In 1993, the UN designated March 22 as World Water Day in order to emphasize the important of conserving and managing our freshwater resources.
Here are some excellent activities for kids to do to to learn about our precious water resources, to celebrate World Water Day, or learn about water conservation any day.
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Start the bigger kids with this great animation about our water usage, made by the UN.
Next, learn about the water cycle in this animation.
For younger kids, learn from Drippy the Raindrop. Try this experiment to see the water cycle in action.
Here are some UN articles about water use, water scarcity, food security, climate change, water management and conservation. Also, there are power points, certificates, infographics, and even a 10 minute theatre play for your kids all about water shortage and water conservation here.
What can kids do for World Water Day?
Conserve water!
Brainstorm and make a list with your kids of how you can personally conserve water. Some ideas for kids: turn off the faucets, take shorter showers, check for leaks and don’t waste water at home or school. Encourage your parents to go green: always buy energy efficient appliances and toilets, install faucet aerators and low-flow shower heads that use less water, and plant native flowers that require less watering.
Finish your lunch, or save it for later!
Limiting waste means reducing the water needed to produce our food. Saving our leftovers for another meal helps us reduce our waste and water.
Water collection in southern Ethiopia (2010).
Raise money for a charity!
Here are 5 organizations working around the world that to provide clean water for those who need it. My kids raised money for water.org a couple of years ago, to help build wells (see their video here!).
Go meatless for a day!
Grains and veggies require less water than animal products. Ask your parents to go vegetarian once a week to help conserve water. Download the above wall poster here made by fao.org (the Food and Agriculture Organization from the UN) to learn how much water it takes to produce your favorite foods!
Learn more about water with these games & Activities!
Print and play this fun game with your class and guess how much water is needed for each of the foods.
Play these on-line games or this fun one to learn about water conservation.
Use this interactive lesson plan from PBS to learn all about water conservation.
Download this water usage worksheet and record how much water you use in a week of month.
View these photos from The Atlantic: “water in our lives — how we use it, abuse it, and depend on it.” Parents and teachers preview first, some images are more appropriate for older kids vs younger kids.
Read these Books about Water Around the World!
Our World of Water: Children and Water Around the World.
One Well: The Story of Water on Earth.
Wow that’s amazing!!! I was looking for activities to do with my kids about water day, and that’s the best website I’ve found! Amazing videos, great material!! Congrats!!! And thanks for sharing it!
Yay, I am so glad!!! 🙂