This blog series is made possible by a grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc.
Kindness and empathy can grow from small, simple moments. This activity can be expanded from your family to a community project to share with neighbors and friends. When shared with others, your creations will become fun surprises!
As a cute little bonus, these materials can also be used to make a pet rock. A pet rock is a fun, classic way to use one’s imagination and practice empathy.
Age Range: 2+
Costs: $5 to $20
What You’ll Need:
• Smooth rocks (either rocks you find or purchased at a craft store)
• Acrylic paint (or Markers)
Bonus Activity: Pet Rock
• Glue
• Googly eyes
Directions
1. Find smooth rocks
If you collect the rocks from outside, make sure to wash and dry them. Use this is a chance to connect with nature and have an outdoor adventure. Talk about how you both feel about the adventure of collecting rocks. Is it silly? Peaceful?
If you need to buy materials, you can go together and talk about the project while you are shopping. You can remind your child of the list of supplies. Invite them to be your helper and to find the materials.
2. Paint and decorate
Add kind words or create pictures that make you and your child smile. Remember to talk about why you and your child chose the messages/pictures that you did. You can ask questions like ‘Why did you choose that color?’ ‘What messages do you think would be easy or hard to see?’
Compassion Moment: You can deepen the conversation by talking about how someone else would feel if they were having a bad day and saw your piece of art.
Pet Rock Bonus: For a pet rock, you can add googly eyes with the glue. Encourage your child to name the rock and consider what the pet rock would need to be happy.
3. Let the rocks dry
When the rocks are dry, encourage your child to offer them to people in their lives. You can also place the rocks around your neighborhood to spread kindness in your community. First, check in with your neighbors and be cautious about neighborhood guidelines.
Each rock is a small reminder that kindness is always nearby.
Why it matters: Painted and pet rocks encourage children’s imagination. When we give guidance to use imagination through the lens of trying to make someone smile, we give the child a chance to practice empathy.
