If you live in the Pittsburgh area, you’ve probably heard the phrase #bethekindkid. Back in 2016, two students approached their teacher Maureen Frew at Avonworth Primary Center with a question: Can we start an after-school “making” club?

The club’s focus was all about kindness. They soon began making their trademarked #bethekindkid shirts to donate or sell for profit to benefit causes of their choice. The clubs have now spread to many other school districts in the region. At each club, groups of kids are helping a variety of charitable causes while learning about a world that needs help. As they create things, they feel empowered to make a difference. 

Maureen has kindly offered to let us share some of the JAM Club’s projects with our Kidsburgh readers. Below you’ll find a really fun one that is good for younger and older kids. The objective? To promote kindness, creativity and community engagement.

You’ll find all the details and step-by-step instructions below. 

A note to kid makers that we include with all our activities, inspired by our friends at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh: Please work with a parent or caregiver on every project and always be very careful when using tools of any kind.

Maker Monday materials you’ll need:

smooth rocks
paint (and markers or other decorations, if you wish)  
small paintbrushes
sealant (optional)

Instructions:

STEP 1: Go exploring in a local park or in your backyard to find some flat rocks. (You can also buy them fairly inexpensively at dollar stores and elsewhere.) 

STEP 2: Choose a flat rock and paint it (one side or both sides) in a solid color. (Once it’s painted, you can also sprinkle on some glitter, if you wish.) Then let it dry. 

Note: While that first rock is drying, you can start on your second one! 

STEP 3: Once the rock is dry, use your paints (and/or permanent markers) to write a few kind words and/or draw hearts or other images that express kindness. When you finish, let the rock dry again. 

STEP 4: This step is optional. If you want, you can apply a clear sealant (like Mod Podge) to protect your design. If you do that, let the rock dry again when you are finished. 

STEP 5: Once you’ve created several kindness rocks, think about who you would like to give them to: Do you want to give each one to a particular person or leave them in public places for people in your community to find? You get to choose! 

You can also keep a rock for yourself as a daily reminder of the importance of kindness. 

After you’ve given away your rocks, take some time to think about this experience and talk about it. 

Reflection Questions


How did it feel to create kind messages?
Where did you leave your rocks?
How might your rock make someone feel?

Want more at-home fun creating cool stuff and making beautiful things? Check out more Maker Monday projects right here.
Do you have an idea for a Maker Monday craft project? If so, please share it with Kidsburgh! Send your maker activities to info@kidsburgh.org.