The painted rocks phenomenon is a family-friendly activity that is fun, cheap and a great way to keep the kids entertained over summer break or after school.

Why? The purpose of this phenomenon is to bring a little happiness to others and be part of a community. It’s nice to know that someone out there took the time out of their day to paint you something inspirational. Plus, you get to show your creative/artistic side by coming up with a design for your rock. You get to take something ordinary (a rock) and make it into something extraordinary!

For those of you who don’t know about this movement, here’s how it works……If you find a rock, you keep it and make another to leave somewhere else OR drop the rock off somewhere else. There are many groups out there for different communities and the group’s Facebook name is usually on the back of the rock so that you can share where you found the rock. In a lot of ways, it’s similar to a scavenger or treasure hunt.

What You Will Need:

• flat, smooth rock that is cleaned off. If you can’t find any outdoors, you can buy river rocks at Dollar Tree for $1 a bag
• acrylic paint (or $0.50 per bottle at Walmart)
• paint marker
• spray paint
• paint brushes (various sizes)
• Modge Podge outdoor sealant (coat the rock, after you have painted it and let it dry, to protect it from the environment so your design won’t be washed away if it rains!)

For a more detailed information about painted rocks, check out “Rock Painting Ideas and Resources”

What You Can Do With Painted Rocks:

• Tic Tack Toe Rocks
• Domino Rocks Game
• Rock Magnets
• Garden Markers
• Educational Purposes (ABC rocks or number rocks)
• Paper Weights
• Pet Rocks
• And much more!

Here are the best painted rocks on the internet for your inspiration:

Animal Painted Rocks

Owl Rocks from Frugal Fun 4 Boys

Bird and Flowers Rock (source unknown)

Ladybug Rocks from Crafts by Amanda

Hedgehog Rocks from Easy Peasy Fun

Cute Pig Rock from 10 Marifet

Bee Painted Rocks from Easy Peasy and Fun

Duck Rocks from Martha Stewart

Blue Chick Rocks from The Sweet Sugar Belle

Black Cat Rocks from Ebay

Panda Rock from Rock Painting 101

Cute Bug Rocks from avocadoughtoast.com

Penguin Rock from Lindsey Bridges Art

Colorful Fish Rock Magnets from artalika.com

Hatching Chick Rock from Robin Bailey (via Pinterest)

Mouse Rock from Martha Stewart

Frog Rock from Amy Joy Art (No longer available on Etsy) via Pinterest

Caterpillar Rocks from Kitchen Fun with My 3 Sons

Shark Painted Rocks from Sustain My Craft Habit

Shapes & Other Painted Rocks

Rainbow Rocks from Kiwi Co.

Patterned Heart Rock from Affinity Stones (on Etsy but no longer available)

Fine White Detailed Rocks from Funnel Cloud

Mandala Design Rock from Colorful Crafts

Pour Paint Rocks from Happy Hooligans

Chic Rocks from Frieda Theres

Marbled Rocks from Creative Green Living

Galaxy Rocks from Adventures in a Box

Geometric Rocks from Alisa Burke

Puffy Paint Rocks from I Love to Create

Mandala Hearts from Sustain My Craft Habit

Rock Photo Holder from One Little Project

Rock Dominoes from Repeat Crafter Me

Nature, Plants & Landscape Painted Rocks

Camping Rock from Etsy

Cactus Rocks DIY (video tutorial) from Wonderful DIY

Beach Rocks from Plaid Online

Branching Tree Rock from Etsy (this item is no longer available)

Colorful Floral Rock from Etsy

Rainbow, Balloon and Heart Rocks from SoFire Creations (via Facebook)

Watermelon Rocks from Testors

Strawberry Rocks from Image Events

Watermelon Rocks from Projects with Kids

Garden Rocks from Adventures in a Box

Pet Cactus from The Best Ideas for Kids

Fruit Tic Tac Toe from Everyday Dishes

Flower Rocks from Sustain My Craft Habit

Vintage Camper from Atta Girl Says

Holidays / Seasonal Painted Rocks

Snowman Rocks from Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

Snowflake Rocks from Suzy Sit Com

Halloween Rocks from Bebe and Bear

Fall Leaves Rock from I Love Painted Rocks

Patriotic Pebble from Stagetecture.com

Friendship Valentine’s Day Rocks from Red Ted Art

Painted Easter Egg Rocks from Projects with Kids

St Patrick’s Day Rocks from Just a Little Creativity

Character Painted Rocks

Troll Rocks from The Keeper of the Cheerios

Painted Minion Rocks from Non Toy Gifts

Emoji Rocks from Cara Dura Designs

Goggly Monster Rocks from Makoodle

Rocks Huddled Around Fire from Kitchen Fun with My 3 Sons

Star Wars Jawa Rocks from Crafts by Amanda

Garden Thing Rocks from Instructables

Quote & Word Painted Rocks

Faith Can Move Mountains from Etsy

Life is Beautiful Waves Rock from ArtRocks

Happy Rock from Etsy

Kindness Word Rocks from Dabbles and Babbles

Colorful Courage Rock from avocadoughtoast.com

Pink Dream Rock from Etsy

Rainbow Love Rock from Etsy

You Rock from Etsy

Rainbow Quote Rock from Rene Angelou (via Pinterest)

Be Happy Rock from Connie (via Pinterest)

Change Rock from Stenelene (via Instagram)

Thought Bubble Rocks from Cindy Mohrbach (via Pinterest)

Believe Rock from Heart Made Stone Art (via Instagram)

Stupid People Quote Rock from Jennifer Penn (via Pinterest)

I Love My Cat Paw Print Rock from Creations by Pam (via Facebook)

Life is Short Quote from Jack & Mom Zsg (via Instagram)

Feel Good Painted Rocks from Plaid Online

Quote Painted Rocks from Plaid Online

Tropical Paradise Rocks from Doodle Craft

Garden Marker Rocks from Crafts by Amanada

Kindness Rocks from Crafts Unleashed