Rock Your Art – Gnome Zone Weeklong Challenge

Hey kids! Welcome to this week’s Gnome Zone Challenge: Rock Your Art! Go on a rock hunt to find your favorite rocks, then turn your rocks into works of art.

Don’t forget to show us your Rock Art! Post a photo of your rock(s) on your family’s Facebook or Instagram page and tag it #PoudreLibraries.

Supplies needed:

  • Rocks
  • Sturdy box with lid (such as a shoebox)
  • Non-toxic Acrylic, Finger, or Tempura paint
  • Poster board
  • Paint brushes
  • Scrap fabric or felt
  • Pipe cleaners, eyes, and other decorative items
  • Glue

Here’s what to do:

  1. Go on a rock hunt in your neighborhood or at a local park.
  2. Look for all different kinds, shapes, and sizes of rocks to put in your box.
  3. Once you’re back home, wash and dry your rocks.
  4. Be creative and paint your rocks. Try a spider, a fish, or a funny face – whatever you like. You will probably want to wear an old T-shirt or smock to protect your clothes from the paint.
  5. Place the painted rocks on the poster board to dry.
  6. If you like, glue pipe cleaners, eyes, or any other decorative item onto your painted rocks.
  7. Shake out your box. Line it with a pretty piece of scrap fabric or felt. When your rocks are dry, place them back in the box as a gift for someone special, or make a “Rock Art” garden in your yard.

Challenge Extensions:

For the little ones:

  • Talk to your child about the colors of their painted rocks. Point out other things that are the same color.
  • Count the rocks with your child.
  • Feel and talk about the texture of the rocks you collect.
  • Sort the rocks into groups of little and big.

For the older kids:

  • Try creating colors from nature. Mud is good for brown, berries make purple, and a crushed up dandelion soaked in boiling water makes yellow.
  • Learn more about different kinds of rocks. Go to poudrelibraries.org. Click on the Research tab. Click on Homework K-12. Scroll down to DKfindout. Type “rocks” in the search bar and find color pictures and lots of information.
  • Make a Tic-Tac-Toe game with painted rocks.
  • Spread painted “Kindness Rocks” around your neighborhood and make someone’s day!

“The Why” behind the Challenge:

Art helps kids use their imagination and develop creativity. It’s a great way for kids to express themselves and to communicate with others. It also helps boost their self-confidence. Mixing paint colors and planning a rock design also supports the development of critical thinking and problem solving skills.

Additional Resources:

Check out Creativebug Kids‘ classes for painting and other fun projects.

Rock Art by Alix Wood

Rock Crafts by Betsy Rathburn

Cool Outdoor Arts & Crafts: Great Things to Do in the Great Outdoors by Alex Kuskowski

Show us your Rock Art! Post a photo of your rock(s) on your family’s Facebook or Instagram page and tag it #PoudreLibraries.