North LS Rocks – join in the rock hiding fun!

Rock Hiding is the latest fun craze sweeping the nation and it’s landed in North Leeds!

Cheap, creative and fun, it involves decorating rocks with colourful designs and messages, then hiding them for other families to find.  It help’s encourage children to get outside, do craft with a purpose and share and give.

 

North LS Rocks launched at the start of April and is a facebook group and community set up by Susie Watson and her daughter.  Kids and adults throughout North Leeds have been decorating rocks as part of the hobby and hiding them in parks, walls, fields and trees for others to find.

Susie told North Leeds Mumbler why she set the group up. ” I set it up at the request of my 10 year old daughter, we visited friends in Lancashire and they had a very popular group doing the same thing. The kids loved decorating the stones (& we had a huge collection with them bringing home every rock they’ve ever found!) so we thought we’d do something locally.

“I also find it quite therapeutic to decorate the stones and it’s always nice to get out in the fresh air. I also like the idea that we might be able to spread a little bit of cheer / make people smile when they find a stone.”

 

How to get involved

It’s really easy to take part explains Susie  “You simply need to join North LS Rocks on Facebook and then get hiding and seeking!  Everyone posts pictures of rocks they have hidden and also rocks they have found. Once a rock is found you can either keep it or re-hide it somewhere else.”

“We’ve yet to find our first stone and I’m really excited about this – it’s like being a child again!”

All you need to do is decorate some rocks, paint them with a sealant and place them in public areas for others to find. Easy! (Remember to write ‘North LS Rocks’ on the back of any rocks you decorate)

If you find a painted rock you can leave it, keep it or re-hide it but whatever you decide, make sure you take a picture and share it with the group!

Acrylic paints work best and Sharpie pens are also great for writing with. Some people also seal their rocks with a sealant such as Mod Podge (available in Hobbycraft) to make them weather proof!

 

Rock decorating ideas

There are loads of ways to decorate your rocks in fun and creative ways.  Mini Mumblers are very excited and we have done a ‘Pirate’ and ‘Emoji’ rock already this week!  We will be out hiding later this week!

Other ideas include:

• Fruit – fairly easy one for kids to do!
• Ladybirds – what’s better than finding a giant ladybird hiding in a field??
• Doughnut – because everyone loves doughnuts

• Use colours that stand out- make sure people will be able to see your rock; if you plan on hiding it in a field, avoid green and use bright paints.
• Don’t use water soluble paints – paints that are water soluble tend to wash off the rocks in the rain and you don’t want all those fabulous designs going to waste.
• Avoid using non-biodegradable decorations-  although glitter and pom poms look pretty, they’re not great for the local environment so why not try finding alternatives – get creative in the supermarket and see what you can come up with!
• Hide your rocks in the great outdoors – get your kids outside and having fun by hiding your rocks outdoors.  Try exploring local parks, the canal or local attractions to find the perfect hiding spot.
• Use a sealant –  sealant is a useful thing to use if you want your design to stick to the rock whatever the weather.
• Leave a message on your rock – Write #North LS Rocks on your rock, so people can track down the group and post a picture to show they’ve found the rock.

Rocks are already popping up in Chapel Allerton, Roundhay and Meanwood so get painting and hiding!  We can’t wait to see #North LS Rocks grow, thanks for bringing it to the area Susie!