Kid’s Crafts – Painted Seashells Spring and Summer Designs

We enjoy collecting seashells off of the beach when down at our summer house. We use the shells to decorate our home, yard & garden areas…and we use them in craft projects too! Over the years we’ve made Christmas ornaments, paper weights, refrigerator magnets, garden yard art, door wreaths, etc. all using seashells.

When collecting them you ONLY want to take the unoccupied shells. Any that still have a live animal inside need to be put back where you found it. You’ll need to clean them with soapy water and air dry before using them in your craft projects. We recommend that you seal the painted design with 1-2 coats of clear acrylic spray sealer once you’ve completed them. The sealer will allow you to display your designs inside and outside your home…protecting the painted finish from chipping, cracking and color fading.

Today we’re featuring part 1 of a 2 part series featuring the 4 seasons. These designs were painted by two 11 year old’s, so its the perfect craft project for older kids and adults. You don’t need any expert artist skills to make this project. Next week we’ll feature part 2 which includes your Fall and Winter designs.

Painted SPRING Design Seashell

1 Large Clam Shell
Acrylic Craft Paint
Acrylic Craft Paint Pens (Medium Tip)
Paint Brush, Water Dish, Paper Towels
Clear Acrylic Spray Sealer, Glossy Finish
1 Wood Lady Bug Embellishment
E6000 Adhesive Glue

You can use whatever colors of paint that you like. We base coated our large clam shell (measures 4 1/2″ wide) with 2 coats of green acrylic craft paint, allowing 30 minutes between coats. Let completely dry.

Using a paint pen write the word SPRING in white. Use orange and yellow colored paint pens to make a polka dot boarder around the edge of the shell. You can make a simple pattern (as shown in the photo) or do something more fancy. While your shell is drying you want to paint your wood lady bug. We picked up a 1″ diameter wood lady bug at our local craft store. Used paint pens to add the color. Let dry. Once it’s dry use E6000 Adhesive Glue to attach it to the shell. Let dry for 3-4 hours.

Take painted shells outside and lay them down on the cement or an old plastic drop cloth. Spray each side with 1-2 coats of clear acrylic spray sealer. We like using the glossy finish which gives your shells a beautiful shine. Let dry for 2-4 hours.

Painted SUMMER Design Seashell

1 Large Clam Shell
Acrylic Craft Paint – Metallic Finish
Acrylic Craft Paint Pens (Medium Tip)
Paint Brush, Water Dish, Paper Towels
Clear Acrylic Spray Sealer, Glossy Finish

Base coat the shell with 2 coats of icy blue metallic craft paint. Let dry for 60-90 minutes or until no longer tacky. Add the “water” with royal blue metallic craft paint along the bottom edge of the shell. Let dry until no longer tacky.

The rest of the design was made using acrylic craft paint pens in the following colors: pearl white, red, black, yellow and orange. You’ll want to make your yellow circle for the sun and the bottom of the boat first. Then add the word SUMMER in red. Let dry. Finish up by adding your outline colors of orange, yellow (on the sun) and outline the boat and sails in black. Let dry until no longer tacky.

Take painted shells outside and lay them down on the cement or an old plastic drop cloth. Spray each side with 1-2 coats of clear acrylic spray sealer. We like using the glossy finish which gives your shells a beautiful shine. Let dry for 2-4 hours.

* 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!