10 Creative Uses for Leftover Pebbles

Pea gravel, landscaping pebbles, decorative rock, and shell gravel – these all refer to various forms of very small stones used to spruce up outdoor spaces. You'll find them in public parks and around commercial structures, and most commonly of all, in your residential yard or garden.

So that's not what this article is about. I won't be suggesting that you use them in your driveway or that you set up a winding path across your lawn. Because, you now, obviously you can do that!

Pretty pebbles in a variety of earth tones can create a lovely backsplash in a kitchen, bathroom or mud room. Depending on how many you have, you can do an entire area or just an accent.

Mosaic is as easy as tiling a backsplash, and even a novice can produce something beautiful. Try covering a ceramic square to create a coaster for your tea kettle (or hot pots and pans). Or, mosaic a small picture frame, large mirror frame, lamp, etc. Stone mosaic is a lovely way to bring some natural texture into a room.

Most miniature Zen gardens – also called Japanese rock gardens – are made on a bed of sand, but you can just as easily use pebbles instead. Fill a small tray with a layer of fine pebbles, and then add a few objects like larger rocks, small statues, or glass orbs. Make sure to include a mini rake (a fork will work if you're really desperate). Zen gardens make a great desktop or coffee table topper. Rake, arrange, and relax.

Use pea gravel to top off your potted indoor plants. Instead of seeing the dirt, you'll see a nice light stone – a much cleaner look.

Sort the stones by color and shade, and then stack them in a glass vase. You can create a pretty pattern of contrasting colors, or a simple elegant ombre gradient.

One of the oldest DIY projects is to fill a sock with rice, which you can then microwave to create an easy heating pad. It works with pebbles, too.

If you have something really pretty like river rock, you can use it to fill a wide mouth, small glass vase (or mason jar) about half way up. Now, just plunge your toothbrush into the pebbles and it will stand upright – a no-fuss, nature-inspired toothbrush holder! This would also work well for makeup brushes.

A sensory table is a great tool for children to explore their world. Fill the bottom of a large bin with a layer of gravel, and then add some small toys. They can dig with their hands, bury and find the toys, make hills and valleys, etc. My son would just love it if I set up a mock construction site with his little diggers and dozers!

Mancala is an African game that's easy to set up and so fun to play. I grew up on this game, and it's great for children and grown-ups alike. You can fashion your own board out of wood (you'll need some special tools to create the troughs), or simulate the structure using a series of small bowls.

Do you have any other ideas? Please share in the comments below!