Sometimes all you need is a simple activity. One that requires a little bit of concentration, but that is not too challenging or time-consuming. I give you…Balancing Rocks, an activity that can be done wherever, whenever and by anyone in the family (except maybe the smallest ones).

What you’ll need;

• Rocks of any size

  • a bit bigger if you have a child who puts everything in their mouth

  • a bit smaller if you have a little one who likes to throw things!

• A surface to start building on

• Time

• Patience!

Set-up time;

• Moments or minutes, (depending on how accessible your rocks are)

Where;

• In your garden

• At the park*

• Down by the river*

• During a walk on the beach*

  * Note that rock stacking has become an Insta-worthy thing, which can potentially have a harmful impact on the immediate environment. Read this article for more details on how you can be sure you have some fun, but leave the environment as you found it.

What your child is learning;

• Balancing rocks is not just about making pretty pictures. It will challenge your children’s fine motor control.

• They won’t need to talk to be able to participate, but if it suits your children, then use words such as balance, flat, bumpy, smooth or rough.

• Have a go yourself and you’ll see that this activity is not always as easy as you think!

• You'll also be learning about friction and forces and surfaces and gravity!! Science in the backyard, but really it’s just play.

Variations;

• Balance blocks, Lego, logs, toys and even bodies!

• You could paint the rocks, then make rainbow stacks.

• If your child is inspired by this game/activity, then watch them explore and see what they come up with.

• Look around your garden and see what you can find.

As always, I hope you have a lot of fun.