How to Pour Your Own Stepping Stones

Gather the materials you will need. Molds for stepping stones can be made or re-purposed from materials from around your home. There are also manufactured molds that can be purchased and many of these have pattern preformed into them, they are also reusable. There are concrete formulations intended for stepping stones available, however "Quick Crete" also works and is both inexpensive and readily available.

Spread a thin layer of oil in your mold. This will help prevent the stepping stone from adhering to the sides of the mold and make removing the stepping stone easier once it has dried.

Prepare your cement so that it has a thick consistency, it should not run. Think cookie dough not pancake batter. Remember to add water slowly to the dry cement, this will prevent you from adding too much water. If you would like colored stepping stones now is the time to mix in cement coloring.

Pour the concrete in to the mold slowly, filling it half way. Once you have finished filling the mold half way tap and shake the mold to settle the material and remove any air bubbles in the concrete.

Cut a piece of wire mesh slightly smaller than the stepping stone and place in on top of the concrete. This material helps to strengthen the stepping stone, keeping it from cracking and splitting over time.

Continue filling the mold with concrete, stopping just before reaching the top of the mold. Once again shake and tap the mold against a hard surface to remove any air bubbles. Smooth the surface of the concrete with a trowel or similar tool.

Decorate the stepping stone in a number of ways. Patterns can be pressed into the concrete, children can leave hand-prints in the materials, decorative stones can be added or words written in the concrete.

Cover the mold and leave it to dry for 48 hours, do not leave the mold in direct sun but make sure it is in a warm location.

Remove the stepping stone from the mold after it has dried. Some stepping stones will come out of their molds when the mold it tipped on its side. Other molds may require that you cut the mold away from the stepping stone.