...

UNDERSTANDING WATER

Preschool water activities.

— By Julie Hodos on January 24, 2025

This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to our disclosure policy.

“‘How does the water

 Come down at Lodore?’

 My little boy asked me…”

Roberty Southey wrote the poem The Cataract of Lodore in 1820. For many years children have been fascinated by water in all it’s forms and places of residence. Such as, snow, rain, cloud, steam, ice, pond, river, ocean, and more. This is still true today and so this week of preschool water activities is just as intriguing to 3-5 year old’s as the activities are fun to do.

The following preschool water activities have been imagined and designed for a homeschool learning environment. But these activities and experiments are also perfect to challenge your 3-5 year old on the weekends! To read full details on each activity and access coloring pages, as well as printables follow the link to Ww is for Water.

Books about water.

  • Firstly, Water Can Be… by Laura Purdie Salas explores the forms of water.
  • Secondly, Water is Water by Miranda Paul takes you on a journey of the water cycle.
  • Lastly, The Cataract of Lodore poem by Robert Southey is a classic. Keep your eye out for an illustrated children’s version because it is definitely worth it!

Preschool mini unit study: Water.

Preschool Water Activities #1: Sink or float

Today’s experiment is Sink or Float. Firstly, I set up our kiddie pool and then gather a few items. Next, I provide instruction and assistance in hypothesizing. Then we test a few and see if we hypothesized correctly. I enjoy this activity because I can take a step back and let the kiddos continue to find new items to test. Read more about this activity here.

Watching them collaborate to form a hypothesis for new items is magical. If there is not an older sibling who will lead the charge on this, like my 6 year old, then you can remain involved. Overall, encourage your child to form their own ideas without much input from you. 

Before going to bed I have my son help me fill ice cube trays with water. We then place them in the freezer. This is in preparation for the next day’s activity.

Preschool Water Activities #2: Solid, liquid, gas

Dive into an exciting and hands-on science adventure. It allows your child to explore every state of water while witnessing its fascinating transformations firsthand! It is designed for curious preschoolers aged 3-5. Best of all, it will bring learning to life in your homeschool kitchen. Firstly, you’ll gather your ice cube trays and a pot. Next, you’ll head to the stove for a demonstration of water’s journey through its various states.

You’ll guide your child through melting ice into liquid and then heating water to create steam. They’ll be mesmerized by the changes unfolding before their eyes. Safety is key during this experiment. So close supervision is essential. However, the element of caution often adds to the intrigue. This is especially true for young learners like my son. He can’t resist the thrill of discovery! This activity not only sparks curiosity, but also introduces foundational scientific concepts in a fun, play-based way.

For a complete step-by-step guide, visit the full instructions at the link. Also included are tips for setting up the experiment safely to make it an unforgettable learning experience. Your child will love this interactive exploration of water’s transformations. In short, it’s a perfect addition to your homeschool science lessons!

Preschool Water Activities #3: Salt water vs. Fresh water animals

Get ready for an exciting and educational adventure with our Salt Water vs. Fresh Water Animals sorting activity. This activity is designed especially for your preschooler in your home! Additionally, this captivating game uses a free printable and will transform learning into a playful experience. Young learners will delight in sorting various animals into their correct habitats of saltwater or freshwater. They will unknowingly absorb essential knowledge about aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity.

The activity is so engaging that child won’t even realize they’re learning as they immerse themselves in the fun. Visit the link for simple, step-by-step instructions on how to turn the printable into a lively game. This game also encourages critical thinking and sparks curiosity. Perfect for hands-on learners, this play-based activity is sure to become a favorite in your homeschool routine. It will keep your 3-5 year old entertained while fostering a love for science and discovery.

Preschool water activities and more.

Also, there is an additional activity at Ww is for Water for conducting the entire water cycle in your kitchen. This experiment creates the opportunity for your child to observe “rain” as part of the cycle. This preschool curriculum is designed to give you ideas to pick and choose what will fit, as well as which activities will intrigue your child the most.

You can find book and poem suggestions, as well as coloring pages and more details on each activity by visiting Ww is for Water

Creative activities for preschoolers.

Furthermore, Ww is for Water is a part of Letter of the Week. This a 26 week curriculum that has been reimagined for all that home learning has to offer. It will challenge and encourage your preschooler to mature in their development, as well as provide more tools for their imagination toolbox. Check it out at the button below.

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Hi, I’m Julie!

I’m a Momma to 3 energetic boys. I love sharing kid activities, homeschool resources and encouragement for other moms.

Popular Downloads

Popular Posts

Finding Boredom

Homeschooling Boys

How Do Insects Eat?

Egg Dissection Printable

Reverse Planning

Number Recognition Game

Pan Flute Craft

Is Your Preschooler Ready for Kindergarten?