Kid’s Craft Project: Painting Seashells and River Rocks with Sharpie Markers

Spring is finally here and that means frequent spring showers. During those rainy days when my grandchildren are stuck inside, I get out our arts and craft supplies to entertain them.

We always keep a great supply of Sharpie markers on-hand as they’re great “painting” tools for older children. We received a complimentary set of the new Sharpie Fine Tip Permanent Markers which contains 12 markers in a variety of colors.

One of the reasons we love Sharpie is that their markers feature quick-drying, fade-resistant and water-resistant inks. These days you can find them in a wide array of beautiful colors to go along with all of your different projects and they work on most surfaces! You can visit Sharpie online to learn more about their products and to pick up some free craft project ideas.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing with all of you various arts & crafts projects that we made and are currently making using various Sharpie markers. To kick things off, I’m sharing with you some fun spring and summer projects that my grandchildren recently made to spruce up my flower beds and garden.

Craft Project: Painted Seashells Yard & Garden Art

Clean Seashells
Sharpie Fine Point Permanent Markers
Clear Acrylic Spray Sealer
Paper Towels
Newspaper

To Clean Seashells: Fill up your sink with a little bit of warm tap water and a squirt of liquid dish soap. Use an old toothbrush to scrub your seashells clean, removing the sand and debris. Rinse under clean tap water and air dry them over night.

Lay seashells down onto newspaper. Let children use the Sharpie markers to add designs onto their seashells. They can draw on designs, write on words or whatever it is that they like. It’s important to let them be creative and to figure out what they like to do. Your job…just to guide & supervise them.

You can see how my grandchildren and god children decorated a few of their seashells by viewing the photos above. Let them dry for an hour after the kids are done painting them with the Sharpies. Take them outside and lay them on newspaper. Spray one side lightly with clear acrylic spray sealer and let dry. Once dry, flip the seashells over and spray the other side. Let dry.

We prefer using the glossy clear sealer which adds a nice shiny finish to them. If you plan on using these seashells outside to decor your flower beds & gardens, you need to protect the painted finish with the clear acrylic sealer.

Craft Project: Painted Garden Rocks

Smooth River Rocks
Sharpie Permanent Markers (fine point & medium point)
Sharpie Permanent Markers (fine point in metallic colors)
Clear Acrylic Spray Sealer
Acrylic Paint in Various Colors
Paint Brush, Water Dish and Paper Towels

We found it best to use acrylic craft paints to base coat the river rocks a solid color first. Have the kids paint one side with the paint and let it dry for 2 hours. Flip the rocks over, paint the other side, let dry for 2 hours and now they’re ready for the decorating!

Give the kids a variety of different colored Sharpie markers in medium point and fine points. Let them draw pictures and words onto the river rocks. Children find it easier to use the Sharpie markers than to use acrylic paints to make detailed designs and to write on wordage. Once they’re done with their design, let the rocks thoroughly dry for 4 hours or overnight.

Take them outside and lay them onto newspaper. Spray one side with the clear acrylic spray sealer and let dry. Once dry, flip the rocks over and spray the other side, let dry. Your new garden rocks are now ready to be displayed in your flower beds and garden.

Note: The kids used the silver metallic Sharpie marker to make the cat’s features on the rock.

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Disclaimer: Shelly received complimentary product to feature in this blog post. Shelly did not receive any monetary compensation. Shelly’s thoughts, opinions and words are 100% her own unbiased opinion. Your thoughts may differ.