Here’s a shell flower nature craft that turns shells collected on the beach from a family trip or daily adventures into a gorgeous keepsake gift. (First published April 18, 2016; this post is regularly updated and republished to improve the content.)
Nature crafts like making flowers with shells are the perfect way to use the natural treasures you find on your daily adventures while beachcombing or traveling to the beach. I had some shell leis from a trip to Hawaii that we used to make this beautiful nature craft, but you can also use small shells that you collect on the beach or find at the craft store.
While my daughter was making this as a Mother’s Day gift, I made these DIY Shell Flowers for my husband for our anniversary because flowers are the traditional gift for the fourth wedding anniversary. But unlike real flowers, shell flower crafts are made to last. Click on the link to see it!
Shell Flower Craft
This Shell flower nature craft is a fun fine motor activity for kids. Fine motor activities strengthen the hand for writing and more detailed hand work.
I enjoy having my daughter create beautiful or meaningful things while practicing fine motor skills. Once finished, this shell flower nature craft makes a wonderful gift for Mother’s Day, Christmas, and birthdays!
Other fun ways to practice fine motor skills while making something beautiful can be found here and here.
Shell Flower Nature Craft Materials
If you don’t already have a stash of shells, you will need to go on a nature hunt to find them. We have also included affiliate links to supplies, including shells, for your convenience below. (If you click to purchase, Rhythms of Play will earn a small commission at no extra cost.)
- Small white shells (we used shells from a shell lei necklace.)
- Twigs or small wooden dowels
- Small stones or pebbles
- Wood plaque, wooden canvas (5×7 or 8×10), or colored cardstock
- Walnut acrylic gel stain (not needed if using cardstock)
- Sandpaper or sanding sponge (not needed if using cardstock)
- Mod Podge with a foam brush (not needed if using cardstock)
- Paintbrush (only needed if you paint the stone and twig)
- Craft glue or white glue
- Leaf green and bright yellow acrylic paint. (optional – to see how these look left natural, look at these DIY Shell Flowers)
How to Make a Flower with Shells Step-by-Step Instructions
Read through the step-by-step craft tutorial below before making flowers with shells, so you know the steps involved and what to expect.
1. Sand the wooden plaque or canvas.
- Skip this step if using colored cardstock.
- Lightly sand the wood plaque or wooden canvas with sandpaper or a sanding sponge. (We like using a sanding sponge because they last longer and don’t tear as easily, but use what you like best.)
2. Paint acrylic gel stain onto the wood.
- Skip this step if using colored cardstock.
- Apply walnut acrylic gel stain with a foam brush to the top of the wood plaque and allow it to dry.
3. Paint the stone and twig (optional).
- Or leave the stone and twig natural.
- We used bright yellow acrylic paint for the stone and leaf green for the twig.
- Allow the painted stone and twig to dry before moving on to the next step.
4. Glue the twig and stone onto the wood or paper.
- Use craft glue (or white glue) to attach the twig and stone onto the wood plaque, wooden canvas, or colored cardstock.
5. Use glue to draw a flower around the stone.
- Draw a flower around the stone using craft glue or white glue, as shown in the photograph below.
- Don’t use a glue gun to draw the flower because the glue will dry too quickly.
6. Arrange the shells in the glue to create flower petals.
- Carefully put the shells into the glue to make a flower with shells.
- The photograph below shows how my daughter arranged the shells to create her shell flower craft.
7. Seal and protect the shell flower craft (optional).
- Use a foam brush to apply a coat of Mod Podge (or another type of sealer or top coat) on the wood and on top of your shell flower nature craft to seal and protect it.
Flower Craft made of Shells
This shell flower nature craft is an excellent fine motor activity for kids. Once finished, they make beautiful home decor and are a great gift idea for Mother’s Day, Christmas, 4th wedding anniversary, or a birthday!
Leave a Comment