|
|
|
Hobbies for Kids - Rock Collecting
|
Collecting
is a very broad and popular topic for hobbies and
it
is a very easy
one for young children to pursue. Collecting can include: coins,
stamps, rocks, dolls, baseball cards, action figures, post
cards, comic books, dolls. Barbie
dolls,
sea shells, rocks, military paraphernalia, movie and/or sports
memorabilia and
more. A
collection is a great way to learn about people, places and things.
Rock
collecting can be an
interesting, and educational hobby.
Rock
collecting is the ideal hobby for children because you can find
rocks anywhere and they are completely free. In fact, you can begin
collecting rocks right outside your front door. Your collection can
eventually grow to include rocks and minerals from other places.
Your kids will find it entertaining to look for pretty rocks and
will enjoy examining the rock's appearance, shape, and weight.
Studying the rocks collected is a great way to learn about the
earth.
There are an
abundance of books on this subject to help with research.
How to Begin...
It is
easy to get started in collecting rocks.
You
really do not need a lot of equipment to
start this hobby. The first thing to purchase is a magnifying glass
to get a closer look at the specimen. You should also buy a few
Rock and Mineral book that offers photos and descriptions to help
you classify your rocks. A medium size brush to dust off your
rocks.
When you do find rocks that interest you, it's
important to label them so Ziploc storage bags will come in handy to
store your treasures. You should put each rock into a separate
plastic bag and label it with the date and location where it was
found.. You will also need a study tote bag or
backpack to carry your rocks home. A
geologist's hammer comes in handy when it is necessary to chip or
free rocks like when exploring natural rock formations like caves.
Carry a pen and notebook to record what you found and where.
Safety goggles are always a good item to
have as well. There are websites that sell beginner kits that
include all of these items and more for around $75.
Decide what size stones you want to collect. They
shouldn’t be too big because of storage space and they shouldn’t be
too small because you need to see their features. Clean your stones
using the brush or gently wash in soapy water and let dry for a few
hours.
You can keep your collection in a small box divided
by cardboard, a shelf, an egg carton lined with cotton, clear jars,
or a shadow box. In the beginning you may want to organize your
collection based on color, type of rock or mineral, or the location
where it was found. As your interests evolve and your collection
grows you will learn to identify based on crystal, shape, hardness,
color and luster.
If you want to give your child a jump start to get
their interests going consider purchasing a small collection. You
will find them on the internet and they range from inexpensive
beginner's sets to very expensive sets with rarer rocks.
Where
to Look
Every
natural setting has rocks that is what makes this such a great
hobby. Great places to look include:
-
quarries
-
hills
-
mountains
-
caves
-
roads
-
parks
-
streams
-
lakes
-
ponds
-
beaches
-
rivers
Travel
is also
a
great place to find rocks that are not available in the area where
you live. Just think what you could find in Sedona, AZ or the big
island of Hawaii. Remember that the best place to find rocks is a
location where water, wind, weather or digging has disturbed the
rocks
Types of Rocks
It is important to understand the different types of rocks if you
intend to collect them as a hobby. There are three different types
of rock that make up the earth: igneous rock, sedimentary rock and
metamorphic rock.
-
Igneous rock is formed by
intense heat such as volcanic activity. These rocks include
obsidian, granite, and basalt.
-
Sedimentary rock occurs when
layers of dirt, sand, shells, plant matter, or other material
settles on top of one another and become compressed and hard
over time. These rocks include limestone, coal, and shale.
-
Metamorphic rock occurs when
there is a combination of heat and pressure. Examples of this
form of rock include diamonds, marble, and quartzite.
The combination approach, meaning buying as well as finding rocks,
is a good way to enhance
your collection. Some sources to
investigate are listed below:
-
Rock and Gem Dealers
-
Collectors Clubs
-
Rock and Gem Shows
-
Internet Dealers
-
Auctions
-
Flea Markets
-
Antique Shops
-
Mall Craft Exhibits
Remember the slogan "Buyer Beware"; be sure to use caution and
common sense when purchasing your rocks. Do your homework and
check prices in shops, mail-order ads and on other Web sites in
advance before making your purchase.
Helpful Links:
Kids Collecting from Smithsonian
Rock Hound
Neill’s Geology for Kids
Rocks and Minerals
ThinkQuest Rock Collecting
|
|
|
