Painting stone as crafts for children

Stone painting 2+ years.

One of the classic crafts for children.

You will need:

-Smooth stones

-acrylic paints

-Pencil

-paint brushes

-water container

-newspaper to keep the working surface clean( a good opportunity to work outside in the garden)

-varnish.(adult to follow instructions on container)

-apron or old t-shirt

You can get clean smooth stones from your nursery, or you can keep an eye out for smooth stones at the beach. (Washing stones in a bucket with soap and a brush is great fun on a warm summer day. Fill the bucket with water and wash one by one and let them dry.)

Water paint or acrylic paints (when using acrylic paint put a bit of dishwashing liquid in the rinse water. This helps to clean the brushes more easily later.)

Wear an apron or old clothes as acrylic does not wash out.

You can use this craft at Sunday school when discussing David and Goliath. Read the full story in 1 Samuel 17.

Variation for older siblings: 1. Decoupage: Paint a base coat. Then decoupage some serviette designs onto the smooth stone and varnish.

2. Jewellery: Use smaller smooth stones for key rings and jewellery. Glue bell cap or key ring chain to stone (get hooks and rings from a bead shop). Transfer small design on to the stone with carbon paper. Outline the design with a thin, permanent waterproof marker. Use a bent open paperclip to dip pendant in varnish and hang pendant up to dry.

3. Doorstops: Bigger stones make wonderful doorstops, paperweights and flower pot decorations. Make sure you varnish them well.

4. Make animals: Look carefully at your stones, see if you can make animals using smaller and bigger stones. Join stones by using fast drying glue, (follow instructions on glue,) and add little bits of cotton wool to the joints. Keep stones in place with clear sticky tape until the glue dries and the stones are ready to paint.

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