Water Cycle Diagram Template

About this template

Water cycle diagram template

This water cycle diagram template helps students understand how water moves continuously between Earth’s surface and the atmosphere. The concept map uses pictures, arrows, and connector labels as clues to guide students through the role of the sun, bodies of water, evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and gravity.

Use this interactive template in science and geography lessons to check understanding of each stage of the water cycle. Students replace each placeholder with the correct term and a short explanation, then follow the arrows to describe how water evaporates, forms clouds, falls back to Earth, and collects again in rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Water cycle

Complete this water cycle concept map. Use the pictures and connector labels as clues, then replace each placeholder with the correct term and a short explanation. Follow the arrows to explain how water moves through the cycle.

Sun

What provides the heat that drives the water cycle? Name the energy source and briefly explain how its heat changes liquid water into water vapor.

Water (rivers, lakes, oceans)

Name places on Earth's surface where water collects. Give examples of bodies of water and explain what happens when the collected water is heated.

Water evaporates and rises into the air. As the vapor cools, it condenses into tiny water droplets or ice crystals. Name what these form in the sky and describe condensation in your own words.

Name the process in which water falls from clouds to Earth's surface. Give examples of its forms, then follow the arrow back to where the water collects.

Add answer

Identify the force that pulls falling rain and other precipitation toward Earth. Write its name and explain how it helps water return to rivers, lakes and oceans.