DIY Painted Blocks (Free Tutorial)
I love a project that invites play — both while you’re making it and after it’s done! These DIY painted blocks are one of those sweet, open-ended crafts that can turn into toys, keepsakes, or decor depending on your mood. I’ll walk you through exactly how I made mine, with tips for prepping, painting, and creating your own color palette. Whether you’re making a handmade gift or just want to spend an afternoon painting, I hope this tutorial sparks something fun for you too.
Materials
Fine Grit Sand Paper
Painter’s Tape
Exacto Knife
Acrylic Paint: Apple Barrel, Pastel Dreams + Vivid Wonders
I used Cameo Pink, Candy Pink, Tropic Orange, Pale Daffodil, Caterpillar, Key West, Laguna, Regency Blue, Lilac Mist, and Grape Jam.
Paint Brushes or Foam Brushes
Top Coat: AFM Safecoat AcriGlaze, 1 Quart, Gloss
Directions
My sister and I mapped out each block with painter’s tape. When needed, we added little arrows to remind ourselves where the paint should go.
1. Prep
I started by lightly sanding each block to remove any finish and smooth out rough spots. To map out my designs and keep paint lines crisp, I used painter’s tape and trimmed shapes with an X-Acto knife. I opted for designs that would allow some of the wood to show and painted parts of each block for a clean, color-blocked look.
Tip: Snacks are make this step infinitely more fun – we opted for Raisinets and Swedish Fish!
We tried to keep things organized and balanced, using each color in our palette somewhat evenly. At the top of the photo, you can see our sketch chart of all of our block designs.
Things got a bit more haphazard as we went along — sometimes we had to let one side dry before rotating to paint the bottoms. I love using small paper plates as paint palettes.
2. Paint
I painted two thin coats on each block, letting the first coat dry fully before adding the second (I recommend checking the dry and re-coat times on your specific paint). If the wood grain raised a bit after the first coat, I lightly sanded those areas before continuing.
Tips:
Use a separate brush for each color — it saves time and cuts down on rinsing, especially if you’re working on a full set.
Some colors had better coverage than others, so a few blocks needed a third coat for an even finish.
Form Follows Function: We made two exceptions to the color-block designs… the block shapes were asking for it! Check out my sister’s beautifully painted orange wedge and slice of Swiss cheese – delicious!
3. Top Coat
Once the blocks were completely dry, we sealed them with a child-safe, clear top coat. It helps protect the paint from chipping and dents—and it’s especially important if little mouths might be chewing on them!
I researched quite a few top coats and ultimately chose AFM Safecoat AcriGlaze. I considered various oils and waxes, but decided against them because I didn’t want the wood to yellow over time. I went with the gloss finish to help prevent dents and dings. If you’re curious, here’s one of the helpful articles I referenced during my research.
The full collection!
I especially love how the lime green and hot pink turned out!
I definitely had a great time staging these photos – who knew playing with colorful blocks as an adult could be so fun?!
Ready to Play!
These painted wooden blocks are straightforward, playful, and easy to personalize. I’d love to see how you paint yours — feel free to share or tag me on Instagram @moseycreative if you make your own set. And for more creative block shenanigans, sew up these coordinating felt sleeves to transform your blocks into castles — tutorial here!
Step it up a notch by sewing your own Felt Castle Sleeves!
