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How rocks are getting the kids (and adults!) excited about being outdoors

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Summer is coming to an end, but while the sun is still warm we're getting the kids outside and into nature as often as possible. 

And sure, younger kids don't need much more than a bucket and spade to enjoy hours by the sea or a park stream, but for the adults it can get a little, dare I say, boring.

But since I was added to a local Facebook group by a friend, I've found myself more and more keen to get the kids and the dog to the local parks and nature walks every day. 

Why? Because rocks!

Hide and seek with painted rocks

The theory is simple: paint a rock and hide it in a public place for someone else to find. 

And find them I will. I mean, the kids will. 

Ok, ok, and me too. I find myself scanning the forks of tress and rocky outcrops, peering into clumps of foliage and otherwise looking like a bit of a stalker while squealing as loudly as the children when we find a brightly painted pebble. 

I have yet to paint and hide my own creations, I mean, again, the kids creations, but I'm sure that will be an activity for this weekend. 

A global rock painting movement 

These rocks are bringing people from all around the world together. One of the biggest international groups on Facebook, Painted Rocks!!! simply explains: Painted rocks for everyone, everywhere

Kiki, a member of a popular South African group called Cape Town Rocks, says "... the aim of our rocks is not to hide and seek with them, but to spread kindness to others." 

Southern Cape Rocks, another rock painting group, explains the goal of the movement is to "encourage creativity, outdoorsiness, and community involvement".

Three new ideas to get the kids outside

The kids are always so proud of their finds

How to join in

I have yet to paint and hide my own creations, I mean, again, the kids creations, but I'm sure that will be an activity for this weekend. 

Rock painting is easy enough to do, but often just searching for hidden pebbles is fun enough for the kids, so there's not much stopping you from getting involved in this increasingly popular activity too.

Browse Facebook for rock groups close to you, and you'll soon know the most popular parks and areas to hide, and find, some beautiful painted rocks. 

Painted rocks for everyone, everywhere.

The rules 

In short: paint a rock, and hide it somewhere in a public place. it can be in plain sight, or tucked away. 

If you'd like to know who found the rock you hid, you can encourage them to let you know via Facebook by writing your name on it, with a little Facebook icon. The Cape Town Rocks Facebook page even offers a downloadable print out of labels to use. 

If you find a decorated rock, you can keep it, re-hide it or take a picture and share it on one of the relevant rock painting group Facebook pages.

Three new ideas to get the kids outside

Join a local rock painting community

Skeptical? Try it, you'll soon see how exciting being out in nature can be! 

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