If you are looking for a different kind of craft to make with your kids, try rock painting. It is fun and full of possibilities for gift giving. Painted rocks make great paper weights, accents for gardens, even game pieces for tic tac toe! What other ways can you think of for using painted rocks?

How to Paint Rocks

First, find some smooth stones or rocks. You may have them right in your own backyard but, if you don’t, stop by your local Dollar Tree and buy some. They often have collections of rocks in their craft section and it costs, you guessed it, a DOLLAR!

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Rocks and stones can also be purchased at local hobby shops or delivered right to your door by ☑️ Amazon.

Next, wash and dry the stones.

Paint each stone with a base color that will be your background. Use Acrylic Outdoor Paints. For texture, you can dot the paint with a dry sponge. Allow each rock to dry well before proceeding to the next step.

Now, lightly draw the outline of your design onto the rock. You will use it as a guide for the paint. Chalk or pencil work well for drawing the pattern or words on.

Carefully paint the design, using a different brush for each color. Again, allow the paint to dry unless it is your intention is to blend colors. If so, go for it and mix away!

Finally, paint the whole rock with a clear sealant such as Modge Podge to protect the color.

Tip: if you will be layering colors, dry each layer well before adding the next one.

Here are some delightful design ideas for rock painting. Do not let the artistic expertise scare you. Some of the cutest little rock paintings have been made by amateurs like you and me! How about making pet rocks or pet CACTUS rocks [pictured below!] Cutest idea ever!

Painted Owl Stones

Under The Sea Rocks

Tic Tac Toe Game With Painted Stones

Lady Bug Painted Rocks

Lovely Beach Scene On A Rock

Inspirational DIY Painted Rocks

Encouraging Words – Adventure Is Out There Rocks

Blue Birds in Nest

DIY Words On Rocks

Faith in The Rock

Tiny Bird Painted On A Pebble

Painted Cactus Pet Rock

Fun #craft for #parents and #kids to do together - paint some rocks! Click To Tweet

What other designs and uses can you think of for rock painting?

Enjoy!

Do you ever get in a rut when it comes to planning family outings? We all do from time to time. We know what we like so we keep on doing the same thing over and over again …but that can grow old.

Then, also, families outgrow activities as their little ones grow up. Tastes change and it gets harder to find things to do together. That was why I was so excited to try Painting With a Twist.

MacKenzie is almost 12 years old and lots of the “little kid” dates are, well, for LITTLE KIDS! What can you do together that an almost-teen will enjoy? Thankfully, Kenzie loves art and when I asked if she’d like to go out with me for a painting class and lunch to follow? Wow! She was in! She was so happy and so was I.

Our day at Painting With A Twist was so much fun. When we arrived at our class and checked in, we were directed to help ourselves to an apron and pick the easels where we would sit. Had we been meeting a group of friends, they were ready to reserve several easels so that we could all sit together. Painting With A Twist looks out for your every need.

The particular class we signed up for was a daytime class which only had 6 students. Carly, our instructor, started us out using chalk to draw our basic outline and then we began to paint. There were times that we needed to let the paint dry before we moved on so we took that opportunity to roam around and enjoy the “scenery” as we waited. (You know what they say about paint drying. Well, PWAT is smart. Hairdryers work wonders!)

Someday I would love to bring a group of friends to a class. PWAT can accommodate lots of people at the same time and this location even has more than one room.

The class is all about enjoying art and the experience, not becoming a professional artist. Interestingly enough, when you walk out with your finished product you kind of feel like a pro – and you want to go back again soon to do it again!

art, artwork, family fun, painting lessons, painting class

Our Painting With A Twist instructor, Carly, made us feel right at home. And, as I said, no prior art experience is needed. She walked us through it step by step. The theme picture for our class featured large colorful flowers. Here is what our finished products look like⇒

family fun, mother - daughter, painting class

Each guest is invited to create their masterpiece as they see fit. Some people will want to make theirs as close to the original as possible. Others will go off on their own imaginative tangents. That is what MacKenzie did. She has a style all her own. I took a road much closer to the example we were given.

Both of us had loads of fun and have our pictures displayed at home. I needed something bright and colorful on the wall in the kids’ bedroom so that is where mine hangs. I love the display of artwork at Painting With A Twist and I plan to go back for another class real soon so that I can start my own “gallery.”

Take a look at the beautiful gallery wall. There must be hundreds of sample pictures there to choose from. You can either enroll in a class for a specific painting that you will do (take a look at their website for your area for the currently scheduled classes) or you can meet with them to select one for a group that you will be bringing in.

Painting With A Twist has daytime classes for all ages. In the evenings, there are adults-only classes so that those who wish to bring in their own adult-beverages for their special night may do so. (Check your local PWAT’s for exact beverage policies on their website.)

art, artwork, family fun, nature, painting class

There are so many kinds of parties you can plan for Painting With A Twist. Here are the themes that I can think of:

- - - - Bachelorette Party
      - Birthday Parties
      - Bridal Party Get Together
      - Church Groups
      - Clubs or Associations
      - Date Night
      - Double-Date Night
      - Engagement Party
      - Evening Out With Your Friends
      - Family Reunion
      - Girl Scouts* (There are PWAT art badges to be earned!)
      - Girls Night Out
      - Graduation Party
      - Interior Decorating Party (Start your own gallery!)
      - Mother/Daughter (or mother/son, daddy/daughter, daddy/son)
      - Teacher Orientation Getting-To-Know-You Party

Did I miss anything? What kind of party would you have?

The date-night plan can include painting a 2-part picture. You paint one half of the image and your date paints the other. Put them next to each other and you have one big work of art! Here are two that they had on display that I particularly liked but there are many, many you can choose from.

Tiger eyes double-painting.

art, artwork, family fun, date night idea

Gray night sky tree double-painting.

Did you know that Painting With A Twist has over 345 locations across the USA? Look here to find the nearest location to you ⇒ Painting With A Twist

What FUN!!!⇒ One of the co-founders of Painting With A Twist was just on the UnderCover Boss TV show! The story with links is on the PWAT website including a photo of her in her disguise!

Just a few more photos of our girls’ day out…