Welcome to another Wacky Workshops project – rock art.

ROCK YOUR WORLD

I’ve chosen this project in honour of  Old Rock Day.

There really is a day for every occasion but this one is a big hit because it means the Goddesses have a special excuse to play with rocks and it’s one of their favourite things to do.

No matter that they have a room full of toys and books plus an art teacher Grandy who has all manner of arts and crafts supplies, at every opportunity the little Goddesses love to go outside and play with the pebbles and rocks in the garden.

When they are not playing with the rocks outside, they can often be found playing with the pretty stone and crystal collection inside.

I have 8 rock related projects to share today.

LET’S GET STARTED

1. ROCK YOUR WORLD – PET ROCKS

Rock play wouldn’t be complete without offering the wonderful pet rock project.

Anyone else wish they had the nous to become multi-millionaires in a matter of months by selling rocks?

This is what California advertising man Gary Dahl managed when he came up for the idea to produce those funny little pets in 1975.

They came with their own personalities and even a trainer’s manual and sold for $4 US each. Within six months 1.5 million pet rocks had been sold before the fad started to wane.

SUPPLIES

• Rocks – any shape but the original pets were made with smooth rocks
• Markers
• Glue
• Embellishments – googly eyes, material scraps etc.
• Imagination

METHOD

• Examine the rock to determine what accessories would suit it most.
• Draw on hair, eyes (if you are not using googly eyes) mouth and nose (optional)
• Glue on accessories – make a tie out of material, fashion some glasses out of wire.
• Name your new pet.

No need to worry about food and vet bills for this one!

2. ROCK YOUR WORLD – TREASURE ROCKS

These are really sweet and can be hidden around the garden (particularly in the fairy garden) or, if you’re feeling generous, scatter a few in parks to surprise and delight other children.

SUPPLIES

• Rocks
• Nail Polish
• Glue
• Glitter

METHOD

• Paint the rocks with bright coloured nail polish – this lasts much longer than paint.
• Add glue and then glitter.
• You can add details with markers if you choose.

3. ROCK YOUR WORLD – LETTER STONES

These are such a fun and clever way to help kids recognise letters and even spell out words.

SUPPLIES

•  Rocks – lots – up to 100
• Markers

METHOD

• Write one letter of the alphabet on each rock with the marker. NB: I followed the Scrabble game letter distribution to get the maximum enjoyment out of word games with the rocks.

• Help your child use the rocks to spell out their name and other words.

4. ROCK YOUR WORLD – COUNTING ROCKS

This is very similar to the letter stone craft, using numbers instead. I started with 10 rocks and numbered each one. Then you can play all kinds of counting games and help children understand how groups go together to make a total.

5. ROCK YOUR WORLD – NOUGHTS AND CROSSES GAME

I always love to play this game.

SUPPLIES

• Piece of cardboard
• 12 rocks
• Markers
• Ruler

METHOD

• Mark 6 rocks with an ‘X’ and the other 6 with ‘O’.
• With the help of the ruler, mark out the grid on the cardboard, making three rows across and three rows down.

TO PLAY

Each player has six matching rocks – Xs or Os.

Take it in turns to place your rocks on the grid, trying to form a line of your symbols.

The first one with a row of their symbol is the winner.

6. ROCK YOUR WORLD – ROCK AND ROLL PAINTING

This one is too much fun!

SUPPLIES

• Rocks
• Paints
• Large foil or plastic flat-bottomed dish
• Paper

METHOD

• Place the paper in the bottom of the dish
• Cover the rocks in different coloured paints
• Place the rocks on top of the paper in the dish
• Shake the container from side to side and create beautiful artwork.

7. ROCK YOUR WORLD – CHALK ON ROCKS

I bought the Goddesses sidewalk chalk to draw on the cement floor of their play shed outside. They enjoyed this but had even bigger fun drawing on the big rock outside the shed.

Another fun thing to do is create a picture with rocks and chalk – use a rock as a spider body, then use the chalk to draw legs.

8. ROCK YOUR WORLD – ROCK NECKLACES

Nothing like a bit of rock bling to put the smile on a Goddess face. These are sweet and easy to make.

SUPPLIES

• Rocks
• Wire – make sure it’s thick enough to be easily wound by little ones without being so thin it breaks.
• Leather strips – or you could use ribbon.
• Craft glue

METHOD

• Wrap the wire around the rock enough to keep it in place but not cover it completely.
• Ensure it is wrapped tightly but leave a little space between the top of the rock and the wire about halfway through wrapping.
• When you are happy with the way the wire looks, finish with a dot of craft glue.
• Thread the leather, or ribbon through the little space you left at the top of the rock.

Have you joined the fun of the painted rock craze yet?

Happy crafting and have a gleeful week, Tamuria.