Just in time for Independence Day July 4th we have an easy-to-make craft project for the kids. The painted patriotic garden rocks can be painted in any patriotic design that the kids want to make. My grandchildren kept their designs simple. You can use small, smooth river rocks, large seashells, bricks, stepping stones and all sorts of other surfaces that would be appropriate when displayed in your garden.

* This post contains affiliate links.

For the project we selected small river rocks in various shapes and sizes. You’ll want to wash and thoroughly air dry your surfaces before beginning the project. If you’re working with younger kids you can use acrylic paint pens or permanent markers instead of acrylic craft paint and paint brushes. The 2 designs that we’re featuring today were made by a 10 year old and an 11 year old. They did a great job!

Kid’s Crafts: Painted Patriotic Garden Stones

Smooth River Rocks
Acrylic Paints or Paint Pens
Paint Brush, Water Dish, Paper Towels
Clear Acrylic Spray Sealer, Glossy Finish
Old Newspaper or Drop Cloth

Cover your work surface with old newspaper or a drop cloth to protect it. Kids can be messy when working with paints.

Both of the designs shown in the photograph were base coated with 2-3 coats of acrylic craft paint. One stone was darker in color and needed a full 3 coats while the other one was white and only needed 2 coats. Let them thoroughly dry.

The kids use acrylic paint pens with a medium tip to add the designs. The American Flag design was made by using red and blue paint pens. To add the little stars she dipped the end of a wooden toothpick into white acrylic paint and just dotted them on. The dots worked better since it was a smaller surface, you can make stars if you’re painting on a larger surface.

U.S.A. design was made red and blue acrylic paint pens. Very quick and easy design to complete.

Once your stones are done drying they need to be taken outside and sprayed on each side with 2 coats of clear acrylic spray sealer. Allow 30-45 minutes of drying time between each coat. Once dry they’re ready to be displayed in your garden.

* This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, we may or may not receive a small commission which helps to support this site. Thank you!

Kid’s are always making their parents and grandparent’s new artwork to hang on the front of the refrigerator. Here’s an easy craft project that kid’s can make to go along with their artwork. You’ll only need a few general craft supplies to make them. Younger kids can make them with adult supervision and all supplies can be picked up from your local Dollar Tree store.

* This post contains affiliate links.

Note: If you’re working with older children you can have them paint the wooden clothespins in fun colors using acrylic craft paint or by using acrylic paint pens. Let dry before decorating them with the washi tape.

Easy Washi Tape Clothespin refrigerator Magnets

Wooden Clothespins
Washi Tape
Scissors
Glue
Round Magnets

Washi Tape is self-adhesive and comes in different widths on small spools. Our Washi Tape was approximately 1/4″ in width. You’ll want to use printed designs and not tape that has wordage written on it. We measured our clothespins and cut the washi tape to the appropriate length. We used two strips on the front (overlapping the edges slightly) and two strips on the back. This completely covered the clothespin. You can opt to cut out shapes like little hearts, triangles, squares, etc. and decorate them with the sticky shapes. That’s entirely up to the child on how they would like to decorate them.

We used all-purpose fast-drying craft glue to adhere the round magnets onto the one side of the clothespin. We opted for 2 magnets on each one, so that they would be strong enough to hold the child’s artwork without sliding down the front of the refrigerator. Let them dry for a few hours.

The one shown in my photographs was made by my 4 1/2 year old grandson. He needed just a tad of help with the projects. If you’re a crafter…this is a great way to use up those “scrap amounts” of Washi Tape that you have leftover from other craft projects!

* This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, we may or may not receive a small commission which helps to support this site. Thank you!