61 Fun Seashell Crafts for Kids of All Ages

People of all ages love combing the beach for shells and treasures from the sea. There’s nothing like the feeling of finding the perfect seashell, beach rock or piece of sea glass. Bringing these treasures home is a great way to preserve the memory of a carefree day spent by the water. But once you sort through the best, tote them home and clean them, what do you do with all the shells you collect? Turn them into seashell crafts, of course.

A seashell craft can be as simple as preserving some sand and a few choice shells in a mason jar and displaying it on your mantle or as complex as turning it into an eco-friendly planter. Shells come in so many shapes and sizes, they lend themselves to be used in many different ways.

Here are some of the best seashell crafts, sorted from easiest (for little ones to do with some adult supervision) to most challenging (for older kids and adults to tackle together):
 

1. Store pencils or craft supplies in a decorated kids’ pencil holder.
2. Decorate a desk with this seashell and salt dough paper weight.
3. Revel in the merriment of the holidays with these seashell ornaments.
4. Go under the sea with these decorative seashell fish.
5. Take to the skies with a seashell owl.
6. Paint patriotic seashells for the summer holidays.
7. Grab some googly eyes and create seashell animals.
8. Branch out within the animal kingdom with even more craft creatures.
9. Reuse shells with these colorful snails.
10. Save memories with this cool beach-in-a-bag idea.
11. Recall your vacation with a memory vase.
12. Create this pretty beachy handprint with your shells.
13. Let your kids create their own miniature beach scene pins with this creative idea.
14. Enhance any bulletin board with a few shell accents.
15. Store everyday objects in fish catchalls.
16. Spruce up your dining room table with seashell napkin rings.
17. Make shells an accessory by adding them to a candle holder.
18. Preserve your ocean memories as seashell keepsake ornaments.
19. Create your own seashell wind chimes.
20. Add shells to a mason jar terrarium.
21. Frame a mirror with seashells.
22. Amplify your fashion sense with shell hairpins.
23. Recreate the ocean with this under-the-sea gel candle.
24. Write your own poetry inside shells.
25. Bring the shore to your front door with this decorative shell and driftwood hanging.
26. Use a shell light string to brighten up any space.
27. Accessorize even more with these shell-based hair clips.
28. Make summer last forever with a permanent seashell sandcastle.
29. Adorn presents with beachy gift tags.
30. Skip the animals and make seashell fairies instead.
31. Prep for your next vacation with shell charms.
32. Keep precious items safe with the help of a shell-covered treasure box.
33. Display a picture of your trip to the beach in this 3-D frame.
34. Make a small beach in a jar to hold onto those vacation memories.
35. Show off more memories with a personalized shadow box.
36. Create a shell pendant.
37. Make your own wire necklace.
38. Store spices in shell pinch pots.
39. Display your monogram with this beachy craft.
40. Put together your own garland.
41. Decorate a wall organizer.
42. Try a shell mosaic.
43. Adorn yourself with shell jewelry.
44. Mark your place with a special bookmark.
45. Display shells around your house as home decor.
46. Organize your mail with this cute envelope and pen holder.
47. Make a sea glass candle.
48. Add a shell jar to a collection of knick-knacks.
49. Get ready for the holidays with a shell-filled ornament.
50. Upgrade your boring mailbox into this shell-covered creation.
51. Add some flair with shell-topped toothpicks.
52. Decorate terra cotta pots.
53. Set a beach-themed table.
54. Create some high-class themed terrariums for home or event decor.
55. Embellish flip-flops with seashells and beads for you or your little one.
56. Light sophisticated shell candles that can be used in any space.
57. Paint your shells and see what type of collages you can create.
58. Make a pretty shell wreath for your front door.
59. Or, you could welcome guests with this driftwood and seashell wreath.
60. Grow wheatgrass or other small plants in these miniature planters.
61. Create holders for your place cards or photos.
     

Looking for more crafts to keep the kids entertained when school’s out? Check out 62 Summer Crafts for Kids.

Cara Stevens is a freelance writer living with her husband and two children in Connecticut. Her favorite summer pastime is combing the beach for seashells and sea glass and making crafts out of them with her kids. You can follow her on Twitter and Facebook.