Make Your Own
Concrete Stepping Stones

Create a walkway that’s as original as you by casting your own Garden Stepping Stones. This fun and easy project is a perfect way to upgrade your outdoor walkways. Simply arrange stepping stones directly on the ground or set them in a gravel pathway to create a more dramatic statement.

cheng-concrete-stepping-stones-alhambra CHENG Concrete Stepping Stone Molds make it easy and affordable to greatly enhance your landscape, garden, patio, or backyard. Made from high-quality polystyrene, these molds can produce over a dozen castings before signs of wear appear.

What You’ll Need

Stepping Stone Mold
CHENG Outdoor Pro-Formula
5000 psi Concrete Mix
Wheelbarrow or Mortar Box/Tub
Mold Release
Scrap Plywood
Particle Mask
Rubber Gloves
Mortar Hoe or Shovel
Plastic Dropcloth/Plastic Bag

Step 1 – Prepare Mold for Casting

Start by making sure the mold is clean. If it’s been used before and still has concrete residue, use a concrete-disolver to thoroughly remove any dried concrete.
After your stepping stone mold has been used a few times, it might become necessary to coat the mold with a release agent before casting the concrete. If this is required simply spray a light dusting of Pol-Ease 2300 or Pam Non-Stick Cooking Spray into the mold before casting.
Only a light coat of mold-release is required. Heavy coats will create unwanted air-bubbles on the surface of your concrete stepping stone.

Step 2 – Mix Concrete

Thoroughly blend the dry ingredients together before adding water.
Gradually add water water until you achieve a workable mix.
After you’ve found a workable mix, it’s time to fill the stepping stone mold.
Always wear proper safety equipment (rubber gloves and a particle mask) when mixing.

Step 3 – Fill the Form

Cover the bottom surface of your concrete stepping stone mold with 1/2″ of concrete and and repeatedly vibrate the bottom of the mold to drive out air pockets.
The simplest way to vibrate small forms like this is to lift each side 1-2″off the table and drop it. We call this drop-compaction and is a very effective way to consolidate concrete.

Step 4 – Cure and Demold

Place the concrete stepping stone on a level surface after you fill the mold.
Cover with painter’s plastic and alow 4 days to cure before demolding. The covering will trap humidity and minimize surface cracking.
After the stepping stone has cured, place a plywood board on top to help flip it over without bending the rim of the mold. Then carefully ease off the plastic mold, pulling up gradually on all sides until it pops off.
Tip: If your mold is stuck, try blowing between the edge of the concrete and the plastic with compressed air. This will help release the sides of the mold and then the stone will drop right out.