How To | Painted Rocks

Are you looking for a cheap project that will keep your kids busy for an hour or two today? You will love letting them paint rocks because it is so simple and you can let them do it outside. What could be cheaper than collecting some rocks and painting them? This project also works for a variety of age groups. Even my 2 year old had fun painting all over the rocks.

My kids also enjoy making painted rocks for gifts. (I know that sounds sorta funny.) We made painted rocks for Father’s Day, Dad now has a rock paperweight display on his desk at work.

How To | Painted Rocks

Supplies:

• Rocks
• Paint Brushes
• Acrylic Paints/Watercolor Paints
• Wax Paper
• Paper Plate
• Toothpicks
• Water

How To:

1. Collect rocks. Look for rocks with a flat side.
2. Wash the rocks with water. If your kids are outside use the hose to spray them off. Set the rocks in the sun to dry.
3. Let each child have a piece of wax paper, paper plate and paint brush. Use the wax paper as a place mat to set the rocks on while they are being painted. Add different colors of acrylic paint on the paper plate so they can dip their brush easily into the paint.
4. Paint away! Wash off the paint brush in between colors (here is where the hose comes in handy again).
5. If you use watercolors let them paint out of the tray the watercolors come in. After the rocks are painted, you can wash the rocks off and paint them again. This works well with really little kids!
6. For detailed areas let child use a toothpick to paint with.
7. Let rocks dry and add decorated rocks as a border along your flower bed or give them as a gift (they make great paper weights).