Today I’m sharing this fun book character painted rock craft.
Why rock painting?
I’ve got very into rock painting recently. I’ve been inspired by the wonderful Angela over at The Inspiration Edit with her fantastic rock painting designs. We’ve also recently had fun exploring our Mud and Bloom nature and craft boxes, which last month included a pebble painting activity. The kids both had fun getting creative and painting their pebbles.
I’ve always loved both drawing and being outdoors. Rock painting is such a perfect activity to combine the two! You can spend time exploring outdoors looking for stones. Then come back into the cosy warm to settle in for some rock painting. I have found it to be a very relaxing activity. Perfect for a calm afternoon, for kids or grown ups!
We were excited to find out that there is also a local rock hunting group in our area – so we are very keen to join in. Rock hunting is getting very popular all over the world. Do take a look and see if you have group near you. It’s a great way to get creative, get outdoors and spread some warmth in your community.
These book character painted rocks were inspired by our love of books. There’s nothing like cosying up and reading a story together. I’ve loved books since I was a child and always wanted to be a children’s writer and illustrator when I grew up (maybe one day hey…!)
I thought it would be fun to make some book character painted rocks for the kids to go out and hide. I hope that the people who find them will find some characters that they recognise!
Book Character Painted Rock Craft
You can do this activity with your children, set them off on it independently, or make some rocks for them. Use your judgement depending on the age of your children. The great thing about rock painting is that all ages can enjoy it. Even tiny ones will enjoy a bit of a painting, or going out and hunting for the stones. Grown ups will love rock painting too – my hubby got so inspired by watching me paint that he painted a rock of his own! It’s in this post. Can you guess which one it is?!
For these book character painted rocks, you can pick any book characters that you like. I picked some of our favourites, including one or two from my own childhood. Do you recognise any of these characters?
You only need a few simple things for rock painting. Then you can rock on! (Sorry, couldn’t resist!)
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You will need:
- Rocks/stones/pebbles – go outdoors to collect some, or buy from your local garden centre.
- Pencil
- Sketching paper (optional)
- Acrylic Paints OR Posca Paint Pens
- Black Sharpie OR Black Posca Paint Pen (or you can use coloured sharpies)
- Small Paint Brushes
- Paint Palette, or plate
- Clear varnish, lacquer, or clear nail varnish
How to make:
1. Go hunting for some rocks or stones (or buy from your local garden centre).
2. Clean and dry one of the rocks.
3. Sketch your design onto paper. You might want to look at some pictures from your favourite books to inspire you.
4. Sketch your design onto the rock.
5. Paint your design with acrylic paint or posca paint pens. Paint the lighter colours first and allow each colour to dry before continuing.
6. Outline your design using a black sharpie, or black posca paint pen. Allow to dry.
If you are joining in with a rock hunting group, you might want to put the name of the group on the back of the rock with a sharpie.
7. If you want to put your rock outside, then finish with a coat of varnish. Use clear varnish, lacquer or even clear nail varnish will work. Allow to dry.
8. Admire! Repeat for as many rocks as you would like to make.
Go hide your rocks for someone else to find! (Or maybe keep a couple as keepsakes!)
Remember to check if there’s a local rock hunting group near you. They usually have a Facebook page, so you can check in and see when someone finds your rock!
We really love rock painting (and hunting!) it’s so fun for all ages. We are so excited to go out and hide these rocks and hopefully find some more too!
Let me know if you give this craft a try – come over to Facebook and share your designs with me. I’d love to see them!
Which book characters will you paint on your painted rocks?
You might like to read some of the books these rocks were inspired by: The Adventures of Tintin, Paddington Bear, Where’s Wally?, The Gruffalo and The Cat in the Hat.
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Yes there’s a local Facebook page for rocks in Norfolk, my husband told me about it! Such a great idea and a good way to be creative with the kids
Oh good – yes I think sometimes Cambridge ones wander over there too…! We’ll have to leave some for you next time we’re in Norfolk! 😉
These are AMAZING! I love the Paddington one. You’re so creative.
This is SO Awesome and I love your stones. How cool. You did amazing.
Thanks Angela! That means so much coming from you! You completely inspired me to create these. xxx
Oooh, I love these rocks. So is rock hiding a bit like geocaching? x
Sort of, but a bit less technical. Anyone can join in and you don’t need a phone. You can just paint some rocks and hide them. But many communities have rock hunting Facebook groups – so you can show photos of the rocks you are hiding – sometimes with a hint of the hiding place. And then share in the group when you find someone else’s rock with a photo. It’s getting huge where we live! x
Your rock designs are so lovely. I love the idea of using children’s book characters. rather puts our rocks to shame!
Aw, thank you! Not at all – I LOVE your kindness rocks! x
This is such a good idea! Takes me back to when I was a child and I used to collect rocks – some ended up drawn on/painted etc. I had no idea rock hunting groups existed, definitely going to check out if there are any down south. What a nice wholesome activity for the weekend!
These are fantastic. My art skills are not up to this! We have some basic story stones that my husband painted. Thanks for joining #bloggerpinparty
These are fantastic. We’ve come across a few stones where the paint has washed off in the rain sadly. #bloggerpinparty
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Varnish on top! Genius! That’s the problem we always run into!
Great stuff, I’ve always loved rocks ? And this post is really good, nicely written and with clear instructions. Thank you! x #MakeItMonthly
These are beautiful. What a lovely idea.
I really love how you draw and painted characters. We’ll have to try it.
Our county libraries had a month long activity where people could come in and paint rocks while supplies were provided. It created a great relaxing atmosphere for people to get to interact and work with their hands on a craft. You inspire me to do the activity again with book characters and adult fiction book covers as images for the rocks. Then the book can be displayed with the rock for others to be inspired to look for a book to do the same.
Thank you!
What a wonderful idea in your libraries – that sounds very relaxing and inspiring. I love your idea too, it would be great to see book themed rocks on display with the books themselves. Glad this inspired you to get painting!