We simply laid out the rocks and clean them up if you gathered them from outside.

Paint the top of the rocks all different colors.

IOnce the rocks were painted, we then took the tooth pick and painted the letters on. If you have older kids, you might recruit them on helping to write the letters and let the younger kids paint the base of the rocks. Depending on the amount of rocks you have and how your want to use them, you may consider painting multiple version of some letters in order to make simple word. Suggestions on letters to only paint once - G,J,Q,X,Z.

An optional step would be to paint a coat of mod podge over the top. This will help keep the paint from chipping or scratching.

Once you have the rocks as you want them, hot glue the magnets to the back!