The Hunt for
Middleton Rocks 🪨
Find one. Paint one. Hide one. Track the journey.
Recent Activity
No rock activity yet. Be the first to register or find a rock!
Leaderboard
No leaderboard data yet. Start finding rocks to claim the top spot!
Rock Gallery
No photos yet. Find a rock and upload the first photo!
How to Play
Paint
Paint a rock with any design you like. Use acrylic paint and seal it so it survives the outdoors.
Register
Register your rock here to get an MR-ID. Write the ID and hellomiddleton.com/rocks on the back.
Hide
Hide it somewhere in Middleton — parks, trails, benches, anywhere public and fun to discover.
Track
When someone finds your rock they log it here, and the journey continues. Every rock tells a story.
Points & Badges
Earn points for every rock you paint, find, and re-hide. Collect badges as you hit milestones. Points contribute to your Hello Middleton trust score.
How You Earn Points
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Paint & register a new rock | +10 |
| Find a rock | +5 |
| Re-hide a rock | +3 |
| Upload a photo with your find | +2 bonus |
| First person to find any rock | +5 bonus |
| Find the Golden Rock | +50 |
Badges to Collect
Create a free account to start earning points and badges!
Rules
- Re-hide within 7 days or mark it as "keeping" so others know it's off the map.
- Photo required when logging a find — that's how the gallery grows!
- Leave a clue when you re-hide (vague is better — "somewhere near water").
- Be respectful of where you hide rocks — no private property without permission.
- Keep it family-friendly — rock designs and messages should be appropriate for all ages.
Tips for Painting
- Use acrylic paint on smooth, flat rocks.
- Seal with clear waterproof sealant (Mod Podge Outdoor or polyurethane spray).
- Paint the design on front, MR-ID + URL on back.
- Write the ID large enough to read easily.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the points system work?
You earn points for painting, finding, and re-hiding rocks. Different actions are worth different amounts — painting a new rock earns the most (+10), while finding earns +5 and re-hiding earns +3. Bonus points are awarded for uploading a photo with your find (+2) and being the first person to discover a rock (+5). Points are added to your Hello Middleton trust score automatically.
What are badges and how do I earn them?
Badges are achievements you unlock by hitting milestones. For example, finding your first rock earns "Rock Steady" and painting your first earns "Born Painter." Harder badges like "Rock Legend" (find 50 rocks) and "Serial Mover" (find 5 well-traveled rocks) take more time. Badges appear on your profile for everyone to see.
What if I find a rock without an ID?
Register it! Click "Register a Rock," upload a photo, and we'll assign a brand new MR number. Now it's part of the network and can be tracked as it travels around Middleton.
Can I keep a rock I find?
Absolutely. When logging your find, just select "I'm keeping this one." The rock's journey page will show it's been kept. No judgment — some rocks are too good to let go. You still earn your find points either way.
What's the Golden Rock?
Occasionally a special gold-painted rock is hidden somewhere in Middleton with a prize attached. The Golden Rock is worth a massive +50 points and unlocks the exclusive "Golden Hunter" badge. Follow Hello Middleton for hints when one is out in the wild.
Do I need an account?
You can log finds as a guest, but creating a free Hello Middleton account lets you earn points, appear on the leaderboard, collect badges, and track all the rocks you've painted and found over time.
How do I register a rock I painted?
Click "Register a Rock" from the Middleton Rocks page, upload a photo of your painted rock, and add an optional description. You'll receive an MR-ID to write on the back of the rock along with hellomiddleton.com/rocks. Then hide it and watch it travel!
What's the QR code on each rock's page?
Every registered rock gets its own QR code automatically. The QR code links directly to that rock's journey page — for example, hellomiddleton.com/rocks/MR-001. If you print or screenshot the QR code and attach it to your rock (a small sticker or laminated tag works great), anyone who finds it can scan it with their phone camera and instantly see the rock's full travel history, leave a clue, and log their find.
Do I need to put a QR code on my rock?
It's totally optional but recommended! At minimum, paint your MR-ID (like MR-042) and the URL hellomiddleton.com/rocks on the back. That's enough for anyone to look it up. A QR code just makes it one step easier — point your camera, tap, done. You can print the QR from your rock's journey page after registering.
How do I scan a QR code on a rock I found?
Just open your phone's camera and point it at the QR code. Most modern phones (iPhone and Android) will show a link notification automatically — tap it and you'll land on the rock's journey page where you can see its full history and log your find. No special app needed.
What's the best way to hide a rock?
The best hiding spots are public, safe, and a little surprising — think park benches, trail markers, library steps, or near a playground. Avoid private property and anywhere dangerous. A good rule of thumb: if a kid could safely find it, it's a good spot.
How does the leaderboard work?
The leaderboard ranks players by total points earned from finding, painting, and re-hiding rocks. It updates in real time. You need a Hello Middleton account to appear on the leaderboard.
Is this safe for kids?
Yes! Middleton Rocks is designed as a family-friendly activity. All rock designs should be appropriate for all ages, and hiding spots should be safe and accessible. Kids can participate with a parent's account or just enjoy the hunt without logging in.
This is a family-friendly community activity. Please keep rock designs and messages appropriate for all ages. Let's make Middleton a little more colorful together!