Monday, December 5, 2016

5 Crystals Children Love

Kids love crystals. 

Every public or family friendly event I've read tarot at I've set up my table with all of its witchy decor including plenty of crystals. Not long after the guests arrive, kids are drawn in by the crystals. I adore how entranced they are by the stones, holding them in their little hands like excavated treasures. They ask, with awed voices, "What stone is this?" I tell them and their eyes widen as the knowledge seeps in. They show it to their family and tell them the name, whispered or shouted but both with a tone as if they are sharing an amazing secret.
As the season of gift-giving comes closer and closer and families wonder what to get their kids or young relatives or friends, I would like to suggest the not-so-humble crystal. These stones are perfect gifts for anyone whether its a child that loves to learn, a family that is spiritually driven, and parents, whether they are worried about electronics or not, will most likely approve of this sort of present for their child.
My friend Alisha gives gifts of stones to her nephews and niece for their birthdays. A small pouch of stones lovingly chosen to help them with whatever they are going through that year is received with grins and placed reverently beside their bed at the end of the day to dream upon.
Learn how geodes are created at
How Its Made


Geodes

My friend Valesa gifts these pieces of magic to her children on their birthday. They hurriedly take them to the garage where they are handed a hammer (an added bones to the birthday excitement) and set free to crack open their rocks. Once they break in, they are thrilled by the tiny crystals growing inside what otherwise looks like an ordinary rock.
Geodes contain not only shiny stones but also lessons about not judging based on the exterior and excavating the treasures within. In the movie, Whisper of the Heart, ---, the little girl the film focuses on, is gifted a geode and told that, like the gems within, her talents are waiting to be discovered, pulled out, and polished up.
These stones are a magic trick waiting to be discovered by children.


Quartz

Not only are these stones perfect for just about any metaphysical need, quartz are well loved by children. Looking like ice they can keep or diamonds with less cost involved, I've seen children form whole fantasy games around a quartz crystal. When handed a piece of quartz the stone's magic is immediately sensed and the child becomes a knight chosen to protect the kingdom with this artifact or a wizard or witch with ancient powers locked within the stone.

Amethyst

Much like clear quartz, amethysts are often loved by children for their gem-like beauty. These stones are loved not only for their unique color (which can make them even more valued in fantasy play) but also for the feeling it gives to perceptive children.
Amethysts help drive away nightmares and anxieties from a troubled child's mind when placed near the bed at night. It is a stone of psychic protection and sobriety - an excellent choice for a child that is bothered or hyperactive.

Pyrite

Fool's Gold is a loved gift for children. It can play a role in any imagination game as gold treasure either kept in a secret pirate chest or mined from caves by cowboys.
Pyrite also has protective and grounding qualities.

Fluorite, Rainbow

Coming in various colors ranging from green-yellow to purple-blue, flourite is a great choice for children, even those that change their favorite color every day. Stones that show the variety of color all at once can be especially mesmerizing for children.
A really cool gift idea for kids who like stones or are collecting stones is to buy a combined crystal. Aforementioned pyrite is often found in beautiful matrices with fluorite.

Bonus:

Birthstones are also a fantastic gift to kids. Many will scoff at the idea, thinking of modern day birthstones that include diamonds and sapphires that would be inappropriate for young people. However, metaphysical or traditional birthstones aren't so precious. Below is a list of various stones to choose from based on month and zodiac sign.

Where can you find these crystals? 

Online is, of course, super easy with stones sold on eBay, Amazon, Etsy, and specialty shops. Many towns and cities may also have a rock shop in their area that not only carries the stones listed here but local stones that can also be added to the collection for kids or adults that want to learn about their area's finds.
When I go to my local rock shop, I almost always see a child there, in awe of the stones and crystals and excited to fill a little pouch full of the smaller stones all of their choosing. These are treasure to them. I've even come upon a few children who told me the uses of these stones with witchy mama in tow smiling somewhat apologetically until I assure her that the conversation was enlightening, not annoying.

Stones Can Come in Various Forms

Pendulum by Terrestrials
Don't worry too much about finding stones unpolished and singular. Stones in jewelry or put in or made into other items can also make lovely gifts. Treasure boxes set with stones are very loved by most kids. Older children in spiritual or pagan homes might also enjoy a gift of a wand set with a crystal or a pendulum.