Over the past 3 1/2 years we’ve been running a regular feature here on the blog “Crafting with Kids” and many of our readers have been enjoying the various kid’s craft projects that we’ve been sharing. In addition to that, many of the projects we’ve shared involved painting large seashells, in this case…large clam shells that we’ve collected from the beach.
For those of you who don’t live near a beach, you can have fun painting on smooth river rocks too! You can basically paint any design that you want. In our case, my granddaughter made designs to correlate with Valentine’s Day. Once completely finished, they can be displayed indoors or outdoors.
Kid’s Craft Project: Painted Seashells for Valentine’s Day
Large Clam Shells Seashells
Acrylic Paints in Desired Colors
Paint Brush, Water Dish, Paint Palette
Newspaper and Paper Towels
Clear Acrylic Spray Sealer – Glossy Finish
The clam shells that we used measure 5″ to 6″ in width. You want to wash and thoroughly dry them before beginning the project.
My granddaughter used red acrylic paint and cover the outside of the seashell with 2 coats of paint, letting the paint dry for 20 minutes in between the coats. Using white acrylic paint she free-handed a white heart in the center of the shell, using 2 coats of white paint. She dipped the end of her paint brush into white acrylic paint and added the white polka dots along the bottom edge. Using navy blue acrylic paint, she added the cupid’s arrow and the word LOVE to the center of her heart.
You want to allow all of the paint to dry for at least 6 hours or overnight. Lay 2 sheets of newspaper down outside and place your painted seashells on top. Lightly spray one coat of clear acrylic sealer on top. Wait 2 hours and lightly spray on a second coat of the sealer. Let seashells dry overnight. The painted design is now protected and you can use your decorated shells inside or outside!
Note: This is just an example of one of the fun Valentine’s Day designs that she made. You can paint your seashells any color and make any design. Let the kids get creative and come up with their own colors and themes!
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The Valentine’s Day shell your granddaughter made is beautiful. I love how many different uses and designs one can create with these shells.
Your granddaughter did a great job. This would be a nice idea for my niece to do for my mom as my mom’s bathroom is ocean themed.
You know I could see these scattered about as those rocks I forget what they are called- they have positive sayings on them. Kindness stones maybe? They would also be fun in the garden, or having a basket of hem. These could be easily handed out or even if you make enough put them in baskets and leave them for people. Great possibilities.
Your granddaughter has great ideas. I’d have to get some rocks since we’re 1,000 miles from the ocean.
We gather shells at the beach and then bring them home and clean and keep the nicest ones for our collection. We have plenty of clam shells like this so these would be fun to do for both my granddaughter and grandson as a project.
Great idea! We have a huge jar of seashells that my daughters have collected when we visit their grandparents house at the beach. It would be fun to pain some for their grandparents for Valentine’s Day.
What a great idea! I love that this is something pretty unique.. plus, crafts! Which the kiddos absolutely love. I will definitely pin this for later. My nieces would love doing this!
How Pretty is the Beautiful Red Valentines Shell. Love it!! Your grand daughter did a wonderful job on painting this shell. She was even able to Draw the Heart Free Handed~ I don’t think that I could even do that. She must take after her Talented Grandma ! Thank you for sharing this delightful post.