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FREE Printable Rock Cycle Posters

If you are teaching about the Rock Cycle then these free printable Rock Cycle Posters are just what you need. Explaining the cycle that rocks go through as they change these are the ideal accompaniment to an Earth Science Unit with kids.

sample of the two rock cycle posters to download for free from Rainy Day Mum with cartoon of a child studying a rock.

With 2 display posters, showing first the complete cycle with stages in between like the formation of sediment and magma. The second poster displays the cycle but gives more information about the rock types.

Free Printable Rock Cycle Posters for Kids, a simple rock cycle with volcano, sediment creation and magma to form the sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rock and a second poster with more information about the rock types.

The Rock Cycle

The rock cycle is one of the foundation of earth science. Kids need to know the different types of rocks and how they are formed.

These posters are great for reminding them of the changes as well as how to tell the rocks apart.

There are 3 different rock types – Sedimentary, Metamorphic and Igneous. Each of these are formed from processes on earth and continuously cycle over long periods of time.

Igenous Rock

picture of honey comb an edible model of how igneous rock is formed.

Igneous rock is formed from the cooling of the magma from a volcano. Over time this rock is broken down into small sediments by erosion and weathering. The smaller and smaller rocks then progress to the next stage of the cycle.

We have a great hands-on experiment for creating your own igneous rock with kids as well as some simple volcano experiments that they will love to show how different volcanoes erupt.

Sedimentary Rock

Sedimentary rock is made up of bits of pieces of broken down rocks, dead animals and plants that have been deposited in low laying mud and sandy areas. As more is deposited then the layers are compressed and a new sedimentary rock is formed.

Sedimentary rock edible model with rice krispies, marshmallows, chocolate chips and M&Ms showing how the layers are created in the rock cycle

You can also make an easy model of Sedimentary Rock that is really tasty and shows how it is made.

Metamorphic Rock

Metamorphic rock is formed by immense heat or pressure. Both sedimentary and metamorphic rock can undergo this process to transform it. If the heat is too immense then instead of forming metamorphic rock they return to the magma and form igneous again when they cool. The pressure unlike that of sedimentary is not caused by layers piled up and weight but instead the pressure of tectonic plates moving around on the Earth’s surface.

Edible science experiment to make Slow Cooker Walnut and Cranberry Fudge as an example of Metamorphic Rocks

Want to make your own metamorphic rock then our fudge where heat and pressure is performed is ideal or investigating the effect of the movement of the plates with our plate tectonic model experiment.

FREE Printable Rock Cycle Posters

preview picture of a free printable rock cycle worksheet for kids shows the different stages and types of rock
preview of the 3 different types of rock found in the rock cycle with illustrations and short descriptions

Our free printable rock cycle worksheets are great for helping with revision, understanding and starting off learning about the rock cycle. To get the rock cycle printables just fill in your details below.

Free Rock Cycle Poster for Subscribers

More Earth Science Activities

Looking for hands-on activities to teach Earth Science with Kids then check out these other ideas below

Available in our Shop

preview pages from a printable Rock Cycle Activity Pack for Early Elementary Kids includes Rock Cycle Poster, Rock Testing Sample Sheet and more activities to support learning about the rock cycle

Rock Cycle Activity Pack $5.00

Printable Pack with poster, worksheets and rock testing sample sheet to support learning about The Rock Cycle.

Author
Cerys Parker

Cerys is a marine biologist, environmental educator, teacher, mum, and home educator from the UK. She loves getting creative, whether it is with simple and easy crafts and ideas, activities to make learning fun, or delicious recipes that you and your kids can cook together you'll find them all shared here on Rainy Day Mum.

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