Youngsters and parents alike are getting involved in a creative hunt this summer, as a new craze sweeps across Caerphilly County Borough.
A Facebook page, Caerphilly Smilestones, is encouraging residents to paint a number of stones and small rocks before hiding them in green spaces and parks for others to find.
The page also serves as a hub for people to post their found treasures.
Suzanne Carter set up the Facebook page after she was inspired by a similar project in Staffordshire, where she hails from.
Mother-of-one Suzanne said: “I set up the page for the summer holidays and so people could share what they find on there and it just went crazy.”
At the time of writing, Caerphilly Smilestones has over 650 members, with daily posts showing children designing stones and foraging for others. Messages are included on the stones directing hunters to the Facebook page with the hashtag #CaerphillyRocks and reminding them to re-hide their finds.
Suzanne added: “We encourage people who find the stones to post a picture of them with it before re-hiding it for other children to find. I’ve got a two-year-old daughter, Jess, and she’s really into finding the stones.
“It’s a great reason to get the kids out in the fresh air over the summer holidays. It doesn’t cost a fortune, which is great for parents, and it’s a lot of fun to do with them.”
The Facebook page lists stones as hidden in Morgan Jones Park, Ystrad Mynach Park, Penyrheol Park, Coed Park Y Van, Aber Park, Trethomas River, and in the grounds of Caerphilly Castle.
The Old Library café on Nantgarw Road in Caerphilly has also approached Suzanne, offering use of a backroom for people to get together to paint their stones on Friday August 25 at 2pm.
The 33-year-old said she hopes people will continue to get involved after the summer holidays have finished.
“Children love exploring and it gets them outside instead of watching cartoons or on an iPad”, she added. “They also enjoy seeing people post on social media about a stone they’ve spent time painting.”
For more information visit Caerphilly Smilestones on Facebook.