How to make stepping stones using your child's handprint

Want a fantastic gift for family members or a simple memento of your child's youth? Making a stepping stone with your child is a great way to preserve the image of their little hands or feet to keep in your garden. These easy projects make great Christmas presents for Grandparents, Aunts, and close friends.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Plastic trays used under potted plants to catch water
• Cement--one 60 pound bag will make about 4 14-inch stepping stones
• Bucket
• Trowel, stick, or other flat object to smooth the cement
• Jems, rocks, leaves, marbles, or other decorations of your choice.

1. Easy and fun Mix cement and water in a bucket until it reaches the consistency of thick cake batter. Make sure it is mixed well and pour into the plastic molds.
2. Smooth the top of the cement and let it sit for about an hour. It is ready for decoration when a fingerprint pressed into the cement does not disappear.
3. Makes a great gift!! Have your child spread their fingers apart and press firmly to make a handprint in the cement. Add additional gems, rocks, marbles, toys, or writing to finish your design. Let the stone sit for several days before removing it from the mold. If you'd like, you can further decorate the dry stone with paints.

Tips & Warnings

• These are inexpensive to make. Four trays, the bag of cement, and four bags of gems from the dollar store cost me less than $15. Also, the trays come in several sizes from 10-inch to 24-inch. I like the 14-inch size.
• Make sure your child washes his/her hands well after handling the cement.