Thanks for your time.

Blessings,

Cindy <//><

I purchased the smallest size cardboard cake circles (at Hobby Lobby in cake decorating aisle).

I then spray painted all of them blue (because we had a treasure island theme and the story as walking on water if I remember right).  Now you have to know, that if I can do this anyone can - I can get frustrated over the easiest craft.

Each child received one cardboard circle and access to a ton of foam shapes in various colors - the circles, diamonds, squares, etc.  

I think I also provided one cross or fish shaped foam shape for each kid to put in the middle of the circle.

Students glued on their foam shapes.  They were encouraged to place their stepping stone by their bedside to step on each morning to remember to walk with God that day.

They turned out great!!!  Even though I did have one person say it would have been nice to have the real stepping stones.  I do believe this was easier for the youngest kids and the real ones would have taken a lot more adult help.

Adrianne

I used plastic liners that you put in the bottom of a potted plant for my template. We filled them with concrete (about 2/3 of the way). After they dry, you can either pop them out or cut them off.

The kids put their handprint in the middle, wrote their names with toothpicks, and decorated with various "jewels" and bugs from the 88 cent section at Wal-Mart.

This was one of my all time favorite crafts!

Cindy   <//><

Blessings,

Jenn in PA

I like the idea of using the aluminum pans or plastic trays from potted plants. I have a question about the materials. Do you just use that quick-crete stuff that you buy in bags? About how many will 1 bag make, if you use an aluminum pie pan. Do you need to let them "set" up a little bit before the kids can add their decorations. We will have about 50 kids doing this group project on a Sunday morning. Sunday School starts at 9:00 and we would be ready for the crafts at about 9:20. Could we mix up the quick crete at 8:00 or 8:30, and have it poured in their pans? I don't know how fast it sets up. Also I wouldn't think we would want it too watery, or their designs wouldn't stay, like if they wrote their name with a toothpick or stick? I hope I am making sense. LOL This sounds like a great craft. Something that both boys and girls would like and even the little ones could decorate a stone "pie" with help!

Angela in Kansas

Jewels and pretties do not need to be pushed down too far. Just leave them pretty close to the surface. Handprints and names need to go very, very deep. Sometimes they won't get a good take on it, and prints and names start disappearing. If this happens, you will be able to tell in a few minutes if they need to re-do. Just "erase" and re-do! Names with toothpicks are pretty hard. We sorta gave up on that.  

I forgot about the aluminum tins...we did use a couple of the cake pan tins (not pie tins) because the plastic potted plant things were hard to come by. I think they were cheaper (at Dollar Tree) too.

Another thing that I didn't mention is to use all throw away stuff. We lined our tables with trash bags and we also had throw away water buckets so kids could rinse the concrete off their hands. Remember, you can't wash concrete-y hands in the sink.

This is a great craft and will be lots of fun. Just be sure that you are extra-prepared and organized.