Day 31: Start a Rock Collection

Welcome to the final day of 31 Days of Backyard Nature Fun, a month-long series offering simple ways to get outside exploring the natural world. To see activities from earlier this month, head here.

We made it! Thirty-one days in a row, each featuring a different idea for backyard nature fun. Phew!

If you’ve been playing along, I hope you’ve come to realize that helping kids to make a nature connection every day can be simple and can happen just about anywhere.

And if you haven’t had a chance to put some (or all) of the ideas to use yet, no worries. The entire 31 Days of Backyard Nature Fun is archived so you can check it out any time. (There’s even a cool badge over there in the right-hand column to make the series extra easy to find.)

Ready for day 31? Here goes.

Day 31: Start a rock collection.
I’ve shared before about how much The Explorers love their rocks. Rock collecting is one of those things kids do without even realizing it. They pick up a few stones on a walk around the neighborhood. Find a shiny gem at the park. Then another in the backyard. You know how it goes.

You don’t have to know a thing about rocks yourself to help foster this interest in your child. In fact, it’s pretty simple to help your explorer start his or her first rock collection. How?

• Start by picking up one or two new additions to any other rocks your explorer might already have on a neighborhood nature walk. Challenge your child to find rocks of different sizes, textures, shapes and colors.

• Then find a place to store your child’s favorites. An empty egg carton works nicely.

• Try to identify your rocks using a field guide, but keep it simple. Younger kids may prefer sorting by shape, color or size.

• Continue adding to the collection with rocks in the future. 

For more on starting a rock collection, see:

• Go on a rock hunt 
• Starting a rock collection with kids

And if you’re looking for something more structured, check out the Handbook of Nature Study for some ideas.

Just joining us? Catch up on what we’re up to at 31 Days of Backyard Nature Fun.