How to Make Stepping Stones: Easy DIY Instructions

Stepping stones are large stones you can use as outdoor decor or to partially pave your patio or lawn area. Stepping stone paths often lead to certain areas of a lawn you would like to highlight, such as a flower garden, pond, sculpture garden, or other space.

Adding embellishments to make your DIY stepping stones unique is a must. Here are four ways you can make your own stepping stones project as personal as possible:

1. 1. Pick a type of stone you love. You don’t have to necessarily pour a wet concrete mix out of a wheelbarrow to create these home decor fixtures for your landscaping. Head to the craft store for mosaic tile to decorate the concrete as a mosaic stepping stone. Examine the appearance of river rock, flagstone, polyresin, and other natural stone types or concrete pavers to see what you like best. Alternatively, you can forgo stone entirely for cast iron or other metallic substitutes.
2. 2. Add handprints. If you decide setting concrete is the way to go, think about including your or your family members’ handprints in the mold. It may require a bit of cleanup afterward, but it’s an easy way to create a lasting memory. You could also wear rubber gloves when you mix the concrete and place your hands in it so as to avoid getting your hands dirty.
3. 3. Build a tribute. Stepping stones can be long-lasting garden decor additions that are an enduring tribute to a loved one. You could include a special pet memorial stepping stone to commemorate a lost friend or paint a message for Mother’s Day on a garden stone and give it to your mom as a gift.
4. 4. Create a pattern. Consider the myriad ways you can decorate and pattern your stepping stones for this DIY project. You could create stepping stone molds to sculpt a host of different creatures or flowers—say, a turtle stepping stone, a dragonfly or butterfly stepping stone, and a sunflower stepping stone—to give your outdoor space a theme. If you want to keep the price low, you could simply paint a pattern on the rocks for an easy DIY stepping stone project.

Taking on a DIY concrete stepping stone project can be simple and safe. Follow these five steps to add these durable decorations to your garden.

1. 1. Acquire concrete. Unless you want to purchase premade stones outright, you can get a concrete mix or powder to form the base of your stepping stones. You should do your best to prevent air bubbles from appearing in the wet concrete mix by stirring it for an extended period of time before you eventually pour it—slowly—into your mold. Use a dust mask to protect yourself from inhaling the fumes.
2. 2. Prevent spillage and messes. Lay down a substantial amount of drop cloth and paper towels to prevent the mix from ending up all over your floor or lawn. This process can get messy, so you’ll want to protect the ground and make cleanup as easy as possible. It can be a good idea to wear rubber gloves while you work.
3. 3. Make a mold. You’ll need to pour the wet concrete into some form of mold to give it a shape. You can cut the back panel off of a cereal box to create a makeshift rectangular container for the mix, a pizza box for a square one, or a cake pan for a circular one. Line these molds with petroleum jelly or cooking spray to help the mix stick and shape once you pour it. Think about pouring half of the mix in, laying down some chicken wire along the top, and then pouring the rest—this process can help prevent your stones from cracking.
4. 4. Decorate the stone. Since you’re making these stones yourself, you have free rein to design them however you please. Place other types of stones, mosaic tiles, and other decorative, durable materials inside the mix while it’s still wet. Add handprints or footprints if you like. Once the concrete is dry, you can think about painting a pattern on it. Do whatever you want to make it yours.
5. 5. Position the stones in a pattern. Take your dry concrete stepping stones and place them in your garden in an aesthetically pleasing pattern. Line up these decorative stepping stones as a pathway to another part of your garden, patio, or yard.

Grow your own garden with Ron Finley, the self-described "Gangster Gardener." Get the MasterClass Annual Membership and learn how to cultivate fresh herbs and vegetables, keep your house plants alive, and use compost to make your community—and the world—a better place.