Grow Your Own Geodes

Preschool Science Grow Your Own Geodes

Isn’t one of the best parts of being a kid getting outside and digging in the dirt and the mud while discovering some pretty neat rocks? There is so much learning and exploration that happens while in nature. One thing I know is that preschoolers are fascinated by rocks, and they want to know all the things! This grow your own geode experiment will most definitely wow your little learners!

One of our favorite units at Pre-K Printable Fun is rocks, dirt, and mud. It's a great time to watch little learners connect with nature, learn new words, and truly get lost in curiosity.  Your preschoolers will love this experiment, and they may wonder what a geode is. In simplest forms, geodes are rocks filled with crystals. With some simple ingredients and a little bit of patience, you can grow your own!

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Supplies:

1⁄2 cup epsom salt
1⁄2 cup very hot water 
Food coloring

*Teacher Tip: This activity involves near boiling water so definitely be cautious when involving preschoolers in the first couple of steps. A great way to involve them is by helping them choose what color geodes to make!

Process:

Growing geodes is a combination of science and crafts and it will definitely fascinate your young learners with a few household ingredients! To start you will want to take a glass jar and mix epsom salt and very hot water until epsom dissolves completely. 

Next, invite preschoolers to add in a few drops of the chosen food coloring. Ask them to make mental note of what is happening. Where is the food coloring going? What will happen if you don't use a spoon to mix?

After you have stirred in your food coloring you will place in refrigerator for about 3 hours or overnight. 

*Teacher Tip: The longer the better so let your preschoolers know about the importance of letting the geode take time to grow! Try this towards the end of your day if you are planning on letting them sit over night. Extending the experiment over a period of two days also supports preschoolers in understanding time and encourages them to engage in projects that they need to return to  which supports focus and sustaining attention to activities

Next you will drain the jar and there will be crystals throughout and a geode in the bottom!

Talk to your preschoolers about how geodes are natural rock forms that often take millions of years to form. Geodes are vibrant and amazing to look at. This activity allows preschoolers to understand the process of rock formation and it’s a fun way to introduce geodes. Next time you go outside they will be on the hunt for the sparkling rocks!

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