Pet Rock Paperweight

Create a colorful paperweight or a fun pet rock!

Skill Level: Moderate

Time Needed: 1 hour a day for 2 days

Age(s): 8 to 12

Appropriate For: Kwanzaa

Supplies Needed:

Project Rating:

Cover a flat surface with newspaper.
Mix a small amount of glue and water in a bowl. The mixture should be runny.
Tear colored tissue paper —any color you chose—into small strips.
Place the strips of tissue paper on the rock. Use a paintbrush or sponge to paint the glue mixture over the tissue paper, causing it to stick to the rock. Cover the rock entirely with tissue paper.
Let the rock paperweight dry completely.
Apply another layer of diluted mixture over the rock. This will make it smooth and seal in the color. Let the rock dry completely, and you've got the perfect paperweight!
Instead of a paperweight, make a pet rock! Add Jiggly Eyes to the rock. Draw a mouth and other features with a marker. Don't forget to give your pet rock a name.

Teaching Tips:

Discuss how rocks come in all shapes and sizes from boulders to tiny grains of sand. Talk about how smaller rocks come from the breakage and weathering of larger rocks and bedrock.
Explain to students that rocks are classified in three ways, as molten rocks, sedimentary rocks, or igneous rocks. Have students research to find the differences and similarities between the three classifications.
A rock paperweight makes a great gift! Encourage students to make the paperweight for a parent or loved one. Have students create a greeting card to go along with the gift for that person.