Free Rock Cycle Worksheet for Kids

Understanding how rocks form and change over time is easy with this free rock cycle worksheet, designed for kids in grades 3–6.

As a homeschool mom, I’m always looking for ways to make earth science more engaging, and this printable set has been a great addition to our geology lessons.

These free life cycle worksheets offer a fun, hands-on way to introduce the dynamic processes that shape the Earth.

Illustrated rock cycle worksheet featuring cartoon images of rocks, volcanoes, and geological processes. Includes sections for labeling types of rocks: sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic, and their transformations. Title reads Free Rock Cycle Worksheet.

Table of Contents

What’s Included in the Rock Cycle Worksheet Set

These free printable worksheets cover different aspects of the rock cycle, from classification to formation processes, with a mix of cut-and-paste, labeling, and writing activities.

Introduction to the Rock Cycle

The first activity spreads across three pages and introduces the full rock cycle. Kids will cut out the pieces from page two and place them in the correct sequence.

A worksheet titled Rock Cycle with cut-out images for educational purposes. It includes illustrations of sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks, a volcano, and magma. A pair of blue scissors is placed on top.

I recommend having them complete it without the answer key first, then using the guide to check their work.

A rock cycle diagram with cartoon images of a volcano, a child with metamorphic rock, a child with sedimentary rock, magma, and igneous rock. Arrows indicate the cycle process between different types of rocks.

Rock Classification Activity

Next up is a sorting task where students classify rocks into three categories: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.

They’ll cut out rock images and match them to the correct group. This visual exercise reinforces core geology concepts in an approachable way.

(For a little extra practice, check out our free types of rocks worksheet, too!)

A chart titled Types of Rock shows three categories: Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic. Various rock names are listed below, like Limestone, Obsidian, and Marble, each categorized under the appropriate type.

Rock Research & Writing Page

This worksheet encourages deeper thinking. Kids identify rock types, explain how they’re formed, and give real-world examples.

A worksheet titled Types of Rock with columns for different rock types. It includes spaces for Name the Type of Rock, How Are They Formed? Where Are They Formed? and Examples of Rocks. Four rock illustrations are depicted.

It’s great for independent research or guided learning, and there’s an answer guide included to support you.

Rock Cycle Diagram

To bring it all together, students connect the major geological processes—weathering, erosion, heat, pressure, and more—by drawing arrows that show how rocks transition from one type to another.

Illustration of the rock cycle showing processes like melting, cooling, weathering, and heat. It depicts transitions between magma, igneous rock, sediment, sedimentary rock, and metamorphic rock. Four colorful markers are placed at the bottom.

Challenge yourself with our engaging rock cycle crossword puzzle, it’s a fun way to reinforce what you’ve learned about rocks and their formations!

Answer Sheets & Reference Materials

Each of the science worksheets comes with an answer key, which you can also print as a reference poster or keep in a student binder.

The main answer sheet walks through the rock cycle from volcanic eruption to magma, showing how each type of rock forms and transitions.

We also included a detailed explanation of each rock type:

colorful rock cycle answer sheet on the life cycle book open on the rock pages

Igneous rocks form from cooled molten material—intrusive (underground) or extrusive (on the surface).
Sedimentary rocks result from layers of compressed mineral and organic materials like sandstone and limestone.
Metamorphic rocks are created when existing rocks undergo heat and pressure, forming new structures like marble and slate.

rock formation worksheet on top of the the DK book "Life Cycles"

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We love pairing these pages with the Life Cycles book—it adds helpful context and visual interest to your geology lessons.

Continue learning with our free printable water cycle worksheets.

Rock Cycle Game for Extra Fun

To keep the learning light and fun, we’ve added a printable rock cycle matching game. Perfect for solo or group play, it’s easy to set up:

rock memory game printables printed twice so pairs can be matched

Print the four pages twice so you have two of each image.
Cut out the 12 cards per page (a paper cutter speeds things up).
Let kids color the backs before cutting for a creative twist.
Shuffle and lay them out in a grid (e.g., 8 rows of 6).
Take turns flipping two cards to find matches—most pairs wins!

decorating the back of the memory cards so the images dont appear when truned over.

We often use this after finishing the worksheets to reinforce terms and processes in a relaxed way.

rock cycle matching game on a paper cutter.

And if your kids enjoy this, they’ll also love our free weather memory game printable for another interactive science option.

the rock matching pairs game laid out on a white table waiting for kids to find matching pairs.

Enjoy our free rock cycle coloring page for a fun and creative way to reinforce what you’ve learned!

Books About Rocks for Kids

We love pairing our worksheets with great books, and these are some of the best rock-themed reads we’ve found to complement your lessons.

We’ve loved reading Ultimate Rockopedia from National Geographic, it’s packed with amazing visuals that really captivate the kids.
My book of rocks and minerals will not only tell you about the different rocks and minerals but also where to find them.
Weird but true: rocks and minerals is such a fun book and the kids will love learning new and interesting facts.

This National Geographic rocks and fossil set will be a great addition to these free worksheets.

WANT ALL OUR LIFE CYCLE WORKSHEETS IN ONE PLACE?

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Get Your Free Rock Cycle Printables Here!

In addition to these rock worksheets, explore our full collection of life cycle worksheets. With 247 pages covering 23 different cycles, there’s something for every curious mind!

Ready to grab your free printable? Just pop your name and email into the form below, and it’s all yours!

If you don’t see the form below, click here to get the free rock worksheets.

Last Updated on 30 April 2025 by Clare Brown