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:
- Go on a rock hunt in your neighborhood or at a local park.
- Look for all different kinds, shapes, and sizes of rocks to put in your box.
- Once you’re back home, wash and dry your rocks.
- 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.
- Place the painted rocks on the poster board to dry.
- If you like, glue pipe cleaners, eyes, or any other decorative item onto your painted rocks.
- 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.