Painted Mouse, Turtle, and Hedgehog Walnut Shells Kid’s Craft Project

These hand painted Mouse, Turtle, and Hedgehog are so cute! This kid’s craft project is inexpensive and easy to do. All you need are acrylic craft paints, paint brushes, halved walnut shells, and clear acrylic spray sealer. Don’t let those walnut shells hit the trash…let the kids use them in a craft project like this one! In the coming months we’ll be sharing more fun designs using halved walnut shells.

Kids can be messy painters so I suggest layer down an old plastic table cloth, drop cloth, plastic placemat or even a sheet of non-stick aluminum foil. They should wear an old t-shirt or crafting apron to protect their clothing too!

Turtle: Base coat the entire shell with dark green paint. Once dry add the black head and the light green irregular shapes (spots) to serve as the turtle’s shell. Let dry. To finish up add the white and black colors for the eyes.

Mouse: Base coat the entire shell with gray paint. Once dry add the facial features such as the eyes, pink nose, and black whiskers. You can’t see it in the photo but the back end of the shell has a black curly tail to finish the mouse. You can add ears if desired.

Hedgehog: Base coat the shell with chocolate brown. Once dry add the tan colored head. After it is dry you’ll add the eyes and nose. My grandson dipped a wooden toothpick into black paint and maint squiggly lines on the chocolate brown areas on the shell to make it look more like a headgehog.

Once they’re completely dry take them outside. Have an adult spray them with 1-2 light coats of a clear acrylic spray sealer. We used one with a glossy finish. This will protect the painted surface and protect the shell from decaying over time. Always keeps BUGS away!!!

You can glue magnets onto the back to turn them into refrigerator magnets, add a hanging string for ornaments, or just set them in your houseplant containers as little gardening accents. This set was made by a 6 1/2 year old boy and a 13 year old girl. I think they turned out adorable!

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