Make a Decorative Stepping Stone

A Decorative Stepping Stone looks so much more difficult to make than it actually is!! You’ll feel like “the boss” when you mix up some concrete!!

A stepping stone is a wonderful time marker for kids. I have several in my flower beds that our kids made many years ago. Every time I look at them I’m hit with a wave of nostalgia! I’m hoping to have one made by each grandchild as well. Plus we’ll make a second one for them to take home to their house and give to dad for Father’s Day!!

Gather Decorative Stepping Stone Supplies

Gather up all your supplies so the wet concrete doesn’t set before you are ready to decorate.

If you have old pieces of pottery with colors and designs, place them into a couple paper bags, place on concrete and gently hit with a hammer. Repeat until the pieces are about postage stamp size. Dump the pieces into a tray so you can see the pieces easily. These can be sharp on the edges, so this may be better for the older grandkids, with garden gloves on. 

Place the other colored pebbles, sea shells and such in trays as well.

It works best to make a little picture or design with the pieces before mixing the concrete. Having a little plan usually helps a craft project turn out better. 

Prep the Mold

Spread a little Vaseline on the plastic tray mold. This will help the concrete stepping stone pop out better once dry.

Mix Up Concrete

Mix up the concrete in a bucket or tub according to directions on the bag. You won’t need all of it if only making a few stepping stones so try mixing it up as you go.

Fill the Molds with Concrete

Scoop the concrete into the plastic trays to almost full. Give it a couple lifts and taps down on the ground to get out air bubbles.

Decorate Your DIY Stepping Stones!

Press the pieces into the moist concrete in the pattern you had set out. Press them down so they are flush with the top of the concrete. 

Tip: Be sure all pieces of pottery being used are placed so there are no sharp edges sticking up that could cut bare feet.

Wait, wait, wait for them to cure...

Of course you have to let the Decorative Stepping Stone sit to dry and cure as directed on the bag. Oh, it is so hard to wait!!

These make a great craft for a birthday party or Vacation Bible School. Of course, they are a great gift for Dad on Father’s Day!

Photo credits: Bethanie Achenbach

Supplies for a Decorative Stepping Stone:

• Plastic tray like is used under plants to keep water from leaking on the floor (in the size desired by you)
• OR- cut the bottom out of a round ice cream bucket leaving about 2 inches on the sides.
• Bag of concrete mix
• Tub or bucket to mix up the concrete
• Glass pebbles, tiles, sea shells
• Old pottery to break into pieces
• Trays or shallow boxes to put out the pebbles
• Gloves to handle broken tile pieces
• Vaseline

Enjoy!

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