Scallop shells are beautiful textured treasures washed in by the ocean waves, and they are fun to collect and turn into decorative and usable crafts. Besides finding these natural castoffs along the ocean shore, scallop shells can be found in stores that sell crafts. Kids especially love working on crafts with scallop shells, and the options for creating usable works of art are virtually endless. When looking for unique crafts for kids, consider the following easy projects. With a little assistance, kids of all ages can enjoy working on crafts made with a variety of scallop shells and other simple supplies.
Adorable Scallop Shell Owl Magnets
Kids love making refrigerator magnet crafts to give as gifts to parents and grandparents, and adorable owl magnets can be made using scallop shells and a few other craft supplies. To make these easy crafts the kids will need brown construction paper, non-toxic craft glue, blunt scissors designed for crafts, eighth-inch plastic eyes designed for crafts, a piece of cardstock to create backs to secure the magnets, and peel and stick magnetic strips.
Begin by having the kids trace around their scallop shells on a sheet of cardstock. Have them cut out the shapes and set them aside. Next, have the kids cut out small paper feathers using two shades of brown construction paper. The feathers should be approximately one-half inch in length, and they will need enough to cover the entire outer sides of their scallop shells. They will also need to cut out a brown triangle about one-inch in length on all three sides. The triangle will become the face of the owl.
To begin assembling the owls, have the kids glue rows of paper feathers of two shades of brown onto the outer sides of the scallop shells. After all of the feathers are attached, carefully glue the triangle face over the feathers near the top. Two points of the triangle should face horizontally across the top to create the face. After attaching the face to the body, have the kids glue on the plastic eyes.
Lastly, cut magnetic squares of the appropriate size for the backs of the owls. Attach the magnetic squares to the shapes the kids traced on cardstock. Glue the backing to the scallop shells, and allow the glue to dry completely before the kids handle them further. Once the glue has dried, the magnets will be ready for hanging or gift-giving.
Cute Scallop Shell Crabs
Scallop shells can be used to create cute seaside crabs. To make these fun and easy crafts, the kids will need to scallop shells that match in size, brown water color paint, a paintbrush, a paint shirt, round plastic craft eyes, brown chenille stems, and blunt scissors for crafts. The adult in charge of the crafts will need a hot glue gun. Optionally the crabs make with scallop shells do not have to be brown. They can be created in a rainbow of colors if desired.
Begin by having the kids put on their paint shirts to protect their clothing. Next, have the kids paint two scallop shells of the same size with brown watercolor paint or any other color desired. Allow the paint several minutes to dry.
While the paint is drying, have the kids cut eight legs for the crabs and two claws using brown chenille stems. The wide sections of the chenille stems can be used for the pinchers. Depending on their skill level, the kids might need a little assistance making the claws since it will take two pieces to make each pincher.
The adult will have to help with the rest of the project since hot glue is required, but each crab only takes a minute or two to assemble. The eight legs and two claws must be glued to the edge of one of the scallop shells. Before the hot glue fully sets and hardens, add a little more glue around the edges, and press the shells together to make a complete crab.
The eyes must also be attached using hot glue or they will not stick to the scallop shells. Have the kids cut two half-inch stems for the eyes. Glue the plastic eyes to the ends of the chenille eye stems. Bend a few millimeters of each end, and glue the stems to the shells to finish the eyes. These easy crafts turn out incredibly cute, and kids absolutely love them!
Think of similar crafts that can be created using scallop shells. Butterflies, ladybugs, and painted clams with a pearl in the center are just a few of the other easy crafts for kids that can be made using scallop shells. Delve into your imaginative side, and come up with many other creative crafts for kids. The options for crafts with scallop shells are only limited by the imagination!
