Erosion Demo: How Wind and Water Change Earth
Objective:
Show how erosion moves bits of rock and soil from one place to another.

Similar Experiment 

A more advanced experiment on the topic 

Erosion/Weathering explanation video

Materials:

• Shallow tray or baking pan
• Dry soil or sand
• Small pebbles or gravel
• Water in a spray bottle or cup
• Straw or small fan (for wind)
• Paper towels or cloth (to catch spills)

Steps:

1. Set Up Your Landscape. Fill the tray with a layer of soil or sand. Add some small pebbles on top to represent rocks.
2. Water Erosion: Use the spray bottle or gently pour a small amount of water over one side of the tray. Watch how water moves the soil and pebbles downhill, creating tiny “rivers” or channels.
3. Wind Erosion: Use a straw to gently blow air across the soil’s surface or turn on a small fan. Notice how the wind moves lighter particles like sand, but not the bigger pebbles.
4. Observe and Discuss
   1. Talk about what happens to the soil and rocks.
   2. How does erosion change the shape of the land over time?
   3. Where do you think the soil and rocks will go next?

Extension Ideas:

• Try the demo on a slope (tilt the tray) to see how steepness affects erosion.
• Place a few “plants” (small twigs or grass) and see how roots help hold soil in place.
• Collect the moved soil and pebbles at the bottom and talk about sediment deposition.