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The premise is simple: Gather a few supplies (flat, smooth rocks, acrylic paint, sealer, paint brushes), decorate your rock — getting as creative as you like — and seal it. Write instructions on the bottom of the rock that tell the finder which Facebook group to post a photo to once it’s found. Then, hide. You can also post a photo of the rock on the page after it’s hidden, giving clues as to its location. Popular hiding spots include parks, playgrounds and family-friendly hiking trails.Painted themes and messages are creative and wide-ranging: A small sample of photos posted to Kitsap Rocks include Willy Wonka chocolate bars, a toilet-shaped rock with a poop emoji, Dr. Seuss rocks and stones with inspirational messages such as “believe in kindness.” And there is no minimum or maximum age: Toddlers, teens, moms, dads and even grandparents are enjoying painting, hiding and hunting together.

Our little evergreen slice of heaven is becoming known as a hub of the painted-rock movement, which — with the help of community-driven Facebook groups — is spreading kindness around our state, one rock at a time.A lifetime resident of Bremerton, I was first introduced to hiding and seeking painted rocks through Kitsap Rocks, a Facebook group created by a collective of women who wanted to do community art projects with homeschooled students. According to co-founder Cathy Tomko, Kitsap Rocks was Inspired by Port Angeles Rocks, one of the first such groups in our state, and the idea took off. Tomko notes that through the group, they have been able to “connect all of the cities in Kitsap County to encourage art and creativity.”At its heart, this quirky, unplugged trend is about finding happiness and joy in the simplest of things. It certainly felt that way when my daughter found her first ladybug rock: The sheer excitement and look of joy on her face meant as much to me as it did to her.

Groups range in size from a few hundred members all the way up to tens of thousands for the Vancouver Rocks group. Administrators say they receive several requests daily to join, and if their group has been mentioned in a news story, the requests can increase to several hundred in a day.

A few years ago, when my daughter and I set out in search of our first hidden treasure, I had no idea that the vibrantly painted ladybug rock we would find would have such special meaning to us.

Prospective rock artists are encouraged to join a Facebook group that has ties to their local community. In addition to Facebook groups in Kitsap County and Port Angeles, Western Washington areas with pages include Bothell, Edmonds, Grays Harbor, Kirkland, Mount Vernon, Mercer Island, Seattle, Snohomish County, Tacoma, Whidbey Island and many more. Just search on Facebook with the name of your community and the term “rocks”; if you don’t find a page, consider starting one yourself (see below for tips).

Some people will only choose to create and hide, while others will participate in it all; painting, hiding and finding. If you find a rock, you can either re-hide it or keep it. Lots of people choose to keep their first rock and then re-hide the rest.

The Kindness Rocks Project is a viral trend where people, commonly children, paint pebbles or cobbles and leave them for others to find and collect. Photos of the painted rocks and hints of where to find them are commonly shared on Facebook groups. The trend originated in the U.S. and has spread to the other countries, including U.K., Australia, New Zealand,and Haiti.

Alice Brock, a Cape Cod resident who had been painting rock art since the 1960s, claimed credit for helping spread the phenomenon worldwide by sending painted rocks to her friends and family in New York City and Europe.The Kindness Rocks Project was started by Megan Murphy in 2015 on Cape Cod. She wrote “You’ve got this” on a rock and left it on a beach on Cape Cod. After a friend found it, she started leaving more rocks with inspirational messages behind.

#Islastones was a rock-painting movement in support of Isla Tansey, a girl diagnosed with DIPG, a terminal cancer. Isla asked people to paint stones with the hashtag #islastones, take photos of them, and hide them. Isla died on July 10, 2018 at the age of 7, less than a year after her diagnosis.Generally, rocks which are hidden are intended to be picked up, photographed and put on Facebook, and then re-hidden in a different spot. However, different rock groups may have different ideas; some might be asked to be taken as far as possible, and others hidden in the same city or general region. The Kindness Rocks Project encourages people to set up community Inspiration gardens.

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Keep collections to yourself or inspire other shoppers! Keep in mind that anyone can view public collections—they may also appear in recommendations and other places. View Etsy’s Privacy PolicyAs of the census of 2000, 320 people, 110 households, and 83 families resided in the town. The population density was 192.7 inhabitants per square mile (74.4/km). The 126 housing units averaged 75.9 per square mile (29.3/km). The racial makeup of the town was 77.19% White, 2.81% Native American, 19.69% from other races, and 0.31% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos were 28.44% of the population.Paint Rock is a town in and the county seat of Concho County, Texas, United States. The population was 273 at the 2010 census, down from 320 at the 2000 census.

The town’s name comes from Indian pictographs painted on cliffs overlooking the nearby Concho River. These pictographs cover nearly half a mile upstream from the town of Paint Rock. Some of the pictures painted on the rocks include animals, human figures, and handprints.

A chapter titled “An Episode of Paint Rock” is devoted to the town in the 1895 book, A Lone Star Bo-Peep, and Other Tales of Texan Ranch Life written by Howard Seely. The chapter chronicles the week of May 5, 1883, in Paint Rock and features several local residents in the text.

In the town, the population was distributed as 30.6% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.1 males.The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen climate classification system, Paint Rock has a humid subtropical climate, Cfa on climate maps.

Of the 110 households, 41.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.5% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.5% were not families. About 21.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.91 and the average family size was 3.45.The median income for a household in the town was $32,500, and for a family was $33,750. Males had a median income of $21,786 versus $21,250 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,965. About 13.0% of families and 15.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.7% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over. The purpose of the Rock Art Network is to foster principles of research and of conservation, create network of collaboration and, importantly, promote public and political awareness of this fragile and irreplaceable global heritage. Among the institutions and professionals affiliated with the Rock Art Network, the Bradshaw Foundation was identified as a key partner. Operating since 1992, the Bradshaw Foundation’s database of rock art information, visual resources and its robust social media presence make it an ideal partner to host the Rock Art Network’s online hub.

 Power from the past (above): The rock paintings found in the Drakensberg in South Africa and Lesotho are detailed, exquisite renderings testament to the great technical skill of the painters. The images embody many of the beliefs of the San people, including, as in this image, the spiritual transformation of ritual specialists or !gi:ten. The man has an animal head and cloven hoofs instead of feet, similar to those of the dead antelope in front of him. He carries a stick that is used during the trance dance, as well as ‘ y whisks’ made from the tail of an animal such as a hyena or wildebeest that were believed to ward off negative power. While this image is remarkably well preserved, many are suffering from ongoing deterioration.

 Stories on rock (above): Rock art has been created to tell stories over the course of the development of modern human species. We may not always be able to retell the stories from the creators of the rock art in the past, but the cultural insights we can still gain from this visual legacy are tremendous.

 A treasure of humanity (above): The beautiful almost life-sized giraffe petroglyphs in Niger were only documented in 1997. They are believed to be between five thousand and nine thousand years old. Despite its remote location the petroglyphs are under threat from mining and are being damaged by visitors including fragments being stolen.

Since the late 1980’s the Getty Conservation Institute has undertaken training courses and projects in rock art conservation and management, including a one-year diploma course in Australia and short courses in California, as well as a field project in Baja California Sur.The Rock Art Network recognizes the differences between various cultural interpretations of rock art. The vision statement is not set in stone, but rather it is intended to stimulate reflection and discussion. We encourage anyone who reads this vision statement and has comments to contact the Rock Art Network through the Editor, Bradshaw Foundation. What is important is the message of universality and significance of rock art and its dissemination. We welcome thoughts about enhancing the statement to make it more meaningful in your community.

 A unique record of spiritual traditions (above): Southern African rock paintings made by ancestors of the San (Bushmen) illustrate different ways in which power is received from the spirit world for healing, rain-making and controlling game animals. We interpret this art with the aid of San ethnography. In this example, the gures that are interpreted as healers wearing cloaks, face their patients and lay hands on them to draw out the arrows of sickness. Above their heads are bows, quivers containing arrows, and tasselled bags containing medicinal plants. The red lines coming from the face of the healer on the far left represent nasal blood that was believed to give the healer additional healing power.The Rock Art Network* subsequently emerged after a series of workshops held in South Africa from 2005 to 2011 as part of the Southern African Rock Art Project. This program was extended to Australia between 2012 and 2014 as an exchange between rock art specialists, managers, and custodian communities from southern Africa and Australia. It culminated in a forum in Kakadu National Park in 2014 and a document ‘Rock Art: A cultural treasure at risk – How we can protect the valuable and vulnerable heritage of rock art’ in which four pillars of rock art conservation policy and practice were identified. This document served as the basis for the agenda of the 2017 Namibia colloquium ‘Art on the Rocks – A Global Heritage’ in which the main focus was on Pillar I – Public and political awareness – and Pillar IV – Community involvement and benefits. In 2018 a colloquium held in California and Texas continued this work: ‘Art on the Rocks – Developing action plans for public and professional networking.’

 Changing behavior through awareness (above): Rock engravings on private farms in southern Africa have been permanently damaged over the past century or more by visitors. The scratches over the human gures on this rock were already there when the rock was photographed in the first decade of the twentieth century. With increased awareness of the value of the rock art, this type of destruction has been supplanted by names and dates. Fortunately, most of the recent graffiti is confined to boulders without ancient rock engravings, but vigilance is needed to reduce the impact of this type of vandalism.When you do a post and tag The Kindness Rocks Project it will go to our page or use @TheKindnessRocksProject and it will find its way to our pages feed so others can also see it. (You must “like” or “follow” our page before you are able to tag us)We are so happy you are joining us and would like to bring TKRP to your community, that is what this project is all about…spreading kindness! We also realize that some of you may like to open your own Facebook Page so that you can connect with other rock stars in your area and/or track your followers and those who find your kindness rocks. Simply create your own page and ADD in your ABOUT US section in your bio that you are a part of TKRP. It’s as simple as that! Then be sure to link yourself to our Project by using #TheKIndnessRocksproject in the body of your posts. In addition, be sure to email us photos and stories so we can feature your kindness with the rest of the project!

OUR GOAL IS SIMPLE\u2026TO PROMOTE RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS TO UNSUSPECTING RECIPIENTS\u2026WHETHER BY PAINTING AND DROPPING INSPIRATIONAL ROCKS OR SOME OTHER COOL CREATIVE WAY TO BRING KINDNESS INTO THE WORLDWe require that Corporations, Organizations and Schools purchase our eco-friendly paint supplies which have been carefully curated to ensure that they are safe for the environment and that they adhere to our LNT-Leave No Trace Practices. Also, we have created a 5 step mindfulness based process that must be followed for groups joining us to ensure that the intention of the project is adhered to. Our supplies help support the project and give back to the community by supporting our philanthropic partner The Happy Hope Factory.

We would LOVE to share your posts and all of the great work you or your group is doing to spread kindness in our world, in fact, we want to feature each and every one of YOU, as this is a project of MANY! Simply email your photos and stories to [email protected] and in the subject line please put “feature request”… that way we will be sure to get to you faster.

A Hashtags turns topics and phrases into clickable links in your posts on your personal Timeline or Page. This helps people find posts about topics they’re interested in. To make a hashtag, write # (the number sign) along with TheKindnessRocksProject® and add it to your post (and the back of your rock). When you click a hashtag, you’ll see a feed of posts that include that hashtag. That is how we connect as a project with one another. Instagram recently added a feature that you can “follow” a certain # as simple as following another page.As this project has continued to grow around the world, the original intention of the process of creating kindness rocks as a form of self-compassion first and foremost has been lost. We are living in a world of information overload and with that, often the origins of things are lost and ideas spread from simple images on social media rather than people taking the time to research and learn more about the project. There are many therapeutic benefits in the process of creating a kindness rock. We must recognize the need for kindness within ourselves first and foremost before we understand and recognize that need in others. Therefore, we have created a Kindness Rocks Certified Workshop Facilitator program to encourage others to learn more and then go spread that information in their communities. Our hope is that we can educate hundreds of facilitators who can then host workshops in their communities with the correct process and important information.

Many people have been inspired by our project and they have inquired about starting their own project. We think that’s super cool that we inspired you, however when one strays from the project and creates their own similar project without connecting back to us, the ultimate goal of inspiring many through the power of connection is weakened, and Kindness connects us all. Together we are more powerful than alone. This project is powered by each and every member and that’s pretty awesome, so why not join us.

This inexpensive Christmas painted rocks craft is so cute and quite giftable. They would be fabulous nestled on a fleece tree skirt and any penguin lover would be thrilled with these under a tree decorated with my DIY Felt Penguin Ornaments too!Painted rocks make lovely garden decorations! We’ve made quite a few just to brighten up our own yard. Just be sure they are in a place that won’t be in the way of a lawnmower! Another option is to hide your rocks around your neighborhood or at a local school, park, etc. for someone else to find. This has become quite the phenomenon, with people all around the world creating beautiful designs and hiding them about, simply to surprise and delight a stranger! Painting rocks is a soothing activity and it’s a good craft to do with kids of multiple ages. I like this penguin design because it is simple enough for small kids and you only need a few different colors of paint.The Soccer Mom Blog is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

TIP: If you don’t have access to rocks that are ideal for painting, this set of river rocks available on Amazon are just the right size and a smooth shape.Note: I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience in finding supplies used to make these easy Christmas painted rocks; disclosure policy available here.

Use these penguin painted rocks as part of a winter theme or as unique and easy Christmas painted rocks, if you’re looking for something different than the usual Santa or reindeer, etc.We moved to a new house over the summer and there are two big rock gardens on the property, full of smooth flat stones. To make it our own, we’ve been painting some of the rocks and adding lots of color to the otherwise plain rock gardens. What I would suggest is to look on social media for a painted rock group or rock hunt group in your area. (If you’re not already a member of one). You might be surprised that even small towns often have such clubs! Having said that, the first paint that is used is black. The entire surface of the rock is painted black. Let it dry completely. Next, the white paint is used. Paint an oval on the lower part of the rock, over the black paint. Let it dry completely.

Please remember that when painting rocks with kids may take a little while. Things shouldn’t be rushed. The penguin on the top in the picture below shows how ere were too rushed in our painting. The others turned out better. PenguinsPenguin SaysSpike: The Penguin With Rainbow Hair (Ocean Tales Children’s Books)All Things Penguins For Kids: Filled With Plenty of Facts, Photos, and Fun to Learn all About PenguinsPenguins for Kids: Learn About the Amazing World of PenguinsPenguin Misses Mom (Hello Genius) Painting on rocks is not only a fun and creative craft that will make kids proud, but it is also a wonderful outlet for children to practice their fine motor skills, such eye-hand coordination, attention to details while painting and making small and controlled movements, especially when painting the eyes and beak.

S&S Worldwide Color Splash! Liquid Tempera Bulk Paint, 12 Bright Colors, 8-oz Flip-Top Bottles, Great for Arts & Crafts and School as Poster Paint, For Kids & Adults, Non-Toxic. Set of 12.Acrylic Paint Brush Set, 1 Packs / 10 pcs Watercolor Brushes Painting Brush Nylon Hair Brushes for All Purpose Oil Watercolor Painting Artist Professional Kits.Ceya Chunky Glitter, 4.9oz/ 140g Black Craft Glitter Powder Mixed Fine Flakes Iridescent Nail Sequins for Nail Art, Hair, Epoxy Resin, Tumblers, Slime, Painting, Festival Decor

All content and images are the property of Living Life and Learning. Permission is granted for using 1 image with a direct link back to the post URL. All other usage violates terms.Now that you have seen the materials needed, keep in mind that the glitter isn’t needed, but it really does give the craft a wonderful look. So, let’s get along with our wonderful rock painting for kids to create fun penguins. Love painting penguins? Then you’ll love these penguin books that you can read with your kids. Explore Antarctica and their world to see why they’re so lovable. There’s no such thing as too many penguin activities! They are just so cute to handle and you can squeeze in a lot of homeschool lessons with a penguin theme.First, pick the colors to be used. I listed black, white and orange, but really, any colors will do, so long the child decides how to paint and decorate the rocks. As I pointed it out earlier, the glitter is optional, but we really loved the sheen the black and white got with it.After the black background and the white oval have been painted and dried completely, my daughter painted the orange beaks and the white circles for the eyes. When the white circles dried, then she painted the pupils black in the center. Dry all the way and done!

You’ve found a painted rock. Now what? Do you take it? First, read it! Take the message to heart, and know that you matter and your happiness matters. Someone else went out of their way to paint that rock for you to find. How cool that you’re the one who found it!Once you’ve painted, it’s time to hide the rocks for others to find! Now, use the term ‘hide’ loosely; you want someone to actually find the rock. Think of somewhere that gets a lot of foot traffic where someone may notice it. A local park, a bench in town, or outside of a community center are all excellent options.

If you make a mistake, paint over the whole rock and begin again! That’s the beauty of working on such a small canvas. Remember, there is no right or wrong way to paint a rock. The point is to spread a little love and compassion and to have fun while doing it!Lastly, pay it forward! Once you’ve read and enjoyed the message, you can either hide the rock somewhere new for another person to find, or if it meant a lot to you, keep it. All we ask is that if you keep the rock for yourself, that you paint another rock for someone else to find. Think of what the message meant to you. Make sure you help somebody else get that unique feeling too.

We recommend starting with more simple designs and try to work up to more advanced illustrations if you would like, but you can design the rock however you want! Designs do not have to be intricate. Paint simple things like smiley faces, hearts, flowers, and polka dots. Or just focus on your message and leave a little inspiration on the rock.

Then, if you want to, share the love. These rocks have gained popularity on social media, so share your photos for others to see. Check to see if there may be a local rock group in your area, and consider joining. The group can get together to paint and place them around town. Write the name of your group on the back of your rock so people can search for it when they find the rock.Well, you can get them just about anywhere! A hardware or craft store in your area most likely sells rocks of many shapes and sizes. Some local landscaping businesses may also offer them for sale, and this is especially good if you are looking for larger sizes. Avoid buying stones that have a waxy film as they will be harder to decorate.

You can also be more intentional about where you place the rock if you want to be sure that someone will find it. Leave one in the common area of your office building, place one by the bathroom sink at school, or on a teacher’s desk. They don’t even have to be hidden at all. You can keep them on your desk or dresser for inspiration. Give them as a gift, or hand a rock off to someone that you think could use words of encouragement.Or, just go outside and find some. From picking up pebbles on the beach to stones in your local park, any rock can make an excellent painted rock. Choose the type of rock that you think will fit your designs best and don’t take all the rocks out of one area. We want to be kind to our environment, too.

People have found that placing a group of painted rocks together to form a garden can make a wonderful impact on a community. Pick a spot that has plenty of people coming and going. Think about parks, libraries, schools, and public grassy areas near stores and restaurants. Then, leave a group of rocks and a sign that explains the rock garden. The sign should tell people that they can take a rock, leave a rock, or simply read the kind messages, smile, and continue on with their day. These positive phrases are sure to make so many peoples’ days. Check out examples of rock gardens.

Be considerate when looking for places to put the rocks. Don’t leave them at a private residence or business where you don’t have permission. National parks are also a no-go as most have a “leave no trace” policy. The purpose of creation is to be kind, so let’s be respectful of our environment.Have you ever stumbled upon a colorful, hand-painted rock that has been painted in bright colors or has an uplifting message written on it? You may have just found a kindness rock! Rock painting or rock art is a trend that has picked up popularity in recent years. Whether you’re an artist who is looking for a new art project or someone who wants to share a positive message with others, painting rocks might be for you. Your creations need to be sealed to preserve the paint and the beautiful designs you worked so hard on. Mod Podge or a spray-on sealer will work just fine—just make sure it’s a waterproof sealer. Our favorite sealant is Deco Art Multi-Purpose Seal. You can find this and other types of sealers at your local craft store. Ever wonder if there’s an ROI of Kindness? We say…yes! Learn helpful nuggets like the one below, plus how to create a Kindness Value Proposition (KVP) at your organization in this simple book by Inspire Kindness founder Mac Anderson and Brian Biro, The ROI of Kindness.