Types of Rocks for Kids – Edible Rock Classification Earth Science Activity

As we continue to learn about Earth Science we are digging in to learning about the types of rocks for kids. This is a fun, simple way for kids to start to understand what are the 3  types of rocks and how they are formed. In this edible rocks project we used common kitchen items to recreate basic food rocks! Let me show you how to make edible rocks with your preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, first grade, and 2nd grader for some fun, hands-on science for kids!

Types of Rocks for Kids

A fun way to learn about the differences in types or rocks is using edible rocks! What could be more fun or memorable than eating different types of rocks, right? My kids though so too! Kids learn best by exploring the world they can see and explore. As kids pick up rocks and make rock collections help them to understand the 3 types of rocks for kids with this easy rock activities for kids from preschoolers, kindergartners, toddlers, grade 1, grade 2, and grade 3 students. With chocolate chips, children will make edible rocks that demonstarte the rock life cycle for kids in a way that makes sense and will stick too! This is such a fun, easy rock science experiment / demonstration for parents, teachers, tutors, and homeschoolers to add to their day!

What are the 3 types of rock

We started by talking about the study of rocks, looking at this book about lots of the amazing rocks in our world, and scientists who study rocks – geologists. Then we talked about how scientists classify things to better learn about our world. We practiced classifying and sorting a pile of shoes (this kids thought this was hilarious!). Then I shared that rocks are also classified; rocks are divided into three basic groups based on how they were formed in nature.

• Igneous Rocks  – Rocks formed from melted rock from the Earth’s core that have erupted from a volcano and then cooled and solidified. Examples include: obsidian, granite, basalt, and andesite porphyry.
• Sedimentary rocks – These rocks form from sediment, parts of rocks / minerals, or remains or animal or plant matter at the surface of the Earth.  These rocks have distint parts or sections and are may be loosely held together or softer. Sedimentary rocks are forming all the time. Example include: sandstone, limestone, and shale.
• Metamorphic rocks – When sedimentary or igneous rocks are put under extreme pressure or heat so that they completely change. It doesn’t just melt them, but changes them into denser, more compact rocks. Examples include: phyllite, schist, gneiss, quartzite and marble.

Edible Rocks

I’ve seen lots of different recipes to make edible rocks online, but honestly I just didn’t have the time.  I can’t be the only busy homeschool mom just trying to make it through the day with a semi-tidy house, dinner on the table, and happy educated kids! So I stuck with things I already had in our house.

Supplies needed:

• snicker bars
• parchment paper – optional
• microwave

How to Make Edible Rocks

• Sedimentary Rock Snickers – If you carefully cut a snicker bar you will see all the different layers of “sediments” in it that have been pressed together. That exactly how Sedimentary Rocks are formed.
• Metamorphic Rock Smashed Snickers – We put a snicker between layers of parchment paper, covered with a book, and let the kids stand on top. After the Sedimentary Snicker rock was under pressure it changed into a metamorphic rock. Metamorphic means change and a metamorphic rock is any other rock that changes into a new rock because of heat and/or pressure.
• Igneous Rocks We decided to use what we had on hand, miscellaneous snicker rock parts! So we put the parts in a microwave safe dish and put it in the microwave until it boiled so the texture would change to more dense and smooth, about 1-3 minutes and stirred. Then we carefully pulled it out (it will be HOT) and used a spoon to drop lava rocks on the parchment paper. When they cook you can eat them. Igneous Rocks gets heated very hot and cools very quickly which makes it hard, smooth, and sometimes traps air bubbles inside.

3 types of rocks for kids

Finally, we broke open Geode rocks (rocks that have a drop of moisture crystallize inside). It was Goofy’s favorite part! I added a life lesson by showing how we are like the Geode. We are unworthy and sinful. But God turns changes our heart and makes us a beautiful creation.

Rock Activities

• Simple Types of Rocks activity for preschoolers with chocolate chips
• Free Printable Types of Rocks Worksheets
• EASY Edible Rocks Activity for Kids
• Learn about the 3 Types of Rocks and the Rock Life Cycle with this fun, edible science activity

Food science experiments for kids

Use items commonly in your kitchen to try these food experiments for kids, but note they are NOT all edible!

• Plastic Milk Experiment with free worksheet
• Exploding Watermelon EPIC project to learn about potential energy
• Amazing Lemon Volcano Experiment for Kids
• Kool Aid Rock Candy  science experiment you can EAT!
• Learn about the 5 sense for kids with lots of projects including an edible skin model
• This colorful oil and water experiment is super simple, but so FUN
• Volcano Watermelon Experiment – Summer Activity for Preschoolers
• Use jelly beans for this hands-on STEM Easter activity for kids
• Learn how to make frost in a can
• Discover the Archimedes bath tub concept using candy with this simple water displacement experiment
• Try the classic bouncy egg experiment with a twist
• Learn about types of rocks with edible rocks

• Learn about density with this Rainbow in a Jar
• Use chemistry to inflate these balloons with with Pop Rocks Experiment
• This silly dancing raisins experiment always makes kids giggle!
• Kids will love this jelly bean taste test experiment
• Use celery for a hands-on pollution experiment for kids
• This Egg Drop Project STEAM activity is all about protecting the egg
• Magic Milk 4th of July Science
• Make an edible Jello Cell Model
• Use eggs to try these air pressure experiments for kids
• You can’t eat them, but these magic melting snowballs experiment is loads of fun!
• Make your own Peep Experiment
• Try making butter science experiment for science you can EAT
• Whip up a fizzy lemonade science experiment for another fun science project you can taste
• You’ve got to try this pretty, colorful candy skittles experiments
• Or check out over 100 Food Science Experiments