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Keeping kids entertained is never a simple task – even at the beach.

So before heading out to the sun and sand this summer, pay a visit to your local arts-and-crafts store for some craft glue, plaster of Paris, candlewicks, frames, string, or anything else your chosen beach-themed craft calls for.

Then, once at the beach, send your children on a search for seashells, twigs, rocks, seaweed, etc.,  and have them collect some buckets of sand while they’re at it.

The following are some beach crafts suitable for children even as young as five.

Sand Casting
Children can create a hangable sculpture of sand, sticks, seashells, and other beach treasures using a disposable container for a mold and plaster of Paris.

Materials:
Shallow containers (think shoeboxes, egg carton lids or old bowls)
Stick for stirring (think paint stirrers or old wooden spoons)
Coffee can or other disposable container
Plaster of Paris
Water
Collection of stones, twigs and sand
Paper clip or wire

What to do:
Fill mold (your shallow container) with sand.
Make patterns in the sand with your hand or a stick; place other items like stones and seashells into the sand.
Mix the plaster of Paris in the coffee can or other disposable container. Work fast as it hardens quickly.
Pour one to two inches of plaster into the mold. Insert the paper clip or wire where you want the top to be to hang it later.
Let the plaster harden for approximately 30 minutes.
Lift the hardened plaster out of the coffee can and hang up the creation.
Read more at: kidscrafts.suite101.com

Seashell Mobile
With just twigs, seashells, some glue, and string, help your child create their own seashell mobile that will bring some beach beauty to their room.

Materials:
Shells or other beach findings
String
Two pieces of twig or branch about one inch in length
Glue

What to do:
Use string to make twigs into an x-shape.
Glue shells onto varied lengths of string and let dry.
Tie strings to all four corners of twigs, and at various places on the twigs if desired.
Hang to enjoy.
Read more at: crafts.kaboose.com

Seashell Napkin and Utensil Holders
Create beach-themed napkin and utensil holders, garnished with seashells and sand. Perfect for a summertime picnic or backyard barbecue with the family.

Materials:
Clean, dry, pint-sized container to hold napkins
Clean, dry, quart-sized container to hold plastic utensils
Sand
Seashells
Tacky glue
Low-temp glue gun

What to do:
Spread a thin layer of tacky glue around the bottom half of each food container.
Roll containers in sand and shake excess off. Let dry.
Hot glue lid to the bottom of each container so there is a small rim around the bottom.
Hot glue seashells around lid.
Read more at: makingfriends.com

Everlasting Sandcastle Sculpture
No need to worry about your children being saddened as the waves ruin their sandcastle creations. Help them create permanent sandcastles with this simple mixture of sand, cornstarch and water.

Materials:
Approximately three cups of sand
1 ½ cups of cornstarch
1 ½ cups of water
Newspaper
Old cooking pot
Large spoon

What to do:
Mix sand, cornstarch and water in the pot.
Cook the mixture over low heat, stirring constantly.
Take off the stove to cool once mixture thickens.
Once cool, use the spoon to scoop the mixture onto the newspaper.
Mold the mixture into a permanent sandcastle –or make a sculpture in any shape.
Read more at: crafts.kaboose.com

Sand Candles
You and your child can mold your own candles in all shapes and sizes, using just a bucket of sand, some candle wax, a wick, and your child’s collection of beach treasures.

Materials:
Candle wax
Seashells
Wick
Bucket of sand
Double burner
Stick

What to do:
Wet the sand in the bucket and stir for an even consistency.
Scoop a hole in the sand in whatever candle size you desire.
Flatten the bottom of this hole to give the candle a base.
Push the wick into the middle of the hole and tie the other end to a stick that will rest across the top of the bucket.
Push seashells into the side of the sand.
Melt wax in a double burner. (You can boil a pot of water and put wax in a coffee or soup can that is inserted into the pot of water.)
Pour wax into the hole in the sand and let harden overnight.
Lift wax out of sand.
Read more at: makingfriends.com

Seashell Picture Frame
Your child can frame her favorite moment from a day at the beach using a Lucite frame, sand, seashells, and glue.

Materials:
Lucite frame
Sand
Seashells
Craft glue

What to do:
Spread glue around the edge of Lucite frame.
Sprinkle sand around the edge to cover the glue and shake off excess.
Glue seashells along the bottom of the frame.
Read more at: makingfriends.com

Clamshell Garden
Teach your children how to care for their own living plants by planting seeds in beach clamshells.

Materials:
Clam half-shell
Craft glue
Sand
Small pebbles
Moss
Potting soil
Seeds (think grass, alfalfa, clover, mustard seed, radish, or rye)

What to do:
Sprinkle small pebbles along the bottom of the clamshell.
Sprinkle a half inch of potting soil and spread moss on top.
Dampen and sprinkle seeds on top of soil and moss.
Layer more soil over seeds and moss.
Water lightly and keep in a dark place until the seeds begin to sprout. Then move to a sunny spot.
Read more at: tlc.howstuffworks.com

Beach in a Bottle
Bottle your child’s memories – literally! – by recycling an old water or soda bottle and filling it with sand, twigs, pebbles, and other beach findings.

Materials:
Clear soda or water bottle with lid
Sand
Collection of seashells, pebbles, twigs, and any other beach find small enough to fit in the bottle
Small kitchen funnel
Craft glue or hot glue gun

What to do:
Clean the soda or water bottle and remove the label.
Place the end of the funnel into the bottle and fill about one-third with sand.
Start adding items from your beach collection into the bottle.
Once complete, spread glue around the neck of the bottle and replace the cap tightly.
Shake it up for some change in scenery.
Read more at: familycrafts.about.com

Sand Footprints
Capture your child’s footprints by molding them in the sand with plaster of Paris. Consider making this a summer tradition and watch as they grow from year to year.

Materials:
Plaster of Paris
Small bucket
Fresh water
Four-inch lengths of string (optional)

What to do:
Find a place to cast your molds; moist sand near the water’s edge works best.
Press both feet into the sand firmly, about one to two inches deep.
Mix plaster of Paris according to directions.
Pour the wet plaster into the footprints.
If you want your footprints to be hung, tie a knot half an inch from each end of your string. Push the knotted ends into the plaster and let dry.
After approximately 25 minutes, dig the footprints out of the molds and set sole-side-up in the sun for another hour to harden.
Read more at: familyfun.go.com