DIY Painted Rocks is a fun activity that can also brighten someone’s day. You can paint various designs, sayings and more to encourage and uplift others.

DIY Painted Rocks is a fun activity that can also brighten someone's day. You can paint various designs, sayings and more to encourage and uplift others.

DIY Painted Rocks

It is so fun to make these DIY Painted Rocks. The kids and I absolutely love this activity. We have a blast coming up with new designs and the entire DIY is so frugal.

You can give these rocks away, hide them in various places and so many other ideas to provide a bright spot in someone’s day. This activity is just all around so fun!

DIY Painted Rocks is a fun activity that can also brighten someone's day. You can paint various designs, sayings and more to encourage and uplift others.

How to prepare rocks for painting:

If you purchase “river rocks” from the dollar store, they work fine. These rocks are typically black or a combination of black/brown/tan.

However, these rocks have a wax coating on them making them look a little shiny, or a satin like covering. You’ll need to put your rocks in water and boil them on the stove.

Place rocks in a saucepan and add water, making sure the water is 1″ above the rocks. Boil for 5 minutes, remove from heat and carefully drain.

Run hot water over the rocks and let cool completely. Set overnight to dry on a paper towel, turning at least once to dry both sides.

Two days to dry may be necessary to completely dry them, turning a few times a day.

Wipe your warm saucepan out with paper towel to remove the wax before washing as usual.

DIY Painted Rocks is a fun activity that can also brighten someone's day. You can paint various designs, sayings and more to encourage and uplift others.

Painted rocks tips and tricks:

Dollar store “decorative rocks” that are shiny do not typically work for this project. They often have a polish or coating on them and that won’t allow paint to easily adhere.

You can also purchase “pond stone” or “river rock” at a landscaping supply store (such as Lowes) and paint those. These rocks typically require no prep (no boiling to remove wax) except maybe wiping them off with a towel if they are dusty.

River and pond rocks are rounded and don’t have sharp edges like other rocks.

DIY Painted Rocks is a fun activity that can also brighten someone's day. You can paint various designs, sayings and more to encourage and uplift others.

What kind of paint do you use on rocks?

Acrylic paints work best.  If you purchase the cheaper rocks, you will need to do several coats.  However, if you use the more premium type acrylic, you will need less coats of paint.

If you’re hosting any sort of painting party, you’ll quickly realize kids use way too much paint and you’ll need to dry rocks between coats.  The best way to do this is to use a small fan and place rocks under the fan to speed up the drying time between coats.

Larger rocks are better for smaller kids because they often have difficulty painting the details. After painting, you can also use a sharpie to draw designs and such on the rock.

You can prime dark rocks with a spray primer or white spray paint. If having a party, do this a day or two ahead of time so the paint is completely dry.

DIY Painted Rocks is a fun activity that can also brighten someone's day. You can paint various designs, sayings and more to encourage and uplift others.

What do you use to seal painted rocks?

We like to use  a clear coat to seal the paint. If you are keeping the rocks outside for an extended period of time, you might want a different material.  However, for rock hunting or keeping in your house, this spray is fine.

If you do not plan to ever put the rocks outside, mod podge also works. Just keep in mind that it is only for indoor use.

We love this homemade mod podge. Just brush it on and let dry. Easy!

You can also use mod podge, but that is only for indoor use. I would not use it outside. Just brush it on and let it dry.

Let’s learn how to paint rocks!

DIY Painted Rocks is a fun activity that can also brighten someone's day. You can paint various designs, sayings and more to encourage and uplift others.
DIY Painted Rocks is a fun activity that can also brighten someone's day. You can paint various designs, sayings and more to encourage and uplift others.


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  • Acrylic Paint in Various Colors
  • Paint Brushes in Various Sizes
  • Water
  • Cup
  • Rocks to Paint
  • Sharpies
  • Clear Spray Paint
DIY Painted Rocks is a fun activity that can also brighten someone's day. You can paint various designs, sayings and more to encourage and uplift others.

How to paint rocks for outdoors:

Make sure your rocks are dry and ready to be painted.

DIY Painted Rocks is a fun activity that can also brighten someone's day. You can paint various designs, sayings and more to encourage and uplift others.

Use acrylic paint to paint various different designs or colors on rocks.

DIY Painted Rocks is a fun activity that can also brighten someone's day. You can paint various designs, sayings and more to encourage and uplift others.
DIY Painted Rocks is a fun activity that can also brighten someone's day. You can paint various designs, sayings and more to encourage and uplift others.

To make eyes, use the end of a paint brush dipped in a small amount of paint to add a circle eye. Let dry between coats.

DIY Painted Rocks is a fun activity that can also brighten someone's day. You can paint various designs, sayings and more to encourage and uplift others.

If desired, add details with sharpies once paint is dry.

DIY Painted Rocks is a fun activity that can also brighten someone's day. You can paint various designs, sayings and more to encourage and uplift others.

Use a clear spray paint to coat dry rocks and seal the paint. Repeat on the back if desired, making sure to dry between coats.

DIY Painted Rocks is a fun activity that can also brighten someone's day. You can paint various designs, sayings and more to encourage and uplift others.

Now you know how to paint rocks that will last!

Painted rock ideas:

  • Animals
  • Flowers
  • Positive Sayings or Quotes – “Smile”, “Love” and others.
  • Rainbows
  • Fruit- watermelon, orange, apple etc.
  • Bible Verses

The ideas are endless for painted rocks and you can really get creative.
 

DIY Painted Rocks is a fun activity that can also brighten someone's day. You can paint various designs, sayings and more to encourage and uplift others.

Let us know how your diy painted rocks turn out!

There are so many great ideas for rock painting ideas. You can join a local kindness rocks project around your town and see ideas in their rock group.

Kids and adults have a blast painting designs. We love using sharpies and even paint pens to write positive sayings or add details to the hand painted rocks.
This is such a fun DIY that you can do as a family and for very little money! Get started painting today!

This adorable Owl toilet paper roll craft is so frugal to make and tons of fun.

Learn how to make floam! Your kids will be amazed and have a blast making this.

Try these other kid friendly diy ideas:

DIY Painted Rocks is a fun activity that can also brighten someone's day. You can paint various designs, sayings and more to encourage and uplift others.

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