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Geology

Trammel Fossil Park (Sharonville, Ohio)

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We were heading to Cincinnati for a media dinner at Freddy’s Steakburgers and Frozen Custard and decided to stop and play along the way. I looked up some parks in the area and found out about the Trammel Fossil Park located in Sharonville.

Trammel Fossil Park

I had never heard of the Trammel Fossil Park and I have lived in Ohio all my life. We have been fossil hunting before at Caesar’s Creek before Lil’ Red was born so I thought it would be fun for him to hunt some fossils. We brought some empty ice cream buckets to help with our fossil collection.

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Homemade Rock Kit

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What does a resourceful mom do? Figure out ways to create your own rock tool kit including common household tools and ask around for anything that could be handy that is currently being unused. This post will show you a little bit of our evolving rock collection kit and how we have gotten so many nice rocks for free!

Today I would like to share with you some ways to create your own homemade rock kit. Yes, you can buy all types of rock kits, mineral kits, classroom sets, and even rock hound backpack’s but most of those are quite expensive. Since these pre-made kits aren’t in a frugal homeschool budget I wanted to give you ideas of what we have done.

homemade rock kit

First determine how much your children are really into rocks. Do they really want to learn about them OR do they just want to collect them and play with them? Either way your child can learn, observe, and explore rocks to their hearts content!

If your child really want’s to learn to identify and collect them for further study then I suggest you print rock identification charts or cards from below or visit our post with over 40 free resources for rocks and minerals. Keep an eye out at garage sales or used book sales for rock books. We splurged and paid full-price for Rocks, Gems and Minerals (A Golden Guide).  Funny thing is we found an older version of the same book for .50 at a garage sale!

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Free Resources for Rocks & Minerals

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40 + Resources for Rocks and Minerals

My daughter has been interested in studying rocks off and on for over 3 years! I’ve looked into Rock Collection Kits, Rock Collector’s Backpack, and tons of other resources that cost BIG BUCKS. We homeschool on an almost zero budget so those items are way out of the question. Disclosure: I have used affiliate links which add no cost to you but help support our blog and our homeschool.

40_rock and mineral resources

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Good Old Fashioned Fossil Hunting

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Somehow at the last minute a few years ago we got information about a program at a local state park for fossil hunting. The organization that was putting it together was Creation based and was even bringing in a Christian Paleontologist. I was very excited to drive the hour or so on a hot August day to learn about Fossils!

old fashioned fossil hunting

First of all who doesn’t like to collect rocks or fossil hunt? My kids really enjoyed being able to search, dig, clean, and KEEP some fossils. We were at Ceasar’s Creek State Park and the main rule is “You can only keep fossil’s smaller than your fist or palm of your hand!” Once we checked in and filled out a day pass we were good to go. Our entire group of 15 plus families drove from the main visitor station to the fossil hunt site.

We only knew one family out of the entire group so we just hunted as a family. It was quite hot but fun. Keeping Big Red from eating the fossil’s was a challenge but we still had fun and brought home a bucketful of fossils.

girl holding fossil
My advice for Fossil Hunting with Children:

1. Wear sun protection- be sure to bring hats, sunglasses, and put on 50 SPF or higher.

2. Bring your own buckets to haul your fossils home.

bring your own bucket for fossil hunting

3. Use a stroller filled with toys if you have anyone under 5 with you. Trust me you will thank me!

bring toys for tots

4. Pack snacks and plenty of water. You may need to freeze water or juice pouches to keep them extra cool.

searching for fossils

5. Plan your hunt with friends and shoot for a COOL Fall or Spring day if possible.

6. Always follow the rules for the location your are Fossil Hunting.

7. Bring a comfortable seat. Yes, a diaper changing pad can double as a comfy seat but thick foam kneeling gardening pads are even better!

diaper pad used as sitting pad for fossil hunt

 

Hope you enjoyed learning some quick tips for Fossil Hunting. Did you see our super fun and budget friendly 100 activities post? Stop on over for more great Summer ideas.

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