Looking for a fun, kid-friendly craft that sticks around long after camp ends? Camp Counselor Nicole has you covered. Today in Crafty Corner, we’re making Painted Rock Magnets—a simple, creative activity that lets kids turn ordinary backyard rocks into tiny masterpieces. It’s part nature walk, part art class, and part fridge flair—and all you need are a few basic supplies and a splash of imagination.
Whether you’re painting ladybugs, smiley faces, or abstract blobs of color, these pint-sized creations make great gifts, decor, or just a fun excuse to break out the paint set.
What You’ll Need
- Smooth, flat rocks (the kind you’d find on a walk or in the yard)
- Acrylic paint, paint pens, or markers
- Paintbrushes
- Optional: acrylic primer or white base coat
- Clear acrylic sealer (spray or brush-on)
- Strong magnets
- Hot glue gun
How to Make Painted Rock Magnets
Clean your canvas.
Wash your rocks thoroughly with soap and water. Let them dry completely—paint sticks best to clean, dry surfaces.
Prep and prime.
If you have acrylic primer or white paint on hand, apply a thin base coat to your rocks. It’ll help your colors pop. If not, no worries—jump straight to painting!
Get creative.
Use acrylic paint, paint pens, or markers to decorate your rocks however you'd like. Polka dots, stripes, bugs, little animals—anything goes! Nicole and her campers just used whatever paints they had at home.
Seal the deal.
Once the rocks are fully dry, give them a quick coat of clear acrylic sealer to help protect your artwork from chips and smudges or the elements if you plan on leaving them outdoors.
Optional: Add magnets.
Flip the rocks over and use hot glue or heavy-duty craft glue to attach a magnet to the back of each one. Let the glue dry completely before sticking them up on the fridge!
Camp Counselor Tip: The rock hunt is part of the fun! Go on a little nature walk to find the smoothest, flattest rocks—Nicole’s campers found theirs right in their neighborhood. And if your kids make extra, they’re a perfect gift for grandparents, teachers, or neighbors!
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Meet Camp Counselor Nicole:
Nicole is a master of mess and maker of masterpieces — especially on rocks! She loves all the WWF prints. However, if we had to narrow it down to our favorites, we are really into flowers and moving vehicles right now. So, the Dutch Floral and the Garbage and Recycling print are on the top of our list. Connect with Nicole on IG.