What lies beneath your school playground? What stone was used to build your local church? Why is there a hill at the end of your road? Where did the minerals in your phone come from?
The theme reminds us that geodiversity is part of everyday life, from the soil that grows our food to the materials used in our homes. By discovering what is around us, we can better understand our local environment and why it deserves our care.
A worldwide celebration, with local discoveries
Across the world, schools, universities, scientists, community groups and nature organisations are marking the day with walks, exhibitions, talks, creative projects and activities.
This year’s celebrations include a geological walk in Jodhpur, India, a student photography exhibition in Guatemala, and new work to recognise and protect geological heritage in Tasmania and Ireland. In the UK, an animation shares the geological story of Bradgate Park and Swithland Wood in Charnwood Forest.
These are just a few examples of the many ways people are celebrating. Wherever they live, participants are helping others discover the value of their own local landscapes.
Explore more celebrations on the International Geodiversity Day website.
Get involved: activities for Rockwatchers
Choose one activity or try several with your family, friends or school. You can celebrate on the day and keep exploring afterwards!
- Become a doorstep geologist
See how much geodiversity you can spot within a ten-minute walk of home or school. Look for pebbles, gravel, soil, building stones and landscape features. Photograph or sketch five discoveries and note what caught your eye. - Go on a pavement safari
Take a closer look at the stone used in buildings, walls and paving. Can you see sparkling crystals, different colours or even fossils? Some limestone contains traces of ancient sea creatures — a trip to the shops could become a journey into the past! - Investigate the soil you’re standing on!
With permission, compare small samples from a garden or another suitable spot. Are they gritty, sticky, dark or pale? Use a magnifying glass to look for tiny rock fragments and plant material. Think about how rocks, weather and living things help make soil. - Read your local landscape
Find a hill, valley, stream or pond and ask how it formed. Can you spot signs of water wearing away soil or moving sediment? Make a simple sketch map and add the questions you would like to investigate. - Become a rock whisperer
Choose a pebble from your collection and examine its colour, texture and patterns. What clues might reveal its story? Revisit our 2025 International Geodiversity Day page for Rockwatch’s interview with Dr Anjana Khatwa, her article and more activity ideas. - Connect the living and non-living world
Look for moss growing on a wall, plants rooted in soil or creatures sheltering beneath stones. How does geodiversity help them live there? Draw a picture showing the connections between rocks, soil, water and wildlife. - Find geology inside your home
Make an “Earth materials” detective list. Look for clay in pottery, stone in worktops, and metals in household objects. Choose one item and research the rocks or minerals used to make it. - Create your own doorstep exhibition
Turn your discoveries into a poster, photo display, short video or illustrated notebook. Give it the title “Geodiversity On My Doorstep” and share what you have learnt with someone else.
Explore with an adult where appropriate, ask permission before collecting, and leave buildings, habitats and protected sites undisturbed. Photographs and sketches are excellent ways to record your finds.
Keep exploring with Rockwatch
At Rockwatch, we help young people discover Earth through field trips, museum visits, competitions and our magazine, which includes stories and discoveries from members themselves.
We’d love to hear what you find on your doorstep! Share your photographs, drawings and geological questions with Rockwatch, or tell us about your celebrations on social media.
Happy International Geodiversity Day, Rockwatchers — what will you discover close to home?
Big discoveries start on your doorstep!
