Elena Rossi
The Kindness Rocks Project is a viral trend that involves people painting pebbles or cobbles and leaving them in public spaces for others to find. The project was started by Megan Murphy in 2015 on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and has since spread to other countries, including the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Haiti. Participants often share photos of the painted rocks and hints of their locations on Facebook groups. While the project aims to spread kindness and positivity, it has also sparked controversy in some places, such as national parks, where leaving painted rocks is considered a violation of the leave-no-trace policy. Despite this, the Kindness Rocks Project continues to gain popularity worldwide, with people of all ages participating in this unique form of community art.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | The trend originated in the U.S. and has spread to other countries, including the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, Haiti, and Japan |
| Purpose | To spread kindness and joy, brighten people's days, and connect communities |
| Target Audience | All ages, from toddlers to grandparents |
| Social Media Platforms | Facebook, Twitter, Instagram |
| Hashtags | #thekindnessrocksproject, #Islastones |
| Groups | Kitsap Rocks, Hager Rocks, Midwest Rocks, Pacific Northwest Painted Rocks, etc. |
| Locations | Public spaces like parks, hiking trails, beaches, playgrounds, libraries, schools, and public grassy areas |
| Rules and Guidelines | Use non-toxic sealants, obtain permission from local officials and business owners, do not adhere items like feathers or stickers to rocks, and respect the leave-no-trace policy of national parks |
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What You'll Learn
The Kindness Rocks Project
The trend has since spread worldwide, with people in the U.S., U.K., Australia, New Zealand, and Haiti participating. Alice Brock, a Cape Cod resident, who had been painting rock art since the 1960s, claimed credit for helping spread the phenomenon worldwide by sending painted rocks to her friends and family in New York City and Europe. As the trend has grown, it has evolved to include different derivatives, such as scavenger hunts and more artistic designs, but it remains true to its original intention of spreading kindness.
Despite this controversy, The Kindness Rocks Project has brought joy to many people, including a marine deployed in Japan who compared finding a painted rock to "a hug from home." The project has also inspired spin-offs, such as #Islastones, a rock-painting movement in support of Isla Tansey, a girl diagnosed with terminal cancer. International Drop a Rock Day is celebrated on July 3, where people are encouraged to leave a painted rock in a public space.
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Facebook groups
Another example is the "Painted Rocks of NJ" group on Facebook. While the specifics of this group's activities are not publicly visible, it is safe to assume that it brings together individuals from New Jersey who are interested in painting and sharing rocks. This group may provide a localised platform for members to showcase their painted rocks, exchange tips and techniques, and perhaps even organise rock-hiding events or meetups within the community.
These online communities often act as a digital gallery, allowing members to display their painted rocks and receive feedback, encouragement, and inspiration from their peers. Some groups may also organise offline activities, such as hiding painted rocks in public places for others to find, bringing the joy of rock painting to unexpected passersby. Through these interactive initiatives, Facebook groups can transform a solitary hobby into a community-building endeavour, fostering connections between strangers and spreading creativity beyond the confines of the internet.
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National park controversy
The Kindness Rocks Project is a viral trend where people paint pebbles or cobbles and leave them for others to find and collect. The trend originated in the US and has spread to other countries, including the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Haiti. While this activity is meant to spread joy, it has sparked controversy in national parks.
Staff at Catoctin Mountain Park in Maryland received backlash after a Facebook post reminded visitors that leaving painted rocks in the park violated their leave-no-trace policy. Many people responded with anger, with some equating the rocks to unwanted graffiti. This incident sparked a debate about the role of kindness rocks in national parks, with some people defending the activity as a fun and social way to connect with others and brighten their days. However, others argued that leaving painted rocks in national parks is littering and can have negative impacts on the environment.
The controversy has extended beyond Catoctin Mountain Park, with several other national parks in the US and abroad facing similar issues. For example, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, several parks in the Marlborough region of New Zealand, and Disneyland have banned painted rocks from entering the park, with some even confiscating them. Additionally, Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico and Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas have made similar requests, asking visitors to recreate responsibly and not leave any items behind that could impact the natural environment.
While the Kindness Rocks Project and most local groups have clear rules about using non-toxic sealants and obtaining permission from local officials, the presence of painted rocks in national parks continues to fuel debate. Some people argue that the rocks are a form of littering and can distract from the natural beauty of the parks, while others defend the activity as a harmless way to spread joy and connect with others.
The creation of national parks has often been a controversial topic, with negotiations and discussions taking place to address concerns about the impact on local industries, such as timber, hunting, fishing, and tourism. In the case of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan, Senator Philip Hart worked to address these concerns and ensure that local industries would not be negatively affected by the establishment of the park. Despite these efforts, the creation of national parks can still be a divisive issue, with some people expressing concerns about the impact on the environment and the potential for increased tourism.
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International Drop a Rock Day
The tradition of painting rocks and hiding them for others to find started tens of thousands of years ago. For instance, cave paintings were made in caves globally over 30,000 years ago, and pictographs became popular around 500 BC. Ancient Egyptians also used cave engravings and paintings to record their history.
The Kindness Rocks Project, a viral trend where people paint pebbles or cobbles and leave them for others to find and collect, originated in the US and has spread to other countries, including the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Haiti. The project was started by Megan Murphy in 2015 on Cape Cod. She wrote "You've got this" on a rock and left it on a beach, and after a friend found it, she continued leaving more rocks with inspirational messages.
On International Drop a Rock Day, people are encouraged to paint rocks with uplifting messages or the annual theme, such as "You Matter" or "Be The Light," and hide them in public spaces for others to find. Those who find the rocks can either re-hide them or keep them. Many people choose to keep their first rock and then re-hide the rest. Some people also write inspiring words on stones, put them in a bottle, and give them to loved ones. Rock artists are encouraged to join a rock art club or a Facebook group to connect with their local community and learn about different ways to paint and celebrate the day.
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 Craft Rocks,Painting Rocks,2.1"-3.5" River Rocks,Flat Rocks,DIY Rocks,Painting Stones,Smooth Rocks](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/619+eQLqOXL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
Rock-painting ideas
The Kindness Rocks Project is a viral trend that involves painting pebbles or cobbles and leaving them for others to find and collect. The trend, which originated in the US, encourages people to set up community inspiration gardens and spread kindness through rock painting. While the rocks are typically hidden and meant to be picked up, photographed, and re-hidden in a different spot, some groups may have different ideas, such as taking the rocks as far as possible or hiding them in specific locations.
Rock painting ideas can vary, and there is no minimum or maximum age for participation. Some people choose to create and hide the rocks, while others engage in painting, hiding, and finding. If you find a rock, you can either keep it or re-hide it. Many people choose to keep their first rock and then re-hide any subsequent discoveries. Themes and messages can be creative and diverse, ranging from Willy Wonka chocolate bars to inspirational quotes like "believe in kindness".
To get started, gather some flat, smooth rocks, acrylic paint, a sealer, and paintbrushes. You can also use paint pens and paint markers for more detailed designs. Be as creative as you like with your rock designs, and feel free to join a Facebook group connected to your local community for inspiration and to share your creations. Remember to write instructions on the back of your rock, indicating which Facebook group to post a photo to once it's found.
It's important to respect the environment and follow the rules of the locations where you hide your rocks. Some parks, such as those in Texas, New Zealand, and Disneyland, have objected to painted rocks being left on their grounds. To minimise your impact on natural spaces, follow the leave-no-trace principles, which include packing out trash, respecting wildlife, and leaving plants, animals, artefacts, and natural rocks undisturbed.
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Frequently asked questions
The Kindness Rocks Project was started by Megan Murphy in 2015 on Cape Cod. She wrote "You've got this" on a rock and left it on a beach. After a friend found it, she started leaving more rocks with inspirational messages.
The trend has spread to the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Haiti, Japan, and Europe. In the US, it has spread to Washington, Maryland, Texas, Oregon, and Utah.
People often leave painted rocks in parks, libraries, schools, public grassy areas, beaches, hiking trails, playgrounds, and even in trees. They are also shared on social media, particularly on Facebook and Instagram.
Yes, some parks have objected to people leaving painted rocks on their grounds, including the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, several parks in the Marlborough region of New Zealand, and Disneyland.
 Painting Rocks,2.23"-3.68" River Rocks,Flat Stones](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/615urLzlfUL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
