Hiding, finding rocks a unique thing to do post Independence Day

Need an idea for the kids, or just a hobby for yourself? Here’s an idea for hiding and hunting creative items long after this upcoming Fourth of July week is over.

It’s a family activity that you can work on inside during the heat of the day, and then enjoy the hiding and finding of the rocks earlier in the morning or later in the evening when it is cooler outside.

Leandra Pearson got the idea for a unique hunting expedition from a friend’s move to Missouri.

“Rock painting is a huge hit there,” Pearson said. “They posted pictures of their findings, and I fell in love with the idea. I started the original Muskogee Rocks Facebook page. It was a very slow start but seems to really be taking off now. It’s a fantastic way to spend time with family, friends and little ones.”

This group is for anyone, of any age, who wants to spread joy, love and inspiration through the simple gesture of painting rocks and putting them throughout the community.

Now, the page is called 918 Muskogee Rocks .

“Please be mindful that children will be seeing Facebook comments and rocks, so there will be no inappropriate paintings or comments,” Pearson said. “The goal is to paint rocks and place them throughout your town for people to find.”

Now, the creativity and fun has spread to other areas of Oklahoma as well. Facebook groups such as 918 Rocks! and 405 Rocks and many others are engaging people with all levels of painting ability in the hobby.

Another rock painting and hiding page is Trucker Rocks 4fun with more than 8,000 members. Truckers and their families hide and find rocks all over the United States, usually around popular trucker rest stops and fuel stores.

You don’t have to be a great artist to get in on the action.

This is a fun, outdoor activity for the family. Guidelines are as follows:

• Join a Facebook page like 918 Rocks! (or any preferred rock-painting group).

• Please only paint and place rocks.

• Use a Sharpie pen to write “Post Pic to 918 Rocks! on Facebook” on the back of the stone (or the rock-painting group of your choice).

• Remember family-friendly art.

• After creating your unique art, seal the rock on all sides. An inexpensive sealer is Rustoleum crystal clear enamel, usually less than $4. This will seal a lot of rocks.

• On hiding — safety first. Don’t hide them where you have to climb, crawl or where someone could trip on them. Remember, we have lots of children looking for these. Hiding in plain sight is the most fun. High-traffic pedestrian areas are great.

• Once you paint your rocks, you can place them anywhere in town. Just please be courteous of other people and their businesses and property

• When hiding rocks around any state office building, please make sure you keep them out of the grass. Do not place them in trees, statues, fountains, monuments or walkways. The workers who cut the grass don’t want to hurt anyone while mowing.

• Please do not place rocks in medians or close to busy intersections and roads. Kids are out looking for these rocks, and we want to keep everyone safe.

• Post a picture of the rock on the Facebook page and give a clue to its location.

• After you find a rock, post it on the Facebook page. Then, it’s great if you choose to re-home it for another person to find, or it may be so special to you that you wish to keep it Get involved in this community outdoor activity that will be thriving long after this patriotic week that’s approaching is just a memory.

John Kilgore is the former Greenleaf State Park manager. He can be reached by e-mailing him at jkilgoreoutdoors@yahoo.com.