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Do-It-Yourself: Stepping Stones

Making your own stepping stones is one way to cut down on landscape design expenses. It also allows you to add a personal touch to your living space. Stepping stones can even be customized to create a unique gift. Incorrectly made stepping stones, however, can lead to broken pathways and possible injuries for those walking on them. To avoid this, it's important to follow the proper concrete mixing instructions and pathway design plans.

Things You'll Need

  • Shovel
  • Concrete mix
  • Water
  • Concrete dye
  • Wheel barrow or other type of container
  • Plastic
  • Paint stick
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Instructions

    • 1

      Dig depressions in the dirt to the depth that you want your stepping stones to be. The size of the hole is the size of the stepping stone. As a minimum thickness of 2-inches for each stepping stone is recommended, the hole should be at least 2-inches deep. Line each depression with plastic.

    • 2

      Stir concrete mix with water according to the manufacturer's instructions. Stir well so that the mixture reaches a thick, mud-like consistency. If you want colored stepping stones, add concrete dye to the mixture. Read the directions on the concrete dye packaging concerning how much to add in order to reach your desired color. The dye is concentrated and the amount you'll use is based upon the amount of concrete being mixed. The dye will change the concrete's color from the traditional gray to the color of your choosing.

    • 3

      Pour the concrete into each depression. Use a paint stick to skim across the top to flatten the concrete and help force any air bubbles upward.

    • 4

      Cover each stepping stone with plastic. Allow the stepping stones to harden for one week.

    • 5

      Carefully take off the plastic and remove each stone from its depression. Flip the stones over. The sides with the crease marks and natural surface appearance are the top sides.