Contributed photo Rocks painted by Carrie Harmon and her family to participate in the Marshalltown Rocks Facebook group.

Finding rocks can be a lot of fun.

Families around Marshalltown have joined a group called Marshalltown Rocks to find colorfully designed rocks and then hide them again.

Carrie Harmon first learned about the game while on vacation with her family in North Platte, Neb.

“My kids found some decorated rocks when out and about,” Harmon said. “That’s when my sister-in-law and niece and nephews told us about the group. They explained how popular it was. So while there we did our own rocks to put around and even brought some home that we found there.”

Marshalltown Rocks is one of many groups across the country which has popped up looking for painted rocks, and then hiding them around the town.

Groups can be found in anywhere from Charles City to Montana.

“It’s all to just brighten someone’s day because many people wouldn’t be expecting to find a rock that’s painted in unusual spots,” Harmon said.

To participate all people need to do it pick up rocks, paint them and put them around town to brighten people’s day, she said.

Harmon asks that if people participate they take a picture of the rocks and post it to the Facebook page so people know what they are looking for.

“Rocks do not have to be put only in town,” Harmon said. “You can also take the rock and put it wherever your heart desires. Someone in North Platte put one in Washington D.C. on vacation.”

As of Wednesday, 155 people were part of the Marshalltown Rocks group, but Harmon is hoping more join.

“My main goal is to get the group to grow,” Harmon said. “This is actually very popular in other areas as well. Something fun for daycares to do, parents or older siblings to do on a rainy day, cold snowy day, after supper as a family.”

She said finding rocks as a fun and safe activity during the pandemic.

“Doesn’t need to be perfect but something fun,” Harmon said. “Then if you have an appointment, running to the post office, grocery store or just out driving around to get out of the house, stop and put them out. I know people, especially children get tired of doing the same things over and over.”

The simple act of finding a hidden painted rock can brighten someone’s day.

“With everything going on in today’s world, why not find something fun to do and place around town for others to find,” Harmon said. “Seeing a kid excited cause they found one is happiness. But watching an older person find one is pure joy.”

Groups ask people to avoid placing rocks in precarious spots where people could get hit by a car or bike or get hurt while searching.

“We have about 10 now just to distribute,” Harmon said. “When you find the rocks, you can either choose to keep it or move it to another location. It’s fun to take pictures of the rocks you find and where you found them and post to the group page.”

While the Facebook group is private anyone can participate, by either looking or hiding rocks.

“It’s all about spreading joy to others,” Harmon said.

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Contact Thomas Nelson at 641-753-6611

or tnelson@timesrepublican.com