Hot Rocks Art for Kids
I absolutely love simple, open-ended art activities for kids – especially during the summer. That’s why I was so thrilled to find this perfect summer art activity for kids from The Little Humbugs. My kids can entertain themselves with nothing but rocks for hours (well okay, at least for 10 minutes). This activity is so simple – heating clean rocks and drawing on them with crayons – but the process allows kids to experiment with a completely new art texture and the end result looks fantastic.
Materials Needed
Rocks – washed and dried
Old crayons – preferably with the paper peeled off
Baking Sheet
Age Recommendation
Because you are working with hot rocks (and a hot baking sheet) this activity is best for school-aged kids. My 4 1/2 year old did this activity with us, and while he enjoyed it, I had to keep reminding him to keep him to keep his hands away from the hot rocks.
Preparation
Go on a rock search. This is half the fun of this project. Take some time to have a nature hike or explore some place new. We walked along a new stretch of the beach where loads of rocks had washed ashore. I joked with my kids that we were going to take our decorated rocks back to the beach and mix them in with all the other rocks. I wonder if that’s considered littering or graffiti?
Bring your rocks home, wash them off, and allow them to dry.
Instructions
Place your washed rocks on a cookie sheet and put in a 350° oven for about 10 minutes. When the rocks have been heated, use crayons to draw designs on them. The wax will melt on the rocks as you draw creating a really neat texture.
For full instructions, check out this beautifully done video from The Little Humbugs:
Such a different and unique idea. We had a picnic recently and left crayons outside and they started to melt, it would have been neat to actually draw on something with them to see what it would have looked like. My two preschoolers will love this.
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How cool! My girls will have a blast doing this. I would have never even thought about it! thanks!
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This is like the summer version of the crayon shavings and fall leaves – I love it! I’ll need to save this one for a day when my older son is home without his little brother, but it will be a big hit! Actually, I guess they can both hunt for rocks, so we could do it today!
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