Every year on November 13, the global rock painting community comes together for one of its most cherished events: the World Kindness Day Global Rock Hunt. On this day, thousands of rock painters around the world simultaneously hide painted kindness rocks in their local communities, creating a wave of unexpected joy and connection that circles the globe.
Whether you are in Warsaw, São Paulo, or Melbourne, November 13 is your invitation to paint, hide, and share - and to discover rocks hidden by others in your city. This guide shows you exactly how to participate, what to paint, and how to use RoxGeo to track your rocks as they travel from finder to finder.
What Is the World Kindness Day Rock Hunt?
World Kindness Day was established by the World Kindness Movement in 1998 as an annual celebration of the goodness within each of us. The rock painting community adopted it as its annual flagship event - a day when the act of hiding a small, painted stone becomes a coordinated global statement about human connection.
On November 13, the goal is simple: paint at least one kindness rock, hide it in your community, and share the experience online. Finders who discover registered rocks can log them on RoxGeo, creating a real-time map of kindness spreading across the world.
How to Participate: Painting and Hiding
Participation is free and open to everyone. Here is how to get involved:
- Paint your rocks - Aim for at least 3 kindness rocks. Use designs that feel relevant to the day: hearts, positive words, universal symbols of connection.
- Register on RoxGeo - Register each rock before hiding so its journey can be tracked. Write the RoxGeo code on the back and seal it.
- Hide on November 13 - Place your rocks in community spaces: parks, libraries, coffee shops, along walking trails. Choose spots where people will find them, not lose them.
- Share on social media - Use #WorldKindnessDay and #KindnessRocks with your photos. Tag your city and language community.
- Watch your rocks travel - Each time a finder logs your rock on RoxGeo, you will receive a notification and see the new location on the map.
Best Designs for Kindness Day
- Words of encouragement - "You matter," "Keep going," "Today will be better" - short, genuine, unconditional messages.
- Hearts - The universal symbol. Simple or intricate mandalas, all expressing the same thing.
- Sunrises and sunsets - Symbolic of new beginnings. Easy to paint with sponge blending in warm oranges and pinks.
- Handprints - A rock with your painted handprint: "A stranger left this for you." Incredibly personal.
- Local symbols - Incorporate elements unique to your city or culture. A Warsaw mermaid rock, a Dublin shamrock, a Greek olive branch.
Tracking Your Finds and Hides with RoxGeo
The RoxGeo tracking system turns individual acts of kindness into a collective story. When you register your rock, it appears on the global map. Every time someone finds it and logs the find, the map updates and you see the trail your stone has created. On World Kindness Day, this map becomes a live celebration of human connection - hundreds of pins appearing across continents as kindness rocks are found and re-hidden throughout the day.
Explore the full history of the Kindness Rocks movement and discover the best social media tips for sharing your rocks to maximise your reach on November 13.
Creating a Local Kindness Day Event
Individual participation is powerful, but organised community events on World Kindness Day create an even bigger impact. Consider hosting a painting session at a local library or community centre in the days before November 13, so participants arrive with ready-to-hide rocks on the day. Partner with local cafes or businesses to display participant rocks in windows as part of a coordinated "kindness trail."
Frequently Asked Questions
When exactly is World Kindness Day?
World Kindness Day falls on November 13 every year. In 2026 it falls on a Friday, making it a perfect end-of-week community celebration.
Do I need to be part of an organisation to participate?
No. World Kindness Day rock hiding is completely open. You simply paint, register, and hide. No group membership, no fees, no registration required.
What if no one finds my rock on November 13?
Rocks hidden on November 13 may be found days or weeks later - and that is perfectly fine. Every registered rock on RoxGeo continues its journey for as long as it exists. Some kindness rocks placed on World Kindness Day have been found months later in different countries.
