Fool’s Gold Panning Activity – Pyrite Discovery Set
Let the kids experience the excitement of panning for fool’s gold (pyrite) with this fun, single-use geology activity set. Each set includes a 4-cup bag of mixed soil and rock containing dozens of real pyrite grains, giving young explorers a hands-on way to search, sift, and discover.
Perfect for science activities, outdoor learning, parties, or rainy-day exploration, this activity introduces basic concepts of mineral identification and separation while keeping the experience playful and engaging.
How to Pan for Fool’s Gold
Find something to sift through the dirt with—no fancy equipment needed. At Cornerstone, we like to use aluminum pans.
Pour a portion of the dirt into the pan. We recommend working with about ⅓ of the bag at a time.
Add water until the mixture is loose and easy to move—thinner than mud works best.
Slowly swirl the pan in a circular motion. As the watery dirt spills gently over the sides, heavier materials remain—revealing the shiny fool’s gold and other rocks at the bottom.
This panning set is a great way to spark curiosity, encourage observation, and bring a classic geology experience to life with real pyrite and real discovery.
