How to Prepare River Rock for Crafts & Paintings

Look for river rocks of various colors if you're not going to paint them.

River rocks can be used for a variety of craft projects, from decorative painting to making paperweights. Available in most craft stores, you can also gather river rocks from streams and lakes. Wherever you get them, you'll need to prepare them properly in order to keep your crafts sanitary, not to mention fun. With the right information you can ensure your pebble crafts come out right every time.

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1 to 2 pounds of river rocks
Large plastic bowl or basin
Metal cooling rack
Nontoxic, water soluble craft paint (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  
  Wash the stones in a large bowl or wash basin, not in your sink. Although river rocks you have purchased from a craft store are usually clean, rocks you have gathered yourself will definitely need a rinse. Not only will dirt and grit mess up your craft projects, but also waterlogged and dirty rocks can carry dangerous microbes.
- 2
  
  Dispose of the dirty water on your lawn or by using it to water houseplants. Do not run it down your sink. According to chef Alton Brown, dirt can damage your plumbing.
- 3
  
  Lay paper towels out on your counter. You need two layers of paper towels. Place a metal cooling rack upside down on the paper towels, then arrange the rocks on them. Allow the rocks to dry thoroughly; residual water can interfere with your craft project.
- 4
  
  Discard any broken or rough rocks. According to Enchanted Learning, smooth, whole rocks work best for crafts, especially for painting by children. When you are ready to use the rocks, make sure any paint you use is nontoxic, so it won't poison any youngsters who happen to ingest it, and is water soluble to ease cleanup.

Tips & Warnings

After the stones have been painted, you can have an adult apply a coat of varnish to seal and preserve the colors.
Follow laws when gathering stones in state or national parks. The National Park Service, for instance, has rules against removing rock.