Story Rocks – Backyard Camping Activities

Tales told around the campfire are essential to a successful backyard campout. And these Story Rocks are the perfect way to inspire kids to create stories as a group.

You’ll Need

• River rocks—found or purchased (most dollar stores carry them in the floral section)
• Stickers/photos—variety is key
• Scissors
• Paper and markers (optional)
• White glue or modge podge
• Foam brushes
• Clear varnish (optional)
• Small drawstring bag

How to Make

1. Provide each child with a handful of river rocks.
2. Have them choose a sticker to stick on each rock. Do not duplicate any of the pictures. If the kids want to draw pictures, cut out pieces of paper slightly smaller than the rock’s surface and follow the same directions. Try to have a good variety.
3. Using the glue or modge podge, brush a coat over top of the pictures to secure them to the rocks. Allow to dry. This step isn’t necessary with stickers but does make them more durable in the long run.
4. If desired, varnish with a clear spray to further protect the story rocks.
5. Once dry, place all Story Rocks in the drawstring bag.

Good to Know: Story Rocks can be made prior to your backyard campout so they are ready when you need them, but making the Story Rocks is a great activity in the afternoon, especially if you need your little campers out of the sun for a while.

How to Play

1. Decide who will begin the story and pass them the bag of Story Rocks.
2. The storyteller will pick out one Story Rock from the bag without looking.
3. The storyteller will then begin the story incorporating their Story Rock into the tale.
4. The bag will be passed to the camper on their left who will then follow instructions 2 and 3 continuing the story from where the previous storyteller left off.
5. Repeat steps 2–4 until all the Story Rocks have been used.

Thanks to our Savvy Storyteller Susannah from Creative Mama on a Dime for providing this party activity.

To get the full how-to with more pictures, click here.