Over the past 2 months we’ve shared many kid’s craft projects with you having a holiday and Christmas theme. The countdown to Christmas is on and you still have some time to whip up some fun holiday decorations!
Today’s Kid’s Craft Project features 2 hand-painted seashells that my 8 1/2 year old granddaughter designed. I think she did a fabulous job! Each of these designs were painted onto large clam shells (measuring about 5″ to 6″ wide) at their widest point. If you don’t have access to seashells, you can go out and collect smooth river rocks and paint on those too!
If you enjoy painting on seashells or crafting with seashells…you’ll find over 70+ seashell craft projects right here on the Two Classy Chics blog! We will be sharing more seashell craft projects in the future too!
Snowman Design Seashell – Clam Shell
For this particular design she painted two coats of dark blue acrylic paint onto the outside of the clam shell. You’ll want to let it dry before decorating it with the snowman design. She simply free-handed (painted) her snowman onto the shell using white acrylic paint as shown in the photo. She then dipped the end of our paint brush into the white paint and dotted on the falling snow (polka dots). Let dry for about an hour and then she used a black Sharpie Marker to add the snowman’s facial features and coal buttons. She dipped a wooden toothpick into orange paint and used that to draw on her small carrot-shaped nose. Let it dry for at least 2 hours before proceeding.
Take newspaper outside and lay it onto the ground. Place your seashells on top. Use clear acrylic spray sealer in a glossy finish and give them a light coat of sealer. Let dry for an hour and then spray on a second coat. Bring them inside to finish drying overnight. You can now use them inside or outside since the painted finish is now protected.
NOEL Painted Large Clam Shell Design
For this particular one she used your classic Christmas colors: Red, White and Green. She painted red and white strips using acrylic craft paint and then added the forest green section to the narrow-end of the seashell. Let it dry for 2 hours.
She then decided to use Sharpie Markers to decorate it. She added the red and green polka dots to the white painted areas, red polka dots to the green painted area and she used a white chalk marker to spell out the word NOEL. Once it was dry, she then outlined each letter with a black Sharpie Marker.
Take newspaper outside and lay it onto the ground. Place your seashells on top. Use clear acrylic spray sealer in a glossy finish and give them a light coat of sealer. Let dry for an hour and then spray on a second coat. Bring them inside to finish drying overnight. You can now use them inside or outside since the painted finish is now protected.
* This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, we may or may not receive a small commission which helps to support this site. Thank you!
I think that it is always fun to paint seashells. The Christmas colors make the seashells more special.
These are such lovely designs and I am impressed by how creative and clever your granddaughter is to be able to do such a nice job on these. Must be all the crafting time with grandma.
I can see now why you keep 8 boxes of shells at your house. Another cute craft for people with shells.
The Clam Shell sure make a Pretty display! The snowman is awesome. I hope when we move to Florida in a year and a half, I can find some of these awesome shells and can do my own decorating. I have saved on pinterest all the Beautiful shells you have decorated! Love Them! Thank You!