Last Updated on May 8, 2026 by Masha Eretnova
Looking for beach crafts for kids that actually hold attention for more than five minutes?
Whether you’re home for summer, heading to a beach house, or just trying to bring some coastal energy indoors, there’s something here for everyone.
This list covers the full range: printable cut-and-paste crafts for little ones, sensory-friendly keepsake projects, fun party crafts, and a couple of more involved ideas for older kids and adults who want something truly impressive on the wall. Most of these need nothing more than basic supplies you already have at home.
Beach Day Coloring Pages
This file is free for you to download and has 3 beach-themed coloring pages that will be cool for both kids and teens! They are so adorable and modern, and have enough of details to keep older kids busy. Donwload below:
Beach Scavenger Hunt
Three easy games for different ages you can take with you on vacation or a beach day out. Printable is ready to download and completely free.
Ocean Beach Resin Art Tray
My ocean resin art tutorial walks you through creating a stunning sea scene on a wood tray using epoxy resin tinted with teal and blue pigments or paint to capture the look of real ocean water. Can hang on the wall or use for storing non-edible items.
Paper Plate Scallop Shell Craft
This paper plate scallop shell craft turns a paper plate into a colorful, scallop-shaped sea creature kids paint and decorate with a cotton ball pearl. Very easy craft idea for toddlers and preschoolers.
Beach Treasures Keepsake Jar
This beach treasures keepsake jar is a simple memory craft kids make by filling a jar with sand, layering in seashells and rocks. They can decorate it with jute and stickers. It is a sweet vacation souvenir or a place to finally store all these shells…
Free Printable Cut and Paste Crab Craft
This cut and paste crab craft is a free printable activity where kids color the crab parts, cut them out, and assemble their own crab — a great scissors and fine motor practice for preschool and kindergarten. A perfect take-along activity for a road trip to the beach.
Paper Cup Sandcastle Craft
This paper cup sandcastle craft uses regular paper cups as castle towers, and with some paint and construction paper, your kid can turn it into a real castle! Kids can add real sand or shells to give it extra texture and build a whole scene!
Build a Turtle Craft
Turtles often come lay eggs to the beaches. This free printable build-a-turtle craft makes an adorable 3D paper turtle: kids color and cut out the round turtle, then glue the shell to make it into a standing turtle. A sweet ocean-themed activity for preschool through early elementary.
Hydrodipped Starfish Craft
This hydrodipped starfish craft will teach your older kids a cool water marbling technique where kids swirl nail polish on the surface of water and dip foam or craft starfish through the colors to create a stunning marbled pattern. You need dollar store starfish shapes, a few shades of nail polish, and a bowl of water — that’s it.
Nail Polish Dipped Marbled Seashell Decor
This marbled seashell decor project uses the same nail polish water-dipping technique to coat real seashells in swirling, jewel-toned patterns that look like designer pieces. Best for older kids and adults: the shells make beautiful coastal home decor and take about ten minutes to make.
Beach Jar Summer Craft
This beach jar craft is a simple summer project where kids fill a jar with sand and shells, tuck in a cocktail umbrella, then cover the outside with stickers to personalize it. A great project to make at the beach or right after returning home from one.
Sand Bucket Name Craft
This sand bucket name craft is a literacy activity for a beach day. Kids color a free printable sand bucket and spell out their name using seashell-shaped cutouts for letters they arrange on the bucket.
Beach Ball Name Craft
This beach ball name craft is another literacy-meets-summer activity, combining coloring and cutting. You need the free printable, markers, and scissors.
Beach Summer Photo Craft
Got a cute photo from your vacay? This beach photo craft is the perfect free printable frame kids color in beach and ocean colors, then slot a real printed photo into the center for a sweet, personalized summer keepsake.
DIY Beach Ball Piñata
This DIY beach ball piñata is a papier-mâché project fileld with candy for ANY summer birthday party. Absolutely fun to make even for adults.
Flip Flops Door Hanger Dollar Store Craft
This flip flops door hanger is a quick dollar store project with Hawaiian and summer vibes. You need dollar store flip flops, flat stirrer sticks, floral picks, butterfly accents, and a hot glue gun. The whole thing takes about fifteen minutes and makes a grat DIY summer wreath for your front door.
Beach Wineglass DIY Décor
This adult-friendly beach wineglass decor project turns plain wineglasses into coastal statement pieces with using absolutely basic supplies. Adding shars is optional!
Masha Eretnova, born in 1991, is a Buenos Aires-based certified teacher, artist, and member of the Professional Artist Association with 20+ years of personal painting journey.
She started painting and drawing very early and is now an international abstract artist and educator passionate about acrylic painting, gouache, and crafts.
Her works are part of international exhibitions and contests, including ArtlyMix (Brazil), Al-Tiba 9 (Spain), Exhibizone (Canada), Italy, and many more.
Besides her artistic pursuits, Masha holds a post-grad diploma in Teaching Film Photography and 2 music school diplomas: piano and opera singing.