Gratefulness Rocks

Gratefulness Rocks are perfect for Thanksgiving decorating, but equally fun to keep out all year!

The Thanksgiving holiday seems to bring out the best in people, as we focus on family, friends, serving others, and gratefulness. Sharing what we’re thankful for is central to our Thanksgiving tradition, and to this project sponsored by Elmer’s!

With Gratefulness Rocks, the whole family can share what’s most important while creating a visual reminder of the things we’re blessed with.

Gratefulness Rocks can be used as a decoration on your Thanksgiving table…. then saved, added to, and re-used year after year.

Since some of our greatest blessings are the people right around us, names written on rocks can also serve as “place cards” at the table. After the holiday, Gratefulness Rocks can be displayed together in a shallow bowl, or placed strategically throughout the house.

Younger kids enjoy “hunting” for Gratefulness Rocks (like an Easter egg hunt) throughout the year. After all, there’s no wrong time to be reminded of the things (and people) we’re grateful for!

All you need for this project are Elmer’s ‘Painters’ Opaque Paint Markers and some smooth, flat rocks (2-3 inches in size). I found these rocks in my backyard, but if snow has already blanketed the ground where you live, you can look for rocks at your local craft store or garden center. You can even order rocks online at HomeDepot.com.

Everything you need to make your own 'Gratitude Rocks'.... Elmer’s ‘Painters' Opaque Paint Markers and some smooth, flat rocks! — Everything you need to make your own ‘Gratitude Rocks’…. Elmer’s ‘Painters’ Opaque Paint Markers and some smooth, flat rocks!

Gratefulness Rocks Step 1. Gather plenty of smooth, flat rocks. — 1. Gather plenty of smooth, flat rocks.

Gratefulness Rocks Step 2. Rinse rocks well and set aside to dry. — 2. Rinse rocks well and set aside to dry.

Gratefulness Rocks Step 3. Use Elmer’s 'Painters' Opaque Paint Markers to decorate your rocks! — 3. Use Elmer’s ‘Painters’ Opaque Paint Markers to decorate your rocks!

Older children (and adults) can help younger children with the writing if necessary. Add fun patterns and designs to your rocks. If you choose to paint the entire rock with a background color first, or layer colors over each other, allow a minute or two for wet colors to dry before you paint on top of them.

What I love about Elmer’s ‘Painters’ Opaque Paint Markers is that they’re filled with real acrylic paint. The colors are vibrant and opaque, so you can even use light colors on top of darker ones. Being in marker form makes them so much faster and easier to write and draw with than a paint brush. And there’s nothing to wash afterward, so cleaning up is as simple as replacing the cap! (Remember, Elmer’s ‘Painters’ Opaque Paint Markers are permanent so be sure to protect your work surface and children’s clothes when using these with kids!)