This week we’ve been reading Only One You by Linda Kranz. The story is illustrated using photographs of painted stones, so after we read the book we decided to make some painted stones too.
To make Only One You painted stones you will need:
- rocks or stones of your chosen size and shape
- paintbrushes
- acrylic paint
- permanent marker pen
- clear varnish
First of all we washed the stones. This was an activity in itself as Burt loved the soapy bubbles and scrubbing the stones, laying them out to dry and then watching the stones change colour as they dried out. Once the stones were ready we chose our colours and got painting!
If you have older children you might want to get them to draw a design before painting but we just went for it. We even had a quick colour mixing session as Burt wanted purple paint, which we didn’t have but we easily made some by combining some blue and red.
We added a blob of white paint to each stone for an ‘eye’, then when the painted stones were completely dry we used black marker pen to decorate the stones and give them some definition.
If you’re not comfortable with your children getting paints out then you could always paint some stones white, then when they are dry let your children create their own masterpieces by adding colour to the stones using permanent marker pens. Burt enjoyed both the painting and the colouring.
As we were decorating the stones we talked about the positive words in the story Only One You by Linda Kranz. We decided to choose some of our favourites and I wrote them on the bottom of the stones.
On other stones I wrote the date, so that we can always remember when we painted the stones together.
As Burt is only 2 years old I varnished the stones with clear varnish without his help but once the stones were dry they inspired lots of play and we have talked about making an ‘ocean’ for our painted stone fish to swim on. It was such a calm and soothing activity that we will definitely be doing this again and building up our collection of beautiful painted stones.
You can read more about the story that inspired us Only One You by Linda Kranz or discover some more crafts and activities linked to the book.
Have you been inspired by a book to craft, go on an outing or do an activity this week?
I remember doing this when I was young. In fact my gran and grandad still have it on display! Will have to do it with my eldest.
mummy of two recently posted…Finally updating our bedroom
What a fantastic idea… I’d have never thought of trying this with my 2 year old!
Amanda recently posted…Potty Training - A Relaxed Approach
This looks so much fun! Will definitely be doing this with the boy!
Great fun, I love painting stones and am in the middle of trying to paint one at the moment
Hellie’s Corner recently posted…Supermarket Price-Matching Makes Me Mad!!
Love the idea of doing this, another thing to add onto our half term holiday list, thanks
Em recently posted…Now I am Old!
Inspired! Your stones are beautiful and compliment the books so well.
Liz Burton recently posted…10 things to do with a banana!
LOVE these Kirsty! You are on FIRE at the moment x
Mammasaurus recently posted…37. How Does Your Garden Grow?
Thank you Miss x
Such a lovely idea!!! Love the word ones x
Keri-Anne recently posted…3/52
This sounds like a super fun activity.
Nayna Kanabar ( recently posted…Apple Crumb Bars ~Secret recipe club challenge 20th January 2014
These are fabulous! My son loves picking stones up at the beach, I bet he would love this
Kate Williams recently posted…Any chance of a Honk?!
Now you know I don’t craft, but I’ve always thought these are kinda cool, and you totally got me with the quotes. We’re stone hunting this weekend!
Actually Mummy… recently posted…Project 365 #03: Experimenting with light
We have loads here if you would like a few - honestly LOADS!
These are beautiful. We love doing this, but mine never look as lovely as yours/
Jen aka The Mad House recently posted…Something for the weekend - Bird activities and crafts
LOVE these! What a gorgeous idea. SO going to do this with my kids. And your collection at the end made me have a tear. Fab post x
You old softie x
Such a beautiful idea - I love the definition with the black marker and the quotes/dates underneath. Wish I had done this when my son was little.
Trish - Mum’s Gone to recently posted…Mum’s gone to Holt, Norfolk
Great craft activity for little ones. The word stones are super, such a lovely concept.
mellissa williams recently posted…A Different Romantic Date With The London Jewellery School
What a fab idea will give these a try
Laura Halls recently posted…how Inconsiderate!
We often collect stones from the beach but hadn’t thought to paint them… these look amazing!
Boo Roo and Tigger Too recently posted…New {#TheThemeGame}
I remember decorating painted stones at school, they are lovely and tactile.
Jenny recently posted…Queen cakes
Stunning stones - a very cute idea!
Becky recently posted…The ChillFactor Ice Cream Maker
I am so doing this later on in the year, the twins will love it and I also love the words printed, you could pick one up each day to be inspired with couldn’t you?
Mari recently posted…The Faraway Tree - Enid Blyton
I love these. I like the idea of putting the date on them as well. We made some big stone ladybirds for the garden last summer and they still going strong.
Louisa recently posted…My upcycled bed-sheet pyjama bottoms
They are lovely! I remember doing similar when we were small, I think we painted about 40000 ladybirds! I wonder where they are now! 😀
Love this idea. I’m fairly sure I couldn’t get them looking as beautiful as yours but it would be worth a try. And the kids would really enjoy it.
How fabulous Kirsty - love this idea. Must give it a go now we’ve got the snowman out of the way
I used to love doing things like that. I really like the idea of doing crafts inspired by a book we are reading. My little girl is too young for this at the moment, but will be storing it in my mind for the months to come!
The Egyptian Mummy recently posted…Sensory bottle ideas
Fabulous! Have pinned it
I do think you are brave though letting the kids use Sharpies lol!
Kate Thompson recently posted…A special moment
There is only the one and I keep a beady eye on him whilst they are within his reach
what a lovely idea - we collect stones on our walks so my boy might like doing this
Swazi recently posted…Mission Impossible: taking a shower when you have a toddler
I found a painted stone ladybird in the garden that Aiden made when he was 5. He’s 13 now and that stone brought back so many lovely memories of my boy when he was still little, I now plan on getting the girls to make some for our new garden
Shell Louise recently posted…Making progress
Beautiful just beautiful I must do this with my reception class
Ninja cat recently posted…Moments That Mattered
Living in Sussex as a child we had shingle beaches and I used to love decorating stones. Sadly we have sand here (I am not really complaining) but will have to see what I can find with mine as they would love this
Kara recently posted…Three
Oh they are so cute! My youngest two love decorating stones.
oh WOW what a lovely idea. Many activities in one - collecting the stones, painting them, decorating… love how you have personalised them. Would make a nice grandparent gift too I think.
Grenglish recently posted…A Night On
They look brilliant. Going to definitely try this with the kids. Pinned!
Emily recently posted…Can Vanish GOLD really clear a red wine stain in 30 seconds? (sponsored review)
Patricia Carroll says
A different approach to all the rocks they collect.
We’ve painted stones before but yours are so much better than mine, well done. I love the word ones, think I’ll be doing that this weekend! Thanks, Mich x
Michelle Twin Mum recently posted…Top 10 tips for helping your children eat a better diet
We have a bunch of stone just waiting to use for this craft. Love it!
Amanda recently posted…The Dudes Magic Tube Trick : Innocent Magic Circle #innocentmagic