Covers: Activity Resources Relation to National Curriculum Downloads
Activity One - Investigating The Water Cycle

Activity 1

Investigating The Water Cycle

Activity Pack 1

1. The Water Cycle Video

Activity Two - Shaping The Land Investigation

Activity 2

Shaping The Land Investigation

Activity Pack 2

2. Rivers Shaping The Land Video

Activity Three - Measuring Precipitation

Activity 3

Measuring Precipitation

Activity Pack 3
STEM Activity
Activity Four - Water Density Investigation

Activity 4

Water Density Investigation

Activity Pack 4

4. Salt & Fresh Water Video

Activity Five - Filtering Water

Activity 5

Filtering Water

Activity Pack 5
STEM Activity
Activity Six - Melting Ice Investigation

Activity 6

Melting Ice Investigation

Activity Pack 6
STEM Activity
Activity Seven - Body Of Water Field Trip

Activity 7

Body Of Water Field Trip

Activity Pack 7

Wonderful Water
Booklist

Fieldtrips

Local Bodies of Water to visit in the UK (Free and Paid Admission)

The UK is home to numerous beautiful bodies of water, including lakes, rivers, and reservoirs, each offering unique experiences for visitors. Here are some notable local bodies of water to consider visiting:

  • Windermere (Lake District, England): As England's largest natural lake, Windermere is over 10 miles long and a popular destination for water sports and scenic walks. The surrounding area is rich in tourist amenities and natural beauty.
  • Loch Lomond (Scotland): Known as the largest mainland body of water in Britain by surface area, Loch Lomond is a favorite for boating and water sports. Its stunning scenery makes it a must-visit location near Glasgow.
  • Virginia Water (Surrey, England): This picturesque lake is part of the larger Virginia Water park, offering beautiful walking trails and serene views.
  • Carsington Water (Derbyshire, England): A reservoir located near the Peak District, Carsington Water features a wildlife center, cycling paths, and opportunities for various water activities like kayaking and paddleboarding.
  • Rutland Water (Rutland, England): One of Europe’s largest man-made reservoirs, Rutland Water is known for its wildlife, including breeding ospreys, and offers a range of outdoor activities.
  • The Loe (Cornwall, England): Situated in the Penrose Estate, The Loe is a scenic lake separated from the sea by a sandbar, surrounded by beautiful woodlands and walking paths.
  • Derwentwater (Lake District, England): Located near Keswick, this lake is famous for its tranquil waters and small islands, ideal for yachting and canoeing. The surrounding fells provide excellent hiking opportunities.

Other Notable Water Bodies

  • The Long Water (London, England): A serene waterway in Kensington Gardens, perfect for leisurely walks and enjoying the park's natural beauty.
  • Surrey Water (Rotherhithe, England): This lake is part of a residential area and offers scenic views and walking paths, making it a lovely spot for a quiet day out.

These locations not only provide a chance to enjoy water-based activities but also allow visitors to immerse themselves in the natural beauty and wildlife of the UK.

Key Stage 2 Wonderful Water Activities

Activity One - Investigating The Water Cycle

Activity 1

Investigating The Water Cycle

Hands-On Activities:
Activity Two - Shaping The Land Investigation

Activity 2

Shaping The Land Investigation

Hands-On Activities:
Activity Three - Measuring Precipitation

Activity 3

Measuring Precipitation

Hands-On Activities:
Activity Four - Water Density Investigation

Activity 4

Water Density Investigation

Hands-On Activities:
Activity Five - Filtering Water

Activity 5

Filtering Water

Hands-On Activities:
Activity Six - Melting Ice Investigation

Activity 6

Melting Ice Investigation

Hands-On Activities:
Activity Seven - Body Of Water Field Trip

Activity 7

Body Of Water Field Trip

Hands-On Activities:
Wonderful Water Topic

How does this Wonderful Water topic help my KS2 Geography students?

The Wonderful Water topic helps Key Stage 2 Geography students by providing a comprehensive exploration of the water cycle and its impact on the environment. Students learn about crucial concepts such as evaporation, condensation, and precipitation, which are fundamental to understanding Earth's hydrosphere. The topic also covers the importance of rivers, reservoirs, and water conservation, aligning with the National Curriculum's focus on physical geography and natural resources. Through hands-on activities and experiments, students develop their geographical skills, including observation, data collection, and analysis. Additionally, the topic raises awareness about water conservation and environmental responsibility, encouraging students to become more conscious of their impact on the planet's water resources. This multifaceted approach helps students grasp the interconnectedness of water systems and human activities, fostering a deeper understanding of geography and environmental stewardship.

Sign up now

Delve into the captivating world of water!

Wonderful Water Activity

Welcome to Hands-On Education, your go-to resource for quick and informative materials tailored for primary school educators, homeschoolers, and home educators. Delve into the captivating world of water with our key stage two Wonderful Water topic, covering a wide array of scientific concepts like food chains, lifecycles, animals (including humans), and natural phenomena.

Engage Key Stage 2 students in interactive water-based learning with a list of exciting activities. Utilize scientific equipment to observe natural phenomena, explore the water cycle, shape landforms, measure precipitation, experiment with water density, filter water, melt ice, and organize a body of water field trip. Complement these activities with a curated selection of videos, worksheets, and lesson plans that align with the English national curriculum.

Students will discover the significance of water, its environmental role, and diverse applications through scientific inquiry. Hands-On Education understands the busy schedules of teachers and parents, striving to offer informative, engaging, and easy-to-implement resources. Our friendly teaching approach aims to inspire students to learn and explore their surroundings. Thank you for selecting Hands-On Education as your science curriculum resource provider.

What are the 6 main stages of the water cycle?

Wonderful Water Activity

The 6 main stages of the water cycle are Accumulation, Evaporation, Condensation, Precipitation, Runoff, and Infiltration.

  • Accumulation involves the storage of water in oceans, lakes, rivers, streams, and underground.
  • Evaporation occurs when the Sun's heat causes water to transform into vapour from surface water bodies or through transpiration from plants.
  • Condensation happens as vapour rises into the atmosphere, cools, and turns into tiny water droplets that combine to form clouds.
  • Precipitation takes place when water droplets in the clouds merge and grow heavy enough to fall back to Earth as rain.
  • Runoff refers to the flow of water over the Earth's surface back into rivers, streams, and reservoirs.
  • Infiltration is the process through which water is absorbed into the ground, helping sustain plant life, ecosystems, and the overall balance of the planet.

What is infiltration and why is it important in the water cycle?

Infiltration refers to the vital process in which water seeps into the ground, ultimately replenishing groundwater reservoirs. This groundwater, located beneath the Earth's surface, plays a crucial role in sustaining plant life, supporting ecosystems, and contributing to the overall health of our planet. By allowing water to gradually permeate the soil and recharge underground aquifers, infiltration is essential for maintaining the balance and continuous flow of water within the water cycle.

What is runoff and how does it fit into the water cycle?

Wonderful Water Activity

Runoff is the term used to describe the movement of water across the Earth's surface once it falls back to the ground after precipitation. This process plays a crucial role in the water cycle as it represents the phase where water returns to rivers, streams, and reservoirs to replenish their supplies. During heavy rainfall, water flows over the land, carrying nutrients and pollutants along with it. Ultimately, runoff ensures that water travels back into bodies of water, ready to evaporate again, form clouds, and continue the cycle of precipitation.

What is evaporation and how does it contribute to the water cycle?

Evaporation is the process by which water transitions from liquid form to vapor due to heat, typically from the Sun. This transition primarily occurs in bodies of water like rivers, lakes, and oceans. Additionally, plants release water vapor through a process called transpiration. When water vaporizes, it rises into the atmosphere as its molecular structure is less dense than the other elements present in the Earth's atmosphere, such as nitrogen and oxygen. Evaporation plays a crucial role in the water cycle by transferring water from the Earth's surface to the atmosphere, where it eventually condenses to form clouds and precipitates back to the surface as rain or snow. This continuous cycle of evaporation and precipitation ensures the circulation of water throughout the Earth, sustaining life and ecosystems.

How does accumulation play a role in the water cycle?

Wonderful Water Activity

Accumulation plays a critical role in the water cycle by facilitating the storage of water in various reservoirs such as oceans, lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater. This process involves the gradual gathering of water from different sources and effectively maintains the overall water balance on Earth. As precipitation occurs, water is collected in different forms across the planet before it can be redistributed through evaporation, transpiration, and runoff. In essence, accumulation acts as a fundamental mechanism that ensures a continuous movement of water through the hydrological cycle, supporting the sustenance of ecosystems and human societies alike.

Immerse your Students this great STEM topic

Wonderful Water Activity

Immerse your students in the wonders of water with our key stage two Wonderful Water topic. Through captivating activities and engaging resources, students will delve into scientific concepts like food chains, lifecycles, and natural phenomena related to water.

Encourage Key Stage 2 students to interact with water in exciting ways - from observing natural phenomena using scientific equipment, exploring the water cycle, and conducting experiments on water density to filtering water, melting ice, and even organizing a fun-filled body of water field trip.

Enhance the learning experience with a variety of videos, worksheets, and lesson plans that are aligned with the English national curriculum. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the importance of water, its environmental impact, and its various applications through hands-on exploration and scientific inquiry.

At Hands-On Education, we prioritize providing informative, engaging, and easy-to-implement resources for teachers and parents. Our friendly teaching approach aims to inspire students to learn and discover the world around them. Thank you for choosing Hands-On Education as your science curriculum resource provider.

Dive into a watery wonderland with our key stage two "Wonderful Water" adventure!

Wonderful Water Activity

Students will splash into scientific fun, exploring food chains, lifecycles, and all things water-related with exciting activities and cool resources.

Get those Key Stage 2 minds bubbling with excitement as they observe nature's water wonders, tinker with the water cycle, and dive into experiments on water density. From filtering water to melting ice, and even planning an epic water-themed field trip, the fun never stops!

Level up the learning with awesome videos, worksheets, and lesson plans that match the English national curriculum. Students will soak up knowledge on water's significance, its impact on the environment, and its many uses through hands-on experiments and curious exploration.

At Hands-On Education, we're all about making learning fun and easy for teachers and parents alike. Our goal is to spark a love for learning in students and help them uncover the wonders of the world. Thanks for choosing Hands-On Education for your lessons and for making us your go-to for Science Curriculum Activities.

Discover Hands-On Education