Kids love to paint especially when it is something other than paper. Rock crafts can be
made into many things from pet rocks to stepping stones and even garden markers.
Materials needed for this activity are rocks of various shapes and sizes, tempura paint,
paint brushes. Optional materials include glue, permanent markers, and googely eyes.
If you have access to rocks outside, let the children pick their own. You can tell them to
find rocks that they think have a special shape or would look good as a certain animal or
bug (lady bugs and frogs are popular choices). If you are going to be making something
larger like a stepping stone, garden stone, or vegetable marker, you can go to your local
gardening or landscaping supply store.
Older children may like the added challenge of finding many small rocks and piecing
them together to make a creature or object. If you do not have glue that is strong enough
to hold rocks together clay will work as an adhesive too. With various shaped rocks you
can build a car using an oblong rock for the body and four round rocks for the wheels.
Let the children paint their creations and let dry thoroughly. You should put the
children’s name on the bottom of the rock for future identification. When the rocks are
completely dry you can hand them over to their new charges if they are not meant to go
outside. But if they are going to be going into the garden as a marker for a row of carrots
or just decoration they should be treated first so the paint does not wash away.
If you cannot find a child-safe sealant for the paint, finish the last step when they have
gone to bed or are occupied with something else. Once the sealant is dry it can be put
outside in its new home.
