Make this DIY Rock Cactus Garden Craft! (Fun for All Ages)

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This DIY rock cactus craft is fun for all ages!

Love painted rock art?

Painting rocks is a trendy and inexpensive craft idea, and the possibilities are endless with all the designs you can make using paint! This DIY rock cactus garden craft is fun and lets you use your imagination.

I love that this craft encourages all ages to join in and get creative! Plus, the best part – this is a garden EVERYONE can keep alive! 😍

Go on a rock hunt!

Take a little nature walk with your kids and collect some flat and oval shaped river rocks to paint. Grab a variety of sizes that will fit your container or planter. This is great opportunity to use craft supplies you may already have on hand to embellish your cactus garden, such as any green craft paint, markers, puffy paint, paint markers, or even nail polish!


DIY Rock Cactus Garden

Supplies Needed:
Directions: 

2.) After your rocks are washed and dried, paint both sides green. Let dry.


3.) Embellish rocks by adding small cactus details.


4.) Let your rocks completely dry.


5.) Arrange them in small pot or container with potting soil or gravel. Glue any tissue paper flowers, if desired.


I love how my cactus rocks turned out! 🌵

My daughter and I had a blast with this project (painting is fun and kinda relaxing). Cacti have always been special to me since I live in the desert, but they seem to be cute and trendy everywhere lately!

Hip Tip: This is a fun and inexpensive activity for mom on Mother’s Day, or as a cute craft to do with kiddos during the summer months.


Want some more painted rock art inspiration?

Check out these other fantastic DIY rock art ideas…

1.) DIY Unicorn Rocks 

Check out this post for an adorable way to paint unicorn rocks! These are so ADORABLE!


2.) Painted Ladybug Rocks

Have a ladybug fan? How fun to decorate your garden or backyard with these painted ladybugs! Learn how to make them HERE.


3.) Painted Rock Garden Markers

Will you be planting a garden this summer? How cute are these garden markers!? What a fun idea. Get the easy directions HERE.


Have you done any fun crafts with painted rocks lately? Share with us in the comments!

Join The Discussion

Comments 26

  1. apwade21

    We love painting rocks! Love this idea!

    • Lina D

      Oh good! Have fun!

  2. LChapman

    Love the ladybugs!! Definitely trying these with my gdaughters.
    Thank you for always sharing such neat ideas! 👏

    • jen-CT

      Me too! Maybe with my niece…

    • Lina D

      Oh you’re so welcome – thanks for stopping by!

  3. garenee

    Not everyone can keep this alive… I, in fact, knocked mine over transporting it home and everything fell apart. Lol! Was fun and relaxing to make though.

    • Lina D

      Oh no! Ha

  4. Amy

    These are cute ideas

    • Lina D

      Thanks Amy!

  5. Julieeee

    Yay! Found our Mother’s Day craft from the grandkids! Thanks for sharing!

    • Lina D

      Oh how fun! Enjoy!

  6. Mizz Mo

    Super cute idea! Thanks!

    • Lina D

      You’re welcome!

  7. *Angela-Miles*

    Strange question, but is there any specific tips on keeping a real cacti alive? I’ve had two over the past three years that I sit in my window seal and it seems they die after 10 or 11 months. Do cactus that you buy for indoors just have a short lifespan or is there something they need I’m not providing?

  8. Shannon

    These are so cute! Does anyone know where I could buy those types of rocks? Where I live there’s absolutely no rocks whatsoever! We had a water pipe leak and dug up 5 feet under and not one rock!

    • Cal

      Craft stores … michaels … hobby lobby. I’m sure eBay even …

  9. LC

    So fun!

  10. Justine

    that is darling!

  11. Cal

    I’ve done this as a group craft with kids. I hot glued the base of the rocks into the pot for the kids and added peat moss and/or small rocks.

    • Lina D

      Oh that’s a fun idea!

  12. Ashley Marie

    Loved this idea! It is one I have not come across before, and I definitely plan to try it out.

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      Oh thanks! And enjoy – this was fun!

  13. Kathy

    What kind of paint do you use to paint rocks?

  14. Lej

    I don’t have access to any free rocks but I think this might work with making clay in to rocks and them painting them. My daughter and I made some fake rocks for a school diorama project so this might work.

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      Oh fun idea!

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