Here are 5 effective methods to teach your kids about the importance of conserving water.

When it’s raining, all the water falling from the sky can seem abundant. It’s easy for your child to think that wasting a little water down the drain isn’t a big deal during a heavy rainstorm. However, clean and plentiful water is increasingly rare, precious, and costly in the U.S. Many states are disputing water rights, and numerous outdated water facilities are struggling to provide adequate services.

Teaching children how to manage water responsibly can be tricky, but it’s a crucial lesson. Let’s dive into some engaging and enjoyable ways to help your kids understand that wasting even a drop of water isn’t a good idea.

5: Make Use of Interactive Online Tools

If you’re frustrated with repeatedly reminding your kids to turn off the water when they brush their teeth, we have some interactive websites that can make the lesson stick without you having to raise your voice. The goal is to make water conservation exciting (and significant) to younger children while keeping the discussion simple.

For younger kids -- If your younger children are struggling to understand why wasting water is a problem, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency offers a fun, kid-friendly game called "Know Your Water Wasters." This arcade-style game and quiz combination features Flo, the helpful water drop, battling monsters like Drainiac and Sogosaurus. Kids will love the interactive experience while learning valuable lessons. Try it out: Test Your Water Sense.

For tweens -- The Water Family is another engaging game designed to teach kids how to spot potential water wasters in a virtual home and garden. This self-directed game is perfect for tweens (give or take a year or two). After playing, don’t be surprised if your child suggests swapping relaxing baths for quicker, water-saving showers.

For teens -- The Water Education Foundation has created the Water Cycle, a fact sheet that breaks down the significance of water in a way that tweens and young teens can easily digest. Filled with text and graphics, it presents the information in a captivating and understandable format.

For older children and adults -- This interactive virtual home tour is designed with water-saving features, specifically tailored for teens and adults. Navigate through different rooms and click on appliances or fixtures to learn how to conserve water effectively. It’s an excellent resource for research projects or for parents seeking quick facts to discuss with their children about water conservation.

4: Work Together to Identify Water Leaks

Children learn best through hands-on experiences, and involving them in the search for leaks in toilets, faucets, and showerheads is a great way to raise awareness about water-saving practices. Another useful activity is conducting a home water audit with them. A water efficiency checklist can guide you in identifying potential issues around the house, while showing your children that you are serious about managing water wisely. For more detailed information, check out the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Green Building website: Water Use Checklist. If this isn’t enough, your local water utility might offer additional resources or even an audit kit.

3: Take a Trip to Your Local Drinking Water Facility

Reaching out to your local water utility company can be beneficial in more ways than one. Many public utilities offer free tours of their facilities, which could be a fun and educational experience for the whole family. During these tours, professionals explain how rainwater journeys from a storm cloud to your kitchen faucet. If your water provider doesn’t offer tours, the Environmental Protection Agency has a virtual tour of a drinking water plant that can help you understand the process: Drinking Water Plant Virtual Tour. Although this virtual tour may be too complex for younger children, it offers valuable insights for anyone interested in learning about the water treatment process.

2: Start a Garden

There’s no better way to teach children the value of water than by growing a garden. Take a seed that’s been sitting in an envelope for a year, water it, and you’ll demonstrate just how powerful H₂O can be. While planting a garden won’t necessarily teach your kids to turn off the tap while brushing their teeth, it instills a deeper appreciation for moisture. After seeing their own sunflowers bloom, they will understand water’s importance beyond just cleaning or freezing – they will begin to value it in a whole new way.

Here’s another valuable lesson you can teach them through gardening: how nature conserves water when it’s in short supply. Create a cactus garden to demonstrate how plants have adapted to protect their water stores. Point out the spines and needles on these resilient desert survivors – cactus plants are a powerful symbol of the importance and strength of water in nature.

1: Set Up a Rain Barrel

Rain is incredible, but once it’s over, where does all that water go? It either runs into storm drains or seeps into the earth to replenish underground aquifers. As an adult, you know that water supplies are finite and influenced by seasonal rainfall. A great way to help your kids grasp this idea is by using a rain barrel. Not long ago, rain barrels were a common sight on farms and in neighborhoods across America, where families collected rainwater just as they would harvest potatoes or apples for practical use.

Placing a rain barrel beneath one of your roof's downspouts will give your children a firsthand experience of how the idea of an infinite water supply is simply a myth. An empty rain barrel serves as a strong reminder that nature can be unpredictable—streams can dry up, droughts occur, and the delicate seasonal patterns that provide enough rainfall can be easily disrupted. In fact, a rain barrel in your garden is not only an educational tool but also a smart way to collect additional water for keeping your landscape healthy.