Paint A Rock And Hide It For Kindness Rocks Naperville

NAPERVILLE, IL -- The entire City of Naperville will serve as the venue to a city-wide hide-and-seek game which a press release calls "possibly the largest game of hide-n-seek in the area."

Kindness Rocks Naperville, a program created by Naperville resident Ann Zediker, is based on the Kindness Rocks project. It came to be in Cape Cod, Mass., where Megan Murphy aimed to spread joy and inspiration by having people leave painted rocks throughout the area. Though the project started in Massachusetts, it has spread internationally to Europe, Australia, Asia and Haiti.

The rocks, which can be found everywhere and painted by everybody, will be placed on various paths and walkways throughout the city. The goal is to spread kindness by painting positive and encouraging messages or images on the rocks, leaving them for anybody to find.

According to the Kindness Rocks Naperville Facebook page, citizens who spot a Kindness Rock have three options: keep it if you think it's "meant" for you, leave it or re-hide it somewhere new.

“I just wanted to help bring kindness and summer fun to Naperville,” Zediker said, according to a press release.

Learning Express of Naperville is also supporting the event by hosting a "free kick-off activity" at 2863 W. 95th St. in Naperville on July 15. There are two time slots available at noon and at 3 p.m. Kids aged five and up can paint two rocks then venture out into the community to hide them. It's free, but you have to call 630-922-3334 to reserve a spot.

is also showing support by hosting a free kick-off activity at 2863 W. 95th Street in Naperville on July 15th at Noon and 3 p.m. Kids ages 5 and up are encouraged to come and paint two rocks and take them into the community to hide them. The event is free thanks to Creativity for Kids. Just call 630-922-3334 to reserve your spot.

The Naperville Park District Director of Marketing and Communications, Sameera Luthman, said "we are very excited to support this fun activity that gets people out in our parks." She also noted that it's best to "keep the rocks out of the grass and off the trails and park equipment for the safety of those walking and playing."

Kindness Rocks Naperville asks participants to share their "treasures" on the Kindness Rocks Naperville Facebook page after painting. They also ask that if you come across a rock, then share a photo of you finding it on social media using the hashtags #NapervilleRocks, #KindnessRocksNaperville and #KRN.

Article image provided by Kindness Project Naperville