Painting Stones: Unique Crafts For Kids

Painting stones is a very fun activity and, at the same time, relaxing for children, as it takes them away from television and mobile games. So it’s perfect for a vacation, a rainy day or just to change your routine.

Perhaps you believe that painting stones is not a craft for today’s children, who spend many hours throughout the day staring at a canvas.

However, it can be a great idea when we’re on vacation, when the rain doesn’t allow us to go to the park, or if you’re trying to make sure they don’t get so “tech addicted”. In this article, we’re going to give you some very original ideas.

How to paint stones: crafts for children

When we have some free time, we parents want to enjoy that time with our children.  This means taking out your cell phone, computer or tablet and organizing other plans, such as going to the park, the beach or taking a car.

However, sometimes, certain situations frustrate our plans and we need to look for alternatives for the children to have fun. For example, if there is a storm, if the power goes out, if we are on vacation in a country cottage, or simply if we want to spend quality family time.

Painting stones can be a very interesting option, as there are crafts for all ages. Your children will be able to reveal their artistic skills and you will be able to reduce stress and go back to childhood.

It is possible to collect the stones themselves on a trip or even buy them so that they are all the same. Some fun and original crafting options with this material can be:

1. paint monsters

If children like movies about this theme or if there is a game with monsters, they  can draw their favorite characters with stones.  It’s quite simple: first, using a brush and acrylic paint, the stone is painted a color, which can be red, yellow, orange or sky blue.

When the stone is dry, we put in one or two movable eyes – which can be bought at craft stores – and, with a small pen, we draw the nose, mouth, teeth and the details we want for the face. Once it’s over, we can come up with some prank or story that includes these fun monsters.

2. Paint family members

Using a very fine brush or a pen, we can paint stones for each member of the family. So, we separate a stone for the father, another for the mother and one for each of the little ones in the house. We can also include pets, grandparents, cousins, or whoever the child wants.

It’s an excellent idea to make an original family tree! Don’t forget to add the different characteristics of each person:  if you wear glasses, if you have a mustache, if your eyebrows are thick or if you have a  piercing  in your nose.

3. Dominoes

Painting stones is not an activity that ends when the piece is dry and ready. In other words, it can be the kickoff for many adventures and fun afternoons. For example, we can use stones that are similar to each other to assemble the dominoes.

First, you will need to paint them with different colors, without any rules or sequences. As they dry, with a black marker, we draw a vertical line down the middle and then the dots used to designate the numbers.

The dominoes have 28 pieces, divided into two spaces with scores ranging from zero – empty – to six. Number combinations can be made by following the original game pieces or putting them together as you wish.

4. Cars

Little ones love having colorful cars to play racing with, but sometimes they have so many that they no longer pay attention to them. We can paint cars in different colors and then add details : two circles for the wheels, a semicircle for the lights, two windows in gray or white…

Afterwards, it’s just a matter of setting up the track or the road and creating the games that most entertain your children.  Guaranteed fun!

Another option is to make different cars – for example, police, ambulances, buses or fire engines – and build an entire city out of stones. Some might be houses, others traffic lights, a gas station or a hospital.

5. Magnets

Painting stones is a really fun activity that you’ve probably noticed. However, it can also be very useful. For example, you can create magnets for the fridge or a magnetized whiteboard in the children’s room.

First, choose small, lightweight stones. Then paint them as you like, and when they’re dry, add a magnet to the back. Magnets can be used to leave papers with messages, the shopping list, or the daily activities that one must do.

In short, don’t miss the opportunity to paint stones with your kids as soon as you have some free time. It will be a very fun and enriching activity for everyone!