Instead of screens today, why not… play with rocks.
Rocks and sticks. For many kids in the world today, that’s all that’s in the toy box. I can’t quite get my head around it and I know my kids couldn’t, but I wish we could. One of my earliest childhood friends had a rock dolly that she used to tuck into bed at night and cuddle during the day. I never even considered this to be an odd thing until another kid pointed it out to me. Even back then I envied my friend’s ability to defy reality.
Story stones
A couple of weeks ago we made some simple story stones and they’ve been a huge hit. The kids enjoy drawing on new picture prompts as much as they enjoy using the stones to tell stories. Finding the stones, painting the stones, drawing on the stones and then finally using them to help us tell our stories has been a brilliant creative exercise and one that has kept the kids going for hours.
All that fun from a simple rock hunt led me to round up six more absolutely awesome things a kid might want to do with a rock. Oh and after all the fun of pooh sticks, you bet that next week I’ll be doing a round up for sticks. I think it’s important.
1. Rock monsters by Lindsay Stephenson
3. Rock dominos by Repeat Crafter Me
4. Nature prints by Housing a Forest
5. Bugs and bees tic tac toe by Chicken Scratch NY
6. Rock necklaces by Blonde Designs
Are you looking at rocks in a whole new light now?
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Mumma McD says
My 3 yr old loves to collect rocks whenever we go for walks – she paints some, puts stickers on others, and makes up stories about where they’ve been. Some even get names!
It’s awesome to watch her imagination go wild; her exy toys and ‘educational’ games don’t offer anywhere near as much inspiration for her creativity!
Rocks rock 😉
Maxabella says
Rocks rock! I think we don’t get our kids out in nature enough – to collect and create with what’s on the ground. Kids love it! Thanks for visiting. x
Rachael says
I too love the simple things Bron. I often worry about my children’s obsession with iPads and computer games on their emotional well being and development. I would never deny them such things but it feels so great to remind them of the joy that simple things like playing with rocks bring. Cute ideas!
Maxabella says
I always say that I have no issue whatsoever with screen time, but i do have an issue with kids missing out on all the things they could be doing while they’ve got their face in a screen. Simple things like rocks! x
peregrinationgourmande says
What good ideas! I ‘m going to Croatia this summer were the beaches are not sandy but rocky and I planned to use them as a DIY project to keep the kids quiet. I was thinking of posca pencils art. I love dominos idea! thanks xx cathy
tash says
Love the nature prints! I think I’ve had that one pinned for a while 😉 x
Malinda @mybrownpaperpackages says
I am loving that cute little tic tac toe game – will be seeing if we can replicate that one in the backyard.
Toni @ Finding Myself Young says
I’ll be using rocks for play once bub is a bit older. She’s just at the tail end of the “must put every single thing I touch into my mouth” stage. Pinning this for later though 🙂
Bronnie - Maid In Australia says
Rocks rule! My kids love to collect them … my son went through a stage when he was almost obsessed. Some days I would find my handbag particularly heavy and I’d check it out to find it laden down with rocks! He’d slip in interesting ones he’d find on our travels because he didn’t want to lug them around. We like painting them and putting them in the garden. It’s also fun if we find some with a little crystal or some kind of pattern in it – or one that looks like a heart or something interesting. What fun!
Maxabella says
That’s fabulous, Bronnie. I love kids and collections. They fascinate me as much as the collection fascinates them! x
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