DIY Lion Stepping Stone: Jo-Ann Summer of Crafting Challenge

We are excited to be a part of the “Cape Discovery” summer crafting challenge hosted by Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft stores. Jo-ann Fabric and Crafts has some wonderful craft ideas listed in their “Cape Discovery spring catalog“. There are some wonderful craft ideas for all ages, including embellished flip-flops, jungle planters, and more. Today, we are sharing a fun “twist” to the garden stepping stone kits.

My kids FAVORITE movie is Lion King. When I saw the fun Lion Handprint Garden Stone in the catalog, I knew my lion obsessed four year old would love it.

Lion Handprint Garden Stone

Supplies Needed:

Stepping Stone Kit
Bucket
Putty Knife
Light Brown Sand
Dark Brown Sand
Pipe Cleaners
Wiggle Eyes
Decorative Pieces (Leaves, Rocks, Glitter)
Matte Clear Sealer

Directions:

Follow direction on stepping stone kit to make stone mixture.
Before pouring mix into mold, remove a small amount of mix, mold a triangular nose and set aside.
Pour mix into pan.
Place hand into mix, making sure that the palm of the hand is centrally positioned. Push down to create imprint. Make sure imprint is deep enough for the sand to be poured into, around 3/8″. Repeat hand imprint in a circular pattern to create lion’s mane. Keep the palm of hand always in the center to create the lion’s head.
Add ears, if you would like, using a spoon.
Put the light brown sand onto the “lion’s mane” (where the fingers were pressed down into the stone). You could use a funnel to help control the flow of the sand.
Add the wiggle eyes and press down to make sure they are secure.
Add the nose and press down to make sure it is secure.
Put the dark brown sand onto the “lion’s face” where the palm of the hand was pressed down. Again, if you would like, use a funnel to help control the flow of the sand.
Dust sand away from the eyes and nose.
Push down all of the sand to make sure it is secure in the lion.
Cut pipe cleaners into 1 1/2 inch pieces for whiskers. Push into the mixture until they are secure.
Form a mouth with the pipe cleaner and press into the mixture until it is secure.
Add decorative accessories (leaves, rocks, and glitter) by pressing down firmly into the mixture.
Let dry completely per instructions.
When dry, spray with matt clear sealer, this will hold down any loose sand. Spray 3-4 coats of sealer allowing to dry between coats.

My son had a great time with this craft because it involved sand, water, and getting dirty! Now, our DIY Lion Stepping Stone doesn’t quite look like the one in the catalog, but I am excited to place this in the garden of our new house because it was made out of love by our sweet four year old. This was a great craft for my preschooler to do together with me, but I was thankful that his younger siblings were taking their naps while doing it because I don’t think I could handle three little ones with the messy stone mixture!

I hope that you enjoyed this fun summer craft that we shared with you today and are inspired to do some crafting with your little ones this summer! We would love for you to share it on Pinterest using #summerofjoann. And make sure that you have signed up to Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores Discover Connect exclusive mailing list, where you will immediately receive a 20% off coupon!