rock science experiments

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

• FREE Experiments
• Kitchen Science
• Climate Change
• Egg Experiments
• Fairy Tale Science
• Edible Science
• Human Health
• Inspirational Women
• Forces and Motion
• Science Fair Projects
• STEM Challenges
• Science Sparks Books
• Contact Science Sparks
• Science Resources for Home and School

Create Your Own Rock Lab – Rock Investigation for Kids

January 15, 2021 By Emma Vanstone Leave a Comment

This activity allows children to create their very own rock lab ! The rock investigation includes five different easy tests to allow children to group and find out how to identify rocks based on their appearance and properties. It’s a brilliant first introduction to rocks for kids with lots of fun rock activities for kids of all ages.

There’s also a free downloadable booklet containing

This activity is also suitable for studying rocks as part of Key Stage 2 Science .

Rock Lab – Introduction to Rocks for Kids

Children are given 6 different rock samples with the challenge of working out if they are metamorphic , igneous or sedimentary based on the results of their testing.

Key learning point –  igneous and metamorphic rocks tend to have similar properties and are different to sedimentary rocks.

Background Information – Igneous, Sedimentary and Metamorphic Rocks

What are igneous rocks.

Igneous Rocks are formed underground where temperatures are hot enough to melt rock into liquid ( molten rock ). Igneous rocks do not contain fossils as these would have melted when the original rock melted.

Intrusive Igneous Rocks form underground from magma ( molten rock). When the magma cools it becomes igneous rock. This type of rock is formed slowly as it takes a long time for the magma to cool and harden.

Extrusive Igneous rocks form when molten rock comes out of the ground. We call this lava. Lava cools to form a type of extrusive igneous rock . This type of rock forms quickly once the lava is erupted onto the surface of the earth.

Sedimentary Rocks

Sedimentary Rocks form under the sea. Layers of broken rock transported from rivers build up at the bottom of the ocean. The deposited rocks build up in layers called sediments. This is known as sedimentation . As more and more layers pile up they start to push down on the lower layers. This is called compaction . Over a long period of time, water is squeezed out of the layers of rock and salt crystals form. The salt compounds stick the pieces of rock together. This is called cementation . Eventually ( it can be millions of years ) sedimentary rocks form.

Metamorphic Rocks

Metamorphic rocks form from sedimentary or igneous rocks that have been changed by heat or pressure underground. These rarely contain fossils.

Man-Made Rocks

Man-made rocks – these are known as anthropic and are made or changed by humans. Examples are concrete, brick.

Aims of Rock Lab

Rock Keywords

Rocks, sedimentary, volcano, formation, human-made, anthropic, natural, metamorphic, igneous, pebble, granite, concrete, brick, chalk, slate, limestone, permeable

What is the Rock Cycle

Rocks on Earth do not stay the same over time. They are impacted by weather, erosion and movement caused by volcanoes and earthquakes. The process is called the rock cycle and there are many routes through it, for example sedimentary rocks can be changed into metamorphic rocks which could then be eroded and deposited in the sea and then changed into new sedimentary rocks.

The diagram below shows the rock cycle .

Rock Activities for Kids – Create your own rock lab

Rock Lab Materials

Set of rocks containing sedimentary , metamorphic and igneous rocks.

Sedimentary – sandstone, chalk, limestone

Igneous – granite, basalt

Metamorphic – marble, slate

Magnifying glass

Safety goggles

Lolly stick or wooden spoon

Medium sized container

Rocks for Kids – Rock problems to work through

Use the tests below to solve these problems.

Harry’s teacher has asked him to sort a collection of rocks into igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic. Can you help him?

Imagine you’re trapped on an island. You’ve found an old piece of slate rock, but now need a softer rock to write a message on it. What type of rock would you look for? What properties does that type of rock have that allows it to be used to write a message?

Find a rock from your samples with rounded grains and one where the grains interlock. Which do you think would be best to use as a roof tile and why? Can you test the rock to see if it would keep water out of your house?

Sophie is doing a school project all about volcanoes. She needs to find a rock from her collection that formed from lava. Can you help her? What type of rock does she need and how can she identify it?

Sam has three rocks one is sedimentary, one igneous and one metamorphic. Sam wants to ask his friend who lives far way to help him identify them. Can you write a letter for Sam to send his friend telling him about the properties of each rock? Remember to give enough information so Sam’s friend can identify each one.

More Rock Activities for Kids – Download rock identification problems to solve

Things to think about – make it fair!

Children should think about how to make each test fair.

Use the same rocks ( similar size )

Same equipment as each other and for each rock

Same time to do the investigation

Test 1 – What does the rock look like

Children should consider that different types of rocks have a different texture and appearance.

You’ll need

• Look at each rock with the magnifying glass and make notes on the features of each.
• Try to decide which type of rock each sample is.

Sedimentary rocks contain grains in layers, these rocks often contain fossils of animals and plants which became trapped in the sediment as the rock formed.

Igneous Rocks   – contain randomly arranged crystals. If the lava cooled quickly as the rock was formed the crystals are small, and if the lava cooled fast the crystals are bigger.

Metamorphic rocks – these are often crystalline and sometimes have visible bands.

Test 2 – Is the rock hard or soft

Igneous and metamorphic rocks are harder than sedimentary rocks. Igneous rocks are usually the hardest.

Challenge – Order the rocks from softest to hardest

• Rub the rock with your fingers, does it crumble or leave bits on your hands?
• Can it be scratched with a lolly stick or sand paper? Harder rocks are more difficult to scratch.
• Place the rocks in order from softest to hardest. Considering igneous rocks are usually the hardest and metamorphic the softest, do the results from this test agree with test 1?

Sandstone and chalk should be identified easily here

Real life uses of soft rocks

Examples of soft rocks – Chalk is a soft rock, it breaks and wears down easily which is why it’s handy for writing on chalkboards.

Some rocks are harder than others, hard rocks are useful for buildings and floor and wall tiles. Examples of hard rocks are granite and marble.

Test 3 – permeable or impermeable

Permeable rocks let water soak through. Sedimentary rocks are permeable.

If water soaks into the rock it is permeable, if the water rolls off the surface it is impermeable. Impermeable rocks do not let water through.

Materials – Permeability test

Use the pipette to drop water onto each rock sample and record whether the water soaks in or remains on the surface.

Children should be able to separate sedimentary rocks from igneous and metamorphic.

Sedimentary rocks often have rounded grains, this is another way they can be identified. The rounded grains allow water to get into the gaps.

Rocks with interlocking grains are usually harder and don’t absorb water.

Real life uses of impermable rocks

Slate  – this is an impermeable rock, which is why it is a good material for roof tiles.

Test 4 – How dense/buoyant?

Metamorphic and igneous rocks are generally more dense than sedimentary rocks. Sedimentary rocks form closer to the surface and are less dense than those formed deeper down as rocks formed near the surface have been compacted less.

It an object is less dense than water it floats, if it is denser than water it sinks. Testing to see whether a rock floats is an easy way to find out how dense it is.

Note – pumice is an igneous rock but also floats! This is because it contains lots of air bubbles, making it very light.

Materials – rock buoyancy test

Rocks to test

Pen and paper

Testing sheet, containing a table to record predictions and results.

• Feel each rock one by one, think about how heavy it is. Predict whether the rock will sink or float.
• Place each rock into the water one at a time.
• Record which rock samples float and which sink.
• The rocks that sink are the most dense.

Children should see a link here between the permeability test and density.

Test 5 – Rock Acid Test

Sedimentary rocks often contain the remains of animals and plants ( fossils ). The calcium carbonate in the fossils means they fizz when vinegar is dropped on them.

• Drop a little vinegar onto each rock, and record whether it reacts with the rock or not. If the rock reacts with vinegar it will fizz.

The fizzing you see is carbon dioxide released from the reaction between calcium carbonate in the fossils and acetic acid in the vinegar.

Only the sedimentary rocks should react with the vinegar.

Example Rock Identification Questions

What is a rock?

Are rocks alive?

How do rocks form?

Are there rocks everywhere?

Which type of rocks contain fossils?

What are the three types of naturally occurring rocks?

What is a geologist?

Which type of rock would make a good roof tile?

How can you tell the difference between a rock that absorbs water and one that doesn’t absorb water without testing it?

Rocks for Kids Extra Challenge – Identifying Rocks

Gather rocks from your local area and classify them based on their appearance and properties.

Design a flow chart that will help other people identify rocks.

Make a sedimentary sandwich to find out how sedimentary rocks form!

Learn about plate tectonics with an orange!!

Make your own fossils and learn about Charles Darwin at the same time!

Outcomes – Rock Identification for Kids

This activity is suitable for Key Stage 2 – Rocks , soils and fossils

Children work scientifically by observing rocks and carrying out tests to identify and classify each sample.

After the activity children should be able to:

Name the three different types of rock

Group and compare rocks by their properties and identify similarities and differences

Know how to identify rocks based on their properties

Make and record observations

Health and Safety

Take care with children handling rocks that may give off dust.

Download for FREE – Rock Activities for Kids

Download the booklet , containing full instructions for creating a rock lab! It’s a great introduction into rocks for kids!

Affiliate links

Last Updated on May 3, 2021 by Emma Vanstone

Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

Reader Interactions

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• Earth Science
• Physics & Engineering
• Science Kits
• Microscopes
• Science Curriculum and Kits
• About Home Science Tools

Science Projects > Earth & Space Projects > Rock Experiments  

Rock Experiments

The rock cycle experiments below show the characteristics of rocks and how their substance changes over time.

Frozen Rock Experiments

Rocks are formed at every stage of the rock cycle . Formation of a new rock often requires the destruction of an “old” rock. Agents that break down rocks include wind, rain, rivers, and rock slides. But they are also broken apart by freezing and thawing. When water freezes, it expands. Water that has seeped into a rock will expand when frozen, causing cracks in the rock. After it freezes and thaws several times, bits of rock will begin to split off entirely.

Do these rock experiments to see how it works and find out what kinds of rocks break down the most when frozen.

What You Need:

• Several different kinds of rocks, such as granite, sandstone, or limestone
• Plastic bottle or container

What You Do:

1. Look at each rock carefully. Which do you think will break down the most when you freeze and thaw them several times? Why?

2. Write down your prediction, then place the rocks in the plastic bottle and cover them with water.

3. Put the bottle in the freezer. When the water is frozen take it out and let it thaw. After the water melts, put the bottle back in the freezer. Repeat the process 3-5 times.

4. Take out the rock samples and look at them carefully again.

Which one has changed the most? Do you see where small particles have been split off the rock by the freezing water? Was your prediction correct? Over time whole mountains can be worn down by this freezing/thawing process!

Sponge Rock

You may be wondering how water gets in rocks in the first place. Aren’t rocks solid? Actually, they have tiny pores or pockets that can be filled with water or air (or sometimes oil and natural gas) like a sponge. No rock can soak up as much water as a sponge, but some rocks absorb more water than others – these are called porous rocks. This experiment will show you how a piece of chalk can absorb a great deal of water in a short time.

Chalk is composed of the mineral calcium carbonate.  Different types of rocks are made of different pure minerals; rocks such as limestone have lots of calcium carbonate. Have older students try this with various types of porous rock, such as pumice – they may need to wait up to a day for the rock to absorb the total amount of water it can hold.

• A piece of chalk
• Cup of water
• Spring scale

1. Weigh the chalk with the spring scale to determine how heavy it is when dry. To do this, hang a small plastic bag from the hook and place the chalk in the bag. Record how much it weighs.

2. Place the chalk in a cup of water. In five minutes take the chalk out of the water, shake it off and weigh it again. Record the weight. Repeat at five-minute intervals until the chalk no longer increases in weight.

The chalk got heavier because it was absorbing water. After about 10-15 minutes, it absorbed all that it could hold. You can figure out how much water it absorbed, because 1 gram of water = 1 ml of water = 1 cubic centimeter (cc). If the chalk gained 2 grams in water, that means it soaked up 2 ml or 2 cc.

Older students can figure out what percentage of its volume the chalk absorbed.

If the piece of chalk is a cylinder, they can find out its volume using the formula Volume = Π r 2 (h) where r is the radius and h is the height. (For example, if you have a piece of chalk 2 cm in diameter and 5 cm long, the formula would be 3.14 x 1 2 (5) = 15.7 cc.) If it is a different shape, or they’re trying this with other rocks, they can use the displacement method: pour 100 ml of water into a graduated cylinder and add the rock.

The water level will rise, and the amount it rises is the rock’s volume. If the water level rises to 125 ml, for example, then the volume of the rock is 25 ml, or 25 cc. Once you know the volume of the water absorbed and the volume of the rock, you can find what percentage of its volume the rock absorbed. Just divided the volume of water by the volume of the rock (e.g. 2cc/25cc = .08 = 8%).

Try this experiment with several different kinds of rock. Calculate the percentage of its volume that each rock can absorb. Which absorbs the most? Based on what you learned in the previous experiment, how do you think this affects the erosion of that type of rock?

Bubbling Rock Experiments

Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere sometimes can produce rain that is slightly acidic. Over time, this acid rain erodes rocks. You can see it happen quickly if you use vinegar, which is a much stronger acid than acid rain. Use a piece of limestone , which is made of calcium carbonate. Put the limestone in a bowl, pour a little vinegar on top of it and watch what happens. It will fizz and form bubbles, because the vinegar reacts with the carbonate ions.

As it reacts, it dissolves the limestone. When you’re done watching it fizz, take the limestone out and look in the bottom of the bowl. You should see a layer of sediment made of small particles of calcium acetate , a chemical made when the acid and carbonates react.

Try it again, but this time use chalk , which is also made of calcium carbonate.

Set one piece of chalk in a cup of vinegar and one in water. The chalk will immediately start reacting with the vinegar, making quite a show! P

our off the liquid after about an hour and compare the chalk that was in the water to the chalk in the vinegar. Is there sediment in the bottom of the vinegar cup? Is there any sediment in the water cup?

You can try this experiment again with different strengths of acid. Try lemon juice, diluted lemon juice, coke, or anything else you can think of!

More About the Rock Cycle

To learn more about the three kinds of rocks (sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous) and how they are changed in the steps of the rock cycle, see our science lesson !

There is also a Rock Cycle science project that demonstrates changes in rock formation using candy.

More Earth Science Projects and Rock Experiments:

•   How to Polish Rocks
•   Identify Rocks & Minerals
•  How to Make a Fossil Cast
•  Volcanic Eruption

Earth & Space Science

Welcome! Read other Earth & Space Science articles or explore the rest of the Resource Center, which consists of hundreds of free science articles!

Shop for Earth & Space Science Supplies!

Home Science Tools offers a wide variety of earth science products and kits. Find earth science products and space educational supplies for labs and classrooms.

Related Articles

Science Fair Projects for 8th Graders

Science Fair Projects for 8th Graders As kids reach the 8th grade, their exposure to science goes up a notch. Equipped with basic knowledge, they can begin to explore more complicated concepts and satisfy their curiosity for deeper answers to the 'whys' and 'hows' of...

Science Fair Projects for 7th Graders

Science Fair Projects for 7th Graders​​ Science fair projects for 7th graders are a step up in complexity. Because 7th graders have a better grasp of science concepts, they’re expected to practice the scientific method in the way they approach their experiments–which...

Home Science Experiments for Preschoolers

Home Science Experiments for Preschoolers Home science experiments for preschoolers are a great way to pique your child’s curiosity, teach them valuable knowledge, and allow them to have some fun in the comfort of their own home. There are plenty of activities your...

Easy Science Fair Projects for Kids

Easy Science Fair Projects for Kids Science fairs are a long-standing tradition that provide kids with the opportunity to better understand practical concepts in fun and innovative ways. The great thing about the experiments presented at these events is that they...

How to Make a Pollinator Hotel

Have you ever wondered how you can help provide habitat for pollinators like honey bees and butterflies in your back yard? Learn how to make a pollinator hotel with this step-by-step guide and lesson. Pollinators are animals that help move pollen. Most pollinators are...

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY

Get project ideas and special offers delivered to your inbox.

Rock Science Experiments:

By: Author Jacquie Fisher

Posted on Published: February 20, 2020

Categories Nature & Outdoor Activities , Science Experiments

Today we are combining our Outdoor Science activities and our Simple Science Experiment series to share a fun geology experiment — Rock Testing for Kids!

One of the easiest science activities to do with kids is studying rocks and minerals.

If your kids are anything like mine, they bring rocks home in their pockets — frequently 😉

And you might hear the question “ What type of rock is this? “

Rock Science Experiments: Vinegar and Limestone Test

There are a few ways to test rocks — one of the most popular ways is to test a rock’s hardness using the Mohs Scale which we’ve shared before. 

In my opinion, today’s test is much more fun! 

This time, instead of testing the property of a rock, we’re going to test for a specific type of rock — limestone!

This is also referred to as the Acid Test for Rocks (but we’re using a much safer form of ‘acid’).  In addition to the detailed tutorial on how to test your rocks, we’re also including affiliate links for items that will be helpful in this experiment.

The Acid Test for Rocks & Minerals

The first thing you’ll need are a few rocks — limestone is usually a tan/yellow rock that has layers.  If you have any where you live, you’ll recognize it right away. 

If you need to look around, try searching near creekbeds, lake areas and such — also many garden stores that sell stones used for garden beds should have limestone; they might have some small pieces on hand that you can use.

We also chose to use a rock we found at the beach (because it had a bunch of small shell fragments within it) and a large river rock that we found near a creek (very hard, smooth and clearly not a sedimentary rock).

Plus a book on rock identification is great to have on hand for identifying and classifying the rocks you find!

Oh, and you really don’t need a Magnifying Glass for the experiment but I always have one on hand so the kids can get a close-up look at things!

A Little Background on Limestone

Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed mostly of calcium carbonate.  In case you didn’t know, sedimentary rocks are super cool because they often include fossils and can tell us about the Earth’s environment over time.  Sedimentary rocks are made up of sand, shells, pebbles, etc.

Limestone is formed in one of two ways —

First, ocean animals such as oysters and mussels use calcium carbonate from seawater to make their shells and bones.  When these animals die, they remains settle to the ocean floor and over many years, are compacted into limestone rock.

The second way it forms is through the process of evaporation — again, as fresh water or salt water creatures die, their shells and bones are broken up and dispursed in water.  When that water is in a shallow area such as a stream or cave, it will evaporate due to the environment around it and leave behind the calcium carbonate from the shells and bones.

Limestone can be found in many places around the world since it is formed from ocean water, sea water and fresh water or caves. 

We have a TON of it here in Kansas where we live.

In fact, a few years ago on one of our side trips to the Rocky Mountains , we visited an amazing place called Monument Rock or the Chalk pyraminds located in western Kansas. 

It’s a place that was covered by ocean water millions of years ago when the middle of the US was underwater.  As the waters receeded and evaporated over time, these HUGE limestone mountains were formed and are still there today.

Can’t you just image these growing on the ocean floor with huge prehistoric marine life swimming through them?!!

And when you find a piece of the rock that has broken off, you could use it to write with — because it acts like chalk! That’s due to the fact that one of the main items used in white chalk (the kind your kids use on the sidewalk) is calcium carbonate.

I know — pretty cool!

Ok, back to our rock and mineral experiment — testing a rock to see if it’s limestone.

Limestone and Vinegar: How to Test a Rock

I LOVE using glass bowls or mason jars for our science experiments ( have you seen our How Do Leaves Breathe? experiment ?! ) but I know some folks are concerned about having glass outdoors so I would suggest a plastic container if you don’t want to use glass. 

I would not use metal as sometimes metal and acids will have their own reaction and can change the results of your experiment.

Place one rock in each bowl and pour vinegar over it — try to cover at least half of the rock. 

This is one reason we do this experiment outside — vinegar can have a super strong smell to it and my kids are really sensitive to that so being outdoors helps to disappate the scent.

ps. Letting your kids wear Kid-size Safety Goggles always adds a ‘coolness’ factor to any experiment!  Not to mention it’s good safety practice & prep for doing science activities.

Within a minute, you should see bubbles forming around your limestone rock!

The Science behind the Experiment

Vinegar is an acid and as it interacts with the calcium carbonate in the limestone, it releases carbon dioxide — and when carbon dioxide is released in a liquid, it forms bubbles.

Which means that this is BOTH a geology experiment AND a chemistry experiment!

Pretty cool 😉

After 5 minutes, we can look from the side of the bowl and clearly see the bubbles forming around the limestone rock but not the rock we found at the beach.

Now I really thought we’d see a few bubbles with this rock since it contains some shells but they must not be the type of shells that are made with calcium carbonate.  This test can tell you quite a bit about various rocks and minerals.

So Mom learns something new too 😉

Here’s a picture of the river rock (on the left) — no bubbles what-so-ever after 10 minutes so we know that rock is NOT limestone for sure.

The bowl on the right contained our limestone rock and once you remove the limestone rock, you can see there is a lot of stuff in the bowl!

It looks like sand, dirt and other small particles — which is exactly what it is! 

And this is what it looks like through the bottom of the bowl – bleah! 

It reminds me of the kids playing in the sandbox for the whole day and this is what I find in the tub after a bath (lol!).

The chemical reaction with the limestone (calcium carbonate) and vinegar begins to break down the rock into the minute particles of sand, dirt and shells that are part of its’ composition.

If you have a budding geologist at home, here are some wonderful resources for rock & mineral testing that are sure to please along with affiliate links so you can learn more about each of them:

If you do have a child who LOVES rock collecting, be sure to see our How to Organize a Mini Rock Collection post too!

MORE AWESOME SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS:

Dissecting a Flower

12 Citizen Science Projects for Kids

20 Science Experiments you can do in a Jar

How Do Plants Breathe?

Join us for amazing Outdoor Science Activities all month long! 

You can find a list of which experiments & activities we’re doing each day during the 31 Days of Outdoor STEM hosted by Little Bins for Little Hands.

Try this experiment to find out the differences in the composition of rocks.

Pour a half cup of vinegar into a glass. Add a small chunk of limestone rock. (Find limestone outside using a rock identification book or buy a piece at a hobby shop). Watch closely. After a few minutes the rock will start to fizz. Now try the same test with other rocks and minerals. You may not see any bubbles.

Vinegar, an acid, dissolves bits of a material called calcium carbonate in the limestone. This releases carbon dioxide, a gas that rises to the surface as a stream of bubbles. Rocks that don't contain calcium carbonate won't fizz.

explore more

How things work, learn about plastic and how to reduce your use., science lab.

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Your California Privacy Rights
• Children's Online Privacy Policy
• Interest-Based Ads
• About Nielsen Measurement
• Do Not Sell My Info
• National Geographic
• National Geographic Education
• Shop Nat Geo
• Customer Service
• Manage Your Subscription

Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society Copyright © 2015-2024 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved

All Science Fair Projects

1000 science fair projects with complete instructions.

24 Rock Science Projects & Intro to Rocks

Introduction to rocks.

Ready to dig deep into the fascinating world of rocks and minerals? With a science project on rocks and minerals, you can explore everything from the depths of underground caves to the far reaches of outer space. Start by learning the basics about rocks and minerals, then dive into an exciting range of projects that may involve examining rock samples, testing their physical characteristics, and discovering their origins. Get started on your adventure today!

What is a rock?

What is a mineral?

What is a crystal?

What are the 3 types of rocks?

Sedimentary rocks.

There are three different types of sedimentary rocks:

Clastic sedimentary rocks are formed from pieces of rocks that are cemented together. Some clastic sedimentary rock examples are sandstone, shale, siltstone and breccia.

Chemical sedimentary rocks are formed when dissolved substances precipitate out of the solution and become a solid. Some chemical sedimentary rock examples are rock salt, limestone, iron ore, flint, chert and some dolomites.

Biologic sedimentary rocks are formed when many living things die, and these rocks are often where fossils are found. Some examples of biologic sedimentary rock examples are coal, chalk, limestone, diatomite and some dolomites.

Metamorphic rocks

Some common metamorphic rocks include:

marble - changed from limestone

quartzite - changed from sandstone

slate, phyllite, schist and gneiss - changed from mudrock

granite gneiss - changed from granite

chlorite schist and amphibolite - changed from basalt

Igneous rocks

Intrusive igneous rock

Intrusive rocks cool slowly below the Earth's surface and have large mineral grains. Since intrusive rocks are made inside the earth, they are also called plutonic rocks, named after Pluto, the Greek god of the underworld. Some common intrusive igneous rocks are granite, peridotite, pegmatite, diabase, diorite and gabbro.

Extrusive igneous rock

Extrusive rocks cool quickly on the surface and have small mineral grains or even a glassy texture. Volcanic eruptions produce extrusive rocks, and magma trapped deep in the Earth produces intrusive rocks. Extrusive rocks are also called volcanic rocks because they are formed by volcanic activity, named after Vulcan, the Roman god of fire. Some common extrusive igneous rocks are pumice, basalt, obsidian, rhyolite, dacite, andesite, tuff and scoria.

The Rock Cycle

Science Projects on Rocks

What kinds of rock projects are there.

We have rock projects where you'll learn about the physical characteristics of different types of rocks and minerals, the fascinating process of how rocks are formed through the rock cycle, and even get to make your own beautiful crystals! And if that's not enough, delve into the past by studying fossils and uncovering the secrets of the amazing animals and plants that once lived on earth. Check out these rock and mineral science fair projects!

Browse Science Projects on Rocks

Check out these rock projects with complete instructions and videos. They're great for students' science fair projects or a fun way for kids to learn about their rock samples!

More Related Projects

20+ Amazing Rock Projects to Do with Kids

It’s the perfect time of year for rock projects ! When was the last time you made your own pet rock? Or collected river rocks to paint? This is an awesome collection of rock crafts, activities, and science for kids that includes making beautiful garden stones and rock play.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Rocks are all around us… Just begging to be picked up, played with, and learned from! First up are some rock crafts, then rock play activities, and rock science. Just don’t steal them from your neighbor’s yard ;)

Rock Crafts

Rocks are an amazing arts and crafts supply. They are one of our favorites because you can find them everywhere!

Pour Painted Rock Garden Markers || Left Brain Craft Brain – These rocks are so fun to make and really look great in any garden. They make a great gift, too!

They’re a sneak peek into the STEAM Explorers Garden Ebook . The kids will love creating art for the garden, exploring the magic of vegetables (really!), and capturing critters in their garden journal! You’ll love the helpful standards-based learning, printables, and tools that make STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, & math) exploration easy!

Earth Melted Crayon Rocks for Kids || Left Brain Craft Brain – We have created some really amazing rock projects in the past, but this is one of my favorites!

How to Make Story Stones  || A Crafty Living  – These planet-themed story stones and galaxy play dough are so easy to make and even more fun to play with.

Puffy Painted Rocks || Babble Dabble Do – This is your next go-to craft project! It’s a simple setup and makes beautifully painted rocks.

A Garden Treasure Hunt with Painted Rocks  || One Perfect Day – Create your own treasure hunt with painted rocks!

Make Your Own “Rock” Band  || Fantastic Fun and Learning – Give your kids a chance to make their own rock band. They are going to love it!

Pet Rocks || Living Well Mom – I’m a sucker for DIY projects. Pet rocks have been one of my favorite things to create since I was a kid!

We will rock you…with googly eyes!  | Little Moments to Embrace – This is adorable! Put a fun twist on your next pet rock.

Earth Day for Kids – Stone Painting  || Twitchetts – Make earth day for your kids more exciting and knowledgeable by allowing them to paint rocks and learn about the texture of the earth.

Chalk Rocks  || Babble Dabble Do – Your kids are going to love this one. Make your own chalk rocks!

Rock Activities

Add a little play to your rock game with these fun rock activities.

Buildable Rock Slime   || Left Brain Craft Brain – Your kids are going to LOVE this DIY rock project! Grab a couple of your favorite trucks and have fun exploring. Check it out in action here.

The Rock Collection  || Inspiration Laboratories –  Kids love collecting rocks! Give them a fun way to explore their new rock collection.

Letter Stones   || Buggy & Buddy – Have you tried making letter stones? It’s the perfect learning activity!

Rock Memory Game  || Spell Outloud  – Make a fun rock memory game next time you’re hanging out outdoors.

Play Dough Petroglyphs  ||  Left Brain Craft Brain – Try adding a little history to your next creative, hands-on lesson.

Stone Craft: Build Towers || Inspiration Laboratories – Building towers are one common activity that kids love to do with their collection of rocks.

Rock Balancing Activity || Rhythms of Play – Wow! This will be one of your go-to rock projects. It’s a great DIY rock project your kids can create independently!

Rock Science

It’s so important that kids learn the science of the rocks they see every day. Here are some fun ways to do it.

Make a Chocolate Rock Cycle with Chocolate Rocks || Left Brain Craft Brain … Learn about the different types of rocks with this delicious activity. Plus we whipped up a rock cycle diagram for you that includes a fill-in-the-blank version for kids to do at school or home.  Want a printable version of this rock cycle diagram? Simply fill out the form below and we’ll email it to you!

FREE! PRINTABLE ROCK CYCLE DIAGRAM

Rock Demo Science Fun for Kids  || Fantastic Fun and Learning  – Make learning about rocks and their properties fun!

Rock Testing Experiment || KC Edventures – Have you tried testing rocks with your kids? This is a great article to get started!

How to Make a Rock with Kids || Fantastic Fun and Learning – Unleash the creative side of your kid by making your own rocks.

Constellation Art With Rocks and Sidewalk Chalk  || Creekside Learning – Help introduce your kids to constellations with rock art and sidewalk chalk.

Sorting and Classifying Rocks: Geology for Kids  || Rhythms of Play – Your kids are going to love learning variations of rocks while they sort!

Lava Toffee || STEAM Powered Family –  This is a delicious way to learn about igneous rocks!

Rocks are a great thing to study for Earth Day. Check out these other Earth Day Science Projects for Kids !

More Hands-on Fun for Kids

Looking for some more STEAM inspiration that you can use right now? Instant gratification style? Check out STEAM Explorers!! The coolest creative experience for kids is here! It's a digital book of the month club filled with tons of fun stuff for the kids to do and learn. All engineer, teacher, and mom-approved. And most definitely KID APPROVED!⁣ And it's 50% off for Back to School!!

What’s included?⁣

• A monthly digital magazine with cool themes that are fun to read
• Hands-on, exciting projects the kids will love.⁣
• Science, tech, engineering, art, and math learning YOU’LL love.⁣
• Delicious recipes the kids can make.⁣
• Fun printables and games⁣

Join us as we explore the HUMAN BODY with STEAM Explorers in August!! The kids will love constructing some delicious cell models, demonstrating how our immune systems work, bending bones, listening to your heart with a homemade stethoscope, and more. You'll love the helpful standards-based learning, printables, and tools that make STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, & math) exploration easy!

We’ve split the STEAM Explorers Human Body issue into four weekly themes:

• WEEK 1: Whole Body
• WEEK 2: Cellular Exploration
• WEEK 3: Thriving Tissue
• WEEK 4: Human Organs

2 thoughts on “20+ Amazing Rock Projects to Do with Kids”

Pingback: Buildable Rock Slime - Left Brain Craft Brain

Pingback: How to Make a Delicious Rock Cycle with Chocolate Rocks - Left Brain Craft Brain

Comments are closed.

GET A FREE STEAM ACTIVITY PACK!

Get a FREE! rainbow-inspired STEAM activity ebook filled with hands-on projects, printables, and recipes. Enter your info to have it emailed to you. It's a $25 value!