Rock Cycle Worksheets (11 Free Pages)
Explore the wonders of geology with our free rock cycle worksheets, designed to engage kids in grades 3-6.
As a homeschool mom, I know how important it is to find activities that make science come alive, and these worksheets do just that.
Once your child finishes the free life cycle worksheets, they can enjoy a fun rock cycle game to wrap up the lesson and reinforce what they’ve learned in a playful way.
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Let’s learn about the rock cycle
Our science free printable worksheets are designed for both classrooms and homeschool use, making it easy to dive into this hands-on lesson with no prep required.
Plus, I’ve included answer keys for each worksheet so you can focus on guiding the fun learning experience without any extra work.
Directions:
Download the 11-page rock cycle printable set below, and get ready for some interactive, hands-on learning!
The first activity introduces the rock cycle, spread across three pages.
You’ll need to cut out the pieces from the second page. Encourage your child to complete the activity without the answer key initially, and provide it for review afterward.
The next worksheet helps children sort and classify rocks into the three main categories: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. They will cut out images of various rocks and place them in the correct category. An answer sheet is included for easy checking.
Don’t forget to explore our free types of rocks worksheet for more hands-on learning!
The following activity is a writing and research task where kids identify rock types, describe their formation processes, and provide examples. I’ve added an answer guide for reference to help you support your child’s learning.
The last worksheet dives into the processes rocks go through. Children will draw arrows to connect the stages, showing how rocks form through processes like weathering, erosion, and heat or pressure. An answer sheet is also included to check their work.
This structured approach ensures that your kids learn about the rock cycle in a fun and engaging way, while the worksheets and answer guides make it easy for you to facilitate and review their progress.
Challenge yourself with our engaging rock cycle crossword puzzle, it’s a fun way to reinforce what you’ve learned about rocks and their formations!
Rock cycle worksheet answers
Use our rock cycle worksheet answer sheets as posters or add them to your child’s folder for a handy reference.
The first answer sheet shows the complete rock cycle, taking you through each stage: volcanic eruption, igneous rock formation, sediment deposition, sedimentary rock, metamorphic rock, and magma—back to volcanic eruption.
We love adding the Life Cycles book to our lessons—it’s a great way to make the worksheets even more engaging.
Finally, explore the processes of rock formation with our detailed guide, explaining how each type of rock forms and transitions within the rock cycle.
Understanding rock types
The next answer sheet focuses on identifying the three main rock types:
Igneous rocks form when molten material cools and solidifies. If formed inside Earth’s crust, they’re called intrusive (or plutonic) rocks. If they form on the surface, they’re called extrusive (or volcanic) rocks.
Sedimentary rocks are formed from the accumulation and compaction of mineral and organic particles. Over time, layers of these materials are compressed and cemented together. Common examples are flint, limestone, sandstone, and halite.
Metamorphic rocks originate from existing rocks that are transformed under intense heat and pressure, often deep within Earth’s crust. This process alters their structure and composition. Examples include quartzite, marble, and slate.
Continue learning with our free water cycle worksheets.
Rock cycle game
Learning should always be fun! After completing the worksheets, kids can enjoy our geology matching game. It’s suitable for all ages and can be played alone or with friends.
To set up the game, print out the pages twice so you have two sets of matching images. For an extra creative touch, decorate the backs of the cards before cutting them out.
Use your favorite coloring pens to make the game more personalized and colorful.
After printing the 4 pages, carefully cut out the 12 images per page. Using a paper cutter is quicker and more precise, but scissors work well too.
You’ll end up with four sets of 12 images.
Shuffle the cards and lay them out randomly on the table. If you prefer a neat setup, arrange them in rows—8 rows of 6 works well.
To play, children can either go solo or take turns with a friend. They flip over two cards at a time, trying to find a matching pair.
If they find a match, they can either remove the cards from the game and keep them or leave them face-up on the table.
The game continues until all matches are found, and the player with the most pairs wins!
Don’t miss out on our free weather memory game printable, it’s another fun way to keep learning interactive!
Books about rocks for kids
We love pairing our worksheets with great books, and these are some of the best rock-themed reads we’ve found to complement your lessons.
- We’ve loved reading Ultimate Rockopedia from National Geographic, it’s packed with amazing visuals that really captivate the kids.
- My book of rocks and minerals will not only tell you about the different rocks and minerals but also where to find them.
- Weird but true: rocks and minerals is such a fun book and the kids will love learning new and interesting facts.
This National Geographic rocks and fossil set will be a great addition to these free worksheets.
Enjoy our free rock cycle coloring page for a fun and creative way to reinforce what you’ve learned!
WANT ALL OUR LIFE CYCLE WORKSHEETS IN ONE PLACE?
Get your free rock cycle printables
In addition to these rock worksheets, explore our full collection of life cycle worksheets. With 247 pages covering 23 different cycles, there’s something for every curious mind!
Ready to grab your free printable? Just pop your name and email into the form below, and it’s all yours!
Last Updated on 20 December 2024 by Clare Brown