VBS Crafts: DIY Kindness Rocks
Kindness rocks are becoming popular in our area! If you haven’t heard of the Kindness Rocks Project, these are rocks that are decorated with positive & inspirational messages, then hidden around your community for others to find. I love the joy these kindness rocks bring, both to the person who decorates the rock and the person who finds it!
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DIY KINDNESS ROCKS
Supplies
Smooth rocks (see types of rocks you can use after the tutorial)
Spray paint or Acrylic paint
Oil-based permanent markers, paint markers or nail art polish
Mod Podge and/or clear spray paint
Instructions
1. If your rocks are dirty, make sure to rinse them in advance so they have time to dry before you decorate them. If you are using paint markers (like these), prep them before VBS. Each marker is wrapped individually in plastic and needs shaken/blotted before you can use it. This takes a few minutes per marker, so it’s best to have it done before VBS starts!
2. Paint one side of the kindness rocks with spray paint or acrylic paint. This way, kids won’t think they need to color the entire rock with the markers. (I didn’t do this with our practice round but I will definitely put a coat of spray paint on one side of the rocks before bible school.)
3. Decorate kindness rocks. I’ve uploaded my full list of ideas here in a PDF format so you can print posters and hang them in your Imagination Station area. Here are just a few of the ideas from the Kindness Rock Design Ideas posters (there are MANY more on the list, which you can Kindness Rock Design Idea Posters):
-Draw a picture, such as…
—flower
—sunshine
—cross
-Write an inspirational word/phrase, such as…
—You are loved
—Jesus loves you
—God forgives
—Smile
—Hope
—Love
-Write a bible verse, such as…
—The Lord will hold me close. -Psalm 27:10
—The Lord comes to the rescue. -Psalm 34:19
—Be still, and know that I am God! -Psalm 46:10
—God has overcome the world. -John 16:33
—The Lord is my strength in time of trouble. -Psalm 37:39
4. Optional: Write your church info or a unique hashtag on the back of the rocks. This is a fun way to track your rocks! (More on that in step 6.)
5. Once rocks are COMPLETELY dry, paint with one thin layer of mod podge, then spray with clear spray paint. This may seem excessive, but the Kindness Rocks Project suggests it’s the best way to ensure the paint lasts.
6. After your top coat is dry, hide the rocks around town for others to find! Make sure they’re completely dry so rain/humidity doesn’t ruin your design. Remember how I suggested creating a hashtag to write on the back of your rocks? Share the hashtag and that the rocks are hidden around the community, then encourage others to comment on your social media when they find one of the rocks! Once people find your rocks, encourage them to re-hide the rocks so others can find them!
WHAT KIND OF ROCKS SHOULD I USE?
I am ordering smooth beach pebbles for our bible school program, but you can use pretty much any rocks with at least one smooth side. For the sample photos in the tutorial above, we used landscaping rocks that were outside my in law’s house (thankfully they love VBS too and let us take random rocks for a project – haha!). Some common options for kindness rocks (shown in the table above) are Lowe’s river rocks, Home Depot Mexican beach pebbles, Walmart Mexican beach pebbles and Dollar Tree polished black river rocks.
I am a long-time Vacation Bible School lover. I’ve lead in several capacities throughout the VBS world and am currently our church’s VBS director. It is a joy for me to be able to share VBS ideas and resources with others! I will continue to share VBS ideas here. Follow the blog to see more of our ideas and planning! Please let me know if there are any specific VBS items or ideas you need help with!