Wetlands for Kids

Facts About Wetlands

• Wetlands make up 6 percent of the Earth's surface
• Hundreds of species of animals make their home in wetlands
• Wetlands are also known as marshes, swamps, and bogs
• They can be found in all regions of the United States
• 14 percent of the world's wetlands are located in Canada
• Wetlands are not necessarily "wet" all year round
• Wetlands can contain fresh water, salt water, or a combination of the two!

Wetlands Are Important

At one point, wetlands were thought to be a waste of outdoor space. As the population in North America spread west, these areas were often drained to make way for roads and railways. The drained land was also converted into farmland. The United States was home to over 127 million acres of wetlands, and by 1950, approximately one-third of this land had been drained.

If you ever thought that wetlands had no value, consider the following:

• They have been called the 'nature's kidneys' because they cleanse our environment.
• Wetlands are home to a variety of plant and animal life; other animals seek out these areas when they are looking for food and water.
• These areas provide protection from both erosion and flooding.
• Marshy areas help to remove pollutants, including PCBs from the water.
• Wetlands provide opportunities for humans to enjoy outdoor activities, such as canoeing, fishing, and bird watching.

Wetlands for Kids: Online Resources

There are a number of online resources with good information, games, and projects on the topic of wetlands for kids. Here are some examples:

• Print off a copy of The Young Scientist's Introduction to Wetlands from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website. This 15-page booklet was written for children at the K-5 grade levels. Youngsters reading the booklet will learn what a wetland is, the kinds of plants and animals found there, and why they should be preserved.

• Visit the Water Science page of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and click on "Waterdrops" to get to see a list of games and puzzles on the subject of clean water, bugs, and acid rain. The 'Healthy and Unhealthy Freshwater Streams, Waterbugs, and Acid Rain' part of the site has a crossword puzzle and other activities for children.

• Order posters about wetlands, waste water, and watersheds from the U.S. Geological Survey. They are available in black and white (for coloring) and in full color versions. Activities for students in grades 3-5 and 6-8 are printed on the back. Information about New England's wetlands is posted in the World in Our Backyard of the site.

• Ducks Unlimited has an extensive list of classroom activities, including ones on the topic of wetlands, posted on its website. Lesson plans with student and teacher guides are available for grades 4-6, 7-8, and 9-12. Preschoolers and students in grades 1-2 will enjoy the activity booklets posted in the 'Fun Zone'.

Wetlands for Kids: Webquests

A webquest is an activity where students are given a specific task and directed to use the Internet as a tool to perform it. The goal here is to encourage children to use the information they find, as opposed to just learning how to gather it. Here are some examples of webquests on the topics of wetlands for kids:

Saving the Wetlands - Grade 5

Wetlands - Grade 2

Wetland Survival - Grades 4-6

Habitat Adventure Webquest - Grade 3