Welcome back to our Summer Science series — today’s science theme is Geology!
This is a favorite area of science for kids for two reasons — explosions and digging 🙂
I don’t know about your house but in ours, there are rocks & rock collections everywhere!
I’m not kidding — on the science table, stacked up near the garden in the backyard, in the dryer (yep, it seems like every week I’m pulling rocks out of someone’s pocket).
What can I say, kids are attracted to rocks.
Since they’re going to collect the darn things anyway, why not spin it into some great hands-on learning 😉
Shhh…don’t tell them.
Rocks, Fossils & Volcanoes for Kids
Geology is the area of science that studies rocks, fossils and changes in the Earth’s physcial structure. I thought we’d focus on 3 areas of geology that kids really enjoy and find interesting — rocks, volcanoes and fossils.
For each of these areas, we’ve pulled together some great books along with affilite links and fun activities so kids can get up close to science!
Rock Testing Activities & Books
Before you dive into any great books or activities, you’ll need to find some rocks 😉
Head outside and search your backyard, neighborhood or local park for cool stones that peak your child’s interest.
Once you get them back home, you might want to find out what types of rocks you collected. There are a few ways that you can learn how to identify rocks:
Geology.com has a great identification page for a good variety of rocks.
There are a few ways to test a rock.
First, you can try the Acid Test for Rocks which is a quick & fun test you can do at home to see if your rock contains carbonate or calcium, a mineral common in some rock types.
Older kids would enjoy testing the hardness of their rocks using Mohs Scale.
Chart via National Park Service
The National Park Service has a printable chart you can use that describes Mohs Scale.
If you have a metal nail, penny and a piece of glass (we used glass from a mosaic kit), you will be able to determine the approximate hardness of each rock (just explaining to kids that some rocks are harder than others will bring up a whole bunch of questions).
You can then take an online quiz at Mineralology for Kids to learn how to identify your rock or mineral based on luster, hardness, color and more.
And there are always some great books where you can learn more about rocks:
Let’s Go Rock Collecting (Let’s-Read-And-Find-Out Science. Stage 2) 
A Rock Is Lively 
Jump into Science: Rocks and Minerals 
And Explore Rocks and Minerals!: 25 Great Projects, Activities, Experiements 
Related Activity: How to Organize a Rock Collection
Inspiration Laboratories has some great hands-on science this week! Get outside to do some Rock Collecting activities and explore geology at home.
Fossil Activities for Kids
Sometimes you find a rock and it’s not a rock — it’s a fossil!
Try these books & activities if you have kids who are intrigued by dinosaur bones —
Fossils Tell of Long Ago (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2) 
Monster Bones: The Story of a Dinosaur Fossil (Science Works) 
Barnum’s Bones: How Barnum Brown Discovered the Most Famous Dinosaur in the World 
Where to Find Fossils
If you want to explore fossils, check out one of the science or natural history museums in your area. Many will have fossils on display and some will have fun ‘practice’ dig sites too.
To find one near you, check this list of Natural History Museums by State for many across the U.S.
The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History has an amazing Virtual Fossil Dig that kids can do online — they will learn about the various tools involved in unearthing bones and the process needed to get the bones from the ground and into a museum.
It’s also to let the kids dig around in your own backyard — you never know what types of things you’ll find when you look at some of the larger rocks you might have in your garden or at a nearby park. Many times, plants will leave fossil-type imprints in rocks too.
You can also create your own fossil dig at home! Try one of these 5 Fun Fossil Digs so kids can discover what’s it’s like to be a junior paleontologist.
Explore Volcanoes
Before we get into volcanoes, I want to warn you — some younger kids will be scared of this concept.
Our daughter did not like the idea of volcanoes for years. When she was younger, she was afraid one might ‘grow near us and explode’. So gauge your child’s interest as you discuss this topic.
The Magic School Bus Blows Its Top: A Book About Volcanoes 
Older kids (ages 8+) will enjoy the Magic School Bus chapter book series. The Magic School Bus Science Chapter Book #15: Voyage to the Volcano 
Another great book that’s PACKED with facts and photos is the National Geographic Kids Everything Volcanoes and Earthquakes 
Volcano Activities
Volcanoes are a little harder to explore with kids. You can’t just walk down the street to see one 😉
In fact, most of us will never see an active volcano in our lives. And yet, volcanoes are a large part of geology as their explosions result in the formation of islands around the world!
One of the best ways to promote hands-on learning for a subject like this is to use a science kit to explore volcanoes.
And if you’re lucky enough to live near a dormant or active volcano, by all means — take a field trip!!
Older kids will also enjoy the Discover Kids Volcano Explorer website where they can learn more about volcanoes, build their own virtual volcano and watch it explore.
So this summer, instead of saying “Put that rock down“, pick it up and bring it home for some fun with geology!
June 25th — {Biology}
Books & Websites that explore Plants, Animals & the Human Body
Backyard Earthworm Experiments
July 2nd — {Geology}
The Science of Rocks, Fossils and Volcanoes
Digging for Dinosaurs — Learn to be a Paleontologist
July 9th — {Astronomy}
Explore the Night Sky – Marshmallow Constellations
Solar System Activities for Kids
July 16th — {Physics}
Fantastic Forces & Water Rockets
Exploring Color and Temperature
July 23rd — {Chemistry}
Make a Cup Cake (Chemistry of Baking)
Blowing Up Balloons/Blowing Out Candles
July 30th — {Ecology}
Kids Activities that Explore Ecology
Create an Under the Sea World: Exploring Ocean Zones