SIGN UP TO GET A FREE COPY OF MY ULTIMATE CAMPING CHECKLIST

Making, Hiding and Finding Painted Rocks

Did you find painted rocks? New ones are hidden regularly. Keep reading to find out more.

This is why I paint and hide rocks - check out these two cuties and how excited they are after finding turtle rocks!

A wholesome new family friendly activity is making its way around the region right now. People are painting rocks and leaving them in public places for others to find and enjoy. The idea is certainly not new, and Victoria is not the first city to participate but some recent media coverage is fueling the fun.

This article may contain an affiliate link. This means that if you follow a link in this post and make a purchase, I may make a commission, at no extra cost to you. I am not sponsored by any of the products I link to, they are just the items I personally use and would recommend. Your support helps make this site possible – thank you!

Cherry blossom rocks hidden September 2020

How it Works

First attempt at dot art for my then elementary aged son.

Beginner's dot art rock

Kids, their parents and individuals are participating in a giant treasure hunt where they paint and hide rocks around Greater Victoria, at businesses, beaches and parks with one goal – brighten someone’s day. When you find one, you can keep it or leave it or exchange it for one of your own. Whatever makes you feel awesome is the right thing to do!

Are you ready for some fun?

What You’ll Need to Make Painted Rocks

Painted Bird Family

Rocks - Start by locating some flat, smooth rocks. You usually don’t have to travel too far to find some great options – virtually every beach in the Greater Victoria region will have them. Some favourite places are Esquimalt Lagoon, Gordon’s Beach (past Sooke on West Coast Road), French Beach and Dallas Road Beach. If you don't have easy access to rocks - or you want perfectly shaped smooth rocks to paint, many of the members in my rock painting group use silicone rock molds (get molds here). Another option is to buy rocks where you get landscape supplies or a gravel mart.

Belmont Grad rocks given to class of 2019 grads

Paint - Being the crafty type, I had a good assortment of acrylic paints from my local dollar store but when you are first starting out, don't go nuts buying every colour in the store! Start with a small set with the basic colours and this way you can get see if it is worth investing in more paint. Which most of us end up doing :) and most of us transition to paint pens from paint and brush. Paint pens are by far the easiest way to transform stones into art. For starting out, these ones from Tooli work well. As you get more experienced you may want to invest in Posca.

Paint brushes, foam brushes or tools for making dots (these ones from Happy Dotting are the ones I use)– all depending on your design. Again, dollar store is where I got these when I first started. If you continue with paint and brush, it will be worthwhile to invest in "better than dollar store" brushes. I like these ones by Royal & Langnickel. They're not too expensive and you can get them online or in store at Michaels. As for dot making tools, a toothpick, the "wrong end" of a paint brush, a dowel - any of these will work when you get started. Or you can jump right in and purchase some dotting tools (this is my preference) for perfectly round circles every time.

Sealant – it is not necessary to use a sealant unless your rocks will be outside. Most people who do seal use either a spray sealant (both Rust-oleum and Krylon make a spray) or a resin. Resin is used for its resiliency and beautiful glossy look however some people do find it a bit trickier to apply. Art Resin brand gets great reviews from my fellow rock painters who use it. Get it here.
A tray for mixing paint – paper plates or clean containers and lids (such as yogurt) work well. Really the options here are pretty endless – just don’t use something you plan to eat off or store food in again.
Water and a wet rag for clean up.

Then you let your creative genius take over.

Some people paint the rock first with a base colour. This is not necessary and is entirely dependent on your own taste and design. If you are going with a base colour, a foam brush using a dabbing technique works best.

Painted rocks could have an inspirational word or saying on them, or a small pattern or design or a picture of something. There are no limits. That is the fabulous thing about art - there are no rules!

Believe it or not, even more fun than just painting the rocks is the next part – hiding your treasures for others to find. Be sure to join the Facebook group Sooke to Sidney Rock Hunt! (SS Rock Hunt). On that page, you can post pictures of the painted rocks you are hiding and the location where you are hiding them. When people find them, they are encouraged to post a picture letting everyone know. It is such great fun.

Painted Rocks I Have Hidden & Given Away:

Turtles hidden View Royal Park January 2019

New Year rocks hidden at View Royal Park January 2019

Penguins hid at Taylor Beach, Metchosin November 2018

Funky trees, owls and Christmas gnomes hidden at Cadboro-Gyro Park December 2018

Pink Dots hidden at Beacon Hill Park October 2018

Yellow Dots hid at Taylor Beach in Metchosin, November 2018

Poppies hidden throughout Western Communities November 2018

Ladybugs hidden at View Royal Park September 2018

Orange Dots and Halloween-inspired rocks hidden at Beacon Hill Park October 2018

Yellow Birds hidden along Garry Oak Loop at the Westshore Parks & Rec centre October 2018

Bird Friends hidden at Beacon Hill Park October 2018

Spring rocks hidden at View Royal Park April 2019

Black gnomes given away Christmas 2018

Blue gnomes given away Christmas 2018

Red gnomes given away Christmas 2018

Penguins hidden at View Royal Park May 2019

Memorial rocks hidden at E's school April 2019

Another great thing about this is you don’t even have to paint rocks to participate. You can just check recent posts to see where painted rocks are being hidden and go searching. As you can see from the Facebook posts though, not everybody finds painted rocks when they go out looking so it is important not to set expectations too high, especially for younger children.

Get out and explore the region and happy hunting!