Rock painting has become a massive craft trend over the years, if you haven’t heard of it you must have been living under a rock! I love it as you can make something beautiful and then leave it for other people to find or gift them as paperweights or even place them in the garden.
Sometimes our children just need some inspiration so I have gathered together some simple rock painting ideas for kids along with some fabulous art materials to make it even easier. We have something for beginners to experts here.
Painted Rock Ideas
Just make sure that you buy your rocks, stones or pebbles to paint and don’t take them from the coast or take river rocks as that is illegal in the UK. Not because the government are busybodies but due to the fact that they help prevent coastal erosion and also create habitats for nature. Then sit back and let the children see these simple Rock Painting Ideas for Kids and watch what they make.
- Smooth rocks work best but embrace the shapes.
- Clean your rocks before using – we pop ours in the dishwasher!
- You can use temputa or poster paint but you will need to seal them – we preer acrylic paint.
- Acyrlic paint pens or markers are ace for kids – find all our material suggestions at the bottom.
- Not sure about your drawing ability? Print off the image and stick it on first and then colour it in.
- Want your rocks to survive the weather – use a varnish to seal them.
- Sit on your hands or even better paint your own rather than nit picking over the kids – it is all about process
Top Tips for Painting Rocks
I love using painted rocks instead of summer scrapbooks for kids that are reluctant writers. it is just so much fun to use a different substrate and if you add dates and names or places on the back then writing is included too on these simple rock painting ideas.
Easy Rock Painting Ideas
If these have inspired you to want to paint more then check some of these courses.
So here you have a fabulous selection of rock painting designs to inspire you and your children. From kindness rocks to mandala rocks and lots in between.
These painted watermelon rocks are perfect for unusually shaped pebbles.
These Zinnia flower rocks from Sustain My Craft Habit are just beautiful.
I really like the simplicity of these woodland animal rocks.
Whilst we are talking of woodland animals, just look at this parliament of owls.
Make fish rocks from Hello, Wonderful. These would be so fun to play with.
Children will love these M&M Rocks!
These painted ladybird rocks or rock ladybugs from Crafts by Amanda are so cute and simple to make
Totally adorable hedgehog painted rocks from Easy Peasy and Fun
These simple painted rocks are so beautiful with their bejewelled added extras.
These Flag Rocks from Non-Toy Gifts are a creative way to celebrate the Olympics or learn about countries.
I might be biased but I adore our Minion Stones – Can you spot Kevin?
I adore how this Plesiosaur Painted Rocks by Little Fish again and again is so interactive.
These Mermaid Scales Painted Rocks are just beautiful and younger children will have so much fun painting the blues and you can add the scales later.
I absolutely love these mix and match rock people from You Clever Monkey.
These Nativity Stones from Rainy Day mum are so simple and effective.
Playful Rock Spiders from kidscraftroom.com show that spiders are super cute.
Who doesn’t love Star Wars crafts, right? These cute Jawa rocks will unleash your inner geek
These birds are super simple but oh so effective.
OMG, a penguin family all made by painting rocks!
I am obsessed with these glow in the dark monster rocks!
How stunning are these flower painted rocks – the black pen really makes all the difference to these.
These fun painted rocks show that you don’t need to have a theme, just have fun with patterns.
Fancy some cactus art in your home? Make these modern cactus painted rocks. Yep pet cactus rocks.
Sometimes simple is the best and this painted rock art rocks my world.
Strawberry rocks? Yes please.
How adorable is this mouse rock with little added extras?
How effective is the black and white with just a pop of colour on these painted rocks?
A fabulous way to use unusually shaped rocks is these sharks.
I love these zombie rocks. You can add so many expressions on them.
You really could turn a clock into anything including bees, rainbows, pumpkins, turtles or even owls.
Rock Painting Supplies
When you are painting rocks with children then I would suggest that they wear old clothes and that you protect your work service It also pays to teach children to help clean up including washing their paint brush at the end. I do this outside with an old bucket filled with water. When it comes to using a spray sealer then that needs to be in a well-ventilated area.
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These are so cool. I love them xxx
I absolutely love these ideas! Thank you for sharing.