Make Water

Method	Materials Needed	Kid Role	Notes/Safety
Solar Still	Bowl, small cup, plastic wrap, rock, sun	Set up still, observe	Uses evaporation-condensation. Great for sunny days.
Rainwater Collection	Clean containers, tarp (optional), rain	Place containers, measure	Safe if collected directly. May still need boiling.
Boiling Water	Pot, heat source (fire/stove), dirty water	Observe heating	Adult only for heat. Kills microbes. Doesn’t remove chemicals.
DIY Sand Filter	Bottle, cotton, sand, gravel, charcoal, dirty water	Build filter, pour water	Filters dirt, not germs. Combine with boiling for safety.
Plant Transpiration	Clear plastic bag, leafy branch, sunlight	Tie bag, watch over hours	Collects clean vapor from leaves. Slow but pure.
UV Purification	Clear plastic bottle, sunlight (6+ hours)	Fill and place in sun	Works best in direct UV. Inactivates many pathogens.
Cloth Filtration	Cloth, dirty water, container	Pour through cloth	Removes large particles only. Not safe to drink without boiling

💧 Water Collection & Purification (Minimal Resources)

1. Solar Still

Put salty or dirty water in a large bowl.
Place a small cup in the center (don’t let water spill in it).
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, seal it tight.
Put a rock in the center so it dips over the cup.
Leave in sun for several hours.
Water evaporates, condenses on plastic, and drips into cup.
Result: Clean, distilled water. Great demo of water cycle.
Kid task: Build setup, check water after hours.

2. DIY Sand Filter

Cut a plastic bottle in half.
Invert the top like a funnel into the bottom.
Layer bottom to top: cotton → charcoal → sand → gravel.
Pour muddy water slowly through the top.
Filtered water collects at the bottom.
Result: Clearer water, but still not drinkable—boil after.
Kid task: Build layers, pour and observe flow.

3. Boiling Water

Pour dirty water into a metal pot.
Heat on fire or stove until rolling boil.
Boil 1–3 minutes (longer at high elevation).
Let cool before drinking.
Result: Water is safe from bacteria/viruses.
Kid task: Watch the boil, help time it.

4. Rainwater Collection

Set out clean bowls or buckets before it rains.
Optional: create a funnel using a tarp tied above a bucket.
After rain, strain out debris using cloth.
Result: Generally safe if caught clean—boil if in doubt.
Kid task: Set up, collect, measure, observe.

5. Plastic Bag on Plant (Transpiration)

Tie a clear plastic bag around a leafy green branch.
Seal it tight and leave in sunlight.
Water vapor collects and condenses inside.
Result: Pure water from plant moisture.
Kid task: Tie bag, check after a few hours.

6. UV Disinfection (SODIS)

Fill a clear plastic bottle with water.
Place in full sun for 6+ hours.
UV rays deactivate many pathogens.
Works best on sunny days with clear water.
Result: Safer water, but not effective on very dirty water.
Kid task: Fill bottle, place in sun, observe.

7. Cloth Straining (Pre-Filter)

Pour water through a clean cloth into another container.
Removes large debris and visible dirt.
Result: Water looks cleaner, but not safe to drink yet.
Kid task: Hold cloth, pour water, observe result.