The Rainbow Connection

Activity Overview

Kindness, empathy, compassion, and gratitude are qualities that we cherish and wish to engender in our children. By practicing small acts of selflessness and kindness, we can strengthen these traits. As we do so, we positively affect others, and increase our sense of interconnectedness. One simple way children can feel they are connected to others is by creating small pieces of art on rocks and leaving them in the park or neighborhood for others to find. One small act of kindness can brighten someone’s day!

What You Need

• Up to 10 small rocks

• Markers or paint and paintbrushes

Steps

1. With your student, collect as many rocks as you desire - from the garden, a park, or any other nearby area.

2. Preface the activity by introducing the concept of giving to others, sharing, being generous and brightening someone’s day with small acts of kindness. Use the guiding questions to help frame the conversation.

3. In this activity, for each color of the rainbow the student wishes to add to their rock, identify an empathetic action, a way to show generosity, or a way to be kind. Ideas can include giving a loved one a hug or a compliment, helping out around the house, giving someone a thoughtful gift, calling a relative on the phone, or any other personal act that is meaningful to the student.

4. Draw or paint a rainbow on each rock. When the rocks have finished drying, redistribute them in your local park, give them to a friend or family member, or place them around your neighborhood for someone to find. Who knows – your small act of kindness may inspire others to do the same!

Guiding Questions

• What are some ways that show generosity to others?

• How can we be kind to others? How can we make someone feel better?

• What would you do if you found a rainbow rock somewhere in your neighborhood?

• What is a way you can brighten someone’s day?

Extensions

• Many children across the globe created rainbow artwork to hang in their windows during the pandemic. These helped to keep their neighborhoods connected while we were apart from each other. Do you see any artwork in windows when you walk through your neighborhood? What do you think the artist is trying to communicate to us?

• Don’t feel the need to limit this activity to rainbows! While the act of drawing a rainbow may be slightly easier for younger children, those who are able to represent can draw or paint flowers, animals, mountains, oceans, suns, moons, hearts, stars, or anything they feel will help brighten a community member’s day.