Year 3 Rocks & Soil Activities

Unearth the Secrets of Rocks and Soil with Six Hands-On Investigations

Transform your Year 3 Science lessons with this comprehensive resource featuring six engaging activities that explore the properties of rocks, soil composition, and weathering processes through practical, hands-on investigations.

Six Complete Activities Included:

1. Identify, Classify And Observe: Become rock detectives! Examine different rock types using observation skills, classify rocks by their properties (colour, texture, hardness, grain size), and learn to identify common rocks like granite, limestone, and sandstone
2. Investigating Permeable Rocks: Conduct scientific experiments to discover which rocks allow water to pass through them! Test permeability using different rock samples, measure water absorption, and understand why some rocks are porous while others are impermeable
3. Investigating The Hardness Of Rocks: Explore rock hardness through fair testing! Use Mohs scale principles to compare different rocks, test which materials can scratch which, and understand why hardness varies between rock types
4. Soil Observation: Get hands-on with soil! Use magnifying glasses to examine soil samples closely, identify the different components (organic matter, minerals, air, water), and discover what makes soil essential for plant life
5. Layers Of Soil: Create soil profile models showing the distinct layers beneath our feet! Explore topsoil, subsoil, and bedrock, understanding how soil forms over time and why different layers have different properties
6. Weathering Rocks Investigation: Discover how rocks break down over time! Investigate physical and chemical weathering processes through experiments that simulate freeze-thaw action, erosion, and the effects of water and temperature on rocks

Why Teachers Choose This Resource:

• Curriculum-Aligned: Fully supports Year 3 Science objectives for rocks and soils in the National Curriculum of England
• Hands-On Investigations: Practical experiments that make geology tangible and engaging for young scientists
• Ready to Use: Complete lesson plans with learning objectives, equipment lists, and step-by-step instructions
• Develops Scientific Enquiry: Activities include fair testing, observations, predictions, and recording results
• Accessible Materials: Uses rock samples and everyday items readily available or easy to source
• Cross-Curricular Links: Connects to KS2 Geography (physical geography, weathering) and Maths (measurement, data)
• Outdoor Learning Opportunities: Several activities can be extended with outdoor rock and soil collection

Perfect For:

• Year 3 Science lessons on rocks and soils
• Key Stage 2 geology and earth science teaching
• Homeschool science curriculum
• Developing scientific investigation and fair testing skills
• Building understanding of earth materials and processes
• Outdoor learning and environmental education

Learning Outcomes:

Through these activities, children will compare and group together different kinds of rocks based on their appearance and simple physical properties, describe how fossils are formed, recognize that soils are made from rocks and organic matter, understand permeability and hardness of different rocks, and investigate how rocks weather and break down over time.

What Makes This Resource Special:

Rocks and soil are literally beneath our feet every day, yet their properties and formation remain mysterious to many children. These hands-on investigations transform rocks from boring stones into fascinating geological specimens with unique properties and stories. By testing, observing, and experimenting, children develop genuine scientific understanding through direct experience.

Building Scientific Understanding:

Understanding rocks and soil is fundamental to earth science and geography. These activities develop not just knowledge about geology, but essential scientific skills including observation, classification, fair testing, and understanding processes that happen over long time periods—skills that form the foundation for all future science learning.

Bring geology to life! These engaging activities help Year 3 students discover the fascinating world of rocks and soil through hands-on investigations that make earth science tangible, memorable, and genuinely exciting—building scientific knowledge and enquiry skills that will serve them throughout their education.