Water Festival general activities for multiple grades
Choose from a variety of activities connected to one or multiple curriculums.
Related information
Firefighter Challenge
Presented in partnership with Brampton Fire and Emergency Services, this activity will teach students about fire safety through a fun obstacle course. (May 31 only.)
Curriculum connections:
- Health & Phys Ed: Healthy Living, Grade 2
- Health & Phys Ed: Healthy Living, Grade 3
- Health & Phys Ed: Healthy Living, Grade 4
- Health & Phys Ed: Healthy Living, Grade 5
Location: Outdoor Activity Area 15
Let's Move Peel
Students will learn about the different transportation methods and how they can move safely and sustainably around Peel.
Curriculum connections:
- Health & Phys Ed: Healthy Living, Grade 2
- Health & Phys Ed: Healthy Living, Grade 3
- Health & Phys Ed: Healthy Living, Grade 4
- Health & Phys Ed: Healthy Living, Grade 5
Location: Outdoor Activity Area 10 (Bowl)
Roll This Way
Students will learn how to bike safely, starting with ensuring their bike is safe to ride.
They'll also learn when to ring their bell, how to check their surroundings, and how to dismount when crossing the street.
Curriculum connections:
- Health & Phys Ed: Healthy Living, Grade 2
- Health & Phys Ed: Healthy Living, Grade 3
- Health & Phys Ed: Healthy Living, Grade 4
- Health & Phys Ed: Healthy Living, Grade 5
Location: Outdoor Activity Area 15
Walk This Way
Students will learn how to stay safe when walking across the road, interact with a life–sized pedestrian signal and practice when to walk by playing a "red light, green light" game.
Curriculum connections:
- Health & Phys Ed: Healthy Living, Grade 2
- Health & Phys Ed: Healthy Living, Grade 3
- Health & Phys Ed: Healthy Living, Grade 4
- Health & Phys Ed: Healthy Living, Grade 5
Location: Outdoor Activity Area 15
Water Safety
Presented in partnership with the City of Brampton, this activity will teach students about water safety through fun and engaging activities.
Curriculum connections:
- Health & Phys Ed: Healthy Living, Grade 2
- Health & Phys Ed: Healthy Living, Grade 3
- Health & Phys Ed: Healthy Living, Grade 4
- Health & Phys Ed: Healthy Living, Grade 5
Location: Outdoor Activity Area 8
#LessSalty
Students will follow salt’s journey through the natural environment, learning how large amounts of salt can create issues within our environment.
Curriculum connections:
- Sci & Tech: Understanding Matter and Energy, Grade 2 (Properties of Liquids and Solids)
- Sci & Tech: Understanding Earth and Space Systems, Grade 2 (Air and Water in The Environment)
- Sci & Tech: Understanding Life Systems, Grade 4 (Habitats and Communities)
Location: Outdoor Activity Area 13
A Picture of Health – Fish of The Credit
Presented in partnership with Credit Valley Conservation, this activity focuses on the fish that live in the Credit River and how a healthy river can support a greater diversity of species than a degraded river. Students will compare scenarios and discuss how a river’s health can be improved.
Curriculum connections:
- Sci & Tech: Life Systems, Grade 2 (Growth and Changes in Animals)
- Sci & Tech: Earth and Space Systems, Grade 2 (Air and Water in the Environment)
- Sci & Tech: Life Systems, Grade 4 (Habitats and Communities)
Location: Outdoor Activity Area 8
AQ & The Amazing Aquifer
Students will investigate the sources of groundwater, how it travels through the earth, and how it’s extracted for our use. Students will also discover how pollutants affect groundwater and how pollution can be prevented.
Curriculum connections:
- Sci & Tech: Matter and Energy, Grade 2 (Properties of Liquids and Solids)
- Sci & Tech: Earth and Space Systems, Grade 3 (Soils in the Environment)
- Sci & Tech: Earth and Space Systems, Grade 4 (Rocks and Minerals)
Location: Activity Tent 2
Dew's Water Adventures
Dew Drop – Peel Region’s Water and Wastewater Division mascot – will perform a puppet show to teach students how water and wastewater are treated in Peel region.
Curriculum connections:
- Sci & Tech: Matter and Energy, Grade 2 (Properties of Liquids and Solids)
- Sci & Tech: Earth and Space Systems, Grade 2 (Air and Water in the Environment)
- Sci & Tech: Earth and Space Systems, Grade 3 (Soils in the Environment)
Location: Activity Tent 6
Fish Tales and A Bug's Life
Many critters live in the moving waters of Heart Lake!
Presented in partnership with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, this activity will teach the importance of plants and how they help aquatic life. Students will also take a look into a fish aquarium to discover who’s been swimming in Heart Lake. (May 30 and 31, a.m. only.)
Curriculum connections:
- Sci & Tech: Life Systems, Grade 2 (Growth and Changes in Animals)
- Sci & Tech: Earth and Space Systems, Grade 2 (Air and Water in the Environment)
- Sci & Tech: Life Systems, Grade 4 (Habitats and Communities)
Location: Lakefront Activity Area 8
From Your Source to the Sink
Students will learn how water is cleaned through an obstacle course that mimics each step of the water treatment process.
Curriculum connections:
- Sci & Tech: Matter and Energy, Grade 2 (Properties of Liquids and Solids)
- Sci & Tech: Earth and Space Systems, Grade 2 (Air and Water in the Environment)
- Sci & Tech: Matter and Energy, Grade 5 (Properties of and Changes in Matter)
Location: Outdoor Activity Area 5
Get Into Stormwater!
Presented in partnership with the City of Mississauga, this activity will teach students about stormwater and the stormwater system in Mississauga. They’ll also learn how we can reduce the risk of flooding.
Curriculum connections:
- Sci & Tech: Life Systems, Grade 2 (Growth and Changes in Animals)
- Sci & Tech: Earth and Space Systems, Grade 2 (Air and Water in the Environment)
- Sci & Tech: Life Systems, Grade 3 (Growth and Changes in Plants)
- Sci & Tech: Life Systems, Grade 4 (Habitats and Communities)
- Sci & Tech: Earth and Space Systems, Grade 5 (Conservation of Energy and Resources)
Location: Activity Tent 3
Grown in Peel
Students will learn which kind of fruits and vegetables are grown in Peel, understand where food comes from during different seasons, and how food gets travels from other countries to your plate.
Curriculum connections:
- Sci & Tech: Life Systems, Grade 3 (Growth and Changes in Plants)
- Sci & Tech: Earth and Space Systems, Grade 3 (Soils in the Environment)
- Sci & Tech: Life Systems, Grade 4 (Habitats and Communities)
- Sci & Tech: Earth and Space Systems, Grade 5 (Conservation of Energy and Resources)
Location: Activity Tent 11
Lather Up
What can we do to save water while showering? Students enter a model shower to compare the difference in water consumption amounts using different bathing techniques.
Curriculum connections:
- Sci & Tech: Earth and Space Systems, Grade 2 (Air and Water in the Environment)
- Sci & Tech: Matter and Energy, Grade 3 (Forces Causing Movement)
- Sci & Tech: Earth and Space Systems, Grade 5 (Conservation of Energy and Resources)
Location: Activity Tent 3
Oil Slick
Students will examine how oil can affect aquatic ecosystems through a simulated oil spill disaster.
Curriculum connections:
- Sci & Tech: Life Systems, Grade 2 (Growth and Changes in Animals)
- Sci & Tech: Life Systems, Grade 3 (Growth and Changes in Plants)
- Sci & Tech: Life Systems, Grade 4 (Habitats and Communities)
Location: Activity Tent 3
Peel's Watersheds
Students will interact with a model of Peel to understand how we are all connected within the watershed.
Curriculum connections:
- Sci & Tech: Earth and Space Systems, Grade 3 (Soils in the Environment)
- Sci & Tech: People and Environments, Grade 3 (Living and Working in Ontario)
- Sci & Tech: Life Systems, Grade 4 (Habitats and Communities)
Location: Activity Tent 2
Pollinator Relay and Wildflower Planting
Presented in partnership with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, this activity teaches students about the important relationship plants and pollinator insects share. Students will search for pollinators, learn about cross pollination, and attract pollinators through wildflower planting.
Curriculum connections:
- Sci & Tech: Life Systems, Grade 2 (Growth and Changes in Animals)
- Sci & Tech: Life Systems, Grade 3 (Growth and Changes in Plants)
- Sci & Tech: Life Systems, Grade 4 (Habitats and Communities)
Location: Outdoor Activity Area 12
Protect Mr. Thirsty's Water
A ball toss game will teach students what happens if contaminants enter the natural environment. Students will have to toss "water drops" and "waste materials" into their proper places to give Mr. Thirsty a clean drink of water.
Curriculum connections:
- Sci & Tech: Earth and Space Systems, Grade 2 (Air and Water in the Environment)
- Sci & Tech: Earth and Space Systems, Grade 3 (Soils in the Environment)
- Sci & Tech: Life Systems, Grade 4 (Habitats and Communities)
Location: Activity Tent 1
Royal Flush
Students will examine how a toilet works and learn how much water an efficient toilet can save.
Curriculum connections:
- Sci & Tech: Matter and Energy, Grade 2 (Properties of Liquids and Solids)
- Sci & Tech: Matter and Energy, Grade 3 (Forces Causing Movement)
- Sci & Tech: Earth and Space Systems, Grade 5 (Conservation of Energy and Resources)
Location: Activity Tent 3
Sewer Detectives
This activity demonstrates what doesn’t belong in the drain.
Students will see the inner workings of a sewer line through an inserted camera and what happens when materials like oils and grease block the line.
Curriculum connections:
- Sci & Tech: Earth and Space Systems, Grade 2 (Air and Water in the Environment)
- Sci & Tech: Earth and Space Systems, Grade 3 (Soils in the Environment)
- Sci & Tech: Earth and Space Systems, Grade 5 (Conservation of Energy and Resources)
- Matter and Energy, Grade 5 (Properties of and changes in Matter)
Location: Activity Tent 2
Water Treatment – Too Valuable to Waste a Drop
Presented in partnership with the Ontario Clean Water Agency, this activity teaches the true value of water through an interactive display model. Students will learn what not to flush and how to conserve water.
Curriculum connections:
- Sci & Tech: Earth and Space Systems, Grade 2 (Air and Water in the Environment)
- Sci & Tech: Earth and Space Systems, Grade 3 (Soils in the Environment)
- Sci & Tech: Life Systems, Grade 4 (Habitats and Communities)
- Earth and Space Systems, Grade 5 (Conservation of Energy and Resources)
Location: Activity Tent 2
Two Times a Day
This activity demonstrates how much water you can save two times a day.
In a simulation, students will examine brushing their teeth and compare water consumption using a variety of techniques.
Curriculum connections:
- Sci & Tech: Matter and Energy, Grade 2 (Properties of Liquids and Solids)
- Sci & Tech: Matter and Energy, Grade 3 (Forces Causing Movement)
- Sci & Tech: Earth and Space Systems, Grade 5 (Conservation of Energy and Resources)
Location: Activity Tent 3
Art with PAMA
Students will explore a variety of artistic techniques in this water-inspired activity presented in partnership with the Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives (PAMA).
Curriculum connections:
- The Arts: Visual Arts, Grade 2 (D1. Creating and Presenting)
- The Arts: Visual Arts, Grade 3 (D1. Creating and Presenting)
- The Arts: Visual Arts, Grade 4 (D1. Creating and Presenting)
- The Arts: Visual Arts, Grade 5 (D1. Creating and Presenting)
Location: Activity Tent 7
A Toast to Tap Water
(Reusable water bottle required)
Students will learn the benefits of drinking tap water and using the Blue W network to refill their reusable bottles in Peel.
Curriculum connections:
- Health & Phys Ed: Healthy Living, Grade 2
- Health & Phys Ed: Healthy Living, Grade 3
- Health & Phys Ed: Healthy Living, Grade 4
- Soc Studies: People and Environments, Grade 5 (The Role of Government and Responsible Citizenship)
- Health & Phys Ed: Healthy Living, Grade 5
Location: Outdoor Activity Area 5
Beat the Flood
This engaging game will teach students how to be prepared in case of a flood event.
Students will compete in two separate teams while answering questions related to flood weather events and flood preparedness.
Curriculum connections:
- Health & Phys Ed: Healthy Living, Grade 2, 3, 4 ,5
- Sci & Tech: Earth and Space Systems, Grade 2 (Air and Water in the Environment)
- Sci & Tech: Life Systems, Grade 4 (Habitats and Communities)
- Soc Studies: People and Environments, Grade 5 (The Role of Government and Responsible Citizenship)
Location: Outdoor Activity Area 15
Community Recycling Centre
Students will learn which household hazardous waste (HHW) items should be brought to a Peel Region Community Recycling Centre (CRC). All of the materials used in this activity are reused and recycled materials from various CRCs in the Region of Peel.
Curriculum connections:
- Sci & Tech: Matter and Energy, Grade 2 (Properties of Liquids and Solids)
- Health & Phys Ed: Healthy Living, Grade 2
- Health & Phys Ed: Active Living, Grade 3
- Sci & Tech: Life Systems, Grade 4 (Habitats and Communities)
- Sci & Tech: Earth and Space Systems, Grade 5 (Conservation of Energy and Resources)
Location: Outdoor Activity Area 15
Enviro Jeopardy
In this activity, students will have the opportunity to test their waste knowledge in a Jeopardy simulation game. Get your buzzer hand ready and get set to see how waste wise you really are!
Curriculum connections:
- Sci & Tech: Earth and Space Systems, Grade 2 (Air and Water in the Environment)
- Soc Studies: People and Environments, Grade 5 (The Role of Government and Responsible Citizenship)
- Sci & Tech: Earth and Space Systems, Grade 5 (Conservation of Energy and Resources)
Location: Activity Tent 3
Glow Germ Go
Students will learn how hands spread bacterial and viral illnesses at home, school, restaurants, and hospitals and become aware of the importance of handwashing.
Curriculum connections:
- Health & Phys Ed: Healthy Living, Grade 2
- Sci & Tech: Life Systems, Grade 5 (Human Organ Systems)
Location: Lakefront Activity Tent 9
How Much Does It Take?
This activity illustrates how much water it takes to make various foods. Students will learn the amount of virtual water (the water embedded in a food product) it takes to grow some of their favourite foods.
Curriculum connections:
- Sci & Tech: Earth and Space Systems, Grade 2 (Air and Water in the Environment)
- Soc Studies (2013): People and Environments, Grade 2 (Global Communities)
- Sci & Technology: Life Systems, Grade 4 (Habitats and Communities)
- Soc Studies: People and Environments, Grade 4 (Political and Physical Regions of Canada)
Location: Lakefront Activity Tent 9
Livable City
Students will learn about different land uses and building types in a community (e.g., residential, commercial, industrial, public) to develop a basic understanding how different land uses are designed to protect the environment, conserve water, make a community more enjoyable.
Curriculum connections:
- Soc Studies: People and Environments, Grade 3 (Living and Working in Ontario)
- Sci & Tech: Life Systems, Grade 4 (Habitats and Communities)
Location: Lakefront Activity Tent 11
Low Salt Diet
Students will spin the “weather wheel” to select a temperature and weather condition, then determine how much salt should be placed on the driveway.
Curriculum connections:
- Sci & Tech: Earth and Space Systems, Grade 2 (Air and Water in the Environment)
- Sci & Tech: Earth and Space Systems, Grade 3 (Soils in the Environment)
- Soc Studies: People and Environments, Grade 5 (The Role of Government and Responsible Citizenship)
- Sci & Tech: Earth and Space Systems, Grade 5 (Conservation of Energy and Resources)
Location: Activity Tent 1
Raindrops Keep Falling on Peel
Students will pretend they’re raindrops travelling through the Credit and Humber Rivers, then take a guided tour of a large Peel map at the bottom of the large bowl.
Curriculum connections:
- Sci & Tech: Earth and Space Systems, Grade 3 (Soils in the Environment)
- Soc Studies (2013): People and Environments, Grade 3 (Living and Working in Ontario)
- Sci & Tech: Life Systems, Grade 4 (Habitats and Communities)
- Sci & Tech: Earth and Space Systems, Grade 4 (Rocks and Minerals)
Location: Outdoor Activity Area 10 (Bowl)
Recipe for a Sustainable Community
Students will be reminded about how their day-to-day choices impact the planet. They’ll build their own sustainable community using our menu and sustainable community building board from options for energy, transportation, food, waste, and green space.
Curriculum connections:
- Soc Studies: People and Environments, Grade 2 (Global Communities)
- Soc Studies: People and Environments, Grade 3 (Living and Working in Ontario)
- Sci & Tech: Life Systems, Grade 4 (Habitats and Communities)
- Sci & Tech: Earth and Space Systems, Grade 5 (Conservation of Energy and Resources)
- Soc Studies: People and Environments, Grade 5 (The Role of Government and Responsible Citizenship)
Location: Outdoor Activity Area 15
Rolling Through The `Shed
In this activity, students will pretend to be water droplets as they travel through the watershed. Wearing Velcro vests and rolling over exercise mats, students will "pick–up" felt pieces representing different watershed contaminants.
Curriculum connections:
- Sci & Tech: Earth and Space Systems, Grade 3 (Soils in the Environment)
- Soc Studies (2013): People and Environments, Grade 3 (Living and Working in Ontario)
- Sci & Tech: Life Systems, Grade 4 (Habitats and Communities)
Location: Outdoor Activity Area 13
The GREAT Lakes
This activity demonstrates the size of the Great Lakes with respect to the earth. Students will compare the volumes and flow of the lakes using plastic containers.
Curriculum connections:
- Sci & Tech: Earth and Space Systems, Grade 2 (Air and Water in the Environment)
- Soc Studies: People and Environments, Grade 2 (Global Communities)
- Soc Studies: People and Environments, Grade 3 (Living and Working in Ontario)
- Soc Studies: People and Environments, Grade 4 (Political and Physical Regions of Canada)
Location: Activity Tent 1
The Tap Advantage
Through a water bottle race, students will learn the benefits of drinking Peel tap water and the environmental impact of using plastic water bottles.
Curriculum connections:
- Soc Studies: People and Environments, Grade 2 (Global Communities)
- Soc Studies: People and Environments, Grade 4 (Political and Physical Regions of Canada)
- Sci & Tech: Earth and Space Systems, Grade 5 (Conservation of Energy and Resources)
- Soc Studies: People and Environments, Grade 5 (The Role of Government and Responsible Citizenship)
Location: Outdoor Activity Area 5
The World Around Me
Through satellite images and GIS datasets, this activity explores the location of natural features such as wetlands, rivers, lakes, and the Oak Ridges Moraine along with man-made features such as streets and buildings. Students will learn to recognize and identify natural and cultural features and landmarks on paper maps.
Curriculum connections:
- Sci & Tech: Earth and Space Systems, Grade 3 (Soils in the Environment)
- Soc Studies (2013): People and Environments, Grade 3 (Living and Working in Ontario)
- Sci & Tech: Life Systems, Grade 4 (Habitats and Communities)
- Math: Geometry and Spatial Sense, Grade 5
Location: Activity Tent 11
Trash Talk
This activity will remind students about the Peel Region’s list of acceptable recyclable and organics items each time they make a visit to the trash can. Through a fun, hands–on activity, students will learn to think before throwing away.
Curriculum connections:
- Soc Studies: People and Environments, Grade 2 (Global Communities)
- Soc Studies: People and Environments, Grade 3 (Living and Working in Ontario)
- Sci & Tech: Life Systems, Grade 4 (Habitats and Communities)
- Sci & Tech: Earth and Space Systems, Grade 5 (Conservation of Energy and Resources)
- Soc Studies: People and Environments, Grade 5 (The Role of Government and Responsible Citizenship)
Location: Activity Tent 1
Wastewater Adventure Race
Students will participate in an active obstacle course to discover what happens to water used at home and learn about the stages of wastewater treatment in Peel.
Curriculum connections:
- Sci & Tech: Matter & Energy, Grade 2 (Properties of Liquids & Solids)
- Sci & Tech: Earth & Space Systems, Grade 2 (Air & Water in the Environment)
- Sci & Tech: Matter & Energy Grade 5 (Properties or and Changes in Matter)
- Social Studies: People & Environment, Grade 3 (Living & Working in Ontario)
Location: Outdoor Activity Area 5
Water Quality Quiz
This interactive activity invites students to answer “true” or “false” to questions about using water every day.
Curriculum connections:
- Sci & Tech: Earth and Space Systems, Grade 2 (Air and Water in the Environment)
- Soc Studies (2013): People and Environments, Grade 5 (The Role of Government and Responsible Citizenship)
Location: Outdoor Activity Area 13
Animal Meet and Greet
In this meet–and–greet style activity, students will have the opportunity to learn more about certain animals and how they can maintain a healthy, sustainable environment for them.
Curriculum connections:
Location: Activity Tent 4
Earth Rangers
Presented in partnership with the Earth Rangers, this inspiring, interactive presentation features live animals, games, trivia, and captivating video content. These enthusiastic educators not only teach kids about the environmental issues our planet is facing, but also empower students to act.