My children enjoy searching the beaches, riverbeds, and woods for small, smooth rocks that intruigue them. They pack them home, and desposit them around the yard and house.
Until recently, I have been unable to decide what to do with these little pretties. A friend of mine gave the kids a rock painting kit for their birthday, and the kids loved painting every rock in the kit, then turned their attention to their outdoor collection. They've been creating everything from spiders, to funny looking faces. Now their rock hunting involves searching for stones that "look" like a creature, (butterfly, shark, flower) and have the best surface for painting.
I you want to try it yourself, here's what you'll need to do:
1. Go on a rock hunt. Find rocks of different shapes & sizes.
2. Gather supplies for creating your creatures or images.
*Acrylic or Tempera Paint (Remember, Acrylic may not wash out of all fabrics.)
*Paint brushes of all sizes.
*Decorative accessories, such as pipecleaners, small feathers, glitter, wiggly eyes, recycled plastics, dried grass for hair, clay for eyes or noses, gemstones, small beads, felt pieces, etc.
*Recycled Newspaper for paint surface.
3. Wash rocks and allow to dry before painting. If you wish to glue rocks together to create shapes like, cars, turtles, snowmen, etc., do so now before the painting process. Encourage your child to come up with ideas on his own, but if he is too young, showing him pictures of ideas may be helpful. Encourage your child to be creative, and add other items to complete his creature or object.
We'd love to see your rock creations too! If you have a link to your blog or photo album where they can be viewed, please share it with us!
