Get TEN ideas for beautiful painted rocks PLUS instructions on how to paint them! Rock painting is a fun activity for adults, seniors, or kids, and makes great gifts or home decor.

Don’t forget to scroll down to the bottom of the post to watch a video. You’ll learn how to make the fairy garden rocks shown in this post!

Skills Required: Beginner. These painted rock ideas are extremely EASY. There are a few tricks for making them, but I’ll go over that in each description. If you follow the instructions, you’ll have success.

Easy Painted Rocks

Rock painting ideas are all the rage right now! I’m not sure if you’ve heard of the Kindness Rocks project, but it’s the reason why people began painting rocks in the first place (besides the fact that it’s just fun to do).

Rock Painting Tips

The idea behind these rocks is that you will decorate them and place them in locations for others to find as a “random act of kindness.” Isn’t it a cool idea? It’s a great spring or summer craft for kids or adults.

I love the thought of making someone happy with a pretty rock and inspirational message. In a world where we’re just looking for a little something to brighten our days, these rocks are perfect!

Of course you can also keep the rocks for yourself or give them as gifts. Decorative rocks are perfect for displaying on shelves, in your garden, or as vase filler (the smaller ones, anyway!).

How to Paint Rocks to Achieve Success

Here are my favorite tips for achieving the best painted rocks:

Pick Smooth Surfaces

Pick smooth, flat rocks. You can decorate any rock, but it’s harder to decorate ones with ridges. If you can’t find them in nature, the craft stores sell them as do home improvement centers.

Wash the Rocks

Wash the rocks before decorating them. You want to remove dirt so that it doesn’t mess your design. You can wash several at once with dish soap and leave in a colander to drain and dry.

Seal Before Painting

Seal the rock before painting on it. Use Mod Podge or another clear brush on or spray sealer. This helps so that the rocks (which are porous) don’t suck the life out of your markers. Another option: prime with white paint to help the colors that you paint on top appear more vibrant.

Painting-rocks-that-look-like-houses

Use Multisurface Paint and Paint Pens

You won’t need many painting supplies for your rocks. Brushes, paint, a basin or water jar, and paint pens.

Paint your design on top and use several coats . . . let dry between layers. Use outdoor or multi-surface acrylic paints to help them hold up to the elements.

Use oil based paint pens or markers made for rocks. These work the best for me! Just make sure to let the base fully dry before any writing. The best rock markers of all time? POSCA paint pens!

Use Small Tools

Use small brushes, the ends of your paint brushes, or a stylus to make small details and/or dots.

Seal When Done

Finish off your rocks with a coat (or two or three) of Mod Podge Outdoor OR a comparable brush on or clear spray sealer. This will help protect your beautiful painted rocks from the elements.

You Can Always Start Over

And my favorite tip: if you mess up, wipe it off or wash it away while the paint is still wet. You can dab a corner of a paper towel in water and do it quickly and easily. Trust me . . . we’ve all had to do it. You’ll have a blast learning how to paint rocks!


Now that you have my favorite tips, check out these 10 painted rock ideas below. There are so many ways to decorate rocks to make them fabulous – which one of these is your favorite?

Painted Rock Paperweights

The trick for rock art with quotes on top? Paint your base colors, then let dry. Then write your quote with a white gel pen, leaving enough room so that you can use a liner brush or thin paint pen to go over the top of each letter.

Painted Rock Paperweights

River Rock Fairy Garden Houses

You might think someone with a very steady hand painted these decorative rocks, but nope – they were designed with stencils!

Stencils are going to be your best friend for this project (plus the video at the very bottom of this post shows you how to make the rock on the left with the door).

River Rock Fairy Garden Houses

Breast Cancer Awareness Kindness Rocks

My aunt is recovering from breast cancer and these painted rocks would be a great gift for her! If you feel uncomfortable with the lettering, use a white gel pen as your template as I suggested in the first project . . . then paint over the top with a liner brush. As an alternative, you can also stencil words on top of the rocks OR decoupage them.

Breast Cancer Awareness Rocks

Decorate Decoupage Rocks

If you want to learn how to paint rocks but want to start with something easy, these decorative rocks are perfect! You’ll simply basecoat (completely cover) with a solid color, then use Mod Podge to apply scrapbook paper and lace on top.

Decorate Decoupage Rocks

Flip Rocks DIY

These decorative rocks are perfect for hiding outside! They have a message decoupaged on one side . . . flip them over and they have something else to say. You could even tell silly knock knock jokes with them.


Painted Mandala Rocks

You might think these mandala rocks are difficult given the detailed design – but I promise you, they aren’t! You can use toothpicks or a stylus to achieve the dots. You’ll need patience and a lot of paint colors, but anyone can do it.

Painted Mandala Rocks

Beachy Rocks

These decorative rocks have a distressed look, but they were actually made with stencils. Then some details were added and some distressing was achieved with sandpaper. I love the beachy feel and that’s a perfect place to hide them.

Beachy Rocks

Feel Good Message Stones

I love the bright colors and messages used with these painted rocks! This is a project just like the first one I shared – you’re going to use the white gel pen and a liner brush to achieve the writing. Of course, there are white oil based paint pens if you prefer to do the script that way.

Feel Good Message Rocks DIY

Rock Painting Ideas

My mom and I were teaching ourselves how to paint rocks, so we started with these little beauties for our first try. Once we tried, we were hooked . . . but these rocks were how it all began.

Rock painting ideas for the Kindness Rock Project

Rock Herb Markers

Sketch the herbs of your choice on the rocks (after painting them black) using chalk. If that’s not really up your alley, simply print out pictures of the herbs online and decoupage them to the rocks instead. Either way, these make fantastic garden markers! Use them for a variety of crops.

Painted Rock Herb Markers

Heart Rocks

Okay, I said I was only going to share ten painted rocks, but I couldn’t help myself . . . these color shift rocks are too cool for school! I wrote an entire guide for Color Shift Paint, and once you put this paint on a surface like a rock, you’ll never go back. Trust me.

Heart Rocks

Now that you know how to paint rocks, you’ll want to see the video I promised! Make a rock fairy garden using these techniques. You’ll see how easy it is – just click PLAY in the video in this post.

rock painting ideas
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Painted Rocks

Learn how to paint rocks with this simple tutorial. You probably have all of the supplies needed on hand already!
Prep Time5 minutes
Active Time3 hours
Dry Time4 hours
Total Time7 hours 5 minutes
Yield: 12 rocks
Cost: $0

Equipment

Materials

  • Rocks smooth and flat are best
  • Acrylic outdoor paint
  • Sealer like Mod Podge Outdoor
  • Paint pen(s)
  • Stencils optional

Instructions

  • Pick smooth, flat rocks. Wash the rocks before painting them. Use dish soap and warm water. Leave in a colander to drain and dry.
  • Seal the rock before painting on it. Use a clear brush on or spray sealer.
  • Paint your design on top and use several coats . . . let dry between layers.
  • Use small brushes or a stylus to make small details and/or dots on the top of your rock.
  • Use gel pens and then paint pens to write on your rocks. Let dry completely.
  • Finish off your rocks with a coat (or two or three) of an outdoor sealer. Let dry completely before putting outside.

Video

Notes

I had all of the supplies on hand and found my rocks in nature; therefore my project was free.

Did you enjoy these painted rocks? I’d love for you to check out these related crafts to do at home I think you’re going to love!

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225 Comments

  1. So many great ideas here! I’ve just recently started painting rocks with the intention of giving them away, but it’s so hard to part with them! The new idea posted here that I love the most are the ones with lace. What a great dimension the lace adds! So pretty and feminine too. I’ll be getting out my supplies today to try some new ideas! Thanks so much!

  2. hi,

    this is very nice crafts and this is very beautiful as well as very adorable for us ,

    regards,

    mansi desai

  3. I love these designs! Thanks for sharing. 🙂

    fyi… My sources indicate that the quote attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson was actually written by JRR Tolkien.

    1. Hi there! The video is embedded at the bottom of the post! Send me an email at amy @modpodgerocksblog.com if you can’t find it. You should just be able to hit play within the post. 😀

  4. 5 stars
    Wow, I loved this. My eyes just bulged with excitement. I have so many unfinished quilts & know I should be concentrating on those but then all these amazing projects keep popping up & I’m a gonna! I love all these ideas for Rock decorating, from the garden to the herb naming to a gift to cheer someone up. ALL the ideas are amazing & doable even for me. I’m gonna get the neighbours kids to join me, they always make projects even more fun! Thank you so much for this ??❤️

  5. 5 stars
    I remember this sort of craft as painting a face on a rock or a sad version of some animal. These are awesome. Inspire me to give this type of craft another look!

  6. 5 stars
    Rocks sell great at Craft fairs and are easy to transport. This teaches you how to make sure the paint says in place and the cash goes into my pocket.

  7. 5 stars
    Me and my grand kids love these, you have given us more ideas as we have made some for around the village, its fun finding where new ones turn up, think we will make a fairy village this spring holidays

  8. 5 stars
    Thank you for the directions. I’ve been wanting to decorate the garden with some bespoke rock decorations. These directions were a big help.

  9. 5 stars
    Great simple idea for gifts. I would love to get one. Fun, you instructions are so clear and easy to follow

  10. 5 stars
    These are so easy to make – and I love when I am out somewhere and I find one. It makes me happy. 🙂

  11. 4 stars
    These are lovely with easy to follow instructions, where I live the only available rocks (without buying) are quary rocks

  12. 5 stars
    Love this idea for fairy gardens, borders around flowers, to put in potted plants, gives color to all above

  13. 5 stars
    This project is perfect for any occasion that you decorate. Make bunnies or eggs for Easter. Love or hearts for Valentine. Good for kids to give mom on Mother’s day with messages of love and gratitude.

  14. 5 stars
    Leave some of these painted rocks on the beach and you will make people happy. Please make sure not to put any plastic addition as it will end up in the ocean eventually

  15. 5 stars
    I really like this idea I have so many big rocks that I can use with Modge Podge and paint for my garden

  16. 5 stars
    Love the painted rocks and never thought to use Mod Podge outdoor to keep them bright and beautiful

  17. 5 stars
    Great hands on guide to start off your adventures with painting rocks. Great ideas are also incorporated on the blog.

  18. 5 stars
    I have seen places offering this craft but wanted to do on my own and wa la here it is. Thank you, can’t wait to find rocks.

  19. 5 stars
    I’ve done a little rock painting. These are amazing. Love the tip to Mod Podge with Mod Podge Outdoor.

  20. 5 stars
    I love the kindness rock project! There’s a facebook group in our city that people post on when they hide or find rocks around town. I’ve seen several photos of rocks I’ve painted on there. And it is always a thrill to find one that someone else made too!

  21. 5 stars
    We have done this while sitting on the beach, some we leave on the beach for others to discover, other come home to remember our day. Great for any age.

  22. 5 stars
    Thank you for the instructions. I am collecting all I need to do this rock paining for my garden.

  23. 4 stars
    4 rating because it’s a little hard to add wording without messing up on letters. Maybe I just needed a smaller brush.

  24. 5 stars
    I love that there are a variety of ideas in this project, including some for the less talented

  25. 5 stars
    These are an inspiration, my mom found one going to take chemo. She loved it so much she couldn’t pass it on, it was adorable. It helped her cope with her situation and not feel so alone. She passed this last February and I found it in her dresser draw. I have no idea who done the act of kindness, but it was a blessing.

  26. 5 stars
    This tutorial had several excellent tips for beginner rock painting that will allow the crafter to have success their very first time. I particularly loved the mandala rocks and the decoupage rocks!

  27. 5 stars
    I have done some rock painting. But I just got great ideas from your rock painting project sheets. Thank you!

  28. 5 stars
    These ideas are adorable! I can’t wait to paint some rocks to add to my flowerpots and flower beds!

  29. 5 stars
    I love these! I plan curriculum for an elementary summer camp and am always looking for inexpensive but awesome projects. We will be painting rocks this summer!

  30. 5 stars
    I have a large rock in my backyard that makes me crazy. Now I know what to do with. This is such a cute idea. A whole new project for me.

  31. 5 stars
    These instructions were exactly what I was looking for. I plan on teaching my great nieces and nephew the fun of rock painting. Thanks so much. Have a blessed day.

  32. 4 stars
    I had felt clumsy trying to settle into a routine to paint rocks until I printed out the list and read the suggestions now I feel like an artist with a purpose, and we refer to my rock painting as “How to throw rocks kindly”!

  33. 5 stars
    These are cool! I travel a lot so leaving these behind in various locations is a nice way to to show I was there

  34. 4 stars
    These are great ideas I’d like to make with my granddaughter. I definitely want to try the rock fairy garden houses to add to my fairy garden.

  35. 5 stars
    Pet Rocks are so fun. Paint a funny little face, then make some cute furniture out of match boxes by using Mod Podge and your favorite fabric or scrapbook paper.

  36. 5 stars
    Looks like a great project for my 7 year old grandson and I, then he can he Mommy’s flower beds even prettier.

  37. 4 stars
    I don’t have steady hand so I painted whole thing and let grandkids finish with small love the fairy house.

  38. 5 stars
    I can’t wait to make some for myself and hide others around town as part of “our town rocks”!

  39. 4 stars
    I have friends who have done this for years. The only reason I rated it below the highest mark is because it is really not my thing. However, as always I did share with my rock loving friends for ideas. They were very thankful!

  40. 5 stars
    The instructions were detailed and gave reason to each step in the process. When we did this project, our stones lasted a season before washing off completely, but your instructions showed me when I went wrong. We will be giving the project another go using your tips and I know these stones will last much longer using your techniques.

  41. 5 stars
    this was so much fun to do with my niece and nephew thank you for the easy printout to help them for ideas to paint

  42. 5 stars
    I’ve tried painting rocks and until I read your article and video tutorial wondered where I was going wrong. You’ve helped heaps! Thank you

  43. 5 stars
    Wow! So many fascinating ideas for rock painting. Makes me want to try them all. Couldn’t pick a favorite. Love so many of them

  44. 5 stars
    This is a perfect tutorial for painting rocks with different themes. So many ideas to use for future projects!

  45. 5 stars
    I always love finding the painted rocks people have made. With this tutorial, I can get started painting my own to hide.

  46. 5 stars
    We have a group in my area that paints rocks and leave them for others to find, it’s really cool to find them.

  47. 5 stars
    When I’m walking I will pick up flat stones for decorating. There’s always a rock in my car smile.

  48. 5 stars
    Oh my golly gosh. SO many beautiful rocks. I am so glad you mentioned Stencils lol.
    I really like those turn over rocks.
    So many projects to be done with kids for holidays or just yourself as a meditation.
    Great job Amy. And great job with your mother as well on your first attempts.

  49. 5 stars
    This is a must try! Love the colors. Beauty from rocks! Thank you for detailing the process. It makes life easier for beginners like me.

  50. 5 stars
    I never would of thought to use painted rocks for so many different things. And all the ideas are so cute!!

  51. 5 stars
    My little boy is compulsive about collecting rocks and this is a great project for us to make use of his collection. it is so fun and easy and I even see some new ideas in the posting above for new images we can do!

  52. 5 stars
    I love all your painted rocks, but I can’t find the big ones and I do want them, lol..Yours are all beautiful.

  53. 5 stars
    I always wanted tp ty this. Your article has inspired me to try my hand at this now. Beautiful hand painted rocks. Can’t wait to do this.

  54. 5 stars
    Love all the ideas for painted rockes especially the lace and paper ones. I have not seen that before. Thank you for a good explanation on doing the rocks. The gel pens then liner brush is especially helpful.

  55. 5 stars
    I love this idea…will do this with my granddaughters the next time we have a granddaughters weekend…they will love it.

  56. 5 stars
    I am so glad for the tutorials on rock painting. This one is on my list to do. I have everything needed and have done a few so far. Great idea to pass on the painted rocks to others.

  57. 5 stars
    I have many rocks that were collected by my sons when they were little. These would make great memories now that they are grown.

  58. 5 stars
    great idea – we will all have fun making these just wish I knew where you got the stencils from

  59. 5 stars
    Spring is coming and what fun to get the kids involved in painting rocks for your container garden. Love the easy instructions

  60. 5 stars
    Love all the examples you talked about, but I think the paperweights and the Breast Cancer Awareness ones are my favorite. Also love the color shift paints – awesome. Thank you for all the advise and tutorials

  61. 5 stars
    This is right up my granddaughters alley, loves to try new crafting ideas and painting, the little garden and lace ideas are quite new that I have not seen before and can’t wait to show my granddaughter.

  62. 5 stars
    My daughter loves anything “rocks”. You gave me so many ideas on what to do this Spring! I cannot wait to add this fun to my garden. Thank you!

  63. 4 stars
    I can’t wait to use these helpful instructions so that I can create some fun, decorative, & very creative painted rocks using Mod Podge.

  64. 5 stars
    I found a lot of cool ideas I”d like to try out for painted rocks: Fairy Garden, the Heart rocks, and even the Beachy Theme is pretty cool.

  65. 5 stars
    I am a Mandala rock artist. Without Modge Podge, I couldnt exist! Im dying to try the new products and by the way, I love the fairy rocks you made and the ones for the herb garden. Im going to make those now too!

  66. 5 stars
    Several great ideas (love the fairy houses!!) and thanks for the tip about Mod Podge Outdoor to help them last!!

  67. 5 stars
    My 6 yr old great-granddaughter loves to paint and decoupage rocks. She will pick up all the rocks in the yard she can carry so we can paint them.

  68. 5 stars
    Our community has been taking part in the rock hiding “game” that this article talks about and I’ve considered doing it too but didn’t know where to start!!! Thanks for giving me that starting place 🙂

  69. 5 stars
    So easy to do and pass time with grand kids in holiday time. Take a walk up beach collect pebbles go home and paint.

  70. 5 stars
    I always wanted to do painted rocks, because I have seen some truly beautiful examples online, but I was always too intimidated to try them. These tutorials make it SO EASY!

  71. 5 stars
    My grandkids ages 3-10 had fun with this project. We did this while at a campground and they loved leaving them around and watching people picking them up.

  72. I LOVE so many of these designs. You’re so talented.
    I especially love the first ones, the paperweights with the quotes, with one teensy exception:
    “Not all who wander are lost” is a J.R.R. Tolkien quote (the author of the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit), not attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson.
    A few RWE quotes that might be small enough to fit on a rock:
    “The only way to have a friend is to be one.”
    “Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.”
    “Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen.”
    “What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.”

    I might try some of those.
    Thanks for the inspiring post!

    ps: Your hand lettering is on-point and I will apply my envy to practice to try to be half as good as you.

    1. Hi Veronica! Thank you for the kind words! You are so sweet. I believe that you can letter too. There are two options. Take a hand lettering class (you can download practice sheets online also) OR transfer the text with carbon transfer paper and then use a marker over it. You too can be a lettering artist! 😀

  73. Thanks but I want some examples of rocks that have been used in crayons and I also want it in kids version

    Is it already in kids version?

4.89 from 318 votes (111 ratings without comment)

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