Rock Decorating
When you go on many rock hunting expeditions with your toddler, you end up with a pretty sizeable stash of rocks. This works for us because we LOVE to decorate rocks. Yes, I am an active participant. I noticed a long time ago that if it appears as though I am enjoying an activity, my toddler is way more interested! For rock decorating, I scour our rock collection and then pick out the smoothest rocks that we found and set about 5 on the table.
Items required for this activity:
Whatever form of paint and paintbrushes your toddler can safely use
Several rocks
You will also want something to lay under the rocks while they are decorating, such as newspaper, cardboard or plastic wrap.
Steps:
Set up your activity area. We typically do this activity at our dining table or in the highchair. If we do this outside, it is on our little picnic table, and we do not bother protecting it with newspaper.
Once you set up the rock decorating area, choose a rock and a marker (or whatever you are using) for yourself and instruct your little one to do the same.
Demonstrate how to use the marker on the rock. Narrate each line, dot and squiggle you make on the rock. Talk about the size and color of each mark. Draw shapes, letters, numbers, smiley faces or whatever comes to mind!
When decorating, try to maintain a conversation (as much as possible) and interact as you draw with your child. We have used rock decorating to aid in the teaching of a lot of different things. Another fun way to paint rocks is by using child-safe nail polish. We bought this one and this one on Amazon. My daughter loves being in control of the nail brush, and this is definitely her favorite way to decorate her rocks. Sometimes each rock gets some sort of decorative flare and sometimes my toddler devotes all of her attention to one rock. I never really know what to expect.
If your toddler is older, they might enjoy bringing their rocks on their next hike or walk around the neighborhood and leaving them in random locations for people to find and enjoy. Maybe it would make someone’s day. I have always loved that idea and I will definitely try it when my toddler is ready to share her rocks with the world!
