Good morning, friends. I’ve felt a bit disconnected from this space lately with some personal health problems (hopefully vertigo, we’re still not sure) and trying to find the right rhythm in our home. It feels good to be back after the long weekend. So, hello out there.
If you were a neighborhood friend, ours would probably be the last house on the block you’d want to come to to play. We’re the only ones without a swingset , one of the few without a trampoline, outdoor play house, scooters, lots of outdoor play things… need I say more? I’ve stressed over this plenty, trying to figure out what I want for our kids.
I do love watching my girls make soup from sand (we do have a sandbox!), water, seeds pulled from our plants, grass, and stirred with a tree branch. And I love seeing them have to be creative with what is out there–which isn’t much–in the front and back yard.
Because they are very patient with the wishy washy ideals of their mother, I’m always looking for simple bits and pieces for creative play outside. Our letter rocks were one of those attempts.
At the moment, they stay on our front porch planter’s pot, waiting to be grabbed and arranged into words, used as magical stones in their creative play, and the likes.
We began with our pile of random rocks (and a few shells in the mix) we’ve been collecting for months now. Johanna is the rock collector. Our walks, trips to the store, visiting friends and such always bring her to new rocks which then fill up our car and remind me that we are ready to get painting.
We set up the dining room table with individual paper plates for painting, lots of craft paint, and rocks. Everyone was involved. The twins were given simple washable washcolors to reduce stainage. They didn’t care–they felt so big to be painting their own rocks as well.
My poor Ainsleigh holding her own hair back so she can paint and see at the same time. I try keeping their hair back, really.
As rocks were painted and dried, I would add letters of the alphabet, including “ch”, “sh”, “ing”, “st”, “th”, and so forth for building words. Caroline even made her own “iPad” she uses quite regularly to remember tasks.
The process for my girls (and I) was so fulfilling. For days we’d paint rocks, especially as we found them throughout the house, and sit and paint inside or outside. It is nice when I sit on the front porch as they play to see them returning to the rocks, over and over again.
I totally understand where you’re coming from! We are also the only ones in our neighborhood without a swingset (seriously!) But, that’s OK. My kids love to play in the forest next to our house where they have their own secret fort. Kids will always find ways to be creative and play.
I love the rock idea, and I have a feeling they will creatively be used in lots of ways.
This is awesome! What a great way to put a rock collection to good use. I’m always trying to dissuade Isobel from bring rocks home, but now maybe I’ll relax about that a little so we can start a rock alphabet like you guys.
I’ve been thinking about you.
But I’m so sorry to hear that you’re still not feeling well.
this is a wonderful idea. we don’t have a swingset, either, and we have a tiny yard and live on a somewhat busy street – so the extent of our outside play has really just been sidewalk chalk and bubbles. It will be fun to introduce something else into the mix! My 4 year old is just getting to the point where she will start learning to read, so this is a perfect activity for her (and, she loves to paint). Thank you for the inspiration, and I hope you’re feeling better soon!
I think your 4 years old will LOVE this. Let me know what she thinks!
My 3 year old and I LOVE this idea and will be copying you this morning after we get back from taking my kindergartener to school.
Bravo on such creativity. Encore, encore!
: )
Such a great idea!
Wow, this is awesome!
We, too, have very little in the way of outdoor equipment and I’ve been searching for special things to add. My daughter is a bit young for this idea, but I’m definitely filing it away for later. So simple, yet so brilliant! Thanks, Nicole!
I never realized we lack outdoor equipment, too. We built a pond when Benjamin was two–and we’ve had fish and frogs since he was young. I suppose that (and our general love of the outdoors) replaced the need for playground equipment or a tramp!
Anyway–I love these pretty little rocks. I shared the tutorial on my Facebook page for Only Small Things. Hope you escaped the flooding relatively unscathed–what a wild week, huh?
~Jessica ♥♥♥
You might actually have labrynthitis. I had it once. It can be brought on be several things, possibly an infection in the inner ear. When I had it, I couldn’t walk. All I could do was lie down and throw up. It felt as though I had imbibed an entire bottle of vodka and was lying on my bed, watching it whirl!
Hope you feel better soon. Lovely rocks!