Activities with Rocks and Stones

Rocks don't move very fast, but you will in this Moon Rock Relay game that tests your agility. Teams step quickly on moon rocks to race to the moon and back in this summer activity.

What You'll Need:

How to Do Moon Rock Relay:

Step 1: Cut six large rock shapes out of cardboard, and color them with a black marker to look like moon rocks.

Step 2: Divide players into two teams. Mark the start of the racecourse with a cardboard sign that says "Earth." Place another sign that says "Moon" about 20 feet away.

Step 3: The first player on each team has to toss out three moon rocks and step on them, each time picking up the back rock and moving it forward to the Moon. The players can only move forward by stepping on the moon rocks.

Step 4: When the player reaches the Moon, she or he picks up the moon rocks, tosses them out again, and repeats the process to get back to Earth.

Step 5: When the first player gets safely back to Earth, it's time for the next player to go to the Moon and back. When all the astronauts on a team have gone to the Moon and come back, they are the winners.

The next summer activity will take you and your kids on a rock hunt.

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For a more geological rock activity, go on a Rockhounder's Scavenger Hunt. Learn all about rocks in this activity for kids.

What You'll Need:

How to Do Rockhounder's Scavenger Hunt:

Rockhounds are people always on the prowl for new kinds of rocks. Become a quick expert on your area's most common rocks with this hunt.

Step 1: Ask your local librarian for books on rocks common to your hometown. Make a list of those rocks -- including descriptions of them -- and make photocopies while you're at the library.

Step 2: Once you get that list home, give it to your friends along with ordinary brown paper bags.

Step 3: Now team up in pairs and head out to find as many of those ordinary rocks as you can. The team with the most rocks gets to talk about their adventure first.

Split rocks to see how fast they crack in the next Rock-Splitting activity.

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This Rock-Splitting activity will surprise those who think all rocks are alike. Safety comes first with this summer activity, though. With goggles and gloves in place, kids can then start splitting rocks.

What You'll Need:

How to Do Rock-Splitting:

All rocks seem the same. But are they? Not by a long shot. One swing

of a small hammer will tell you that some rocks are meant to last and some are meant to turn to sand.

Step 1: Kids should first ask permission before starting this activity.

Step 2: Wear gloves and safety goggles to protect your eyes. (Rock splinters can cause injuries if you're not careful.)

Step 3: Carefully place the point of an ordinary nail in the center of a rock.

Step 4: Using the hammer, drive the nail in.

Does the rock split in half? Does it chip? Does it refuse to crack? How it reacts to the pounding will tell you a little about how long it might last.

See the next page to learn how to create a garden path.

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Put rocks to work for you in this rock and stone activity. With the Step on it Rock Path, you can make walkways for your garden or simply lay rocks out for decoration.

What You'll Need:

How to Make Step On It Rock Path:

Step 1: Use the larger stones you discover on your geologic journeys to make stepping stones for your gardens, yard or flowerbeds -- especially to help you make a safe path to where you keep the garden hose.

Step 2: Take your flat, heavy stones and put them about six inches apart on a trail, either between rows in your garden or in flowerbeds near the spigot for the hose.

If a path isn't enough, find out how to create a whole rock garden on the next page.

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A Rock Garden is a rock activity that truly rocks and never dies. This summer activity can be done every year as you expand your rock collection.

What You'll Need:

How to Make Rock Garden:

Many gardeners use rocks in their flowerbeds for decoration. You can do the same.

If you find larger rocks that you'd like to add to your collection, why not consider a rock garden in your own backyard?

Step 1: Clear a nice, flat part of your flowerbed, removing all weeds and grasses.

Step 2: Arrange some of your favorite bigger rocks on the soil. Keep the bigger rocks towards the back of the bed, the smaller towards the front (so you can see them all clearly).

Step 3: If you like, add some tiny gravel to complete the stoney look.

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ABOUT THE ACTIVITY DESIGNERS

Moon Rock Relay by Lisa Lerner, Kersten HamiltonRockhounder's Scavenger Hunt by Maria Birmingham, Karen E. Bledsoe, Kelly Milner HallsRock-Splitting by Maria Birmingham, Karen E. Bledsoe, Kelly Milner HallsStep On It Rock Path by Maria Birmingham, Karen E. Bledsoe, Kelly Milner HallsRock Garden by Maria Birmingham, Karen E. Bledsoe, Kelly Milner Halls