Stacking stones is a popular summer activity while cooling in local creeks and shallow rivers. Some think it’s not a good idea because stacking stones disturbs the environment. This is true if we are overzealous, but who among us has not dammed a creek to swim or wade.

Stacking stones is also a great summer STEM activity. STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Pinterest is filled with STEM activities that range from simple block activities for preschoolers to more complex bridge building for older children.

Stacking stones is not a new invention. In fact, God gave Joshua orders to stack twelve stones on the bank and in the Jordan River (Joshua 4). The stones stacked on the dry land were a memorial to remind the Israelites and their children who would ask, that God brought them across the Jordan River on dry land during the harvest flood stage. Joshua was also told to take twelve stones from the dry land into the river where the priests were standing and make a stack there. I wonder if the stones in the river were visible when the river was not at flood stage.

Lots of things can be a memorial, the house where we were born or grew up, family reunions, the church or place where we were saved, but nothing stacks like rocks. Joshua’s stones gave the people a visual to prompt questions so the parents would tell their children what God had done. The telling would give the children hope for their future when they also let God lead.

Can you think of ways to give our children visuals of God’s leading in our lives?

Not all rock activities need to be stacking.

Here are a few more ideas to help you through the summer. Be sure to take a magnifying glass and a small paint brush for brushing away dirt and sand deposits.

1. Notice the rock formations along trails. Discuss how those formations may have occurred; man-made, landslides, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions,  floods, THE flood.
2. Use a guide to learn the names of the rocks you find.
3. Glue matchboxes or other small boxes together to make a display with labels for your stones.
4. Notice unusual lines showing the sedimentation or layering of the rock as it formed.
5. Are there indentations in the rock that may be fossils?

Try memorizing a verse as a memorial to your rock adventures.

For You are my rock and my fortress; For Your name’s sake You will lead me and guide me. Psalms 31:3 NASV