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Explore a Flood of World Water Day Activities for School
Christy Walters
February 22, 2025
In 1993, the United Nations called for the first observance of World Water Day to raise awareness about Earth's water crisis and how we can fix it. Teach your students about the human impact on the water cycle and how we can protect water in nature and resources like clean drinking water each day with engaging World Water Day activities.
Watch an interactive video about testing if water is safe to drink.
Have students read about the effects of contaminated drinking water worldwide and why it’s a global problem.
Explore how water resources are depleting and solutions to reverse the problem.
Explore the water cycle
The water on Earth has been present on our planet for billions of years. We don’t get “new” water from weather or other means. Instead, all our water changes form constantly through the water cycle. Students can learn more about this process by engaging with resources like:
An article explaining the steps of the water cycle.
An infographic that shows how the water cycle works.
An article that explains the properties of water, like density and chemical composition.
Try an evaporation experiment
Students can do an experiment to see evaporation in action and understand why purifying drinking water is essential. Try the following lesson:
Next, do a hands-on experiment that shows how the sun can purify water through evaporation using dirt, plastic wrap, warm water, and a sunny windowsill.
Finally, have a small-group or whole-class discussion focusing on the question, “What other ways can you think of to purify water?”
Water is one of Earth’s renewable resources. Students can learn more about the systems that bring water to people and animals across the planet by exploring resources like:
A video about how to use natural resources responsibly.
An explainer article that details how we clean water for drinking.
An article that explores what groundwater is and threats to this water source.
Take a virtual field trip to the aquarium
Show students why water matters to animals and fish, too! Take a field trip to some famous American aquariums without even leaving your classroom:
Explore the Georgia Aquarium to discover the benefits of Marine protected areas.
Stop by the Seattle Aquarium to learn more about sea otters, their habitats, and their status as an endangered species.
See how water and weather go together
Water plays a key role in most of our planet’s weather systems. Students can learn the integral part water plays in storms, snow, and other weather patterns by exploring resources like:
A video on how the water cycle works.
An explainer article that defines the term “weather.”
An article that explains what dew is.
[Read about important World Water Day topics in ELA](id-ela)
Go beyond science and bring World Water Day readings and activities into your ELA classrooms:
How do people get access to clean water?
Access to clean drinking water isn’t guaranteed in some parts of the world. Help students understand how scientists and activists are working to bring clean water to everyone by exploring resources like:
A video that explains how innovative products are increasing access to clean water worldwide.
An article about how advances in renewable energy technology are helping to fight the global water crisis.
An article about the Carlsbad Desalination Project, which aimed to convert seawater into drinking water.
What happens when there isn’t enough freshwater?
Access to clean water isn’t the only problem that affects the global water crisis. Water shortages and limited access to freshwater also play a role. Students can learn more about these topics by reading articles on topics like:
What a drought is and where one can happen.
Why and how people conserve water during a drought.
How Flint, Michigan, has dealt with a years-long struggle to access and afford safe, clean water.
How does water get polluted?
How does water get polluted and make it unsafe to drink or use in the first place? Students can explore some causes and effects of water pollution with articles on topics like:
The global distribution of plastic pollution in Earth’s oceans.
The discovery of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a floating mass of plastic twice the size of Texas.
The effects of the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska over 30 years after it happened.
Why should we conserve water?
Should everyone conserve water or just people under drought warnings? Students can form opinions on this topic by reading articles on topics like:
How Americans are often unaware of the amount of water they use daily.
How California middle schoolers advocated in the Senate for a bill to give K-12 schools access to water efficiency rebates.
The causes and effects of the first-ever water shortage from the Colorado River.
“Lines Written at Castle Island, Lake Superior” by Jane Johnston Schoolcraft
Are there books that feature water as a theme?
World Water Day is an excellent opportunity to introduce students to novels that feature water as a setting, symbol, or even a secondary character. Newsela ELA’s novel studies for each grade band give students the background knowledge and context to better understand each book. Share one of these selections with your students:
[Build background knowledge of Earth’s water issues in social studies](id-ss)
Teach students about the history of water issues and resources with engaging social studies activities:
Explore different viewpoints on the worldwide water crisis
Access to clean water and sanitation is a significant global issue. Nearly 1 in 3 people on Earth don’t have regular access to safe, clean water. Use this lesson to help students understand the issue and what they can do to make a difference:
Build empathy by helping students understand the experiences of those who live with the effects of the water crisis each day.
Oceans are one of the most recognizable water sources on Earth. Students can learn more about how ocean ecosystems function and the role they play in sustaining life by exploring resources like:
An explainer article on the physical and biological characteristics of the world’s oceans.
An article detailing the effects of climate change on our oceans.
A video that looks at the differences between Earth’s five oceans.
Teach students about forests and trees with these World Forest Day resources and activities for Newsela Science and Newsela ELA. Start a free trial today.
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