Tides (junior)

Where can I find information about tides?

(Years 1-4)

Colour photo of a beach at low tide. There are seagulls on the shoreline and mountains in the distance. — *Image: Low tide at the beach by Bernard Spragg. NZ on Wikimedia Commons.*

Entry last updated: 15/01/25

Introduction

The regular movement of ocean water on the beach is called tides. High tide is when the water moves furthest up the beach. Low tide is when the water moves furthest from the beach.

General websites

Here are some websites that have information about tides.

NOAA SciJINKS | YouTube

This is the YouTube channel for SciJinks, an education website from NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the United States.

Look for the playlist called SciJinks in a Snap!
Watch the video What Causes Tides?

Elementary (Gale in Context)

Elementary (Gale in Context) is one of the EPIC databases. EPIC is a collection of reliable databases covering lots of different topics. It’s put together especially for New Zealand school students and helps to answer questions like this.

Use the search bar and enter 'tides'.
Go to Tides to find information, photos and videos on what tides are.
For more information about tide schedules and how gravity affects tides, select keep reading.

Britannica School Primary

Britannica School is another one of the EPIC databases. It has information about lots of topics.

Use the search bar and enter 'tide'.
Choose the first article tide (oceanic movement).
You will find information where tides happen, and how the sun and moon affect tides.

Tips: To get to the EPIC resources you will need a password from your school librarian first. Or you can chat with one of our AnyQuestions librarians between 1 and 6pm Monday to Friday and they will help you online. Some EPIC databases may also be available through your public library.