My grandchildren love to sit down and work on various arts & craft projects with me. When it comes to decorative paint, they love painting on found objects like driftwood, seashells, river rocks, etc. This project is great for children age 5 years and up. They will need a little bit of adult supervision.
When using seashells you always want to make sure that you wash them to remove sand and debris. Let them dry thoroughly before painting on them or using them in your craft projects.
Christmas Tree Painted Seashell
Large 4″ to 5″ Wide Clam Shell
Metallic Silver Acrylic Craft Paint
Green, Pink, Purple Blue, White, Brown & Yellow Craft Paint
Paint Brush, Water Dish, Paper Towels
Clear Acrylic Spray Sealer – Glossy Finish
Old Newspaper
Cover your work surface with newspaper. Base coat your large clam shell with two coats of silver metallic acrylic craft paint. Let dry for 30 minutes. Paint a green triangular shape to serve as your Christmas tree. Paint a brown rectangle to serve as the tree trunk. Use white paint to make a snowy landscape underneath the tree. Let dry for 30-40 minutes.
Dip the end of your paint brush into random colors of acrylic craft paint and dot on your ornaments in a random pattern. Use the yellow paint to add a star shape or an ornament at the top of your tree. Let dry for 1 to 2 hours or until the paint is no longer tacky. (if desired, the child can add snowflakes falling from the sky to go around the tree).
Take your seashell outside and lay it down onto newspaper. Have an adult spray 1-2 coats of clear acrylic spray sealer onto the shell. This will help to protect the painted surface from chips, cracks and crazing. In addition, you can use these seashells to decorate inside or outside of your home!
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This is a great idea for both adults and kids to make for the holidays. Kids always love to draw and paint Christmas trees.
What a fun craft to make with kids. I love the silver on the seashell.
I really like this one. The girls will not be able to visit me this Christmas so we will be saving this to make when they come again. Thank you.
This is a sea shell that made me go: AWWW. It is so cute.
The silver metallic finish and the colorful Christmas bulbs add so much color and brightness. It would look pretty on the tree and outside next to a walkway.
This is so cute and simple to make. I am looking for stuff for my great niece to make for christmas gifts. She is 4 so this would be cute. and will a little help it would be a great gift
I love this seashell Christmas tree especially the snow around the bottom that was a nice touch. I love seeing your seashell crafts you have so many clever ideas thanks for sharing.