Short answer
For young kids, a boxed kit with stones, paint pots and transfers is the simplest start; several are sold for ages 6 and up. For adults, a mandala dotting kit or a build-your-own kit (a bag of smooth river rocks, a set of water-based paint pens and a clear spray sealer) gives better paint and many more stones.
Rock painting kits worth a look on Amazon
Boxed kits for kids plus the pieces of a build-your-own kit, each listing checked by hand.
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Creativity for Kids Rock Painting Kit, glow in the dark
A kids’ kit from the brand behind the Hide & Seek kit, with glow in the dark paint per the listing. A safe gift pick for school-age kids.
- Kit for kids
- Glow in the dark rocks
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National Geographic Glow-in-the-Dark Rock Painting Craft Kit for Kids
A boxed kids’ kit with glow in the dark paint, sold under the National Geographic name.
- Kit for kids
- Glow paint, per the listing
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Dan&Darci glow in the dark rock painting kit
Rocks and paints in one box, sold for ages 6 to 12 per the listing.
- Ages 6 to 12
- Glow in the dark paint
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ARTISTRO 24 acrylic paint markers, rock crafting set
A marker-based set sold for rock crafting, with brush and fine tips. Pair it with a bag of stones for a build-your-own kit. Artistro’s white stood out in independent testing, though its other colors were mixed on rock.
- 24 markers
- Brush and fine tips
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Simetufy river rocks for painting, 25 pieces
The stones for a build-your-own kit: flat and smooth, 2 to 3 inches per the listing.
- 25 stones
- 2 to 3 inch
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Posca PC-5M paint markers, 8 count
The markers for a build-your-own kit. Posca scored highest overall among pump-action markers in Sarah Renae Clark’s comparison and was less splattery than most on rock.
- Medium reversible tip
- 8 colors
Each pick links to an Amazon listing we checked by hand. Prices, colors and pack sizes change on Amazon, so check the listing before you buy. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
What comes in a painted rocks kit
Most boxed kits include the same parts in different amounts. Hobby Lobby’s listing for the Hide & Seek kit by Creativity for Kids is typical: 10 natural river rocks, 8 paint colors in 0.17 fl oz pots, 30 transfer designs, 4 gold transfers, 2 brushes, a transfer sponge and an instruction sheet, for ages 6 and up (Hobby Lobby listing). When you compare kits, count three things:
- Stones: how many, and how big. Five or six stones is one afternoon; twenty or more is a project.
- Paint type: small pots of acrylic with brushes, or paint pens. Pens are cleaner for kids; pots cover base coats faster.
- Extras: transfers, stencils, glow or metallic paint, dotting tools, sealer. Very few kits include a sealer, so plan on buying one for outdoor rocks.
Rock painting kit types compared
Kit types by buyer
| Kit type | Who it suits | Typical contents | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kids’ boxed kit | Ages about 6 to 12 | Stones, paint pots, brushes, transfers | Few stones, thin paint |
| Glow in the dark kit | Kids who like a surprise | Glow paint plus regular colors | Glow needs light to charge; seal it |
| Metallic or neon kit | Older kids, gift sets | Shimmer or bright paints | Metallics cover less on dark stone |
| Pet rock kit | Younger kids | One or a few stones plus eyes and accessories | Stick-on parts are for indoor rocks only |
| Mandala dotting kit | Adults and teens | Dotting tools, stencils, paint, sometimes stones | Check whether stones are included |
| Build-your-own kit | Anyone who will paint more than once | Bag of river rocks, paint pens, sealer | Costs more up front, lasts far longer |
Rock painting kit for adults
Adult kits lean toward mandala dot art: graded dotting tools, stencils and a range of acrylics. They are a good gift for someone who likes slow, repetitive work. If the person already paints, skip the kit and buy the parts: a set of medium tip paint pens, a few extra fine tips, a strong white, a bag of smooth stones and a clear spray. See mandala rock painting for what the dot work involves and rock painting supplies for the full list.
Build your own marker art kit
| Part | What to get | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Stones | 20 or more flat, smooth river rocks, 2 to 3 inches | Smooth stones take paint pen lines cleanly |
| Medium paint pens | An 8 color set, 1.8 to 2.5 mm tips | Fills shapes and base areas on small stones |
| Extra fine pens | A few 0.7 mm tips including black | Faces, dots, outlines and lettering |
| White | A spare white in medium or extra fine | The color you use most, and it runs out first |
| Base coat paint | A small set of acrylic craft paint | Faster base coats than markers |
| Sealer | A clear acrylic spray | Protects rocks that go outside |
That kit makes far more rocks than most boxed sets. For marker choice, see paint pens for rock painting; for paint, acrylic paint for rock painting.
Using a kit well
- Wash the stones even if they look clean, and let them dry.
- Base coat first, then add the design once dry. Kindness Rocks Project guidelines put a base coat before the paint pen work (project guidelines).
- Thin layers. Kit paint pots are small; two thin coats go further than one thick one.
- Seal outdoor rocks with a clear spray, outside or in a ventilated room.
- Leave rocks with permission only. The project asks people never to leave rocks in national parks, on hiking trails or at businesses without permission (Leave No Trace page).
Ideas to paint with a kit
Start with bold, two-color designs from easy rock painting ideas, then browse every theme on the rock painting ideas hub. The painted rocks beginner guide covers finding rocks and kindness rock etiquette.
Questions people ask
Does Hobby Lobby have rock painting kits?
Yes. When we checked, Hobby Lobby listed the Hide & Seek Rock Painting Kit by Creativity for Kids, with 10 river rocks, 8 paint colors, transfer designs, 2 brushes and a sponge, for ages 6 and up. Stock varies by store and season, so check its website or your local store.
What do you put on rocks before you paint them?
Nothing but soap and water at first: scrub the rock clean and let it dry overnight. Then most painters brush on a base coat of acrylic craft paint, which evens out the surface and helps paint pen colors look bright. Kindness Rocks Project guidelines describe this base coat step too. Primer is optional on smooth stones.
What is a good gift for someone who enjoys painting?
For a rock painter: a set of water-based paint pens in two tip sizes, a bag of smooth river rocks, a white paint marker and a clear spray sealer, or a dotting tool kit for mandalas. For painters in general, quality paint, good paper or canvas, and brushes in useful sizes are safe bets. Kits make good gifts for children.
Is it legal to paint rocks?
Painting rocks you own is legal. The questions are where the rocks come from and where they go. Collecting stones is restricted in many parks and protected areas, so buy them or collect only where allowed. Leaving painted rocks needs permission: the Kindness Rocks Project asks people never to leave rocks in national parks, on trails or at businesses without permission.
Does Michaels carry rocks for painting?
We could not check Michaels’ current range on its website, so check the Michaels site or app for your local store. Wherever you buy, look for flat, smooth stones about 1.5 to 3 inches across. Bagged river rocks for painting are also widely sold online, including the sets in our picks.