2026 Peterborough Children's Water Festival
May 27th and May 28th
Inspiring grades 2-5 students to become water champions!
Held alongside the Odenabe (Otonabee) River at Riverview Park & Zoo, students experience over 35 curriculum-connected learning centres, and enjoy a day of fun hands-on learning on water-related topics: conservation, attitudes toward water, technology, protection, and science!
Registration for the 2026 Peterborough Children’s Water Festival is a lottery system to more equitably meet community demand for hands-on water education.
Completing this form enters you in the lottery but does not guarantee your class a space at the PCWF. Lottery winners will be contacted during the week of January 26th, 2026.
Notes from Last Year's PWCF: A Splashing Success!
2025 marked the 23rd Anniversary of the Peterborough Children’s Water Festival (PCWF) at the Peterborough Riverview Park and Zoo on May 27th and 28th.
During our festival:
- 1,400 youth attend from grades 2-5 from 31 local schools.
- Over 35 cross-curriculum aligned, hands-on learning centres connect youth to water conservation and protection.
- We proudly focus on Science, Social Studies, Math, and transferable Language skills.
- We offer Leadership opportunities for high school students who run our dynamic activity centres.
- Over 50 community volunteers help make this free/low-barrier community event happen for students.
"This was our first year (hopefully of many!) attending the PCWF. What a fabulous day of gaining understanding and respect for our water in such a fun and engaging way!"
Alicia Morrallee - KPRDSB, Grade 2/3
"It was such a wonderful experience for my students. Each activity was meaningful and engaging enough that it captivated the attention of grade 5s! Such a wonderful experience! Thank you."
Kristin Manol PVNCCDSB, Grade 5
"The PCWF is a great tradition for our school. Students love learning about water conservation & sanitation. The centres were engaging and the students had a blast! Thank you!"
Andrea Raine PVNC, Grade 3
Want to start your own #WaterWednesday?
Check out resources from our virtual Water Wednesdays here!
Locally-focused and fun water education for your classroom.
About Us
The Peterborough Children's Water Festival (PCWF) is a community event for children in Grade 2 to 5. The PCWF provides students with the opportunity to discover the importance and diversity of water.
The PCWF works in partnership with educators, water quality and quantity specialists, community volunteers, conservation groups, industry and government to create a festival full of activities that are educational and fun for children in grades 2 to 5.
Check out the Highlights from our many years of Water Education!
Thanks to our 2025 Sponsors!
Festival Supporters - $5,000+
Festival Patron - $2,500-$4,999
Grant & Emma Murphy
Festival Benefactor - $1,000-$2,499
Peterborough Kawartha Rotary Club
Herb Lang Well Drilling
Monaghan Lumber
Trisan Construction
Festival Friend - < $1,000
Sisters of St. Joseph
Wayne Stiver
Green Eyewear
Fairview Trucking
Burgess Well Drilling
Catholic Women's League of Canada, Peterborough Diocesan Council
Lakefield Family Chiro
Mary Ellen Meyers
In-Kind Supporters
City of Peterborough
GreenUP
Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board
Otonabee Conservation
Peterborough Utilities Group
Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board
Riverview Park and Zoo
TRACKS
Trent University
We are enormously grateful for the financial and in-kind contributions of local sponsors that support our beloved community festival!
Thank you to all supporters, past and present who have helped us provide fun and immersive water education!