I love pet rocks. A lot. Sure, I do the activity for the kids but I secretly want to make one for myself too. They are easy to make and are really so adorable. A pet rock can be given as a gift, made for best friends (one for each friend), used as a paper weight, placed on a shelf for decoration (make an entire family of pet rocks), as part of an imaginative play scene or to play with.
Materials
Google Eyes (or use a paint pen)
Craft Glue
Paint/Paint Pens/Pencils (optional)
Decoration items like a bow, wool for hair, material scraps (optional)
How to make a pet rock
1. Find a rock you like. Take notice of marks that can be used for a mouth/facial features.
2. Wipe the rock clean from any dirt or dust.
3. Decorate simply with google eyes, or any other way you like! Below are some materials you may like to work with:
- Wool
- Googly Eyes
- String
- Pipe cleaners
- Paint
- Ribbon
- Glitter
- Pencil
- Paint pen
Love this rock family from Melissa Sweeney. Check out the one-eyed cutie on the right!
My daughter decorated her special rock with pencils.
Love these painted rocks from Musical Al.
Everybody Needs a Rock by Bryd Baylor, Pictures by Peter Parnall
I love finding books to go with the activities we do at home (when I can which is not all that often – ha!), and this book is on my top 10 favourite children’s books list.
I absolutely recommend this book! The words have a special rhythm and are strangly compelling.
“Bend over. More. Even more. You may have to sit on the ground with your head almost touching the earth. You have to look a rock right in the eye.”
I adore, no, I am absolutely enchanted by the illustrations. Each time I look at the simple pictures, there is something more to see.
If you buy one children’s picture book this year, make it this one. It’s quite hard to get in Australia but you can purchase it on Amazon.
Other Links
More Nature Crafts and Activity Posts
Check out my Nature Crafts Board on Pintrest
16 Comments
Bonnie
January 19, 2012 at 7:46 pmI ADORE that picture book. Even as I read the line you quoted, I had goosebumps ALL OVER ME. Such fabulous words. You just want to do it!! And the illustrations … I’m a pet rock lover too. Have been forever.
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
January 19, 2012 at 8:36 pmThat it! It’s so compelling you just want to do it!
Trish
January 20, 2012 at 12:39 amSo cute , we have so many rocks – I see a light bulb moment – instead of garden gnomes – garden rocks !
Kelly
January 21, 2012 at 9:29 pmPerfect!
Nature Crafts & Activities
January 20, 2012 at 1:14 am[…] I Adore Pet Rocks […]
Caroline
January 21, 2012 at 9:39 amI love pet rocks! I still have mine from when I was a kid and have been meaning to give them a ‘facelift’. I’m feeling inspired now 🙂
Kelly
January 21, 2012 at 9:30 pmThat’s gorgeous Caroline! I’d LOVE to see your pet rock! Does it have google eyes or painted?
Caroline
January 22, 2012 at 8:03 amThey are painted and outlined with black marker pen. Mind you they are very faded now. I’ve posted a pic of them up on twitter for you (@gardening4kids). From the left there is a grumpy man, a grandma and a cat. The poor cat is the one who is really suffering – you can’t really tell what it is lol!
Kelly
January 22, 2012 at 8:23 pmLove it (especially the long one — how cool!) I’ll put a link in here of your pic incase other want to see it too!
Caroline’s pet rocks from when she was a child. -> http://instagr.am/p/jTcxm/
Nicole Grant
January 21, 2012 at 12:53 pmThanks for the idea. We’re going to do this today!
Kelly
January 21, 2012 at 9:38 pmYAY!
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