Most children love searching for things, whether it’s for eggs on Easter morning, sea shells on the beach, orburied treasure in the sandbox. Including a painted rock hunt at a Vancouver, WA children’s party is a great way to delight your guests!
(Yes, I snuck a key word in there for Google searches. Just go with it.)
First, get some painted rocks! There are a few ways to do this. You could order them from a local rock painter. You could paint them yourself. Or you could have the party guests paint some.
If you choose to have your guests paint rocks to hide, there are a few things to think about. Some kids might get upset at the idea of having to give up the rock they just made and letting someone else find it. You could let them each paint two rocks… one to keep, and one to hide. You’ll also have to make sure you use quick drying supplies, so that the rocks will be ready in time for the hunt. Permanent markers or acrylic markers will work better for this than regular paints. Spray the finished rocks with a coat of sealant spray such as clear Krylon or Rustoleum, and you’ll be good to go.
Next, choose an area to hide the rocks where the party guests will not spend time before the hunt. You don’t want them grabbing rocks before they know what the activity is! It might be a good idea to make a list of places where you hid rocks… although they may get moved during the hunt.
When it’s time for the hunt, explain the rules to the participants. Make sure to tell them how many rocks they can keep. I usually tell children that they can keep hunting after they’ve found their maximum number of rocks. If they find another one, they can either trade it for a rock they already have, or help a friend who is having a hard time finding one.
If you bought or painted rocks ahead of time, another way to do this activity is to hide the rocks anywhere in any areas where the children will spend time during the party. Let guests know when they first arrive that they can keep their eyes peeled for rocks during the whole party. If you don’t have time for an organized group rock hunt, this can be a way to add some extra fun to the day.
When a guest has found a rock that they’re happy with and want to keep, be sure to mark the back with their name. This will prevent any arguments over misplaced rocks.
Finally, be sure to take a picture of all of your guests holding up their rocks! You, your guests, and their families will appreciate the memory later on.
Hunting for painted rocks is a great activity to add to your Vancouver, WA children’s party! While children are likely to break or lose traditional “goodie bag” trinkets, having their own painted rock to keep will be something they can treasure forever.
If you would like to order painted rocks from Rocks For Any Occasion, use the discount code “rockparty” to get 50% off your order.
