Posted on 05/27/2016
Now that you’ve seen our ideas about what you can do with sticks and dirt, you can probably imagine many ways your kids can play with rocks. Since they come in so many shapes and sizes, there’s a wide variety of things you can do with both real and artificial rocks.
You Can Mix Rocks & Dirt
Even if you’re not using real dirt, you can include a natural element by incorporating real rocks into your indoor play. These houses and snakes both incorporate rocks, as do these Construction Site and Sand Castle Play Dough Kits, both suitable for giving. Again pairing dirt and rocks, you can dig for rocks; you might even want to purchase a kit like this one.
You Can Collect & Classify Rocks
If your kid isn’t into collecting his or her own, you can purchase a fairly diverse ready-made rock kit like this one and learn how to classify various types of rocks. To make it a little competitive, you can check out this game.
If your child is especially interested in how rocks become gem stones, you can purchase a real rock tumbler; they range from low-end toy models to professional-grade versions for serious enthusiasts.
You Can Paint Rocks
Even if your creation looks nothing like the ones on this site, you can benefit from free project ideas or purchase books with even more ideas.
Even your toddlers or preschoolers can have fun combining paint with rocks. Older kids can have fun figuring out what kinds of play food different sizes and shapes can make, and if you’re ready to be a little more detailed, you can make these story stones. As an alternative, you could buy ready-made story stones sometimes on etsy.com and then use them to spur creative storytelling, a great form of imaginative play! Other play ideas for painted rocks include making rock people, fairy gardens, or farms or games like tic tac toe.
You Can Make & Break Rocks
Breaking rocks is a great way to use all that extra energy! If you’re not sure it’s safe for your child, you can offer the same kind of experience with baked cotton balls or easy-to-crack geodes. Similar fun can be had with peanut shells, as well.
You can also make rocks — or at least model how the three basic types of rocks are made — with crayon pieces. Another rock-making-and-breaking possibility is with these “moon rocks."
You Can Climb Rocks
Especially for kids with sensory processing disorders and ADHD, there are therapeutic benefits of rock climbing. If you don’t have a great local option, you can create your own indoor or outdoor rock wall with this DIY indoor rock climbing wall tutorial or this kit. If your kids want some inspiration, you can check out this video of the brave kid who climbed Mt. Everest as well as the highest mountains on 5 other continents!