By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–A fun new game designed to bring families together and get people outside is beginning to make waves in Helena, and the best part is, anyone can participate.

The game, simply known as “Helena ROCKS,” began around the first of November and the idea is for people to paint rocks and hide them around the city of Helena so others can find them.

Helena resident Jennifer Parrish and her two boys Taylor and Tyler have been heavily involved in Helena ROCKS and have painted their fair share of rocks and also found plenty around the city.

“The whole idea is to get people outside and get families together to look for rocks,” said Parrish. “It’s just a fun way for families to spend time together.”

Parrish believes the idea started in Texas and currently Homewood and Helena have Facebook pages dedicated to show pictures of the rocks.

Taylor and Tyler showed off a backpack full of painted rocks that included designs ranging from the moon and stars, Alabama and Auburn rocks, rocks painted as food items, rocks with inspirational logos or sayings and more.

The guidelines for “Helena ROCKS” are to use common sense when hiding rocks and to use good judgment when painting rocks.

The rules for hiding rocks include not placing rocks where someone could trip and fall, don’t place rocks on train tracks, get permission before placing rocks in a place of business, do not take rocks from private landscapes or place a rock where it can fall on someone’s head.

When playing the game, people can either keep the rocks they find, rehide them or replace them with their own designs.

Those who participate should upload the rocks they find to the Helena ROCKS page on Facebook.

This can be found at Facebook.com/gagliano16/.