Simple Outdoor Adventures for Boys {Day 23}: Skipping Rocks

October 26th, 2012

How to Skip Rocks…

   Supplies:

• Any Non-Shallow Body of Water
• Smooth, Flat Stones

{I had the best rock skipper I know write this description… 😉 }

Skipping rocks may seem like a very simple adventure, but as you probably already know, boys can turn such an activity into lots of fun. There are just a couple of important tips that will go a long ways toward making your son’s first rock skipping adventure a success.

First, stone selection is very important. The perfect skipping stone is round, smooth, flat, and about the size of the skipper’s palm. However, the most important element is that you find a flat stone small enough to comfortably hold and throw. Even jagged or square flat stones will skip fairly easy.

Once you have found a suitable stone, you want to make sure you hold it correctly. To skip a stone, you don’t want to hold it the same as you would a baseball. You want to wrap your index finger around the edge of the stone, and place your thumb on the back edge. This will allow you to throw the rock flat and low to the water.

Last, the angle the stone hits the water is paramount. If you throw the stone straight down towards the water, it won’t skip. You need to lean over as you throw (hard) and release the stone flat at a low angle. If the rock hits the water flat and moving fast, it will skip.

Once you get the hang of it, start playing with the angle you throw it at the water and how hard you throw it. Find a log to skip the rock over. See how high you can get the rock to skip off the water. How many times can you get it to skip before it finally slows down and sinks? Boys often love competition, see who is the best!

  Helpful Tips/Resources:

• Boys Life Magazine
• Howcast How to Skip Rocks Video
• Geology Rocks!: 50 Hands-On Activities to Explore the Earth

* Boys get overly excited about throwing rocks, have a talk with them about not whacking one another! (or you!)

* Skipping rocks are more easily found near running water. (creeks, rivers, streams) Water flattens and smooths out rocks naturally in these places.

* Calm, smooth water is best for skipping. Avoid windy days and choppy water for easier skipping.

Have you had any luck with skipping rocks? 

Don’t forget you can find all of the completed 31 Days of Simple Outdoor Adventures for Boys over here!