Bringing multiple kids to the beach requires a lot of stuff—chairs, buckets, shovels, boogie boards, sunscreen, snacks, coolers, change of clothes, tents, cabanas, and more. Setting it all up can be overwhelming and time-consuming, so you want to have enough planned to make the day worthwhile! Enter my favorite beach craft activity: seashell painting.
There is nothing quite like having the perfect activity to keep kids entertained at the beach. Don’t get me wrong—my little ones LOVE to swim, play, take beach walks, and make sandcastles. But they are always on the hunt for something new and exciting to do. Seashell painting is a hit for boys and girls and has provided hours of entertainment for kids and adults alike.
Shell Painting: Getting Started
The best part about seashell painting is that it includes multiple activities in one.
We always try to start with a long beach walk. We take buckets to collect all the shells. This allows the kids to let out some energy, have fun exploring, and be responsible for carrying their own bucket. Each time we go on a walk, we make sure to gather lots of extra seashells to have as a reserve for the days when they want to get right to painting.
My eldest, Charlotte, mostly prefers the big, white clam shells for painting. In fact, she’ll request going to specific beaches just to collect clam shells because she knows these beaches have the best ones. We then bring these shells to Covell’s Beach, where we normally go to spend the day.
Once you secure your shells, I suggest rinsing them in the ocean or even taking them home and bleaching them before the painting fun begins. This quick step will guarantee your shells are as clean as possible.
The Gear
There are so many options when it comes to paint and brushes. Since you’ll be at the beach with sand and saltwater, my recommendation is to keep it inexpensive and simple.
After previously buying watercolor paints from multiple stores, including CVS, Walgreens, and Hobby Lobby, we’ve been very satisfied after recently ordering two paint pallets from Amazon. These have been a huge hit; the colors are vibrant, there are lots of options to choose from, and they are very easy to clean after a day in the sand.
Next, make sure to bring lots of paintbrushes. We keep a whole bag of brushes in my beach bag to ensure we have extras for whoever joins. Keep in mind that once your kids start painting shells, they will draw interest from other kids who want to join, so this can be a good way to socialize and make friends. I also have a variety of different-sized brushes to incorporate multiple design options.
We have some designated painting beach towels that we let the kids do their actual painting on so the shells can dry. Even though it is watercolor paint that comes off in the washing machine, be mindful that after a few uses the towels can get stained. We use a beach bucket for water so the kids can clean the brushes, and that is it for your supplies. Ta-da, the easiest set-up and HOURS of entertainment.
What to do with the Shells
We have improved our seashell painting game this year, and Charlotte has begun using these shells for a few new purposes. She loves personally delivering them to friends, family, and even the lifeguards. This has proven to be a great secondary activity in itself.
Charlotte has also been working hard to design and paint as many shells as possible for her fairy garden. She is very creative with her fairy garden, and the painted shells help with imaginative play. The shells are nicely displayed in our yard and it makes her so proud to have her work on display.
Have you tried shell painting? Do you have another fun beach craft or activity? If so, we’d love to hear from you. Feel free to tag @CapeCodMoms and @Snfenlon or leave a comment with your crafts and ideas.
Beautiful art and brilliant idea Samantha!