Grades 3–5
Water Cycle Words
Match six water cycle words to their meanings, then fill in four sentences.
Science worksheet · Water cycle
The Water Cycle
Label evaporation, condensation, precipitation and collection on the diagram.
- Grade level
- Grades 2–5
- Time
- About 20 minutes
- Topic
- Water cycle
- Answer key
- Yes, page 2 of the PDF
- Kids practice
- The water cycle, Evaporation and condensation, Saving water
What kids do
Printed on the sheet:
- Write the name of each step of the water cycle.
- The sun heats water in oceans, lakes and rivers until it turns into water vapor and rises (evaporation). High up, the vapor cools into clouds (condensation). Rain or snow falls (precipitation) and runs back into the water (collection). Then it starts again!
- What powers the water cycle?
Teacher tip
Have kids trace the cycle with a finger and say each step out loud.
How to use it
- Breathe on a cold mirror to show condensation.
- Leave a cup of water on the windowsill and mark the level each day.
- Let partners compare answers and settle any differences with a book or a video.
Watch for
Clouds are not steam or smoke. They are tiny drops of water.
Talk about it
- Is the water we drink today the same water dinosaurs drank?
- What did you notice that surprised you?
Take it further
Make a water cycle bracelet with a bead for each step.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More water cycle worksheets
Grades 2–5
Water Cycle in a Bag
Tape a bag of water to a sunny window and record what happens for four days.
Grades 3–5
Where Is Earth’s Water?
Six facts about salt and fresh water to mark true or false, then sort eight places into salt water and fresh water.
Grades 2–4
Save Water at Home
Tally how often you use water in a day, write one way to save it each time, then make a family plan.
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