Printable rock cycle worksheet for kids to cut, glue, and assemble into a foldable chart.

Let’s think about the rock cycle step by step.

The rock cycle shows how rocks change from one type to another over time. It’s a loop — it never really ends!

We already have “Volcanic eruption” at the top. That’s where magma (hot melted rock) comes out of a volcano and cools down to become igneous rock.

So, after volcanic eruption → igneous rock forms.

Then, what happens to igneous rock? Over time, wind, rain, and ice break it into tiny pieces. This is called weathering and erosion. Those pieces get carried away and piled up somewhere else — that’s sediment.

When layers of sediment get squished together over millions of years, they turn into sedimentary rock.

But wait — if sedimentary rock gets buried deep underground and heated or squeezed, it can change into metamorphic rock.

And if metamorphic rock gets even hotter… it melts back into magma! Then, when that magma erupts again — we’re back to volcanic eruption!

So the full cycle goes:

1. Volcanic eruption → makes igneous rock
2. Igneous rock breaks down → becomes sediment
3. Sediment turns into sedimentary rock
4. Sedimentary rock changes under heat/pressure → becomes metamorphic rock
5. Metamorphic rock melts → becomes magma
6. Magma erupts → back to volcanic eruption!

Now, looking at your chart: there are 6 hexagons around the center. One is filled (“Volcanic eruption”). The other five need to be filled in order, following the arrows clockwise.

Starting from “Volcanic eruption”, going clockwise:

→ Next should be: Igneous rock
→ Then: Weathering & Erosion → Sediment
→ Then: Sedimentary rock
→ Then: Metamorphic rock
→ Then: Melting → Magma

Wait — but we only have 5 empty spaces. Let’s count the steps between volcanic eruption and back to it.

Actually, let’s list the 6 stages total (including volcanic eruption):

1. Volcanic eruption
2. Igneous rock
3. Weathering/Erosion → Sediment
4. Sedimentary rock
5. Metamorphic rock
6. Melting → Magma

Yes — that’s 6 stages. So each hexagon gets one stage.

Since “Volcanic eruption” is already placed, the next 5 going clockwise should be:

- Hexagon to the right of volcano: Igneous rock
- Bottom-right: Sediment (or “Weathering & Erosion”)
- Bottom: Sedimentary rock
- Bottom-left: Metamorphic rock
- Left: Magma

But note: sometimes “melting” is shown as turning rock into magma, so “Magma” is the last step before eruption.

Also, some charts combine “weathering and erosion” with “sediment formation”.

To keep it simple for a foldable chart, here’s the most common sequence used in schools:

Clockwise from “Volcanic eruption”:

1. Volcanic eruption
2. Igneous rock
3. Sediment
4. Sedimentary rock
5. Metamorphic rock
6. Magma

Then magma leads back to volcanic eruption.

Perfect — that fits 6 boxes.

So fill them in this order, going clockwise:

After “Volcanic eruption” → write “Igneous rock”
Next → “Sediment”
Next → “Sedimentary rock”
Next → “Metamorphic rock”
Next → “Magma”

That completes the circle.

Final Answer:
Fill the hexagons clockwise starting from the one to the right of "Volcanic eruption" with these labels:
1. Igneous rock
2. Sediment
3. Sedimentary rock
4. Metamorphic rock
5. Magma