Rocks!
You find them in jacket pockets, lined up on window sills and creating havoc in your dryer.
And yet, when you had one over to the kids and ask them to return it to the yard, their faces gasp in horror …
“MOM! This is —
— the newest in my collection!
— a dinosaur fossil!
— the one that I found on our trip to Grandpa’s!”
It’s amazing how much promise can be found in one little stone 🙂
Gathering rocks is a right of childhood.
They are easily found, come in a variety of shapes & sizes and when you’re a pint-sized person, they are simply too close to your grasp to not pick up and pocket any time you get the chance.
But what to do with that growing group of gemstones?
We’ve got a few ideas that will inspire the kids and ‘rock’ your world (sorry, just couldn’t resist 😉
28 Rock Crafts & Activities
Believe it or not, rocks will keep kids entertained for a long time!
Consider having a rock day with the kids. Set out on a walk and collect a vareity of rocks and stones. When you return home, do one of the science or math activities from our list.
Then pull out some crafting supplies and create something special with your newest treasures. There are some amazing ideas for holidays thoughout the year too!
We’re also including a few of our favorite rock books so the kids can learn more about their special stones 🙂
Crafting with Rocks
Use pebbles & a pen to Create beautiful Rock Art — Zing Zing Tree
Create an Outdoor Activity Jar and encourage the kids to get outside!
Get creative and paint rock penguins! — East Coast Mommy
Make a set of Rock Ducks and read — Red Ted Art
Paint a Rock Turtle — Kitchen Floor Crafts
Explore the elements of design using nothing but stones — Mid-Pacific Institute
Craft story stones to go with your favorite book — Handmade Kids Art
Make a Pet Rock — There’s Just One Mommy
Craft your name of of rocks — Mama. Papa. Bubba.
Create a Good Luck Stone — Happy Hooligans
Paint Garden Markers — Adventure in a Box
Learning with Rocks & Stones
Learn to tell time on this awesome Rock Clock — Sun Hats & Wellie Boots
Explore Lines & Shapes with Rocks — You Clever Monkey
Create Constellation Art and study the stars — Creekside Learning
Count & Sort with Lovebug Rocks — Where Imagination Grows
Learn about balance & engineering by building Stone Cairns — Nuture Store
Create a set of alphabet stones and practice your ABC’s — The Imagination Tree
Use a Rock Jar to Reward Good Behavior — See Vanessa Craft
Work on fine motor skills with Rocks & Playdough — Sugar Aunts
Learn more about your rocks — here’s a few of our favorite books:
Let’s Go Rock Collecting (Let’s-Read-And-Find-Out Science. Stage 2)
A Rock Is Lively
Jump into Science: Rocks and Minerals
And Explore Rocks and Minerals!: 25 Great Projects, Activities, Experiements 
‘Rock’ the Holidays
Send some love out on Valentine’s Day with these #Slove Pebbles — Adventures of Adam
Recreate the Jelly Bean prayer with Easter Rocks — JDaniel4’s Mom
Create Chalkboard Easter Egg rocks — Coffee Cups & Crayons
Make Your Own Memory Stones to celebrate summer — Mum in the Madhouse
Show Dad how much he “ROCKS” with this Paperweight for Father’s Day or these wonderfully creative Hero Stones — Crafts by Amanda
Craft a handmade Turkey Puzzle for the Thanksgiving table
Count your blessings with Gratitude Stones — Fireflies & Mudpies
More Ways to Have Fun with Nature:
DIY Nature Notebook {with 40+ free printables}
50 Outdoor Games & Nature Activities for Kids