GUIDE
Waterfall & Water Cycle Explorer Guide
Learn together · approximately ages 4–8
Follow one drop of water through the sky, ground and river, then discover how flowing water and rock can shape a waterfall.
Six facts to share
Water keeps moving
The water cycle moves water on, above and below Earth. Water can also change between liquid, solid and gas.
Sunlight powers change
Energy from the Sun helps liquid water evaporate into invisible water vapour that rises into the atmosphere.
Clouds form by condensation
When water vapour cools, it can condense into tiny liquid droplets or ice crystals that gather in clouds.
Precipitation returns water
Rain, snow, sleet and hail are forms of precipitation that bring water from clouds back to Earth’s surface.
Runoff feeds streams
Some water flows downhill over land as runoff. Streams and rivers can carry this water toward lakes and oceans.
Waterfalls can retreat
Falling water can wear away softer rock. If harder rock is left overhanging, pieces may break away and the waterfall edge can slowly move upstream.
Explorer word bank
- Evaporation
- Liquid water changing into water vapour.
- Condensation
- Water vapour cooling and changing into liquid water.
- Precipitation
- Water falling from clouds as rain, snow, sleet or hail.
- Runoff
- Water flowing across the land surface.
- Erosion
- The movement and wearing away of rock or soil.
Track a drop of water
Use paper, a blue pencil and a cup of water beside a sunny window. Do not place the cup where it could fall.
- Draw a cloud, hill, river, waterfall and ocean on one sheet of paper.
- Add arrows for precipitation, runoff, evaporation and condensation.
- Mark the water level on a clear cup, then check it each day for several days.
- Talk about where any missing liquid water may have gone.
Ask your explorer
- What makes water move downhill?
- How can the same water be liquid, solid or gas?
- Which part of a waterfall might wear away fastest?
- Can you find Fossil Falls on Dr. Rexington’s map?
Grown-up safety note
Watch waterfalls from signed viewpoints and stay behind barriers. Wet rocks and fast water can be dangerous. Never climb near an edge or enter moving water.