Do you love the beach so much that you wish you could live there year-round? Are you longing to curl your toes in warm sand and to feel the salty ocean breeze caress your skin?
Every summer, millions of Americans head to the beach to relax in the sun and cool down in the shimmering surf. If you hold the beach in your heart, we’ll help you bring sand and sea into your home with fun and easy beach crafts. We promise — they aren’t too messy!
We chose the following crafts to do at the beach because they take little time, do not require too many supplies and many can be enjoyed with the kids. So, get out your craft supplies and get ready to celebrate sunshine, sand and briny ocean air.
Beach-themed wall art is easy to make and looks great in nautical bathrooms or family rooms. This beachy plaque from Crafts by Amanda conjures playful images of running through sand and into the water. Also, you can have fun collecting seashells to add to the plaque, preserving beach-day memories. Here are the supplies you’ll need:
Directions:
Hang your sea-inspired plaque on the bathroom door or near the shower to remind you of your favorite swimming spot any day of the year.
If you and the kids love to collect seashells, you probably have piles of them stashed around the house. You can put your shell collection to use and make easy, elegant seashell candles that look beautiful on tabletops or scattered around other coastal decorations.
These tiny candles create an instant sense of calm as they softly glow from their shells. They also make lovely party favors for summertime festivities. Here’s what you’ll need to make candles in seashells, according to Martha Stewart:
Here is what you will do:
You might consider adding a drop of essential oil to the melted wax in a scent that reminds you of the ocean. When your candles are ready, set the patio table with a pretty blue tablecloth and your new shell candles. Warm up the grill and prepare to have a twinkling beachside barbecue, even if you’re miles away from the shore.
These hairpins take only minutes to make and are delightful accessories for beach-lovers. Little girls will be thrilled to feel like mermaids with their seashell hairpins. Here’s all you’ll need, as suggested by Swell Life:
Here’s what you’ll do:
If you decide to apply nail polish, consider using clear polish for shine and to bring out the natural seashell colors. Children might like glittery nail polish for a touch of mermaid magic. When the hairpins are dry, you’re ready to add the shells to your beach-worthy hairdo and head to the shore.
Toddlers and babies love to shake, roll and gaze at their little sea in a bottle. Adults can also enjoy a personal piece of the sea. When you’re at the office longing for the sound of crashing waves and cawing seagulls, pull your portable sea out from your desk drawer and take a moment to meditate.
Kids will have fun picking the pieces they want to add to their special bottle too. It’s so easy to make and brings a lot of joy. Here’s what you’ll need to make a sea in a bottle, from Childhood 101:
Directions:
Voila! Every time you or your child long to be at the beach, just let your eyes wander the shapes and glitter of your sea in a bottle and make plans to get there soon!
Has a rainy day delayed your beach plans? Cheer up the kids with these adorable easy-to-make jellyfish. This craft is perfect for children who love the beach and want to decorate their bedroom with sea-inspired creations.
You can hang the jellyfish in front of the child’s window from a curtain rod or anywhere you wish. When you open the window to let in a gentle summer breeze, the jellyfish will swirl around as if it were soaring through the deep blue sea. Here’s what you’ll need to make a super-cute plastic medicine cup jellyfish from Kix:
Directions:
Parents will have to help children make their jellyfish, so it’s a great activity to do together. Make as many jellyfish as you wish and have fun experimenting with different colored tissue paper. These jellyfish make good summertime birthday decorations too.
Although real clams do not have eyes, these googly-eyed clam critters are still just as cute, and kids love them all the same. To make these colorful and fun clamshell critters from Free Kids Crafts, you’ll need:
Directions:
To make them extra special, you might glue magnets to the backs and decorate the fridge. Little ones can enjoy painting each clamshell a unique color, and you can name each shell together. Maybe you could even create a clam-critter house or special box to store them in.
Who would’ve thought you could turn sand into clay and it would harden so easily? According to the blog Paging Fun Mums, you can — and it’s easy. Imagine all the seaside treasures you and the kids can make with sand clay. To get started, here’s what you’ll need:
Here’s what you’ll do:
Always make sure to drape a damp towel over the clay before molding, to prevent premature drying. When the pieces are finished, place them next to other beachside decorations to capture the essence of the coast.
Another way to use those big shells you’ve gathered at the shore is to turn them into a soap dish. Everyone will enjoy washing their hands as they think of the beach, sun and invigorating ocean waves. Make sure to place beach-inspired scented soaps that smell like coconut or water lilies in your new handmade soap dish. Here’s what you’ll need to make a seashell soap dish, according to Martha Stewart:
Here’s what you’ll do:
Put your new soap dish in the bathroom or at the kitchen sink and enjoy.
If your child is afraid of the dark, help calm their fears with this easy seashell night-light from Martha Stewart. They can use their favorite seashell and remember the fun they had in the sun at any hour. The nightlight also looks lovely in the bathroom or hallway. All you need is:
Directions:
Let the warm glow of an illuminated seashell guide you in the night!
This craft will make a child feel like they are looking through a porthole into the wonders of the mysterious sea. You and a child can work together to create any scenery you wish, whether you want an octopus looking in at you or mermaids waving from the shore. Here’s how to make a ship’s porthole, from Crafts by Amanda. You’ll need:
Directions:
You can glue string or yarn between the two plates so you can hang the porthole. If you do not have blue cellophane, you can paint the sea floor before adding sand.
Beach-themed crafting will get you in the spirit for fun in the sun and allows you to enjoy coastal creations all year long. When it’s time to hit the shore, have fun collecting seashells for your next project.
Ocean City, N.J., is the ideal family resort for your beach escape. Without the crowds of other resorts, Ocean City is the perfect spot to build sandcastles with the kids, play in the waves or stroll the boardwalk for souvenirs or locally-made fudge. Open year-round, accommodations are affordable, and there’s plenty of room for everyone to stretch out and breathe in the fresh ocean air.
If you feel the ocean calling you, pack your favorite beach bag and get ready for fun and relaxation. Visit Ocean City, America’s greatest family resort, today!
