9 Fun Geology Activities for Kids
What do the sculpture of Abe Lincoln, the Grand Canyon, and the ancient pyramids have in common? Well, someone familiar with geology sees granite, volcanic rock, limestone, and the Earth over millions of years–in other words, rocks. You can’t throw a rock without hitting another rock; they’re everywhere! Rock creates and shapes the Earth’s landscape. It forms our magnificent mountains, shapes the deepest oceans, and safely separates us from the boiling magma beneath our feet. Water, wind, earthquakes, cold, and heat scour, fracture, move, or melt rock. Rock is continuously being changed, rebuilt, or recycled by the forces of the Earth.
There are many fascinating ways to explore geology activities for kids, whether through edible rock cycle activities, homemade crystals, volcanos, soil science projects, layers of the earth, and more. If your child is interested in rocks, geology, or science, try one of these fun geology activities for kids.
1. Earth Layers Model. Explore the various layers of the earth with the free printable paper earth layers model template! Click here for the template.
2. Play-dough Layers of the Earth. Create a hands-on model of the Earth’s layers using play-dough. This is a fun way to help students visualize the different layers that make up our planet.
3. Edible Rock Cycle. Make your own tasty sedimentary rock to explore geology! This super easy-to-make sedimentary rock bar snack allows you to explore types of rocks and the rock cycle.
4. Crayon Rock Cycle. When learning about rocks, minerals, and natural resources, why not try out a crayon rock cycle activity where you can explore all the stages of the rock cycle with one simple ingredient, old crayons.
5. Candy Rock Cycle. Nothing says hands-on learning better than edible science. How about an edible rock cycle made out of starburst candy?
6. Collecting Activities. Science collecting projects allow kids to explore their environment and practice observation skills. Set up an activity to collect objects like rocks, leaves, seashells, or even fossils.
7. Grow Sugar Crystals. This classic candy treat is a perfect example of how to grow crystals with sugar. You can also grow them on wooden sticks.
8. Edible Geodes. Eat your science with a SWEET geology activity. Learn how to make edible geode crystals using simple ingredients you might even already have.
9. Crystal Geodes. Make these gorgeous, sparkling eggshell geodes for a homemade growing crystals science activity. This is a fun way to sneak in a chemistry lesson with saturated solutions.
Allison Green
Boston Tutoring Services