How to Make Cement Stepping Stones

Making your own garden stepping stones is not only economical, but is also a craft project that you can work on with the children. Use basic tools to mix the cement, and with a few extra items you can customize the look of the homemade paver. The stepping stone form is made from any container such as a shallow cardboard box or four one-inch by two-inch boards nailed together. This project can be performed on a single weekend. Concrete usually takes 24 hours to 48 hours to dry, and then the new pavers are ready to place in the ground.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 x 2 boards, 4, 12 inches long
• 8-penny nails, 4
• Hammer
• Rubber gloves
• 60 lb. bag of ready mix cement
• Wheelbarrow
• Water
• Shovel
• Shallow cardboard box form
• Small sheet of plastic
• Small trowel

1. Construct a square wooden form that can be used many times for making the stepping stone. Lay the four 1 by 2s in a square. Nail them together with the 8-penny nails. Hammer one nail into each corner joint.

2. Wear rubber gloves when handling the cement. The mixture can cause irritation to exposed skin. Dump a third of the 60 lb. bag into the wheelbarrow. Add approximately a half gallon of water to the dry mix.

3. Use the shovel and turn the dry mix into the water. Continue mixing the cement until the consistency resembles cake batter. Add a little more water if needed.

4. Place the wooden form or the shallow cardboard box on a firm surface. Lay the sheet of plastic into the form. This will keep the cement from adhering to the form. Smooth the plastic out into all corners of the form.

5. Use the small trowel and add the cement into the corners of the paver form. You may have to smooth out the plastic as you add the wet cement. Keep adding the cement until the form is full or at least one and a half to two inches deep.

6. Smooth the top of the wet cement with the backside of the trowel. Add any top dressings to the wet cement, as mentioned in the tips. Follow the cement manufacturer's directions for cure times on the stepping stone. When the cement paver is fully cured, carefully turn the form upside down. The stepping stone will pull loose from the interior plastic lining and the adjacent cardboard or wooden form.

Tips & Warnings

• Add marbles to the top face of the wet cement for a colorful glass reflection on the paver.
• Wear rubber gloves and place handprints onto the wet cement. You can do the same with footprints while wearing an old pair of shoes.
• Imprint the top surface of the wet paver with leaves. Push the leaf into the wet cement, allow it to sit in place for a minute and then carefully lift it from the surface. The imprint will stay in the cement as it cures.
• Use a small diameter wooden stick and write family member's names into the soft cement surface.
• Mix dry cement in a well-ventilated area such as outdoors. The dry powder can irritate nasal passages.

References

• Concrete Stepping Stones

Resources

• Garden Stepping Stones for Kids