Last Updated on May 19, 2026 by Masha Eretnova
Ever come home from a beach or river walk with a bag full of beautiful driftwood and no idea what to do with it?
These driftwood crafts give those pieces a purpose, from quick kids’ projects you can make the same afternoon to boho home decor that looks like it belongs in an Etsy shop.
The projects here range from beginner-friendly to a little more involved, and most use supplies you already have at home. Whether you’re crafting with kids or looking for something stylish for your walls, there’s something in this list for you.
Driftwood Panno
No painting or art skills are required to make this wall art, just a bunch of driftwood pieces, shells, and a piece of rope.
First arrange pieces you have so they resemble a fish, then glue them using a hot glue gun. That’s it.
it can be a fish, a seahorse, a whale, anything!
Driftwood Sailboats
Photo credit: Red Ted Art
This driftwood sailboat craft turns a few pieces of beach driftwood into cute little sailboats by cutting a fabric triangle for the sail, threading it onto a stick mast, and securing the mast into a small hole in the wood. The finished boats actually float, so kids can test them in a paddling pool or bathtub right after making them.
Driftwood and Broken Shell Rattles
This nature craft ties pieces of driftwood and broken shell fragments together with colorful yarn to create tactile, jangly rattle toys kids can make entirely from beach finds. A genuinely no-cost project if you bring enough home from the beach.
Driftwood Windchime
A fun project to do with kids as they can help with painting AND a great excuse to spend more time in the garden.
Very easy to assemble: rope together a long triangle, then make small holes in several long to short driftwood pieces, color them, and hang on the longer side of the tringle. Done!
Driftwood Slice Name Keychains
This keychain craft uses small driftwood slices as the base and with just some paint and a marker you can make simple name keychains. The tutorial also shows how to seal the finished piece with Mod Podge for durability, and notes these work well as party favors or gifts.
DIY Painted Driftwood Hanger
With just some basic supplies and a piece of driftwood you can build a functional wall piece that looks genuinely designed rather than DIY. And it does hold items!
DIY Boho Jewelry Holder
This boho jewelry holder is a natural driftwood project that takes under 30 minutes and uses no paint, keeping the wood completely natural. Great for minimalist, nature-inspired interiors.
Driftwood Mobile
If you want your nursery to have a nature-inspired vibe and you love upcycling and beach theme, you can assemble a simple hanging mobile with driftwood and/or shells.
Get a string, make holes in the wood, assemble, and hang.
Driftwood Ikebanas
The simplest use of a driftwood stick you found on the beach is to arrange it with flowers in a bouquet for your living room, or in a whole ikebana if you are interested in this Japanese form of art.
It would work amazing with some moss, too.
Driftwood Frame
Simple, rustic frame made of driftwood will work for an artwork or mirror! First, place them to make sure the composition is balanced and all pieces fit together, then glue and let it dry horizontally before hanging.
Masha Eretnova, born in 1991, is a Chiang Mai-based certified teacher, artist, and blogger 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.