Vacation memory stones are the perfect summer craft for kids! They are easy to prep, fun to make for kids of all ages, and will be cherished keepsakes of all your summer fun for years to come.
Read on to find out what they are and how to make them!
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What are vacation memory stones?
In a nutshell, vacation stones are an artistic way for your child to record their favourite adventures and experiences from summer vacation, or any vacation for that matter!
They can be made in a few different ways, but what my family likes to do is collect a stone from a place while we are there on vacation, and then create art on the stone to remind us of our favourite part of the trip.
If your adventure takes you to a place without stones, you can always find stones from other places to use, or purchase them.
Materials Needed for Memory Vacation Stones
- A few stones that are relatively smooth on at least one side, and preferably pale in colour
- Permanent markers in a variety of colours
- Some scrap paper to put underneath as a working surface
How to Make Vacation Stones
Step 1: Find and Prep Your Stones
Regardless of where you find your stones, you will want to clean them first with soap and hot water.
Step 2: Reflect on Your Vacation
Prompt your child to reflect on the most memorable part of their vacation.
They might describe a place you went, an activity you did, or even the people that were there. For younger children, you can ask something like, “What will you always remember about this trip?”
I always find it interesting to see what my son records as the most memorable part of our trips. They’re not always the things I would expect – and that’s okay!
Sometimes it’s the things that “went wrong” with a vacation that are the most memorable and that make the best stories later on! 😉
Step 3: Create the Art
Provide permanent markers and prompt your child to create an image on the rock that represents that memorable experience.
For a younger child, you could always ask something like, “What could you draw on the stone to help you remember that part of the vacation?”
Kids often like to use several rocks to capture a number of different parts of the holiday.
Don’t be afraid to create your own stones too! I find this activity is a fun one to do while sitting at a table discussing our holiday together.
Step 4: Record the Details
When the art is complete, have your child record the date and location of the holiday on the back of the stone.
If you child is very young, you can help them do this by writing the information in pencil on the stone and having them trace over it with the marker.
Step 5: Store the Stones
Pick a place to keep and display all those vacation stones as your memories collect over the years.
I like to keep mine in a large bowl with other cool rocks and fossils I’ve found. My son has a special glass jar on his dresser where he keeps his.
Every now and then, we’ll look back at our stones and relive some cherished memories together!
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Happy travels!
