I have been working on kindness projects with my Girl Scout Troop, and have been wanting to make some Kindness Rocks for a while now. I have been following the Kindness Rocks Project, and once the weather got a little nicer this spring, I decided to get started. The girls are ages 8-10 and they really enjoyed this project, from decorating the rocks to finding places to put them.
Materials needed:
Rocks (Home Depot – approx $11)
Spray Paint (2 colors + clear gloss – $3.87 per can)
Paint Pens (set of 12 on sale at Michaels – approx $6)
I chose two light colors in a more matte finish, so that the finish wouldn’t be too shiny and in the hopes it would make it easier to decorate the rocks. I wanted light colors so that when the girls put them outside, they would stand out, but that the colors were pleasant to look at.
I started by laying out the rocks, spacing them out just enough so the top half would get sprayed.
I made sure the rocks were coated enough so that the kids wouldn’t have trouble writing on them. I allowed the rocks to dry for a couple days just to make sure the finish wouldn’t be tacky and so the rocks wouldn’t have a strong spray paint smell to them.
Once the rocks were dry, I laid them out in 10 rows (since I have 10 scouts in my troop). I wanted to make sure there was an even distribution of rocks as far as basic size and colors.
I bagged up the rocks, with each girl getting about 10 rocks, and setting a few extras aside (in case someone messed up a rock and wanted a new one).
At our meeting, I explained the project and gave the girls some ideas. We talked about some kind words and things that would make someone happy if they saw it written on a rock, and the kids got to work decorating their rocks.
The girls used a combination of Sharpie Markers and Paint pens. Both worked well, but the paint pens were definitely something the adults had to help with because you have to shake the paint pens and depress the tips to get the paint to come out.
The girls put their rocks back in their bags, and I took the rocks home to spray with a sealer.
I did have some issues with the paint bubbling on some of the yellow rocks. I think I may have put on too much enamel – so I recommend spraying light coats and allowing to thoroughly dry.
We are in the process of placing the rocks outside. I discussed with the girls to be careful about things like making sure the rocks are placed carefully (not where someone will mow), or to make sure that the rocks aren’t in the way or in a place they shouldn’t be.
Our council has patches for “Kindness Rocks”, and you can also find patches online.
The kids love to find these rocks wherever they go. Plus they enjoy making and leaving them. Fun project.
What a lovely idea! And so easy to implement also. It has the rigor of an art project with the fun of an Easter Egg hunt all rolled up into one activity!
We did the Kindness Rock Project last month with my daughters. THey loved it! They were handling them out to everyone at church instead of leaving them out in the open! ☺
These kindness rocks came out great! I am going to try this with my 3rd grade class. I know they have lots of kindness to share with the rest of the kids in the school.
My kids absolutely love painting rocks! I think every rock in our entire yard is going to be painted by the time they are through!
This is such a great way to get kids learning about kindness in a totally fun and crafty hands on way! Thanks for this fabulous DIY I can’t wait to try and recreate these rocks with my son!
This is such a great idea. I might do this with my kids this summer to create a few rocks to go around my garden. Love this!
It’s my first time to hear about kindness rocks and I think it’s such an awesome idea. My daughter will love this activity.
What a great idea! This is something I think my kids would Love doing and leaving around the city. What a fun thing for others to stumble upon!
This is so great. I was a Girl Scout all through elementary school and it taught me so much. I love the kindness and joy this spreads.
We love painting on rocks! I like the idea of leaving them to be found by someone else!
We absolutely love kindness rocks! My daughter and I made a bunch of them when covid just started. And I sometimes see some that others made and it always lifts my mood. Thanks for sharing.
I LOVE this idea. I have done this in my classroom and as a school project. I like to paint rocks with my boys too. We did that often during “lockdown.”
This is such a fun, inexpensive activity. Plus, I love how everyone can express their creativity. So cute!
This is such a fun and a popular activity that has taken the world by storm. The kids love to express their creativity and emotions.
I was just searching on Pinterest for inspiration to make my ownI and found this. Its very creative!
I love everything about this! Growing up a Girl Scout, I always loved activities during meetings – this is such an amazing idea.
I have never been in agirl scout. But I love reading everything about them.
Aw, these rocks are so cute. I have two sons under 5 years old, and I can’t wait to see what they will do in school.
These rocks are a super great idea for kids to entertain. I saw many of these around of community as well.