Kid’s Crafts: Painted Penguin Seashells

If you’ve been following this blog for the past 10 years you’ll already know that we’re a big crafting family. I enjoy getting together with my granddaughter twice a month to work on arts and craft projects. The holiday season is here and we’ve ramped up all of our crafting fun!

* This post contains affiliate links.

Today’s project utilizes large clam seashells, but you can also do this same project on smooth river rocks, wooden blocks, etc. My 10 1/2 year old granddaughter personally designed the pattern and project. You’ll just need your base, some acrylic paints and some sealer to make them.

Kid’s Crafts: Painted Penguin Seashells

Large Clam Seashell
Black, White and Orange Acrylic Paint
Paint Brush, Water Dish, Paper Towels
Clear Acrylic Spray Sealer, Glossy Finish
Old Newspaper

Cover your work surface with a few old sheets of newspaper.

Base coat your seashell with 2 coats of black acrylic paint, allowing 15 minutes of drying time between the 2 coats. After the second coat you’ll want to allow 40 minutes of drying time.

Using white acrylic paint have the child do a “heart” shape to form the penguin’s face. My granddaughter used a moderate-amount of white paint so that none of the black showed through. Let dry for about 40 minutes.

Use black acrylic paint to add the penguin’s eyes, orange acrylic paint to make the beak and let dry for about 20-30 minutes. Dip the end of the paint brush into white paint to dot on the inner eyes. Use a thin-line paint brush to outline the beak with black paint. If you’re working with really young children, they can do the outlining with a fine-point black Sharpie Marker. Let your seashell dry for at least one hour.

Take your painted shells outside and lightly spray them with 2 coats of clear acrylic spray sealer. Let them dry for 2 hours. You can now display them indoors or outdoors and they’ll last for years since you sealed your painted design with the sealant.

* 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!