Got some seashells sitting around from summer vacation? Live near a beach? If so, here’s a fun craft project to keep the kids busy this fall. These hand painted Halloween design seashells are super easy to make! We made them using 4″ and 5″ wide clam shells that we picked up from the beach.

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Before you get started wash the seashells in warm, soapy water using Dawn Liquid Dish Soap. Why Dawn? We found it’s the best at removing sand, debris, and fishy odors from the shells. Let them soak for 10-15 minutes and then rinse with clean water. Take them outside to dry in the sunshine for 1-2 days. They need to be completely dry before painting on them.

All of these designs were painted by kids age 7 to 14 years of age. You’ll need several bottles of acrylic craft paint, a pack of acrylic paint pens, Modge Podge for the sealer, paint brushes, a water dish, paper towels and if desired some Halloween themed stickers which we picked up at Dollar Tree. I will briefly tell you how each design was made.

Fall – Base coated with gold metallic craft paint. Paint Pens were then used to write Fall and to decorate it.

Vampire – Base coated with 2 coats of purple craft paint. Paint Pens were then used to add the features.

Frankenstein – Base coated with 2 coats of green paint. Paint Pens used to add the facial features.

Happy Halloween – Base coated with 2 coats of orange craft paint. Two bat stickers applied on top. Black paint pen used to write Happy Halloween!

Candy Corn – Base coat the entire clam shell with white. Once dry add the orange middle section. Once that is dry add the yellow around the outer edge. We used craft paint on this one, no pens.

Bootastic Ghost – Base coat the shell with black craft paint. Use a white paint pen to make the ghost & write the word.

Jack ‘o Lantern – Base coat the shell with black paint. Once dry applied an orange Jack ‘o Lantern sticker.

Once they have been decorated and are dry you’ll want to seal the paint using Modge Podge clear sealer. Use a foam brush and apply 2 light coats across all of the painted areas. Let dry for a few hours. This will protect the painted finish. They can be displayed inside or outside of the home once sealed.

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