August 2021

While I’m sure you’ve heard of painted rocks, the question stands: Have you heard of story stones?

I had not, until a few short weeks ago while searching for ways to paint fall themed rocks. My son and I have been planting painted rocks around our neighborhood for people to find, and we stumbled upon the idea for story stones during a quick google search.

Now, we’re having so much fun telling stories with our stones, that we’ve been creating them nonstop. So naturally, I’m ready to share the untold benefits of playing with story stones, and how EASY they are to make!

For some clarity, Story Stones are pictures painted or glued onto smooth pebbles, used as an aid in storytelling.

They can either represent a known story to be placed in order, or they can be a themed selection of images that prompt children to create their own stories.

Storytelling through story stones can be an excellent tool for developing skills such as social communication, creativity, logical thinking and support learning through play objectives.

Stories are an inclusive way to help children learn no matter what their abilities!

For our homemade stones, we coat the printable images in modge podge to seal to them to the stone. So far, it’s been working great! And, it’s a craft my 4 year old can do alongside me.

I decided to create a Fall themed printable to inspire stories about all the exciting pieces that make autumn such a special season. Watch this imagination running wild!

Simple directions:

1. Cut the images out
2. Use Modge Podge to glue the image to the stone (the entire cut-out should be glossed over, front and back)
3. Let dry for an hour or so
4. The fun begins!

The modge podge we use for our stones is linked above!

There are so many ways to enjoy these creative pebbles and promote imaginative play. Try adding them to a sensory bin, or categorizing with flashcards. We like to create narratives with our stones outside under the sunshine.

Let us know how you use your story stones in the comments below!

For more nature based learning, check out these 7 Nature Activities and Ideas for Outdoor Exploration for kids!

You could say I’m a Fall enthusiast, but that would probably be the understatement of the year. I’ve had my Fall decorations up since the beginning of September. Pumpkins, leaves and harvest signs are taking up most of the space in our humble abode, and I’m not one bit sorry about it!

The Fall traditions run thick in this household, and I can’t think of a better time for family activities than during this festive, gratitude-rich season.

In order to galvanize your family members and get the Fall flare going, we’ve compiled a list of our 40 favorite Fall activities that will bring your family closer together. All of these ideas are family friendly for kids of varying ages, and can easily become traditions for the harvest season. Eventually, they become activities to look forward to year after year!

So why are family activities and traditions important?

A review in the December issues of American Psychological Association’s (APA) Journal of Family Psychology states that “family routines and rituals are alive and well and are associated with marital satisfaction, adolescents’ sense of personal identity, children’s health, academic achievement and stronger family relationships.” We couldn’t agree more!

Additionally, studies show family traditions are the basis in creating family culture. Some of the many benefits include nurtured bonds between siblings and parents, a further developed sense of belonging, and the making of a memorable childhood. Can’t help but love those perks!

A few of the Fall activities require prior planning and others can be done on a whim. That’s why we love this list and encourage you to add some family fun in your busy Fall schedule.

One of our Fall must-dos is a family hike during the weeks of foliage. It’s wonderful to behold the colorful leaves and to appreciate nature’s beauty that only comes around once a year together as a family. Again, the activity doesn’t have to be extravagant. Something as simple as backyard football can bring your family closer together.

To make planning even more simple here are a few quick links to find Fall activities near you!

• To find Fall festivals (broken down by state) check out Funtober.com
• To Find an upcoming 5K near you here is Active.com
• A list of super scary films for movie night ranked by rotten tomatoes
• Some family Halloween costume ideas
• To donate blood and give the gift of life as a family, find a blood drive near you

Enjoy the season and don’t forget to check out our Grateful Tree Activity!

What are some of your favorite fall activities? Comment below!