Water/No Water

• Analytical & critical thinking skills via sorting choices.

• Detailed background information shared via activity follow-up (link at bottom of page)

• A deeper understanding of the relationship of water as a natural resource with a wide range of other familiar living and non-living items.

• A deeper appreciation for the role water plays in ecosystems, food production, factories & industry, household use, and nearly all aspects of our lives!

• Understanding the complex and critical interconnectedness of living things, and water on Earth and as a natural resource used by humans everywhere.

Online Version:

• Google Slides 

Hands-on Version

• Printable Game Deck or Print & Cut Game Sheet

• 2 Buckets 

There are 2 versions of this activity: an interactive online game, and an in-person, hands-on version with a printable card deck.

Online Slides Version:

• Make a copy of the Slides (instructions below) and give each participant a copy in digital classroom.  (Or... Send a copy to participants via email.)  Game can be played together as a group or assigned individually.

• Follow directions once in the Slides

Hands-on Version:

• For in person, hands-on play, create a physical deck of the game (see printable Water No Water PDF below).

• Using this deck and two buckets labeled "Water" and "No Water," students sort their deck to determine which items need water and which do not.  

• By printing multiple decks of the game on colored card stock (choose 2-4 colors), students can play as teams, and each team's results can be determined by the color of their deck. 

• For a more physically active version of the game, play as a relay race!  

• Each team runs a relay with their own colored deck.  The buckets are set up at the end for sorting (each player runs out, drops their card in the appropriate bucket, and runs back to tag the next team member).

• After the race is run, the buckets can be emptied and reviewed together as a group to analyze and discuss the results.

• A thought provoking activity that illuminates the importance of Earth's water in sometimes unexpected ways

• An opportunity for students to engage in critical thinking to make choices about each item as they sort the deck

• A good introductory activity before learning more in depth about water and natural resource use, and related environmental issues

• Flexibility: Potential for quiet individual play, an interactive & engaging group activity, or an active outdoor physical activity