If you go to the beach this summer, why not get the kids to collect some shells, pebbles, sea glass and even sand to bring home and create masterpieces. We have 8 great beach craft ideas for kids to help them create treasured summer memories.
The beach is full of interesting and exciting things for your child to discover – from shells, sea creatures and rocks, to driftwood and the sand itself! Get creative with the treasures you find and make the most of your trip to the beach! Our beach craft ideas are suitable for even the youngest child, so let’s get started!
Beach Craft Ideas for Kids
#1. Shell Necklace / Bracelet

Try and find interesting shells with a hole that a craft string can pass through (or have an adult help by drilling a small hole).
Cut the string for the correct length for a necklace or bracelet, and tie a knot in one end, then your child can string as many shells on as will fit before you tie the ends together.
#2. Treasure Jar

Why not get the kids to take our beach scavenger hunt and add the items collected, along with some sand from the beach, to a clear, glass jar to create a pretty ornament.
Or collect interesting coloured pebbles and add them to a jar, along with some water to create a homemade vase.
#3. Sand Bowls
By adding craft glue to sand and moulding around a bowl, see if you can make your very own sand bowl to store your beach treasures in!
#4. Sand Art

Use a piece of card, glue and sand (you can add glitter too) to create a work of art.
- Paint the glue onto the card and let you child sprinkle sand over the page.
- Once have finished, shake the picture off over a tray and the sand will have stuck on to create a pretty picture.
- You could get them to draw a picture and just add glue to certain parts so it adds a new dimension to the image.
#5. Treasure Plaque
Collect beach treasures like shells, small pebbles, sea glass, feathers and add them to quick dry plaster to create a treasure plaque.
Create it in a disposable tray and add an upright straw to the top and trim once dried, to create a clever hanging hole. Once your treasures have set in the plaster, you could paint the background if you wish.
#6. Driftwood Art

See if you can find any smooth driftwood along the beach and take it home to create a piece of art. You could paint it, carve it, or arrange it on a canvas to create a gorgeous piece of art!
I love this seahorse craft from Creative in Chicago, showing us that even small pieces of driftwood can be turned into something beautiful.
#7. Pebble Painting

We like to collect smooth medium sized pebbles and rocks when we are the beach and then turn them into interesting rock faces or pictures when we get home.
You can paint the whole rock to start with. Then when that’s dry have fun painting on the facial features, eyes, eyebrows, noses, lips, ears, maybe even some hair.
#8. Beach Collage

Sometimes you will find starfish who have been washed up onto the beach and are no longer alive or unusual shells and pebbles.
Using a heavy, coloured card and craft glue, you can add your beach treasures to the card to create a beautiful seaside masterpiece.
