16 Sea Shell Craft Ideas To Keep Kids Busy For Hours

If you brought home a bucket full of shells from your last beach trip, you probably need something to do with them.

These crafts are simple enough for kids to do on a rainy afternoon.

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It’s a great way to use up those natural treasures instead of letting them sit in a jar.

1. Painted Sea Shells

Grab some acrylic paints and let the kids go wild with different colors.

It’s the easiest way to start crafting since they can make any patterns they like.

Once those are dry, you can move on to making something a bit more specific.

2. Sea Shell Monsters

All you need for these are some googly eyes, pipe cleaners and a bit of glue to turn a plain shell into a little creature.

The kids can give them names and even make tiny habitats out of old shoeboxes. These little guys look great lined up on a windowsill.

3. Shell Decorated Picture Frame

A plain wooden frame becomes a lot more interesting when you glue small shells all around the edges.

It’s a nice way to display a photo from the actual beach trip where you found the shells.

This project takes a bit more patience but the result is worth it.

4. Painted Shell Necklaces

If you find shells with natural holes in them, you’re already halfway there.

Just thread some colorful string through the hole to make a necklace that kids can wear all summer.

If the shells don’t have holes, a little bit of strong tape or glue on the back works just as well.

5. DIY Shell Candles

Older kids can help melt down some old crayons or wax to fill up larger, deeper shells.

Add a small wick in the center before the wax hardens to create unique little tea lights.

They make the house feel like a beach cottage once you light them up.

6. Sea Shell Animals

Using different shapes of shells, you can piece together animals like turtles or crabs.

Glue a large flat shell for the body and smaller ones for the head and limbs.

It’s like a puzzle where you get to decide what the final creature looks like.

7. Shell Magnets

Glue a small magnet to the back of your favorite shells to decorate the fridge.

It’s a quick project that keeps the kids busy while you’re getting dinner ready. You can even paint them first to match your kitchen colors.

8. Shell Wind Chime

Tie several shells to different lengths of string and hang them from a sturdy stick or a piece of driftwood.

When the wind blows, they make a soft clicking sound that’s really relaxing.

It’s a fun way to bring the sounds of the ocean to your backyard.

9. Shell Flower Art

Arrange pointed shells in a circle to look like flower petals on a piece of cardstock.

Kids can draw the stems and leaves with green markers to finish the garden scene.

This works best with shells that have a similar size and shape.

10. Sea Shell Hair Clips

Glue a single shell onto a plain bobby pin or hair clip for a quick accessory.

These are fun for kids to wear to school or when they’re playing dress-up.

It’s one of those crafts that only takes a few minutes but gets used a lot.

11. Hanging Shell Ornaments

Even if it’s not the holidays, making ornaments to hang around the room is a fun activity.

Use some glitter glue to make them sparkle before tying on a loop of ribbon. You can hang them from doorknobs or even lamp switches.

12. Shell Jewelry Box

Take an old cardboard box and cover the lid entirely with shells of all different sizes.

It creates a textured look that feels special for storing small treasures.

This keeps kids focused as they try to fit all the pieces together like a mosaic.

13. Shell Garden Stakes

Glue shells to the tops of popsicle sticks and write the names of your plants on them.

It’s a practical craft that helps keep the vegetable garden organized. Plus, the white shells pop against the dark soil.

14. Heavy Shell Paperweight

Choose the largest, heaviest shell in your collection to turn into a paperweight for a desk.

Kids can paint a scene on the inside or just leave it natural. It’s a simple way to keep papers from blowing around when windows are open.

15. Shell Keepsake Jar

Fill a clear glass jar with layers of sand and shells to make a memory of your beach day.

You can even drop in a little note with the date and the name of the beach.

It looks great sitting on a bookshelf as a permanent reminder of summer.

16. Large Shell Soap Dish

A wide, flat shell like a scallop works perfectly as a natural soap dish for the bathroom.

Kids can scrub the shell clean and maybe add a little clear coat of polish to make it shine.

It’s a quick way to add a bit of the ocean to your daily routine.