Dan Jackson: Rocks in their head? What fun!

Dan Jackson

My world has been taken over by rocks. Painted bloody rocks.

Over the holidays my kids discovered Wanganui Rocks -- a Facebook-based group that paint and then hide rocks around public areas for kids to find.

I think it started off as kids dabbing paint on the odd rock, but we now have groups of artists creating mini-masterpieces on stone.

Frank the Turtle is the most famous by far. He's extremely well painted and hides up at Virginia Lake. People who find him are asked to re-hide him.

So far everyone has, but that doesn't mean he hasn't travelled. He's been road tripping to Taupo and Hawke's Bay (I think) and stayed for sleepovers at kids' homes and all sorts. He's a popular rock.

My kids have gone nuts over this rock-hunting bizzo. The 15-year-old is a bit nonplussed but he plays along with the younger ones when out hunting.

Also, the missus has gone a bit "super-mum" on it all. She scouts the internet looking for clues, and once she's worked out where the most recent stash of rocks is, all the kids are tossed in the car and she's off.

I've been riding shotgun on a few of these missions because, inevitably, after rocks have been found and rehidden, there's an ice cream to be had on the way home.

I've found, too, that rock decorating has its benefits. I supplied some rocks and paint and then got to enjoy close to six, yes six, hours of peace while the missus and the kids sat outside happily painting under the umbrella. I supplied a couple of cold drinks to the crew and some words of encouragement and, apart from that, enjoyed an afternoon of uninterrupted bliss.

As far as I can tell there is no commercial motive in this rock-hunting palaver. It's just a grassroots community-driven initiative that resonates with kids and parents alike.

The sound of happiness from the kids and the look on their faces from finding painted rocks is priceless, which is good because the whole thing is free.

People are talking to one another too. A conspiratorial whisper about where Frank the Turtle is can make people's day. It's becoming a real community.

It's a great idea that gets people off their couches and out from behind screens and into our beautiful region.

It might be a fad that lasts for a few months or go for years. I hope it's the latter, because I'd love my kids to be painting rocks with their kids in years to come.

Dan Jackson is a Whanganui journalist and part-time scrap dealer