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Plesiosaur Painted Rock Craft

June 13, 2018 by Rosie 7 Comments

My son is obsessed with dinosaurs at the moment – he has a dinosaur encyclopedia and knows every single dinosaur in it! We also love painting rocks, so I thought it would be fun to make a rock painted dinosaur. We came up with this simple Plesiosaur painted rock craft. I hope that you like it!

I discovered the idea of rock painting and hunting from my lovely friend Carol over at Family Makes. Rock painting is so much fun! We love going out and hiding our rocks for other people to find too. I really like all of the creative puzzle rock ideas I have seen lately, especially this crocodile rock craft from The Inspiration Edit. So we thought we’d have a go at something similar!

The Plesiosaur is one of Little M’s favourite dinosaurs, so a Plesiosaur rock craft it was! This craft is really easy to make, so you can make it with kids of most ages, or set them off on it independently.

The great thing about making a dinosaur rock craft is that they can be as creative and wacky as you like. No one really knows what colour or patterning many of the dinosaurs actually had. So you can come up with any design that you fancy! You can copy this Plesiosaur, or you can use the general method to create your own dinosaur rock craft.

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Plesiosaur Painted Rock Craft

You’ll need:

Rocks/stones

Pencil

Acrylic paint, or paint pens

Spray varnish (to seal)

First of all you’ll need to go off and hunt for some rocks. This is great fun and gets your kids outdoors (and occupied for a while!) Remember to only collect rocks from areas where you have permission, such as from your own garden. You can also buy them from a local garden centre.

Wash any dirt off the rocks and thoroughly dry.

Arrange several rocks into the shape of your Plesiosaur. Plesiosaurs had very long necks, and flippers as they swam in the water. You might want to look at some pictures to help you. If you arrange the rocks onto a large sheet of paper, then you’ll be all ready to paint them.

Paint the rocks with your base colour using the acrylic paint or paint pens. We used these very thick paint pens and they worked really well for this. We painted the rocks blue, but you can pick any colour you like. Scientists think that Plesiosaurs were dark coloured, perhaps to camouflage in the water. Allow the paint to dry.

Use the pencil to draw a face on the head rock and any patterns on the other rocks. We put a pattern on the body and markings on the tail and flippers. Then use a white paint pen, or paint and brush to paint the eyes and teeth.

Use black, or other colours to paint the patterns. Outline the eyes and teeth using a black paint pen – or you can use a black sharpie. Allow to dry.

If you want to put the rocks outside you’ll need to seal the paint with a spray varnish. This protects the rocks from the rain and elements. We like this PlastiKote spray, as it drys quickly and doesn’t streak.

If you are in the US Mod Podge looks fab and very similar – it comes in a glossy and matte finish. Unfortunately I couldn’t source it here in the UK, but it is well reviewed. Spray evenly and allow to dry thoroughly. If you plan to keep the rocks indoors then you don’t need to varnish them if you don’t want to.

Arrange the rocks back into the shape of the Plesiosaur, or other dinosaur.

Well done! Roar-some job! (Sorry couldn’t resist!) You can now hide your rocks for someone to find and complete your dinosaur rock puzzle.

We were very pleased with how our Plesiosaur turned out. Now Little M is wanting to do some more dino projects…

You might like to read some of these books about Plesiosaurs and other dinosaurs.

Also take a look at my Book Character Painted Rock Craft and Funky Easter Egg Painted Rocks. Plus these ideas for a Dinosaur party or activity day.

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Filed Under: Crafts and Activities, Rock Painting

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Angela Milnes

    June 22, 2018 at 5:02 pm

    This is so cool. I love it and now i want to make one. 🙂 Would be cool!

    Reply
    • Rosie

      June 22, 2018 at 5:06 pm

      So glad you like it! Thanks for the inspiration! x

      Reply
  2. Lee @ Dragon'sEyeView

    July 9, 2018 at 4:21 pm

    This would make a fantastic dragon too! Little dragons love painted rocks!

    Reply
    • Rosie

      August 3, 2018 at 11:13 pm

      Definitely! A dragon rock craft would be fantastic! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Alice V

    July 16, 2018 at 1:03 pm

    What a great idea! I haven’t done rock painting yet with my kids but it’s definitely on the to-do list. #MakeItLinky

    Reply
  4. Sarah

    August 3, 2018 at 9:50 pm

    This is SO COOOOOL! I love it, and I love how detailed he is too! My little boy would love this! Thank you for linking up to #MakeItLinky! It’s good to have you back! 🙂

    Reply
    • Rosie

      August 3, 2018 at 11:09 pm

      Thanks so much – so glad you like it! Very happy to be back! x

      Reply

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Hi, I’m Rosie!

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Sweet and simple ideas to inspire kids. 👩‍🎨
Art | Crafts | Nature
Lover of tea on the beach and avid recycler! 🐚🐠🐳 ❤️

Rosie
Do you feel like showering a little love this Febr Do you feel like showering a little love this February? 🥰
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I think we need all the love and good vibes right now and I do love a creative project that doubles as a gift! 💝 
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We loved making these dancing heart stencil cards - simple to make and sweet Valentines for your children to hand out. 😍
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When I get 5 minutes I'll make a blog post 🙄😆but they are easy enough to make:
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-Draw a heart shape on a piece of card and cut out a stencil. 
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-Place stencil on folded white card, sponge red and white paint, let dry.
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-Spread a little love!
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These would be a cute and easy activity over the half term/winter break. ❄️
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Do your children like to make Valentine cards? 💕
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Life is throwing everything at us at the moment. If you feel like you’re about to topple and fall with the weight of it all, you are not alone. 

Working, parenting, home schooling. Trying to stay calm and look after ourselves as well as our families. Whatever your situation, I know you are juggling a lot.
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You can turn this easy Christmas tree stencil idea into simple gift wrap! 
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Get your children printing and decorating Christmas trees on a sheet of parcel paper. You’ll keep them busy and creative, then can wrap gifts for the grandparents or friends in the paper! 
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This year, more than ever, people will really appreciate the small, personal things that you do for them. Things that are made, thought about and given with love. ❤️ Have a think about how you can make someone feel special this year. The simple ideas are always the best!
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Are you planning to add a personal touch to gifts and cards this year? Have you made gift wrap with your children before?
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Joining in with @makemerryandcreate @littlelion_mom @playwithmamma and #makeyourchristmascrafts
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I took a bit of a social media break, as life took over. As it does from time to time. So taking the time to say hello to you all again.👋 

I’m Rosie and I love to share simple ideas to inspire kids to get arty, crafty and creative. 🎨 

I also 💚the outdoors and try to share this love of nature in many of my projects. 🌲 

This is me and my crew, back in October on my 40th birthday! A beautiful beachy day. 🏝 

Since then we’ve bought a house, moved and had one kiddo in isolation for 14 days 🤪- hence the radio silence. 

A break has helped me ditch the overwhelm and simplify my priorities. But now, I’m so ready to start getting creative again and bring on all the festive vibes! 🎄

When life gets overwhelming, don’t be afraid to step back and focus only on the things that are important. Take a breath, get outdoors and then reprioritise, one step at a time. ❤️

How are you doing with lockdowns, winter and festive preparation? What helps you step back and reprioritise?
What is your lasting memory of this past few month What is your lasting memory of this past few months with your kids?

For me it’s been bike rides and making things together. 🖍 ✂️ 
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Funny how our minds gloss over the stresses of home school and lack of ‘me time’ 🤣
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I’ve not been on social media much lately - I’ve been making the most of the end of summer, adjusting to the ‘new normal’ and figuring out what is next for me now that my littlest has started school. 😊
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One thing I am doing is starting to sort through the pile of creations 🖼 (and clutter too!) in the house. It’s reminding me of all the lovely things we have done together (even when mum guilt sometimes tells me otherwise) and helping to clear my mind too. ❤️
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If you’re feeling a little lost at the moment I can recommend a good sort out as a starting point! @whatkatysaiduk is a wonderful inspiration on decluttering. 🥰
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Anyone else swamped with projects from this year?! I’d love any ideas on how you like to organise art work!
(Press trip) Do you have a Dino fan in your family (Press trip) Do you have a Dino fan in your family?
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I feel so much more relaxed for letting go of formal work! (Let’s face it there wasn’t much of it happening anyway...😬) But I was still pressuring myself mentally and it was starting to create power struggles (with my eldest very spirited child!) When you start doing things that you and the children are motivated to do it takes the pressure off everyone. And the miracle is that’s when the real learning happens! 🌟 
My son has even written about his fossil collection - a change from tearing my hair out to get him to write! The kids have played more independently too, as I’ve ‘left them to it’ more. Plus - the house is even starting to look just a little bit cleaner! 🧹

So if home school is just not happening anymore, I’d recommend doing an Elsa and just ‘Let it Goooo’. Swap it for ‘life school’ and I guarantee the kids will be learning equally valuable lessons. 💡Just do what works for your family. ❤️ Are you still home schooling? Do you feel like you’re trying to ‘do it all’? Or have you embraced a more flexible approach?

I’d love to hear any ideas you have that we could try? My kids love dinosaurs and creative things. Plus I’m trying to encourage independent playing and helping in the house, so all ideas welcome! 💡
Sleeping with her babies. 👶🏻👶🏾❤️
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I’ve been listening to black voices over the last few days. Thinking about the BLM movement and ways I can do more. I wasn’t sure whether to share, but I’ve learned it’s better to speak than to say nothing.
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I’ve always thought of myself as someone who embraces diversity. I’ve travelled, met and befriended people of all colours, nationalities and religions. As a teacher I’ve valued each child’s individuality, as well as seeing them all as equals. I try to encourage my children to be kind to all others.
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But I realise this is NOT enough. I need to do more. If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the last week it’s that - we have to take ACTION against racism. It’s not enough to just ‘not be racist’, we have to be ANTI racist to make a change.
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So what action do I commit to do?
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•Listen - keep listening to black people’s stories and struggles.
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•Educate - myself and my children further. Read books that spark CONVERSATIONS with my children and others. Keep learning and keep trying to do better.
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•Amplify - promote black voices, especially those in the fields of education and children.
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If you’re a mama or a teacher and wondering how you can take ACTION against racism, I’d really recommend taking a look at @readlikearockstar and @apron_education - they have some brilliant resources to share with your kids. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Do you talk about racism with your kids? How are you taking action against racism?
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