Have you heard about Lynchburg Rocks? In cities across the United States, people paint and decorate rocks, then place them in public locations for others to find. Here in Central Virginia, Lynchburg Rocks is a public Facebook group with more than 650 members.
A pinned post on the Lynchburg Rocks Facebook page states:
"We are painting and hiding rocks around Lynchburg to spread the good, strengthen community bonds and to encourage family-friendly fun. This is a community building group meant to inspire creativity in all ages and encourage people to explore the community we live in."
There are additional 'rocks' Facebook groups all across Virginia. A Facebook search returns many groups, including: two Virginia Rocks groups, Roanoke VA Rocks, Virginia Beach Rocks, Bedford VA Rocks, Farmville VA Rocks, RVA Rocks (Richmond area), Kindness Rocks (Timberlake and Campbell County area), Chesapeake Rocks VA, Damascus Virginia Rocks, and many other groups.
What a simple and fun idea -- perfect for a Lynchburg Macaroni Kid craft day! After reading about the Lynchburg Rocks group, we gathered a group of family and friends for a rock painting party. Our group of kids ranged in age from toddlers to 'tweens. We also had several moms and one grandma painting and decorating rocks. Here are some tips to get you started, whether you want to paint and hide rocks or just search for them.
How to Get Started Painting Rocks
1. Buy rocks. There are large bags for sale at Home Depot and smaller quantities at craft stores.
2. Use acrylic paint. You can purchase small, inexpensive tubes of acrylic paint and paint brushes at Walmart or other discount stores.
3. Let rocks dry between coats of paint. We laid our painted rocks outside on newspaper on a sunny day and they dried quickly.
4. Use paint or markers to decorate painted rocks. Our older girls created multi-colored swirls of paint and dipped the rocks to make really cute designs. Some of our other designs included: hearts, word art, minions, watermelon, aliens, chickens, cats, donuts, and lots more.
5. Paint a few extra rocks for your littles to keep. Let each child paint a rock or two that they'll keep. They will be happier sharing the joy of their creations if they have one to keep.
6. On the backs of the rocks, write "Lynchburg Rocks" to help those who find the rocks know the story behind them. Add your first name or the date if you wish. Some people use a hashtag or note the Facebook group's name in their area.
7. Seal the rocks after the paint is dry. This will protect your rocks from the elements. We used Mod Podge, but you can also use a spray fixative.
8. Place your rocks at public places in the community, but make sure they are easy to find. It's not an Easter egg hunt. The goal is for the rocks to be easily found.
9. Post a photo of the rocks you're hiding on Facebook if you wish. You can also post on the Lynchburg Rocks Facebook page. For extra fun, add a hint about where to find the rocks.
10. Hide them and let it go. Maybe someone will find your rocks, maybe they won't. Maybe you'll know where they end up and maybe you won't. It's all for fun and your creation will bring joy to the finder.
Where to Hide (and Search for) Painted Rocks in Lynchburg
1. Parks are great. Peaks View Park, Riverside Park, Ivy Creek Park, Hollins Mill Park, and Miller Park all offer good 'hiding' places that are out in the open.
2. Walking trails are also good for placing Lynchburg Rocks. There have been multiple rocks hidden and found at Percival's Island and the Blackwater Creek Bikeway.
3. Downtown Lynchburg offers many rock hiding places. Rocks have been found at Lynchburg Community Market, but there are many other downtown places. Take a walk down Main Street or Jefferson Street and look for places out in the open.
4. Some other locations rocks have been hidden and found locally include: ball fields, near Monument Terrace, outside area grocery stores and restaurants, and in local neighborhoods. Anywhere people walk is a good place to hide rocks.
What to Avoid
1. Don't hide rocks in tall grass. Rocks and lawnmowers don't mix!
2. Don't hide or search on private property. Respect property lines. Keep your searching and hiding in public locations.
3. Don't take rocks from a business or private residence. It's best to buy rocks to paint.
4. Keep it family-friendly. Please don't use inappropriate words, pictures, or decorations on your rocks.
What to Do When You FIND a Rock
1. It's your choice. You can keep your rock or rehide in another location.
2. Post a photo of the rock you find in the Lynchburg Rocks Facebook group or on your Facebook or Instagram feed with the hashtag #LynchburgRocks to spread interest.
3. Tell friends, family, and neighbors about Lynchburg Rocks.
4. Spread the joy! Consider painting and hiding more rocks. It's a lot of fun for kids of all ages -- from toddlers to seniors!
So now you know what Lynchburg Rocks is all about. During the hot days of summer, the rainy days of spring and fall, or on a snowy winter day, have a little fun painting and hiding rocks with your little ones. The joy of creating, hiding, and finding painted rocks will bring a smile to your child's face.
