All Activities
Make rocks

Make rocks
Green highlight

Make faux rocks by shaping papier-mâché over crumpled newspaper, sanding and painting realistic textures to create a mini rock collection.

Orange shooting star
Download Guide
Collect Badge
Background blob
Challenge Image
Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to make faux papier-mâché rocks

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

What Are Rocks and How Do They Form? Crash Course Geography #18

What you need
Acrylic paints, adult supervision required, bowl, clear acrylic sealer (optional), masking tape, newspaper, paintbrushes, paper plate, sandpaper, sponge, spoon, water, white glue

Step 1

Cover your work surface with extra newspaper to keep it clean.

Step 2

Crumple sheets of newspaper into palm-sized balls to make rough rock shapes.

Step 3

Wrap each crumpled ball with masking tape to hold the shape firmly.

Step 4

Mix one part white glue with one part water in the bowl and stir until smooth to make papier-mâché paste.

Step 5

Tear more newspaper into strips about 1–2 inches wide to use for layering.

Step 6

Cover each taped shape with the papier-mâché strips until each rock has 2–3 full layers.

Step 7

Let the papier-mâché rocks dry completely until hard, about 6–24 hours depending on size.

Step 8

Sand the dry rocks gently to smooth bumps and shape edges.

Step 9

Paint a solid base coat on each rock using a natural rock color.

Step 10

Let the base coat dry completely until not tacky to the touch.

Step 11

Dab darker and lighter paint shades with a sponge to create mottled rock texture.

Step 12

Use a thin brush to add fine veins and speckles for realistic detail.

Step 13

Apply a clear acrylic sealer over each painted rock to protect the colors.

Step 14

Let the sealer dry completely until the rocks feel dry to the touch.

Step 15

Share your finished rock collection on DIY.org

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

Complete & Share
Challenge badge placeholder

Help!?

What can we use if masking tape or white glue are hard to find?

For the step that says "Wrap each crumpled ball with masking tape," you can use duct tape or packing tape to hold the shape, and for the papier-mâché paste that says "Mix one part white glue with one part water" you can substitute any PVA school glue or clear craft glue at the same 1:1 ratio.

My papier-mâché rocks are peeling or staying soggy—how do I fix that?

Make sure you press each 1–2 inch newspaper strip flat over the taped shape while applying the 1:1 glue-and-water paste, build the recommended 2–3 full layers, and let the rocks dry undisturbed for the full 6–24 hours (flipping them once) before sanding or painting.

How can I adapt this activity for toddlers, school-age kids, and older kids?

For toddlers, pre-crumple and tape the palm-sized balls and skip sanding and thin-brush details while using washable tempera for the base coat; for school-age kids, let them tear strips, apply 2–3 layers, and dab base and mottled colors with a sponge; for older kids, encourage extra layers, careful sanding to shape edges, and adding fine veins with a thin brush before sealing with acrylic sealer.

What are easy ways to personalize or extend the finished rocks?

After painting and letting the base coat dry, personalize by sponging mottled colors, adding fine veins with a thin brush, writing names or designs on the base coat, adding glow-in-the-dark paint or small magnets to the back, and finishing everything with the clear acrylic sealer from the instructions.

Watch videos on how to make faux papier-mâché rocks

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

Types of rocks | Igneous, sedimentary & metamorphic rocks | Educational science lesson

4 Videos

Facts about papier-mâché and paper crafts

🎨 Acrylic paints are water-based and fast-drying, which makes them great for layering colors and sealing papier-mâché faux rocks.

🪨 Artists can make faux rocks that look real by building texture, sanding, and using layered paint techniques like dry-brushing and washes.

📰 Papier-mâché is made from torn paper and an adhesive — it’s lightweight, strong, and has been used for centuries in masks and models.

🌋 Real rocks are grouped into three main types—igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic—so kids can compare their mini rocks to real geology types.

🪚 Sandpaper grits range from coarse to very fine; start with a coarse grit (around 80–120) to shape and finish with 220+ for a smooth surface.

How do I make faux rocks with papier-mâché?

To make faux rocks, crumple newspaper into the basic rock shape and secure it with masking tape. Mix papier-mâché paste (flour-and-water or diluted PVA glue) and cover the form with torn paper strips, smoothing each layer. Let 2–3 layers dry completely. Sand gently to refine contours, paint a dark base coat, then dry-brush lighter colors and speckles for texture. Finish with a matte sealant and allow full drying between steps.

What materials do I need to make papier-mâché rocks?

You’ll need newspaper, masking tape, scissors, a bowl and whisk, papier-mâché paste (flour+water or PVA glue+water), torn paper strips, sandpaper (medium and fine grit), acrylic paints, brushes or sponges, and a matte sealer/varnish. Optional: gloves, a dust mask for sanding, a drop cloth, small real stones for reference, and magnets or string if you want display options.

What ages is papier-mâché rock making suitable for?

This activity suits different ages with supervision: toddlers (3–5) can join for shaping and painting with close adult help. Ages 6–9 can handle papier-mâché and simple sanding with guidance. Ages 10+ can work more independently, managing layering, detailed sanding, and realistic painting. Always supervise scissors, craft knives, and sanding; use dust masks during sanding and non-toxic paints for younger children.

What are the benefits of making a mini rock collection with papier-mâché?

Making faux rocks builds fine motor skills, hand–eye coordination, and patience as kids layer, sand, and paint. It encourages creativity, observation (copying real rock textures), and basic science learning about geology and textures. The project also boosts confidence through a finished collection that can be displayed or gifted, and supports cooperative play when done in groups or as a family art activity.
DIY Yeti Character
Join Frame
Flying Text Box

One subscription, many ways to play and learn.

Try for free

Only $6.99 after trial. No credit card required

To create a safe space for kid creators worldwide!

Discovery Tools

DIY Wiki

DIY TV

Creativity Tools

How to draw

Teacher Tools

SafeTube

DIY Blog

2025, URSOR LIMITED. All rights reserved. DIY is in no way affiliated with Minecraft™, Mojang, Microsoft, Roblox™ or YouTube. LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO® Group which does not sponsor, endorse or authorize this website or event. Made with love in San Francisco.

Make rocks. Activities for Kids.