Fun Orange County Parks

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Park Map
    • Accessible Playgrounds
    • South OC Playgrounds
    • Central OC Playgrounds
    • North OC Playgrounds
    • 10 Best Playgrounds
  • Places to Go Outdoors
    • Nature Hikes
    • Beaches
    • Nature Centers
    • Farms and Gardens
    • Aquariums
    • Museums and Zoos
    • Rainy Day Play Ideas
  • About
  • Contact
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Park Map
    • Accessible Playgrounds
    • South OC Playgrounds
    • Central OC Playgrounds
    • North OC Playgrounds
    • 10 Best Playgrounds
  • Places to Go Outdoors
    • Nature Hikes
    • Beaches
    • Nature Centers
    • Farms and Gardens
    • Aquariums
    • Museums and Zoos
    • Rainy Day Play Ideas
  • About
  • Contact
×
Home » Play Ideas » Nature crafts

Water Painted Rocks: Who Knew?

My daughter LOVES to paint and I LOVE her artwork. I even wrote a post about our painting adventures last summer. Unfortunately, we don't always have the time to set up for real painting session. We are usually only home for short spurts during the day.  We've done "water painting" inside on the kitchen floor and outside on our cement patio.

She recently took it to a whole new level by painting our landscape rocks with water.  Water painted rocks? She spent a good chunk of time picking just the right rocks, most smaller than you see in the photo above. Then she placed them in patterns on her towel -- to dry.

My son even got in on the action when he got home from school. He wanted to create a rock museum - so we cleared off one of our paved stepping stones for the rocks to go on display. Together, the kids imagined a whole pretend play world acting as curators of their rock museum.

Yes, they got a little wet. And a little dirty. But, boy, did they have fun!

What You Need:

  • A paintbrush
  • A cup full of water
  • Maybe a rag or old towel? (An essential part of the project for my daughter)

I wonder what else they could paint with water . . .

More Nature crafts

  • Stuff to Build
  • Flower Centerpiece Craft
    Crafty Kids: How to Make a Flower Centerpiece Craft
  • What We Did on our Spring Break
  • Recording a Love for Nature

About Michele Whiteaker

Writer mom and nature guide promoting play and empowering families to prioritize outside time since 2008. Park information gathered through my personal experiences and provided as a FREE community resource to millions of Orange County families over the past 17 years via blog and social media. Subscribe to my FREE weekly email inspiring you with park tips and play ideas.

"The Park Lady"

My name is Michele Whiteaker and I'd love for you to think of me as your personal Play Concierge. When I used to search online for family-friendly activities, nothing quite fit my playful outdoor interests or tight budget.

More about me

Popular

  • 2025 Wildflowers and Best Kid-Friendly Spots to See Them in Orange County

  • San Clemente Aquatics Center and Vista Hermosa Sports Park

  • 10 Best Orange County Playgrounds (by Feature)

  • Trestles: Beach Walking for Families in a Surfer's Paradise

Seasonal

  • colorful stackable blocks on dirt surface at Irvine Adventure Playground with blue sky and thin white clouds on a sunny day
    Irvine Adventure Playground at University Park

  • Nature Book Library: Animal Fables

  • Adventure Playground in Huntington Beach Central Park 2025

  • Lake Forest Sports Park Playgrounds and Recreation Center

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About + Start Here

Newsletter

  • Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter!

Contact

  • Contact

Copyright © 2008-2025 Play Parks Creative LLC | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Disclosure