17 Fun & Engaging Beach Themed Crafts for Kids

The countdown to your family’s beach vacation is on, and with just two weeks left, finding the perfect handmade gift feels like a race against time. But the beauty of beach themed crafts is in their simplicity, there’s something so special about taking the elements of the ocean and transforming them into memories. If you’ve collected sea glass, shells, or smooth beach stones over the years, turning them into knotted corded pendants or charm bracelets would be a beautiful, personal touch. Each piece would carry a wearable memory.

For those who love a little paper crafting, the options are endless beach-themed scrapbooking papers that can be used to create stunning bookmarks, personalized gift tags, or even handmade postcards for everyone to take home. Laminated bookmarks with ocean-inspired designs or mini gift holders for sunscreen and chapstick would be both practical and fun. And if you’re looking for something custom, personalized sunglasses with names or beachy phrases printed on the side would make for a stylish and functional memento.

One of the most creative ideas is to take beach sand and incorporate it into something special. If you’re making a gift for a couple, a DIY hourglass with their wedding sand could symbolize the timelessness of their love. For a more artistic touch, a handcrafted picture frame with sand pressed into the design, accented with small beach critters or seashells, would make a one of a kind keepsake.

Whether it’s a wearable, a decorative piece, or a small token of the trip, the key to perfect beach themed crafts is capturing the magic of the shore in a way that lasts far beyond the vacation. These 17 detailed projects are designed to inspire and entertain kids, providing various activities that cater to different interests and skill levels.

17. Pinecone Shore Birds

Transform ordinary pinecones into charming shore birds. Begin by painting the pinecones in colors reminiscent of coastal birds. Attach small twigs or toothpicks as legs, and add googly eyes to bring your feathered friend to life. This craft encourages the use of natural materials and enhances fine motor skills.

16. Cardboard String Fish

Create vibrant fish using cardboard and colorful strings. Cut out fish shapes from cardboard, punch holes along the edges, and let children weave strings through the holes to mimic scales. This activity promotes hand-eye coordination and allows for artistic expression.

15. Beach Shells Painting

Collect seashells and use them as canvases for miniature paintings. Provide acrylic paints and brushes, and encourage kids to decorate the shells with patterns, sea creatures, or abstract designs. This craft combines nature exploration with artistic creativity.

14. Water Bottle Fish

Repurpose empty water bottles into whimsical fish. Paint the bottles with bright colors, add paper fins and tails, and use googly eyes for a playful touch. This eco-friendly project teaches the importance of recycling while sparking imagination.

13. Bubble Wrap Octopus

Utilize bubble wrap to craft a textured octopus. Paint a sheet of bubble wrap in desired colors, cut it into strips for tentacles, and attach them to a painted paper plate or cardboard circle representing the octopus’s head. Add eyes and other features to complete the creature. This tactile activity is both fun and sensory-rich.

12. Beach Themed Crafts: Vacation Photo Jar

Preserve beach memories by creating a vacation photo jar. Fill a mason jar with sand, small shells, and a miniature photo from your trip. Seal the jar and decorate the lid with ribbons or labels. This personalized keepsake serves as a lasting reminder of seaside adventures.

11. Beach Themed Crafts: Coral Reef Diorama

Construct a miniature coral reef ecosystem using a shoebox and various craft materials. Paint the interior of the box to resemble ocean depths, and add clay or paper coral formations, fish, and other sea creatures. This educational project promotes awareness of marine life and habitats.

10. Beach Themed Crafts: Ice Boats

Build small sailboats using ice cubes, toothpicks, and paper sails. Place the ice boats in a shallow tray of water and watch them glide as the ice melts. This simple experiment introduces basic principles of buoyancy and melting.

9. Beach Themed Crafts: Handprint Octopus Craft

Trace and cut out handprints to form the tentacles of an octopus. Attach them to a circular paper head, add eyes and a smile, and decorate as desired. This craft is perfect for young children and creates a personalized piece of art.

8. Beach Themed Crafts: Woven Octopus Craft

Create a woven octopus by crafting a circular loom from cardboard and using yarn to form the body and tentacles. This activity enhances fine motor skills and introduces basic weaving techniques.

7. Beach Themed Crafts: DIY Fish Puppet

Design a movable fish puppet using paper plates, paint, and brads. Cut and decorate the plates to form the fish’s body and fins, then assemble the pieces with brads to allow movement. This interactive craft encourages imaginative play.

6. Beach Themed Crafts: Paper Plate Sea Shell Craft

Mimic the beauty of seashells by painting and folding paper plates. Add glitter, stickers, or drawings to enhance the design. This simple yet creative project is suitable for various age groups.

5. Beach Themed Crafts: Paper Plate Beach Ball Craft

Craft a colorful beach ball using a paper plate and paint. Divide the plate into sections and paint each in a different bright color. This activity teaches color recognition and patterning.

3. Beach Themed Crafts: DIY Beach Terrarium

Construct a beach-themed terrarium using a clear container, sand, small shells, and miniature beach accessories. This project brings a piece of the beach indoors and serves as a decorative reminder of seaside fun.

2. Beach Themed Crafts: DIY Sandy Shapes Wall Art

Create textured wall art by applying glue to a canvas in desired shapes and sprinkling sand over it. Once dry, shake off the excess sand and paint the shapes if desired. This craft results in a tactile and visually appealing piece of art.

1. Beach Themed Crafts: Beach Umbrella Craft

Design a miniature beach scene featuring a paper umbrella. Use construction paper to create the umbrella and beach blanket, and add drawings or cutouts of beach items. This craft sets the scene for imaginative play and storytelling.

Conclusion

These engaging beach-themed crafts offer a variety of creative outlets for children, combining fun with educational elements. By incorporating natural materials and simple household items, these projects are both accessible and enjoyable, bringing the joy of the beach into your home.