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Ladybug Painted Rocks

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4.99 from 85 votes
Learn to make these adorable ladybug painted rocks. use special outdoor paint for this adorable garden craft so you can keep garden ladybugs all summer!
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Learn to make these adorable ladybug painted rocks. use special outdoor paint for this adorable garden craft so you can keep garden ladybugs all summer!

I’m going to show you how to make these adorable ladybug painted rocks, which you can keep outside in your garden. But first, there’s a back story about this super easy craft for kids I first made almost a decade ago. These are super cute garden rocks that you’ll be able to leave outside in the elements.

Ladybug painted rocks in a flower bed

Related – You may also love this Halloween version of garden rocks, Glow in the Dark Monster Rocks! I’ve even put together a collection of ideas for painted rocks for you! Don’t miss our cactus rocks too!

The backstory on my ladybug painted rocks

Back in 2006, I started working for a company called Kaboose. They had actually purchased the website owned by a woman I had known since 1997. She had a site called Kid’s Domain. We were webmasters back in the day, long before blogs were around.

She sold her website to a company in Canada. They renamed it Kaboose and hired me to revamp some of Grace’s older projects that didn’t have photos. They liked my work enough to hire me to create new kid’s crafts for their site.

A few years later, Kaboose was sold to Disney. I remained on as a freelance crafter and their resident craft expert for quite a while, until Disney made the decision to stop producing content for Kaboose. Sometime later Spoonful was born and by that time I had created over 500 projects for them!

Most of the Kaboose projects were moved to the new Spoonful site and not long after I started working for them again. It was short lived though as about a year later Disney closed the doors at Spoonful and that was that. I had a great run with them and made MANY projects for their sites.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Where can I get the rocks?

You can find river rocks at any home improvement store (like Lowes, Home Depot, etc), at garden centers and craft supply stores like Michaels. I have also been told the dollar stores and Walmart carry them. Be sure to check the floral department in craft stores if you are having trouble locating them. And of course, you can buy them here on Amazon.

2. I’d like to buy some, not make them. Do you sell ladybug rocks?

I personally do not sell my ladybug rocks, however, there are several sellers on Etsy that are selling ladybugs similar to mine. You can find those here.

3. What kind of paint do I use so I can keep these outside?

You will see the paint I used below and in the supply list. It’s called Patio Paint and is formulated specifically for outdoor use. I love it and have been using it for years. You can get it on Amazon here, or check your local craft supply store.

colorful rocks painted like ladybugs in flower garden

Ladybug Painted Rocks

One of those projects were actually these exact ladybug rocks that are now over at Parenting.com. I made them sometime around 2007 or 2008. Over the years these ladybug painted rocks have made their rounds on the Internet.

But when Kaboose and Spoonful disappeared, Parenting was the only one left with my project. The ones I made for them were similar to the ones I’m going to show you today. The ones I have on this blog do not use googly eyes because they will be kept outside and glue will eventually break down due to the weather.

The other differences include using outdoor paint and the ones I made before had a little line going up their backs. Other than that they are pretty much the same!

How to make ladybug painted rocks

I’ll show you how to make them in the video within this post.

Use Patio Paint to make my ladybug painted rocks for your garden

Things you will need:


There! Wasn’t that fun!? I had my ladybugs in the flower boxes outside of my studio. Hopefully, no one walks off with them! (Update: people did walk off with them!) Worse case scenario? I have to make more. And that’s not so bad. :) There are over 250 easy crafts for kids here so don’t leave without bookmarking some first. :)

rocks painted to look like ladybugs in garden

MORE GARDEN CRAFT IDEAS:

  • These adorable strawberry painted rocks are another colorful rock painting idea!
  • Using the same concept, my rock garden markers are a great way to label your plants.
  • This watering can appears to be pouring crystals and you can make one for your garden! Video tutorial available!
  • Learn how to make your own fairy garden. I made mine to occupy a dead spot where nothing would grow.
  • Another great painted rock idea is these Jawa Rocks! Great for Star War fans of all sorts. You can display them on your shelf, as a paper weight for your desk, or outside hidden throughout the yard.
  • These Daisy Painted Rocks are the sweetest. You could use these to place around your planted daisies, to hide for someone else to enjoy or as garden decorations. Best part? They’re so easy to make! Grab a friend and give these adorable daisy rocks a try.
  • These colorful Clay Pot Toadstools are made with terra-cotta pots and saucers that are decorated with bright and cheery paint colors.
  • Upcycle an old stainless steel cheese grater into a fun and quirky outdoor Cheese Crater Owl garden decoration.

You can also use these cute ladybugs in my most recent project, Ladybug Tic Tac Toe!

Learn to make these adorable ladybug painted rocks. use special outdoor paint for this adorable garden craft so you can keep garden ladybugs all summer!
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4.99 from 85 votes

Ladybug Painted Rocks

Learn to make these adorable ladybug painted rocks. use special outdoor paint for this adorable garden craft so you can keep garden ladybugs all summer!
Author: Amanda Formaro

Supplies

  • Patio Paint in colors of your choice I used Larkspur Blue, Petunia Purple, Fiesta Yellow, Fuchsia, Citrus Green and Salmon
  • Smooth rocks preferably oval or round in shape
  • Paintbrush
  • Toothpick
  • Outdoor sealer or Patio Paint Clear Coat

Instructions

  • Wash and dry your rocks.
  • Paint with colorful Patio Paint, don't paint the bottoms if these will be sitting in the soil.
  • Paint on a black head and let dry.
  • Use the handle end of a paintbrush to dot on ladybug spots with black paint.
  • Use the handle end of a paintbrush to dot on white eyes. LET DRY COMPLETELY!
  • Cut the tip off of a toothpick. Dip in black paint and dot onto white eyes.
  • When completely dry, paint ladybugs with a coat of Patio Paint Clear Coat or outdoor formula sealer like Mod Podge.

This project was originally published on this blog on Jun 11, 2016

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Katherine Freck says

    Thanks a TON Amanda, I am always looking for adorable things to make for family, friends and little thank you gifts. Your unique and adorable little gifts “hit the jackpot” in my book of “TTD (things to do” Please send some more! Just love it!!!
    Katherine

    Reply

  4. Pat Schutz says

    I just signed up to receive your materials. I saw all the wonderful recipes but I think what I really need and want are the “children’s crafts” — not that I have any kids at home anymore, but they are just my “grandma speed”. Especially the painted rocks and anything with shells (we live in Florida). But looking through I found some other nice things to make. So, you can just send me the children’s crafts material if you want and I’ll be happy as a clam! You are so talented!! Thank you. Pat Schutz

    Reply

    • April J Lopez says

      I as well, Pat! My grandkids are 15 and 12. Not so into crafts right now, so i am starting with the ladybugs🌞

      Reply

  6. Laila says

    I hv been dreaming to learn rock painting…but I just don’t know how to start about it especially what kind of paint & tools needed to do this..tq so much for sharing the knowledge…I appreciate it so much….

    Reply

  10. Linda says

    Hi! I think these would be adorable in my terrarium! I will make small ones and glue each to a dowel and insert that so they are close to the soil. Thank you for posting this cute idea. I may make some green frogs, too. ?

    Reply

    • Bonnie says

      Did you make frogs, maybe a small turtle too? I love to craft and have loads on river Rick in an old upturned satellite dish that once held a desert scene. Time for a change! Please share with me if you are gifted enough to do turtles and frigs. I don’t have that kind of creative mind without a pattern. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply

    • Amanda Formaro says

      Hi, Catherine! Sorry for the late response on this. You can certainly use acrylic paint for your rocks, though I would definitely suggest using an out door sealer if you’re going to put your rocks outside. :)

      Reply

  12. RHONDA says

    Hi Amanda I am from new Zealand and living at our holiday park retired but still refired. I love your night and cheery lady bugs and have a daily walk and find heaps of lovely shaped rocks smooth edges and will start making them soon .will buy some test pot paints to use. I do craft for operation Christmas child and would like some ideas to make for the shoe boxes that get sent to other nations to bless the kiddies .i have been decorating flip flops with the colourful water balloons so cool to do and will be a hit with the kids .i love your crafts blessing from nz

    Reply

  15. Natasha says

    These are so cute! I didn’t know DecoArt had a “patio” line of paint. I know my local store doesn’t carry it, but I’m already planning a big craft store run while on vacation and I’ll have to keep an eye out for it!

    Reply

      • Sharon Hahn says

        Yes, you can use regular paint and then use a sealer. I re-do my outdoor ceramics this way all the time and they hold up for several years before I have to repaint them.

        Reply

  17. Kelley says

    I love these little guys and do remember the original posts when my daughter was 6 or 7. Now, my step-daughter has blessed us with a granddaughter & I hope at almost 3 years old she’ll be able to help create these.

    Side question though about the patio paint… will it work on a plastic rain barrel? My daughter is an artist and I’ve asked her to beautify my rain barrel with her artwork. I hope this paint would do the job.

    Thank you for sharing your creativity!

    Reply

    • Amanda Formaro says

      Hi Kelly! Well it’s possible. I would suggest roughing up the rain barrel plastic with sandpaper first, so that the paint has something to grab on to. Then when finished give it a few coats of outdoor sealer!

      Reply

  20. Sabrina Brannon says

    It has been a long time since I was a Girl Scout Troop Leader but your ideas are great. I wish I had know about this then. of course I am 60 years old now and my daughters are younger than you. Sucks when you cannot go back and do a “Do Over”. Thanks.

    Reply

  22. Liz Bates says

    I love ladybugs and love crafting as well. I did the painted rocks and I also painted the ladybugs on my nails. Both were a big hit.

    Reply

  23. Yesenia says

    Omg. I used to work for an after school program and one of my favorites sites to use was kaboose. I was wondering what happened to this site and you answered my question! Thanks for this post!

    Reply

  24. Naomie Moore, Castaic, CA says

    These are so darn cute! Ladybugs are my “thing” too. I make mini- gardens in pots as gifts and everyone I make, I hide a ladybug somewhere.

    These are perfect crafts for when I watch the neighbors kids. Would make great paperweights for the girls at the office too! Who doesn’t want bright and cheery?

    Keep up the great work and thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  25. Marcella says

    Their were 10 in my family and my mother would take us for walks in the park, we would collect rocks. , She showed us how to make Ladybug Rocks… Now I’m 70 years-old, you have bought back some Wonderful memories. Blessings On You.

    Reply

  26. Betty Foster says

    Amanda: I loved the ladybugs and would like to make a batch for my Daughter-in-Law’s upcoming birthday. She loved Ladybugs.
    Where can I purchase flat stones like the ones used? I found the paints at Michaels but they did not have any of the stones. thanks
    Betty Foster

    Reply

  27. Christine says

    Love these so much! I’ve painted lady bug rocks before but just now discovered the patio paints. Been searching high and low for outdoor paint because I leave them around town for others to find.

    Reply

  28. Angeline says

    Hi Amanda,

    I showed my 2 year 10mths old daughter your YouTube video on how to make these ladybug painted rocks and she wanted to make them right away. We went to Dollarama and bought black river rocks and painted them with acrylic paint. Will paint a coat or two of varnish to protect them. For the dots on the backs of the ladybugs, I used gold paint instead of black and it turned out really well. Too bad I can’t attach a pict for you to see. Thank you so much for sharing a simple yet fun tutorial! :)

    Reply

  32. David Bradley says

    Hi Amanda:
    As part of a family project with our Grandson’s, we made some Lady Bugs as you described on a post we found on Face Book. They turned out pretty good, but we used Ceramic Acrylic Paints.

    What is the difference between Ceramic Acrylic Paints for this project and Outdoor Patio Acrylic Paints? Do the Outdoor Paints fare better being exposed to the elements?

    If so, what retail store can I purchase the Outdoor Acrylic Paints or do I have to purchase them on-line?

    Reply

    • Amanda Formaro says

      You can get them from most crafts store, but I would call first. I know that Michaels carries Patio Paint. I’m not familiar with using the ceramic acrylics so I don’t know whether they will fair in the weather. But you could simply add an outdoor sealer and they should be fine!

      Reply

  33. Zan Roberts says

    Thanks Amanda I just watched your video for the painted rocks, thank you it is beautiful and cant wait to start with my own.

    Reply

  37. Andrea says

    Oh wow oh wow oh wow. What a wonderful background story to your ladybugs. They are so cute. I’m going to go to the beach this weekend and find me some of those shaped stones for sure. Thank you do much for sharing (and the fairy garden to) you have a very new fan.

    Reply

  38. Debbie Sims says

    I love your craft ideas!! Many of them I pass off to my grand-daughter and she just loves making them. Keep them coming!!

    Reply

  39. Mary Jane Flores says

    Thank you for doing this project with a two -year-old and a seven-year-old. They come to their grandma’s house and there was a larger project to look forward to it so this is perfect. So I just wanted to say thank you. It’s simple and easy terminal illness and I want little things that don’t always have to keep. Thank you for that I just wanted to mention that your size awesome best wishes always..

    Reply
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