How to Make Kindness Rocks

Co-authored by Claire Donovan-Blackwood

Last Updated: November 30, 2022

The Kindness Project is a social media activity focused on spreading positivity throughout neighborhoods. It requires you to paint rocks in bright colors, then write nice messages on them. These rocks are known as "Kindness Rocks." Once you paint the rocks, leave them in easy-to-find places in your neighborhood for other people to find. They may just brighten someone's day!

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Applying the Base Color

1
Find smooth river stones. These stones have a very smooth surface with little to no texture. You can find them outside or you can buy them from a craft store. The stones should be small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Anything smaller will be too hard to paint, and anything larger will be cumbersome to carry around.^{[1]
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- Flat rocks are easier to paint on than lumpy rocks.
2
Wash the rocks, then let them dry. You will need to wash any rocks that you find outside. If they are especially dirty, you'll need to scrub them with some soap too. Let the rocks dry completely before moving on.^{[2]
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- It would be a good idea to rinse rocks that you buy from a store, just in case there's any dust on them.
- You can use any type of soap you want, but liquid dish soap or hand soap might be easier to use.
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3
Paint the rock a solid color, then let it dry. Squirt out some acrylic craft paint onto a palette. Use a large, flat paintbrush to apply the paint to the top and sides of the rock with a paintbrush. Let the paint dry completely; this should take only 15 to 20 minutes.^{[3]
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- If the rock shows through the paint, add a second coat and let it dry too. Keep adding thin coats of paint and letting them dry until the rock is covered.
- Use spray paint instead if you are in a hurry, or if you want to make lots of rocks.^{[4]
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- Choose a bright, cheerful color, such as yellow, red, green, or sky blue. Avoid dark colors, such as black or dark red, as they are not happy colors.
4
Seal the rock with clear acrylic spray sealer, and let it dry. Take the rock outside or into a well-ventilated area. Set it down on a sheet of paper with the painted side facing up. Apply a light, even coat of clear acrylic spray sealer. Let the sealer dry for 15 to 20 minutes, then apply a second coat. Let the second coat dry too.^{[5]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Decorating the Rocks

1
Choose a kind word or message to write on your rock. How long the message is depends on the size of your rock and handwriting; the larger the rock is, the longer message you'll be able to fit. Look up some kind words or phrases, then write them down. Funny or lighthearted messages also work. Here are some examples:^{[6]
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- Have a nice day :)
- Smile!
- You are beautiful
- You are worthy
2
Paint the word or phrase using a contrasting color. It will be easiest to do this with a paint pen, but you can use a thin, pointed brush and acrylic craft paint if you are careful.^{[7]
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Research source} Black will work the best against light backgrounds, while white will work better against dark backgrounds, but you can try other contrasting colors. For example:
- If you painted your rock bright green, try red or black for the words.
- If your rock is white, you can use any color you want.
- If you painted your rock red, white will stand out better than black.
3
Decorate the rock with designs, if desired, and let it dry. You can use acrylic craft paint and thin brushes for most details, but a paint pen will work even better. Once you are happy with the design, let it dry. This should only take 15 to 20 minutes. Some ideas for designs include:^{[8]
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- Polka dots
- Short, ray-like lines
- Swirls and spirals
- Flowers, rainbows, and butterflies
4
Apply a coat of clear acrylic sealer, and let it dry. You can use spray sealer for this, or you can use a brush-on outdoor sealer. Whichever one you decide to use, make sure that it is waterproof. Let the sealer dry; this should take about 15 to 20 minutes.^{[9]
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5
Add a social media link to the back and seal it, if desired. There are many Kindness Projects out there, and you can find them on many social media sites, such as Facebook and Tumblr. Paint your website's symbol or logo, then write the group's name or hashtag below it.^{[10]
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- Never include personal information, such as your name, email, address, or phone number.
6
Let the sealer dry and cure completely. The sealer may feel dry after 15 to 20 minutes, but it may still be wet underneath. Check the label on the can for the complete drying instructions. Some sealers are ready within 1 to 2 hours, whiles others need a couple of days to cure.
- Don't get impatient! If you don't let the sealer cure, it may turn tacky.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Distributing the Rocks

1
Leave the rock in a public place for other people to find. Neighborhood parks, schools, and other public places are all great options. Make sure that you leave the rocks in an easy-to-find place where they won't get in the way. Remember, this is not an Easter egg hunt.^{[11]
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Research source} For example:
- If you are leaving the rock in a park, someplace next to a shrub, inside a bed of flowers, or at the base of a tree would work well.
- If you are leaving the rock in a school, try next to a wall, on a play ground, or on a shelf.
- If you are talking a stroll along a sidewalk, a patch of grass will work, as long as it is not part of someone's private yard.
2
Do not leave your rock in a national park or national forest. Most of these parks have "leave no trace" rules. While these rocks are beautiful and inspirational, they would be considered "trash" at a national park and could get you into trouble.^{[12]
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Ask for permission before leaving the rock on private property. This includes businesses and people's yards. Simply knock on the door, explain what the Kindness Project is, and ask if you can leave an inspirational stone in the grass.^{[13]
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Research source} For example:
- "Hello, my name is Eric. I am distributing these rocks as part of the Kindness Rocks project to help spread happiness. May I leave a rock or two in your yard?"
4
Leave only the rock and nothing else. Including a paint pen with your rock may seem like a nice idea, so that others can add to your message. This is actually a really bad idea, because some people can steal the pen for themselves, write a mean message, or use it for vandalism.
5
Create or join a social media group to help spread the word, if desired. The Kindness Project is especially popular on social media sites. If there is a group in your area, consider joining the group. If there isn't such a group, then consider creating one yourself!^{[14]
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- Ask people in the group to post pictures of the rocks they found or left behind.
- Remember to write the name of your social media group along with the logo on the back of your rock.

Expert Q&A

Question

Do you need special paint for rocks?

Claire Donovan-Blackwood
Arts & Crafts Specialist
Claire Donovan-Blackwood is an Arts & Crafts Specialist and CEO of Heart Handmade UK, a site dedicated to helping people live a happy, creative life. With over 13 years of experience, Claire uses art as a form of therapy and focuses on mindfulness in the making of art. She makes crafting easy and accessible for those she works with. Claire received her B.A. in Photography & Visual Imagery from The University of Huddersfield.

Claire Donovan-Blackwood

Arts & Crafts Specialist

Expert Answer

If you plan on putting the rocks outside, use a multi-purpose outdoor acrylic paint. Another option is to use permanent markers.