Geology

[Taila]

Hi

My 2 yr old has really gotten in to geology and I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for where I could bring her that have samples of rocks/minerals that she can explore?

As she is only 2 yrs old everything is learned via touch, feel, explore so sitting her down with a book isnt really an option. Ive brought her to the Natural History museum, except everything is behind glass and she wasn't impressed by the fact that she couldnt hold them.

Thanks!

Hmm, I am a geologist, let me think.
Geo samples, as you say are usually in museums where they are behind glass. You could maybe try a geological samples shop, but they may not be too impressed with you playing with their samples either. These chaps have several branches around the south and south west, where are you?

Or you could buy her a kit of her own, here.

facepalm my bad, Im in Southeast London.

Cant say Ive heard of geological samples shops, honestly didnt know they existed

If you dont mind me asking, as a Geologist. Where do you think would be a good place to start? We have investigated our garden and surrounding area to death and have done several volcano experiments. But from what little I know about geology, its a very broad subject.

Im hoping to get her a kit in the future, we are unforunately in the middle of relocating to the US and trying to avoid buying more things (so expensive to ship!)

thanks for the advice

You could try going to a beach and looking at the difference between stones and sand ? Maybe not as pretty as polished mineral specimens though.

I am sure there must be guides on google to geological walks in London? Old buildings (think big banks and dept stores with lots of marble) can be good places to look at different types of rocks and minerals in cities. The British Geological Survey have some online guides to the geology of some London tourist spots - Trafalgar Square etc.

If you are ever in Oxford, the Oxford Natural History museum have lots of exhibits that you are actively encouraged to touch/hold etc.

IIRC that does include some rocks/minerals/fossils etc. You could email or ring them and ask?

Hi, the Natural History Museum has a brilliant hands on resource in the basement complete with microscopes, scales etc and a mini 'dig', which always went down well with our younger ones.
Used to be called the Clore gallery, now seems to be named Investigate: www.nhm.ac.uk/visit-us/whats-on/daily-events/investigate/index.html

Should add that though it says 7 -14, I've taken small grandchildren, and 15-17 yr olds.

Would she be interested in making her own "fossils"? I recently picked up a science experiment book from a charity shop that suggests you could make your own salt dough fossils. You need a mug of flour, half a mug of salt, a mug of used ground coffee, half a mug of cold coffee. Mix & knead everything together to make a dough, break off chunks and roll out to about 3cm thick. Then you can press shells, or anything else into it to make imprints. Leave to dry in a warm place (or you could dry them on a v. low setting in the oven).

I made up a batch of the salt dough this morning for DD to have a go at this week. She's 5, and loves getting stuck into hands on projects.

Where in the UK are you? Somerset has some great rocky beaches, including Doniford Bay were there loads of fossils.

Also visit the Jurassic coast in Dorset.

I'm a primary teacher, and I got a lot of decent selections from the garden centre. They had slate, sandstone, limestone, granite, tufa... lots.

We're in Dorset, and I'd recommend Hive Beach (nr Bridport), and Lyme Regis as places to investigate.