Why hundreds of people are hunting mysterious decorated rocks in Sheffield

That was what Heather Wood was thinking as she stood looking out of the window of her High Green home four weeks ago.

With the country in lockdown, and most families permitted just a short walk each day, Julie decided she wanted to do something to help make this time together a little more exciting for them.

“The playgrounds are all closed, and I knew a lot of children were resisting going for a walk, so I thought it might be fun to turn it into a bit of a treasure hunt,” said Heather.

The 35-year-old began decorating rocks in an array of patterns and pictures, and leaving them hidden in various nooks and crannies around the S35 area of the city.

With each rock she hid a note, asking those who found the rock to post a picture of it on a new Facebook page she’d set up, called S35 Decorative Rocks and Treasures.

Just over a month later, the group has nearly 500 members and thousands of posts, from families all across this area who have joined the hunt.

Many of them are now creating their own rocks as families, and hiding them in parks and woods, on streets and high streets for others to find on their daily outings.

“I’m overwhelmed with what it has become,” said Heather, who lives alone with just her two dogs for company during this period of social distancing.

“I wasn’t expecting it to be so popular, but the daily activity on the Facebook page is wonderful, and it’s so lovely to see people’s photos of them creating, hiding, and finding rocks together as a family.

“I have four nephews who I’m really missing, so it means so much to be able to bring a smile to the faces of other families right now. I love going out walking with my dogs and hiding rocks, and then seeing who finds them.

“I’ve even had messages from grandparents and other adults, who don’t have kids at home, but are spending their walks together keeping their eyes peeled for S35 Rocks, it’s lovely.”

And the definition of treasures is quickly expanding, with families laminating Disney pictures to hide, as well as making fairy wands and fairy doors to tuck in trees and wooded areas - all bearing the S35 Rocks and Treasures label.

“It’s been a nice distraction for me too, from everything that is currently going on in the world,” said Heather.

“I plan to keep it up as long as people want to take part.

“The next thing I’ve got my eye on is trying to secure a space in the S35 area where we can have a permanent fixture for kids to visit, with a little garden filled with rocks and a fairy house for children to sit in and enjoy all the lovely creations.”

Fiona Conley Deakin said: “Myself and my boys love decorating stones and pebbles, and then on our walks we go and hide them for others to find. It makes their walks that bit more exciting.”

Charlotte Thurtle said: “I think it’s a great idea; gives kids an incentive to go for walks, and we enjoy decorating the pebbles and finding new places to hide them.”

Nicola Wood said: “The kids love it when we’re out walking, and love seeing pictures of where their own stones end up.”

Rachel Fish said: “This group has turned our usual daily walk into lots more fun.

“Definitely will be remembered as happy times during our time in lockdown, and great for the community.”

Gill Robertson said: “Adults are just as involved now. No kids but we still love spotting them on our walks, taking photos and uploading them to here.

“It’s now a competition between me and my other half.”

Kelly Wright said: “My children and I thoroughly enjoy painting rocks and treasures, and it makes the mundane walks more adventurous and magical.

“It's become a bit of an obsession!”

Lesley Thulbourne said: “My five year old grandson hung bells on the trees in Charlton Brook yesterday and it's great when children from the same class find rocks hidden by other children they know.”

Emma Johnson said: “Me and my daughter have loved painting rocks and seeing who finds them. We walk miles searching in all different areas.”

Jill Wade said: “Both my children have painted rocks to hide and they just love finding rocks!”

Jane Wildsmith said: “We’ve all enjoyed this as a family thinking up new designs and places to hide. It’s been lovely discovering them on our family walks every day.”

Joanne Higgins said: “Me and my husband are both unable to work due to coronavirus and the kids are at home with us.

“We’ve all enjoyed going on our walk each day finding new lovely areas we never knew were on our doorstep.”

Lucy Johnson said: “My boys were extremely sad on Sunday because their dog had to be put to sleep. My partner got them out of the house and searched for the rocks, which they loved.

“Definitely put a smile on their faces, and today we are painting our own rocks to hide!”

Gemma-Louise Farr said: “I love this group, it's a great way of feeling part of the community.

“With a lot of scary things happening at the moment, it's our way of giving something back. My children are six and two, and they love searching for the stones and putting up the plaques for people to find.”

Visit the page HERE.