Kindness Rocks Naperville, a citywide hide-and-seek

It's quite possibly the largest game of hide-and-seek in the area, spanning all 40 square miles of city of Naperville, including Naperville Park District's 137 parks totaling over 2,400 acres.

Naperville resident Ann Zediker created Kindness Rocks Naperville to honor her aunt, Lynn Zychowski of Elmhurst.

"My aunt is generous beyond words," Zediker said. "She gives her heart to everyone. So when she called me to tell me about the Kindness Rocks Elmhurst project and how it has taken over their town, I just knew I had to continue the phenomenon in Naperville."

The original Kindness Rocks Project was created by Megan Murphy in Cape Cod to spread inspiration and a moment of kindness for unsuspecting recipients through random inspirational rocks dropped along the way. What began on the East Coast has grown to a grass-roots, worldwide kindness movement including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Ireland, India, Thailand, Haiti, Italy and England.

"I just wanted to help bring kindness and summer fun to Naperville," Zediker said.

The project is as simple as finding rocks, painting rocks, hiding rocks, and then sharing your treasures with hashtags #NapervilleRocks, #KindnessRocksNaperville and #KRN on the Kindness Rocks Naperville Facebook page - which is quickly growing followers. If you come across a rock, you can leave it, re-hide it somewhere new, or keep it if you think it's meant for you.

The Naperville Park District is supporting the project and encourages using its 137 parks in the community to hide-and-seek your rocks. Sameera Luthman, the park district's director of marketing and communications, said participants may use planters and planting beds.

"We just ask that you keep the rocks out of the grass and off the trails and park equipment for the safety of those walking and playing," she said. "We are very excited to support this fun activity that gets people out in our parks."

Learning Express of Naperville is showing support by hosting a free activity at noon and 3 p.m. Saturday, July 15, at 2863 W. 95th St., Naperville. Kids ages 5 and older can paint two rocks and take them into the community to hide them. Call (630) 922-3334 to reserve a spot.