Colored Rocks!

This is another fun, quick, easy, and almost free craft to do with your little ones! The outcome is super neat.

Materials-

1. Rocks (river rocks work best, and hold heat the longest- don't ask me why)
2. Pan, oven mit, oven
3. Crayons (old ones you don't mind ruining)
4. Old plate or similar

We went out on a walk and let M find the rocks she wanted to use. Nothing like crazy looks from neighbors as your 3 year old plucks a rock from their drive way or walk way.......

After you get your rocks home, clean them up good and arrange them on a baking sheet. Set the oven to 350 and let the rocks "cook" for about 30 minutes.

Once they are good and hot pull out a few. We did a small batch and Miss M and I did them all at the same time. However, if you are doing a lot at a time you will want to take them out as you need them, so they don't cool down.

Use an oven mit to move the rocks! They are smoking hot. Also, BE SURE TO WARN YOUR LITTLE ONES, THEY ARE HOT, HOT, HOT. If you don't think you can trust your kiddos to NOT touch them, please do not try this, wait until they are a bit older.

We put them on an old plate for Miss M to color.

Watch your kids as they discover what happens when they start coloring. As you probably figured out, the wax crayons melt. But, even knowing what would happen, I was just as astonished as M the first time we did this. The results are beautiful, drippy, shiny, colorful rocks.

Rocks still wet.

Half of these are starting to dry, half are still wet. How cool is this?! We are using our rocks for a sensory bin I'm making M. (watch for the post) I also colored a handful, but who wants to see mommy colored rocks? What could be more fun than this quick, easy art project..............

Playing with the oven mit of course! Just when you think you have the most fun, amusing project, your little one 1-ups you. lol She had more fun trying to pick up the (cooled) rocks with mit than she did coloring them. Ah, to be young.

You could also put these out on a walkway or gravel driveway. Something for your little guy or girl to be proud of every time you go outside! Give this a try and let me know how it goes! Come on, I know you have a "collection" of rocks laying around from every time you take your wild one on a walk.