Reader Email – Getting kids interested in geology
A reader named Steve recently wrote to us, asking about fossil collecting activities and geology books for young children.
I’m thinking about taking my kids, 5 and 6 years old, to look for fossils. I live in San Rafael, just north of SF. Is Capitola a good place? How about up by Redding? Any other advice of nearby places, or places on the way to Lake Tahoe? My kids can hike, but I’m looking for something not too strenuo.us
Also, how about a book to recommend. I had a geology class in college, but otherwise don’t know much about rocks or fossils beyond the basics…
Thanks for the email Steve!
Capitola is a fantastic place to look for fossils, with specimens easily available right along the beach! And it’s not too far away from the San Francisco Bay Area.
We’ve actually written about Capitola twice before.
As far as geology books go that are oriented for the young ones, I’m not sure off the top of my head. A quick search on Amazon returned these results.
Anyway fellow readers, what say you?
Similar Posts on Geology News:
- Weekend Adventures – Capitola Fossils
- Capitola, California – Fossil Collecting
- Daily Geology Links on Delicious – Monday 8th of December 2008
- Saving Sand: South Carolina Beaches Become a Model for Preservation
- Your First Geology Field Trip?
I used to collect rocks and fossils when I was a kid and had a good collection of them. But one thing people need to know about is how thing have changed since then in reguards to hunting fossils. The laws. Once it was pretty much finders keepers, but not anymore and even if your kid picks one up and takes it, they may very well be breaking the law and you could face legal difficultys. That’s why I decided to only collect them digitaly with my camera. I think it’s too bad a parent can’t just take a kid out and collect something just laying on the ground that will be destroyed if no one pics it up, but that’s the way it is now.