Today I’m in my office. And by “office”, I mean our converted garage-slash-dumping ground, where the Wi-Fi is just about holding on and the spiders look like they could claim squatter’s rights. Let’s not talk about how many times I’ve bolted out of here thanks to Shelob and her mates.
My co-worker for the day?… Evelyn. She’s sat at David’s desk (he’s not in), armed with a paintbrush and a rock painting craft kit she’s proudly calling “my art project”. This week she’s decided she wants to be an artist when she grows up. Last week it was a teacher, the week before a dancer. A girl with many obsessions and I’m here for them all. Today’s creation is a gift for her daddy.
🎨Why Rock Painting is a WFH Lifesaver
Working from home with kids is basically a game of “How long can I keep them busy before chaos unfolds?” Normally, that means EVERY toy in the house comes out, or blankets are laid out like a patchwork carpet across every floor.
Rock painting, though, ticks all the boxes:
Cheap – Stones are free if you’ve got a garden or local park, or you can grab a kit from Smyths, Tesco, or The Range.
Contained-ish – If you ignore the trail of glitter heading towards the cat.
Weirdly absorbing – Once they’re in The Zone, you could redecorate around them and they wouldn’t notice.
Today, thanks to Evelyn’s artistic endeavours, I’ve answered emails, drafted a blog post, and finished my third coffee before it went stone cold. Its the small miracles.
🖌How to Rock Paint (Kid-Friendly Version)
1. Treasure Hunt for Rocks – Use a kit, or turn it into a day out at the park or beach to hunt for stones.
2. Wash & Dry – No one needs muddy fingerprints on the masterpiece (or your desk).
3. Base Coat – A quick layer of white or bright paint works wonders.
4. Decorate – Animals, patterns, faces… or that swirly abstract thing your child insists on drawing everywhere.
5. Seal (Optional) – A bit of varnish will keep the rain from ruining it if it’s going outside.
Pro Tip: Keep a “rock towel” nearby. Paint will end up on the child, the desk, and potentially the pets.
By the time Evelyn’s finished, she’ll have a sweet handmade gift for David, and I’ll have ticked off a few work tasks without feeling like I’ve ignored her all day. Yes, my desk now looks like B&Q’s paint aisle exploded — but compared to the alternative (“Mum, I’m booooored” every three minutes or a three-hour YouTube marathon), I’ll take it.
If you give rock painting a go, I want to see yours and your little ones masterpieces! Tag me on your socials so I can have a nosy (and pinch ideas for Evelyn).