water evaporation experiment

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Evaporation and the Water Cycle

July 13, 2012 By Emma Vanstone 5 Comments

A few weeks ago, when we had a brief hot spell, we added water to some sand and left it outside to see what would happen. This activity is a great, easy way to learn about evaporation , the water cycle and changes of state too!

Separating sand and water - science for kids - evaporation and the water cycle

Within 36 hours, the water had disappeared!

sand with evaporated water - science experiments for kids

How can you separate sand and water?

The water evaporated because of the heat from the sun. Evaporation is when a liquid vaporises.

Many factors affect evaporation , but the main driving force is solar energy from the sun.

Make it an experiment!

If you wanted to set this up as an experiment or investigation, one way to set it up is to leave the wet sand in different places ( sun, shade, indoors etc.) and observe how the sand in each area changes over a period of time.

Evaporation is an important part of the water cycle

Water Cycle Diagram - evaporation and the water cycle #watercycle

Condensation – this is when a gas turns back into a liquid. The water vapour in the air gets cold and turns back into a liquid to form clouds.

Precipitation is when so much water condenses that the clouds get heavy, and water falls back to earth as rain ( or snow ).

Collection – this is when rain collects in rivers and oceans, and the cycle starts again.

Try pouring a cold drink into a glass on a hot day, and watch what happens on the side of the glass. What do you think this is an example of?

More water cycle experiments for kids

Make a Mini Water Cycle with a bowl, cup, water and clingfilm.

Learn about The Water Cycle and Flooding .

We’ve also got a fun collection of weather science experiments for kids, including a rain gauge, barometer and storm in a jar!

Evaporation and the water cycle - easy science for kids #watercycle #evaporation

Last Updated on January 27, 2023 by Emma Vanstone

Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

Reader Interactions

July 13, 2012 at 2:23 pm

Oh! That was going to be my second guess! Great simple experiment to try with kids!

July 13, 2012 at 7:04 pm

Thank you, glad you liked it!

July 19, 2012 at 3:16 pm

What a great idea!! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!!

July 20, 2012 at 10:05 pm

Back when I was teaching we had a whole song about the water cycle. I’m thinking your idea of a hot spell is not quite the same as ours here though……

Thanks for linking up to Science Sunday!

July 23, 2012 at 6:49 am

Ha ha, i’m sure its not! 🙂 I’d love to know the song. xx

Water Evaporation Experiment

Let’s conduct a simple science experiment to demonstrate how evaporation works. This activity is perfect for elementary-aged kids and helps them observe and measure the effects of various conditions on water evaporation .

Evaporation (a liquid changes to a gas) is a fascinating process we experience daily, from puddles drying up after a rainstorm to clothes drying on a line. Understanding how different factors like temperature, airflow, and surface area affect the evaporation rate is a fantastic Earth Science related experiment for kids.

💡 Explore the water cycle [here] .

Watch the Video:

Recommended Grade Level: 2-5th Grade

5 containers of equal size and shape
Thermometer
Measuring tools (ruler, measuring cup)
Notebook and pen for recording results

💡 Make sure to grab the free printable instructions for this experiment, along with the journal sheets below!

Instructions:

STEP 1: Fill 5 containers with the same amount of water. Once filled, use a ruler to measure the water level in each container and record it in your notebook.

STEP 2: Place the containers in different environments to observe how various factors affect water evaporation:

Container 1: Place in a warm environment (eg. outside in the sun).
Container 2: Place in a cool environment (eg. inside a refrigerator).
Container 3: Place in a controlled room temperature environment.
Container 4: Place in an area with increased airflow (eg. near a fan).
Container 5: Increase the surface area of the water by pouring it into a shallow dish.

💡 Younger Grade Levels: Keep it simple by choosing one condition to experiment with, such as in the shade versus in the sun.

STEP 3: Observe the containers over a set period (eg. three days), and record the water level at regular intervals (eg. morning and evening each day). Use a ruler each time to measure the amount of water in each container and record your findings in a chart.

STEP 4: After completing the observations, compare the water levels across different containers. Which container had the most water evaporated? Which had the least?

💡 Discuss how temperature, airflow, and surface area influenced the evaporation rate.

Extension Activities:

Graphing the Results: Have students create a graph to compare the evaporation rates under different conditions visually.
Further Investigation: Encourage students to change variables like the type of liquid (e.g., saltwater vs. freshwater) or container size and see how these changes affect evaporation.
Weather Connections: Discuss how evaporation plays a role in the water cycle and weather patterns, such as how puddles dry up or how sweat cools the body.

💡 Learn how to incorporate the scientific method into these extension activities.

How Does Evaporation Work?

Evaporation is the process by which a liquid changes to a gas. Various factors, such as temperature, airflow, humidity, and surface area, can influence the evaporation rate of water.

Higher temperatures increase the energy for water molecules to escape into the air, leading to faster evaporation.

Increased airflow can also speed up evaporation by moving moist air away from the surface, allowing more water to evaporate. A larger surface area allows more water molecules to escape, increasing the evaporation rate.

Free Printable Water Experiment Instructions [here] .

This experiment is ideal for kids in grades 3-6. It allows them to practice measuring, recording data, and drawing conclusions based on their observations.

More Fun Science Experiments To Try

Explore states of matter , phase changes and the water cycle with these activities below…

Water Cycle In A Bag
Separating Mixtures
What Makes Ice Melt Faster?
Solid, Liquid, Gas Experiment
Freezing Water Experiment
Frost on a Can Experiment (Condensation)
Water Cycle In A Bottle

Helpful Science Resources

Here are a few resources to help you introduce science more effectively to your kiddos or students and feel confident when presenting materials. You’ll find helpful free printables throughout.

Best Science Practices (as it relates to the scientific method)
Science Vocabulary
All About Scientists
Free Science Worksheets
DIY Science Kits
Science Tools for Kids
Scientific Method for Kids
Citizen Science Guide
Join us in the Club

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90+ classic science activities with journal pages, supply lists, set up and process, and science information. NEW! Activity-specific observation pages!
Best science practices posters and our original science method process folders for extra alternatives!
Be a Collector activities pack introduces kids to the world of making collections through the eyes of a scientist. What will they collect first?
Know the Words Science vocabulary pack includes flashcards, crosswords, and word searches that illuminate keywords in the experiments!
My science journal writing prompts explore what it means to be a scientist!!
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