URANUS GEM DIG · AGES 6+
One little planet. Five very different finds.
A purple stone, a striped one, a white one with dark lines—what will appear first? Dig into the Uranus-shaped block, brush each find clean, and build a five-piece collection you can tell apart.
This is one focused excavation with a chisel and brush. The planet poster adds a space connection; the stones give little hands something real to examine.
COLOR, LINES, AND TEXTURE
Five finds, five clues.
Keep this lineup nearby as the stones emerge. Compare more than color: the lines and surface can help you choose between them.
Amethyst
Look for purple, with lighter or cloudy areas. Turn it around: is the color equally strong on every side?
Yellow tiger eye
Find the golden-brown bands. Tilt the stone in the light and follow the stripes across its surface.
Howlite
Look for a white background crossed by darker lines. Compare those branching marks with tiger eye’s bands.
Red jasper
Find the red to orange-red stone. Set it beside the amethyst and compare their colors in the same light.
Tektite
Look for the dark, pitted piece. Its little surface hollows make a useful contrast with the smoother finds.
Natural pieces vary in shape, shade and markings. Yours may not look exactly like the examples.
THE PLANET IS THE THEME
A space question to bring back to Earth.
Unfold the Uranus poster after the dig. Find the planet’s name, then ask: could these stones really come from there?
They are Earth materials in a planet-themed block. Uranus is an ice giant, the seventh planet from the Sun, and has no solid surface to stand on. NASA’s Uranus facts explain more.
The dark one has a different story.
Tektite is natural glass formed when a meteorite impact melts Earth material. It is not a piece of the meteorite itself. Learn about tektites.
WHAT COMES WITH IT
One planet, with the tools to open it.
Bring your own table covering and a small container for the finished collection. There is one set of digging tools, so two children can take turns at the block.
OPEN THE ROUND BLOCK
Small scrapes. A glimpse of color.
Give the planet a steady spot.
Cover the table and make sure the round block is stable before using the chisel. Read the supplied directions together.
Follow the edge of each find.
Scrape away a little material at a time. When a stone appears, work around it gently rather than prying against it.
Brush, then count.
Brush loose material away, set each stone aside, and keep going until you have all five. Compare them with the lineup above.
AFTER THE DIG
Can you name it without saying its color?
Put the five cleaned finds in a row. One person secretly chooses a stone and gives a clue; the other points to the match. Try these, then invent your own.
“Mine has bands.”
Trace the stripes with your eyes. How are they different from the lines on howlite?
“Mine has little hollows.”
Find the pitted tektite. Describe one detail you missed during the dig.
“Mine has branching lines.”
Choose the howlite, then turn it over. Do its markings continue on the other side?
For a quieter finish, write each name on your own scrap of paper and match the stones to the labels. Keep the dry pieces together in a container, away from younger children. The block is a one-time dig; the five finds are yours to keep.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Ages 6 and up.
Choking hazard: small parts. Not for children under 3 years. An adult should supervise the tools and help keep the work area clear.
Follow the package instructions, keep loose digging material away from eyes and mouths, and wash hands after the activity. Collect debris from the table covering before putting the stones away.
A FEW THINGS TO KNOW
Before choosing your planet.
Is this a full solar system set?
No. This kit has one Uranus-themed digging block with five stones inside, plus the tools, magnet and poster listed above.
Are there five crystals?
There are five named finds: amethyst, red jasper, yellow tiger eye, howlite and tektite. They are not all crystals—tektite is natural impact glass.
Does it come with an astronaut or a display stand?
No. This set focuses on the five stones. It includes an adhesive magnet and a poster, but no astronaut figure or display stand.
Can we put the stones back and dig again?
The excavation block is used up as you dig. Keep the stones for comparing, naming and collecting afterward.
CHOOSE WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE DIG
A space story or a lighted collection?
Mystery Space Dig Kit
For a pretend mission: uncover a UFO, rocket, astronaut and footprint toy, plus an obsidian stone, from five blocks.
Crystal Night Light Dig Kit
For a build after the dig: uncover six crystals and arrange them on a USB-powered lighted display.
KEEP EXPLORING
Pick the play that fits your child.
Ready to meet the five finds?
Start with one Uranus block. Finish with five stones to name, compare and keep.
