy water experiments for preschoolers through middleschoolers, including the water cycle.

This age group is beginning to learn about core concepts in chemistry , including states of matter, how different substances mix or interact, and the properties of different materials.

ICE IS NICE SCIENCE

Explore the solid form of water and ice. Look at three great ice experiments that highlight the scientific method perfectly!

BENDING WATER

Can you bend water? Yes, you can with static electricity. Grab a balloon and some water to set up this easy experiment.

CANDLE IN WATER EXPERIMENT

Can you make the water rise by burning a candle under a jar? Grab a few simple supplies and find out.

CELERY EXPERIMENT

Here’s a simple explanation of how osmosis works with celery and water and a fun science demonstration!

COFFEE FILTER FLOWERS

Water is the main ingredient in this gorgeous but super easy combined science and art activity. Make a bouquet of colorful, coffee-filter flowers and explore solubility too!

COLOR CHANGING FLOWERS

This engaging color-changing flower experiment explores the concept of capillary action as your flowers magically turn from white to green. Easy to set up and perfect for a group of kiddos to do at the same time or as an interesting water science fair project.

CRUSHED SODA CAN EXPERIMENT

What happens when you heat and cool water inside a soda can?

DISSOLVING CANDY

There are all kinds of fun things you can dissolve in water!

DRY-ERASE MARKER EXPERIMENT

Is it magic or is it science? Create a dry-erase drawing and watch it float in water.

FREEZING WATER EXPERIMENT

Will it freeze? What happens to the freezing point of water when you add salt? Check out this easy water experiment to find out.

GUMMY BEAR OSMOSIS LAB

Learn about the process of osmosis when you try this easy gummy bear osmosis experiment. Watch your gummy bears grow as you investigate what liquid makes them grow the biggest.

HOW DO SHARKS FLOAT?

Explore buoyancy with this simple oil and water experiment.

HOW MANY DROPS OF WATER ON A PENNY?

All you need for this experiment are a few coins, an eyedropper or pipette, and water! How many drops fit on the surface of a penny? What else could you use? A bottle cap turned over, a flat LEGO piece, or another small, smooth surface! Take a guess at how many drops it will take and then test it out.

ICE FISHING

Did you know you can go fishing indoors with salt, string, and ice! Kids will have a blast!

ICE MELT ACTIVITIES

Playful hands on science and learning which is perfect for our preschoolers. Explore water science with one of these fun theme ice melt activities.

LEGO WATER EXPERIMENT

Build a dam from Lego bricks and explore the flow of water.

OCEAN CURRENTS

Build a simple model of the ocean currents with ice and water.

OCEAN LAYERS

Just like layers of the earth, the ocean has layers too! Have you ever wondered how you could see them without going scuba diving in the ocean? Explore the layers of the ocean with a liquid density tower experiment for kids. 

OIL AND WATER EXPERIMENT

Do the oil and water mix? Explore the densities of liquids with this simple oil and water experiment.

POTATO OSMOSIS LAB

Explore what happens to potato when you put them in concentration salt water and then pure water. Learn about osmosis when you try this fun potato osmosis experiment with the kids.

RAINBOW IN A JAR

Can you make a rainbow in a jar? This neat rainbow water experiment explores water density with just a few materials. Instead of salt we use sugar and food coloring to stack the colors of the rainbow.

PENNY BOAT CHALLENGE

Design a simple tin foil boat, and see how many pennies it can hold before it sinks in the water. How many pennies will it take to make your boat sink?

MAKE A PADDLE BOAT

Fill the kiddie pool or tun with water and make this DIY paddle boat for fun physics!

SALT LAVA LAMP EXPERIMENT

Explore what happens when you add salt to oil and water.

SALTWATER DENSITY EXPERIMENT

Can you make an egg float? Will different items sink in freshwater but float in saltwater? Compare saltwater to freshwater with a fun experiment with salt and water. Make your predictions and test your results.

SINK OR FLOAT EXPERIMENT

Check out what you have in the kitchen for an easy science experiment with water   with some very interesting results!

SKITTLES EXPERIMENT

A super simple water science experiment with everyone’s favorite candy! Did you know you can try it with M&Ms too? You can also you those red and white mints, old candy canes, and even jelly beans!

SOAP POWERED BOAT EXPERIMENT

Explore surface tension as kids observe firsthand how soap influences the movement of a small boat on the water’s surface.

SOLID LIQUID GAS EXPERIMENT

Learn about the properties of solids, liquids and gases with this simple water experiment. Have fun observing how water changes from a solid to a liquid to a gas.

STRAW BOATS

Design a boat made from nothing but straws and tape, and see how many items it can hold before it sinks in the water. Explore buoyancy while you test out your engineering skills.

TOOTHPICK STARS

Make a star out of broken toothpicks by only adding water. Learn about capillary action with a totally do-able water experiment.

WALKING WATER EXPERIMENT

Can water walk? Make a colorful rainbow with a little color theory mixed in too! This walking water experiment is super easy and fun to set up! Mason jars, plastic cups, or bowls will also work just fine for this experiment.

WATER CYCLE IN A BOTTLE

Make a discovery bottle all about the water cycle. One of the best water science activities is one where we can learn more about one of the most important and necessary cycles on Earth, the water cycle!

WATER CYCLE IN A BAG

The water cycle is important because it’s how water gets to all the plants, animals and even us!! Learn about the water cycle with this easy water cycle in a bag experiment.

WATER DISPLACEMENT EXPERIMENT

Add this simple water displacement experiment to your science lesson plans this season. Learn about water displacement and what it measures.

WATER REFRACTION EXPERIMENT

Why do objects look different in water? A simple water experiment that shows how light bends or refracts as it moves through water.

WATER XYLOPHONE

A homemade water xylophone is perfect for exploring physics and sound science!

WATER ABSORBTION EXPERIMENT

This is a very simple and fun water experiment which is great for preschoolers. My son had a blast exploring what materials absorb water and what don’t.

WHAT DISSOLVES IN WATER

This is super simple chemistry using common items around the house to explore mixtures and discover which items dissolve in water !

Compare how fast different everyday items melt in the sun, including ice cubes. A fun experiment to do in the summer!

WATER WHEEL

Hop on this engineering project and design a water wheel that moves! Use our idea as a springboard to create your own or follow the step-by-step directions.

WATER CLOCK

Find out how to use water to tell the time with this water clock project .

Plan a Water Summer Science Camp

Grab this free guide and plan a day or two of water theme science camp activities . We have 12 free guides, each with a different theme! Use them all year long.

ALSO TRY THESE EASY SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS

• States of Matter Experiments
• Surface Tension of Water Experiments
• Chemistry Experiments
• Physics Experiments
• Fizzing Experiments
• Physical Changes
• All About Atoms

MORE HELPFUL SCIENCE RESOURCES

Science vocabulary.

It is never too early to introduce some fantastic science words to kids. Get them started with a printable science vocabulary word list . You will want to incorporate these simple science terms into your next science lesson!

WHAT IS A SCIENTIST

Think like a scientist! Act like a scientist! Scientists like you and me are also curious about the world around them. Learn about the different types of scientists and what they do to increase their understanding of their specific areas of interest. Read What Is A Scientist

SCIENCE BOOKS FOR KIDS

Sometimes the best way to introduce science concepts is through a colorfully illustrated book with characters your kids can relate to! Check out this fantastic list of science books that are teacher approved and get ready to spark curiosity and exploration!

SCIENCE PRACTICES

A new approach to teaching science is called the Best Science Practices. These eight science and engineering practices are less structured and allow for a more free**-**flowing approach to problem-solving and finding answers to questions. These skills are critical to developing future engineers, inventors, and scientists!

Printable Science Projects Pack

If you’re looking to grab all of our printable science projects in one convenient place plus exclusive worksheets and bonuses like a STEAM Project pack, our Science Project Pack is what you need! Over 300+ Pages!

• 90+ classic science activities  with journal pages, supply lists, set up and process, and science information.  NEW! Activity-specific observation pages!
• Best science practices posters  and our original science method process folders for extra alternatives!
• Be a Collector activities pack  introduces kids to the world of making collections through the eyes of a scientist. What will they collect first?
• Know the Words Science vocabulary pack  includes flashcards, crosswords, and word searches that illuminate keywords in the experiments!
• My science journal writing prompts  explore what it means to be a scientist!!
• Bonus STEAM Project Pack:  Art meets science with doable projects!
• Bonus Quick Grab Packs for Biology, Earth Science, Chemistry, and Physics
• Science Fair Project Pack with experiments to try!

this site is the best i got an A on my assignment

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11 Fun Ways To Teach The Water Cycle To Students

by Chloe Campbell Leave a Comment

The water cycle is not one of the most exciting science topics to teach, but there are definitely some fun ways to teach the water cycle. Using easy science experiments, flipbooks, projects, and more, your students will learn everything they need to know about the water cycle and have a ton of fun learning about it!

Fun Ways To Teach The Water Cycle

I have a couple of fun water cycle activities; your students will absolutely love them, making teaching the water cycle easier.

All of these fun ways to teach the water cycle can be found in my Water Cycle Bundle in my TPT store!

Water Cycle Flipbook

Kids love to create things. This water cycle flipbook allows you to teach each part of the water cycle and allows your students to take notes. These flipbooks can be pasted into science notebooks or construction paper.

Mini Water Cycle

I love creating mini water cycles with my students as a fun way to teach the water cycle. All you need is a Ziploc bag, sharpie, water, and food coloring. This experiment allows students to see how clouds form and how condensation and precipitation work.

My students also love listening to the Water Cycle Song by Have Fun Teaching when we work on mini water cycles or water cycles in a bag. It is catchy, aka gets stuck in your head, and the kids start understanding how the water cycle works.

Water Cycle Color Coding 

Color coding is an activity I often do in my classroom, and I even wrote a whole blog post because I love it so much. You can read the post here . Having students color code different parts of the water cycle, their water cycle notes, etc., is a great way to get them to move the information from their short-term memory into their long-term memory.

Water Cycle Mind Map

Mind maps are an excellent informative assessment of what students already know about a topic. Students write down everything they know about the topic. You then collect their mind maps to see where you should start teaching. Some classes may come to you knowing more than others. Mind maps allow you to figure out precisely what you should prepare and is an easy water cycle activity.

Water Cycle Poster

Besides worksheets and experiments, it’s always a good idea to have activities for students who enjoy creating. I try to include some art activity within my units, whether a diagram, diorama or poster. Posters are a great way to let students’ creative juices flow! I include instructions and ideas to help you and your students create beautiful pieces of work. 

Science Experiments 

Using science experiments to teach the water cycle is super fun! I use two different experiments to teach the water cycle. I use an evaporation experiment and a surface area experiment. Both are easy, require only a few pieces of science equipment, and are easy to set up and tear down.

Bulletin Board Display

If your school is anything like mine, you probably have a bulletin board outside your room. I am all about the cute bulletin boards, but I love boards that teach students passing by or go along with the science topic my class is learning about. I love creating the water cycle bulletin board because it is definitely educational and super fun to put up! Plus, any visual reminder of how the water cycle worlds will help students remember the process. 

Discussion Cards

Getting students talking is one of the best ways to see what students know and what they do not know. I have seen many teachers use water cycle task cards, and I think they are totally awesome. But, I love when listening to students talking to each other instead of just trying to figure out a task card answer. Using discussion cards lets me listen to student conversations and figure out what I need to teach, reteach, or can just review.

Mobile Or Water Cycle Booklet

A great way to teach science vocabulary is by having the students fill in guided notes and create something. I love making mobiles with my students, but if you don’t have the materials for those. You can easily make a water cycle booklet to help teach the water cycle vocabulary. Bot activities look awesome hung up in the classroom or brought home to show off to parents. 

Water Cycle Project

The water cycle project for kids is another one of my favorite fun activities to teach the water cycle. Science projects are not just for the science fair! Students will be able to choose which project they would like to complete. They have plenty of choices, from creating a song, explaining how we use the water cycle in our everyday lives, or creating a PowerPoint. 

Extra Fun Ways To Teach The Water Cycle

The last fun ways to teach the water cycle are small add-on activities .  Your students can create a fun bead bracelet using colored beads to represent each part of the water cycle. 

You can also use shaving cream, food coloring, and water to show cloud formation and the process of rain. This fun activity is a great way to bring in the topic of weather science. 

So when you are trying to figure out how to teach the water cycle. Try to think outside of the box. Using some fun ways to teach the water cycle activities mentioned in this post. Your students will not only learn about the water cycle but earth science, physical science, and more.

Don’t forget to grab the water cycle bundle in my TPT store. You’ll get all the activities mentioned and more! Plus, you’ll save yourself some $$.

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Easy Working Indoor Water Cycle Science Experiment for Kids

Categories Science , STEM

Can you make a working indoor water cycle experiment? Yes, and all you need are a few simple supplies. Kids will have a great time learning about earth science with this easy Water Cycle Science Experiment for Kids . 

Along with the Snowstorm in a Jar experiment and the Rain in a Jar Experiment , this is a fun way to teach your class a little bit about water conservation or even just the weather in general. You can also grab a free printable water cycle diagram to use with your class.

Disclosure: Adult supervision is required for all activities at all times. Some of the links provided in this blog are affiliate links. I will be paid a small commission if you use this link to make a purchase.

Table of Contents

• What you’ll need
• Watch the video

Instructions

• Free printable water cycle diagrams
• What you’re learning

Materials Needed

• Salt (optional)
• Plastic Wrap
• Sticky tape

Watch the Water Cycle Video

Water Cycle Science Experiment for Kids – Instructions

1. add 2 tsp of salt into the large bowl.

This step is completely optional, and does not impact how the experiment works. I like to add salt to the water because it represents sea water. As the water goes through the water cycle process, it will turn into freshwater. 

This means that your kids can actually taste how the water changes before and after going through the whole cycle.

2. Pour boiling water into the large bowl and mix until all of the salt has dissolved.

Boil the kettle and add a cup of water into the large bowl. Some people choose to also add blue food coloring into the water. Since food coloring does not usually evaporate with water, this is another great way to show how the water changed states of matter.

Different parts of this experiment emulate a different part of the water cycle. The warm water mimics the sun, only you’re using a kettle to heat the water instead of mother nature. This demonstrates evaporation.

3. Place the small bowl in the center of the large bowl. 

Make sure that this small bowl is empty, as it will need to catch all of your water droplets. So it needs to be higher than the water level in the large bowl, but shorter than the edges of the large bowl itself.

4. Cover the large bowl with cling wrap.

Use cling wrap to cover the large bowl. You can use sticky tape or a rubber band to hold the cling wrap in place.

5. Place a handful of ice cubes in the center of the cling wrap.

Placing an ice cube in the center of the cling film has two purposes. 

• It cools the water vapour, helping it to condense and cling to the film.
• It weighs down the center of the film, so that when the droplets of water are large enough, they will roll to the center of the film and drop into the small bowl.

The cling film and ice cubes mimic condensation. Although condensation usually results in some form of clouds, in this water cycle project you’ll see the water vapor turning into droplets.

6. Wait and watch

Watch as tiny drops of water evaporate and condensate on the inside of the large bowl, eventually filling the empty bowl with (now fresh) water. Representing the stage of precipitation.

But be prepared, only a limited amount of water will actually go inside the small bowl. So don’t be disappointed that you can’t ask your whole class to taste the small glass of water.

Like many science experiments, this one can take a long time to work. You can either keep placing more hot water in the large bowl, or put the entire setup by a sunny window on a hot day, and let the sun do it for you.

Free Water Cycle Diagrams

To grab your copy of the free printable water cycle drawing just click the large blue button below. Inside you’ll get:

• Full color water cycle diagram (labeled)
• Black and white water cycle diagram (labeled)
• Black and white water cycle diagram (unlabeled)

You can choose which diagram suits your science lesson and the capabilities of your students. Younger kids will most likely enjoy just coloring in the black and white version. While older children can label the parts and the water cycle themselves in the third version.

What You’re Learning

What is the water cycle – kid definition.

The water cycle (also known as the hydrologic cycle) is the continuous movement of water between the surface of the earth (like ocean water) and the atmosphere and land. When explaining the water cycle to kids, explore the main parts of evaporation, condensation, precipitation and collection.

How does the water cycle work? Step by step for kids

Earth’s water is always going through the different stages of the water cycle. When creating lesson plans to teach kids about the parts of the water cycle, it’s easier to break it down into the individual steps, instead of explaining the entire water cycle as a whole. As well as how the water keeps going through these same steps over and over again.

Try and use language suitable for the age of the students you are teaching. Young children, like preschoolers, will find it easier to understand “rain” rather than “precipitation”.

Evaporation and transpiration

Evaporation occurs when the sun’s heat warms up bodies of water, such as the surface of the ocean, enough to turn liquid water into water vapor. (Preschoolers may find this easier to understand if you explain water vapor as steam, as they most likely already have experience with steam from a kettle)

Transpiration is the water molecules that are lost to the atmosphere through the leaves of plants. This water also becomes part of the water cycle.

Condensation

As the water vapor reaches higher levels of the atmosphere it gets colder. These cold temperatures eventually turn the water vapor back into a liquid form. We can see this liquid water as the different cloud types in the sky.

Precipitation

As the water droplets in the clouds get larger and heavier, the water comes down in a form of precipitation, like rain water, hail or snow.

As it rains the water gets collected through rivers and streams. This water is used for plants or the water moves downhill until it reaches the ocean, and the whole process starts from the beginning again.

Are you going to try this Water Cycle Science Experiment for Kids? Don’t forget to pin the idea for later.

Water Cycle Science Activity for Kids

Show kids how the water cycle works with this simple science activity. Not only will they see the different stages that the water goes through, but they'll be able to taste the difference between the starting saltwater, and the resulting freshwater.

• Boiling Water
• Add 2 tsp of salt into the large glass bowl.
• Pour boiling water into the glass bowl and mix until all of the salt has dissolved.
• Place the small bowl in the center of the large bowl. If the small bowl floods with water, then you’ve added to much water into your large glass bowl. The small bowl needs to stay empty so that it can catch the freshwater.
• Cover the large bowl with cling wrap.
• Place a handful of ice cubes in the center of the cling wrap.
• Watch and wait as the boiling water evaporates and condenses onto the cling wrap. The condensation will slowly run and drip into the small bowl in the centre.

You will only get a small amount of freshwater in this experiment. So if you want the kids to taste the difference be prepared that not all of the kids in your class will be able to try some.

More Play Based Learning for Kids

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Water Cycle Science Experiments

From creating a miniature water cycle in a bag to experimenting with clouds in a jar, there are plenty of hands-on Water Cycle Science Experiments that can be done right at home.

If you enjoyed these activities, check out more Fun Weather Activities for Kids !

Learning about the water cycle can be a blast for kids, especially when they get to conduct science experiments to fully understand the process.

Not only will these experiments educate your children on how the water cycle works, but they’ll also get them excited about science! Plus, who doesn’t love a good excuse to get a little bit messy while learning? So, roll up your sleeves and get ready to dive into some awesome science experiments with your little ones.

This post may contain affiliate links meaning I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Read my disclosure policy here.

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What are the Major Phases of the Water Cycle?

The water cycle is the process by which water moves from the Earth’s surface up into the atmosphere and back again. There are four major phases of the water cycle:

• Evaporation: When the sun heats up water in rivers, lakes, and oceans, it turns the water into water vapor, which is a gas. This process is called evaporation. The water vapor then rises into the atmosphere.
• Condensation: As the water vapor rises into the atmosphere, it cools down and turns back into liquid water droplets. This process is called condensation. The droplets form clouds in the sky.
• Precipitation: When the water droplets in the clouds become too heavy, they fall to the ground as precipitation. This can be in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
• Collection: Once the precipitation falls to the ground, it can collect in rivers, lakes, and oceans. Some of the water is absorbed by plants or soaks into the ground and becomes groundwater.

From there, the cycle starts all over again. The water evaporates from the surface, condenses into clouds, and falls back to the ground as precipitation. This cycle is continuous and helps to maintain the balance of water on Earth.

Recommended Water Cycle Books for Kids

Find your favorite water cycle book, these fun picture books can give your kids more detail about what happens to a drop of water.

I highly recommend adding these books to your current lesson plans for this topic. Aside from the water cycle science experiments below, these books are a great way to dive a bit deeper into the topic with engaging stories.

Recommended Weather Activity Kits

Dive deeper into the weather and learn the water cycle with these fun weather activity kits, your kids will love learning with any of these educational kits!

Learning about the water cycle is important because it helps us understand how water moves around the Earth and how it affects the environment. That is why I have compiled these Water Cycle Science Experiments to help your kids learn about the water cycle while still having tons of fun!

Water Cycle Bag Experiment

This Water Cycle Bag Experiment is a great way to introduce them to science and all the ideas of the water cycle.

Clouds in a Jar Experiment

This Clouds in a Jar Experiment is a great experiment to teach your kids about the role of clouds in the water cycle.

Fun Rain Cloud in Jar Science Experiment

This rain cloud in a jar experiment is super simple and super easy. This can also be a start to teaching your kids about the water cycle.

Easy Condensation Science Experiment

Create a simple yet fascinating activity that teaches kids about the water cycle, especially the condensation phase.

Evaporation Station

This hands-on experiment offers a fun and interactive way to teach kids about the water cycle and the process of evaporation.

Evaporation Experiment

With this activity, kids will learn the different factors that affect evaporation, such as temperature and surface area.

Simple Evaporation Experiment

Learn about the water cycle and the process of condensation in a hands-on way with this simple and fun activity.

Learning About the Exciting Water Cycle with Salt

This easy-to-follow activity is perfect for curious kids who want to learn about the journey of water from the sky to the earth and back again.

Investigating Condensation and the Water Cycle

Explore the science behind condensation and how it plays a crucial role in the water cycle with just the use of simple materials at home.

Water Cycle in a Bottle Science Experiment

With the use of simple materials, create a mini water cycle right in a bottle, giving kids a hands-on understanding of how water moves through the environment.

Evaporation and The Water Cycle

From the basics of what evaporation is to real-world applications, this post covers it all.

By conducting these fun and interactive Water Cycle Science Experiments, kids can gain a better understanding of the different phases of the water cycle and how they work together.

These experiments can also help spark an interest in science and inspire kids to learn more about the world around them. By understanding the water cycle, kids can appreciate the importance of water and how to conserve this precious resource.

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I share educational printables and activities to help homeschoolers make learning science fun and engaging!

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Look! We're Learning!

Early Learning. Happy Teaching.

40 Simple Water Science Experiments for Kids

April 16, 2018 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

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Warmer weather means lots of water play and, for us, that means plenty of  simple water science experiments to try with the kids!

Since we’ve been homeschooling, I’ve learned that science doesn’t have to be a complicated subject to teach.

Many scientific concepts sound complicated (and really are amazingly intricate), but showing kids how they work doesn’t have to be complex.

Turns out that you can use a few household supplies and demonstrate how scientific principles work in a kid-friendly way!

And that’s why I’ve rounded up 40 easy water science experiments that would be great to share with kids – either indoors or outdoors!

Don’t miss our list of science experiments that you can do in just 15 minutes too!

1. Simple Light In Water Refraction Experiment – Look! We’re Learning!

2. Milk Jug Water Wheel Experiment – J Daniel 4’s Mom

3. Float Vs Sink Experiment – Teach Me Mommy

4. Leak-Proof Bag Science Experiment – Fun Learning for Kids

5. How to Make a Lava Lamp – Coffee Cups and Crayons

6. Measuring Water Beads – Blue Bear Wood

7. Water Balloon Parachute – Fantastic Fun and Learning

8. Food Coloring Fluid Mechanics Experiment – Mama Smiles

9. Measuring Buoyancy Experiment – KC Edventures

10. Color Mixing Experiment – Science Sparks

11. Tide Pool Science Experiment – Buggy and Buddy

12. Floating Peep Boats – Sixth Bloom

13. Traveling Water Experiment – The Wise Owl Factory

14. Simple Water Displacement Experiment – Life with Moore Babies

15. Ripple Water Experiment – J Daniel 4’s Mom

16. Why Does Water Rise STEM Experiment – STEAM Powered Family

17. Make a Rain Cloud In a Jar – Coffee Cups and Crayons

18. Water Xylophone Sound Experiment – Little Bins for Little Hands

19. Growing Mint in Water – Sloely

20. Sticky Ice Experiment – Capri Plus 3

See more of these awesome simple water science experiments on page 2!

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The Easy Way To Do A Water Cycle Experiment For Kids

How cool is it that we can bring the wonders of the natural world into our homes with just a few common items? Today, let’s explore one of these wonders – the water cycle. This experiment is not only simple but also really fun and eye-opening. It’s a great way to help kids understand the amazing science that powers nature.

I’ve done quite a few water cycle experiments with kids, but there’s one that’s a clear favorite, especially on a warm summer day.

To get started on this exciting scientific journey, here’s what you’ll need:

• One large bowl
• One smaller bowl that will fit inside the larger one
• Blue food coloring (this makes our ‘water’ visible and more interesting!)
• Natural items like sand, shells, or pebbles
• Playdough for some creative play
• Water, of course!

Once you have all these materials, you’re ready to show your child the incredible journey of water in the earth’s cycle. So, let’s learn and have fun together!

Water Cycle Experiment: Constructing a Miniature Earth

Now, let’s transform these materials into our very own planet Earth!

Step 1: Lay the Foundation

Begin by arranging the rocks or sand at the bottom of the large bowl. Think of it as setting the stage for our little blue planet. My son absolutely loved this part – arranging the shells just so, making it as close to his vision of Earth as possible.

Step 2: Position the Small Bowl

Next, nestle the small bowl within the large one, amidst the rocks or sand. Add more rocks or sand if needed to ensure the smaller bowl is securely in place. This is a great opportunity for kids to get creative and really craft the landscape to their liking. This hands-on involvement can really ramp up their anticipation for the rest of the water cycle experiment.

Step 3: Introduce the Mountain

Time to shape a mound of playdough into a majestic mountain. Let your child’s creativity run wild – the mountain can be as towering and elaborate as it pleases! To elevate the fun and realism, consider adding Lego characters, leaves, and twigs to your miniature Earth.

With these steps complete, we’re well on our way to demonstrating the water cycle in action!

Get the Sea Water Ready

Let’s move on with this fun STEM activity.

Once you’re done making the “earth”, put it aside and mix a bowl of water with some blue food coloring. This is going to be the ocean.

Once the water has turned blue, pour it on your earth in a bowl. Pour it slowly until the water is about a half of a centimeter below the rim of the small bowl.

The Power of The Sun In Action

Next cover it with saran wrap and put a rock or rocks right where the smaller bowl is. This makes a dip in the surface to help the water droplets fall straight into the small bowl.

Now put the bowl outside in the sun. This is the quickest way to see the water cycle.

However, you can also use a lamp as the sun if you’re doing this indoors. It will take a longer time to see the water cycle.

After an hour two in the hot sun, the sea water from the big bowl will make water droplets on the saran wrap. This represents the clouds.

If you don’t have any patience like me, you can tap the wrap to help the water flow into the small bowl quicker. It’s nice to see the water droplets slide down the wrap towards the little bowl. We even made a small hole on the wrap to feel how hot the water was.

You can also just take the bowl in a cooler place and let the water slide down to the small bowl by itself.

The Water Cycle Experiment Video On YouTube

If you would rather watch this experiment on video, you can watch our video below. For more science stuff and family-friendly videos, don’t forget to subscribe to our Youtube channel!

Additional Resources:

For in-depth explanation of the water cycle experiment, here are some of the best online resources we have found

The Water Project Some more water cycle experiment ideas plus free lesson plans for teachers and homeschooling families. Also covers information on the world’s water problems and some solutions that we can all participate in.

North Carolina Testing Program: A Drop Of Water By Walter Wick Free PDF with diagram of the water cycle plus mini quiz about the water cycle

The Water Cycle Play A script for a play by enchanted learning. Get the kids moving and learning with this easy to reenact play. Props not necessary!

Why Files All About the Earth’s water problems. 5 pages on what you need to know about the global water shortage.

Some Interesting Facts About Water

• Science Kids
• Soft Schools
• Go Homework Help

Learn About the Water Cycle For Younger Kids On YouTube

A song about the water cycle.

A song saying  “the main hero in the water cycle is water”…. and find out who the unsung hero is!

Animation Lesson For Kids on the water cycle

Upbeat song about the water cycle by Mr. R’s song for teaching

Poem About The Water Cycle

originally from Science Poems

Water goes, Round and round, From the sky, To the ground,

In a cycle, You can’t see, Water comes to you and me!

Evaporation is a start, But it’s not the only part, From sea to sky, Vapor floats, But leaves enough to float in boats!

In the sky, Water cools, Forming clouds, Like fish form schools,

Condensation makes it dense, Like dollars have one hundred cents! Then it falls, precipitation! It’s like group participation…

Rain and hail, Sleet and snow, Water falls, Plants can grow…

Fills up lakes, and streams, and seas, We can drink it as we please, Water used to brush our teeth, Water wets the coral reef!

Water, water, what we need, We need water to succeed, And water cycle keeps it fresh, Water cycle, you’re the best!

Move over ‘cocaine bear’ for there are now ‘cocaine sharks’ in the water

Scientists are conducting experiments to see how marine life reacts to drugs being dumped off Florida coast

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Article content

Scientists are conducting experiments to replicate how sharks off the Florida coast might be reacting to cocaine and other drugs that get dumped into ocean waters.

Move over ‘cocaine bear’ for there are now ‘cocaine sharks’ in the water Back to video

It’s not uncommon for large amounts of cocaine, off-loaded by drug smugglers, to wash up on Flordia beaches. In one instance earlier this year, more than 66 kilograms of cocaine, worth an estimated $3 million, washed ashore in the Florida Keys .

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To better understand how sharks might be reacting to the drug, marine biologist Tom Hird and University of Florida environmental scientist Tracy Fanara recently carried out a series of experiments in Florida waters, using replica bales of cocaine.

“The deeper story here is the way that chemicals, pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs are entering our waterways — entering our oceans — and what effect that they then could go on to have on these delicate ocean ecosystems,” Hird told Live Science.

Hird and Fanara dove into the waters in the Florida Keys to monitor how sharks in the area were behaving and quickly noticed some unusual behaviour, like a great hammerhead that displayed no trepidation toward humans and appeared to be swimming off-kilter, and a sandbar shark swimming in tight, repetitive circles.

The researchers then launched a series of experiments, documented in “Cocaine Sharks,” which is part of Discovery’s Shark Week, to see how the sharks react to dummy “cocaine” bales in the water. The packages, which do not contain any cocaine, replicate the size and appearance of the drug bales.

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In one instance, researchers dropped the fake bales alongside imitation swans and the sharks bypassed the birds in favour of the bales, with one shark swimming off with a package as others chomped on the bales. In another experiment, researchers use bait containing a concentration of fish power to replicate the dopamine rush of cocaine and the sharks reacted immediately.

“I think we have got a potential scenario of what it may look like if you gave sharks cocaine,” Hird said. “We gave them what I think is the next best thing.”

In another experiment, sharks quickly moved in after the team dropped fake cocaine bales from an airplane. Hird admits that the reactions could be influenced by a variety of factors and the experiments would need to be repeated to draw any accurate conclusions about how sharks might react to drugs in ocean waters.

Still, he hopes the experiments will prompt scientists to look further into the issue, noting that other drugs and pharmaceuticals, like amphetamines, antidepressants and birth control also drift into the ocean and interact with sharks and other marine life.

A study out of Florida International University , published last year, found 58 different drugs in a sample of bonefish off South Florida’s coastal waters, including one fish that had 16 drugs in its system. Researchers said the samples, obtained from 93 fish over a three-year period, highlighted the deficiencies of outdated wastewater treatment facilities to effectively filter out contaminants.

A 2021 European study, meanwhile, found that brown trout could become addicted to methamphetamine due to traces of the drug flowing downstream of wastewater treatment plants.

For two months, researchers dosed 60 captive-bred brown trout with water containing the same amount of methamphetamine — one microgram per litre — that had been documented near wastewater treatment plants in Czechia and Slovakia. In a separate tank, 60 control trout were kept in drug-free water.

After being removed from the methamphetamine-laced water, the fish were less active and a brain tissue analysis found that the trout that moved the least had the highest concentrations of the drug in their systems.

In another experiment, the fish were given the choice to enter two streams of water, one of which was clean while the other contained trace amounts of meth. The trout that had previously been exposed to the drug chose the meth-laced water, particularly in the first four days after being removed from the research tank.

Published in the Journal of Experimental Biology , behavioural ecologist Pavel Horky said that, over time, the trout’s preference for meth dwindled and matched that of the control fish, a telltale sign of addiction withdrawal.

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• Kitchen & Household

It's Past Time You Cleaned Your Keurig. Here's the Right Way to Do It

Your Keurig needs to be cleaned regularly to keep working at its best.

If you don't want mold in your coffee, clean your Keurig coffee maker. 

Your Keurig coffee maker probably has mold in it. There it is: the harsh truth. Sure, it likely takes care of all your daily caffeine needs , but if you don't deep-clean your Keurig once a week, it's guaranteed to get disgusting pretty quickly. However, there's an easy way to make sure your next cup of Joe is not only pristine and delicious, but mold-free, too. 

If you leave your Keurig dirty for long enough, the buildup of leftover coffee and coffee grounds can affect the performance of your coffee machine and the taste of your morning coffee. What's worse is that, when left dirty, it's a perfect breeding ground for mold and bacteria. Thankfully, it's easy to give every inch of your Keurig the attention that it deserves. 

We've gathered everything you need to know about cleaning all the parts of your Keurig coffee maker, from cleaning the drip trays to the brewing mechanisms and even the outside of your machine. For more, here are our picks for the top coffee makers of 2024 and what to know about Keurig's new compostable coffee pods . 

Don't let the coffee pods sit for days at a time

One of the best things that you can do for your Keurig is treat it gently when you're using it, especially if you're using it every day. For instance, remove used coffee pods once they've cooled down, and try to immediately take care of any spills or drips. Coffee can grow mold once brewed, and you don't want that sitting in your Keurig pod holder.

Wipe down the outside of your Keurig

You can begin your Keurig cleaning process by gently wiping down the outside of your coffee machine with a warm, damp cloth or paper towel. Not only does Keurig recommend wiping down your coffee pot daily, this is a really simple step to integrate into your daily cleaning routine. Just make sure that your coffee pot is fully turned off and unplugged before you begin cleaning. 

Wash the drip tray

Keurig also recommends a daily wash for your drip tray, which catches drips from your coffee maker and spills. The drip tray is also prone to unseemly coffee stains. You can hand wash your drip tray with a bit of warm water and dish soap. 

Tackle the water reservoir and matching lid

Yet again, Keurig recommends cleaning this element of your coffee maker daily. Like the drip tray, you can tackle this by hand washing the water reservoir and corresponding lid with warm water and dish soap. Depending on your coffee maker, you can wash both the reservoir and lid in your dishwasher. Just be sure to remove any water filters if you have any in your water reservoir. 

Plus, fresh cold water in your Keurig machine daily tastes way better than days-old water.

Wash the coffee carafe and basket

If you have a K-Duo coffee pot, that means you have one extra step when it comes to daily care. You'll need to wash the coffee carafe and basket if you've brewed a traditional cup of coffee. Like the water reservoir, you can wash the carafe and basket by hand, or depending on your coffee maker, you can put them in the dishwasher.  

Clean the pod holder 

The pod holder can be one of the grossest pieces of your Keurig machine. It's the implement that holds your coffee pod and can collect used coffee grounds. If not cleaned somewhat regularly, it can become very gross very fast, and can also grow mold. Keurig advises cleaning this implement weekly but we suggest wiping it down daily if it looks gross. 

The pod-holder assembly will need to be removed from the Keurig before it can be cleaned. You can do this by grabbing the rim of the assembly and gently pulling it out. You'll also need to detach the pod holder from the attached funnel by pulling the two pieces apart. Be careful of sharp exit needles when cleaning these pieces. 

Keurig advises rinsing with water, but it couldn't hurt to scrub away any gross stains or stuck-on coffee grounds, especially if this is the first time you've cleaned it. 

Give your Keurig a full rinse

To keep your Keurig running smoothly for as long as possible, you'll want to do a regular cleaning brew, or a process called descaling. Essentially, descaling is the process of removing buildup. By not cleaning your Keurig's brewing mechanisms regularly (Keurig officially recommends doing this quarterly) the buildup in your brewing mechanism can begin to affect the taste of your coffee. 

The first step you'll need to take is to run hot water through your coffee maker. You can do this by running your Keurig like you would if you were brewing a cup of coffee, but without a coffee pod. 

Next, you have two options. You can either descale your coffee maker with a mixture of one part vinegar and one part water, or you can use Keurig's own descaling solution . Pour your descaling solution of choice into the reservoir, and run your Keurig as you normally would. After the machine is done, you'll want to let it rest for about 45 minutes. 

We recommend running plain water through your Keurig several times after descaling your machine to combat a vinegary taste. The last thing you want after spending this much time cleaning your Keurig is a ruined coffee.

For more cleaning tips, here's how to make a natural, all-purpose cleaner with three ingredients and how to speed-clean your kitchen in less than 15 minutes .

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