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beach

11 Awesome Beach Theme STEM Activities | Quick Sunscreen Painting Experiment

June 8, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Beach theme STEM activities are a wonderful way to bring some learning into a fun experience. Seashore Beach Watching Unit Study and Seashore Lapbook.

As a homeschool mom you know that learning can take place anytime, anywhere, even on the beach.

There are many ways to learn during a simple trip to the beach, even just through observation.

11 Awesome Beach Theme STEM Activities | Quick Sunscreen Painting Experiment

Your child will take in and process so much information.

However, there are still many ways to be more intentional about the learning.

I have an easy and quick sunscreen painting experiment.

You need two simple items.

This will demonstrate a simple concept on the sun’s harmful rays.

And what we can do to protect ourselves when we are at the beach.

From edible beach treats that incorporate math to learning all about shark vocabulary I have gathered up plenty of awesome beach theme stem activities.

These activities make your surf and sand theme unit study full and fun.

Beach and Ocean Books for Kids

First, look at some of these books about beaches and oceans.

Add them to your home library.

16 Ocean Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Choose a few of these ocean themed books to go along with your study of the Oceans. Whether you're looking for a spine for a unit study or literature, you'll love this roundup.

The Burgess Seashore Book for Children in color

Join Danny Meadow Mouse, Jimmy Skunk, and Reddy Fox as they explore the seashore and take a closer look at the habits and habitats of the creatures they find. Discover the Seahorse, Shrimp, Crab, Anemone, Gull, and so many more.

The Burgess Seashore Book for Children is a wonderful way to introduce young ones to the fascinating world beneath us and is a perfect compliment to earlier books in this series, the Bird, Animal, and Flower books.

This edition is complete and unabridged with all of the beautiful illustrations by W.H. Southwick and George Sutton

Seaside Naturalist: Seaside Naturalist

Seaside Naturalist is an illustrated guide to marine plants and animals includes the characteristics of protozoa, arthropods, sponges, mollusks, reptiles, birds, fish, and mammals.

The Big Book of the Blue (The Big Book Series)

The book opens by explaining how different types of animals are able to breathe and survive underwater, and the different families to which they belong. Subsequent pages are dedicated to specific creatures, including sea turtles, whales, sharks, stingrays, and seahorses, and show varied life in specific habitats, such as a coral reef or deep sea bed. The Big Book of the Blue also explores the underwater world thematically, looking at animals in danger, learning how to spot creatures at the beach, and discovering how to do our part to save sea life. Beautiful and filled with fascinating facts, young, curious readers won’t be able to tear their eyes away from the page.

Scott O'Dell Set: Island of the Blue Dolphins + Zia

Island of the Blue Dolphins begins with a young girl named Karana who is living on the Island of the Blue Dolphins (fancy name, right?) with her younger brother, Ramo, and sister, Ulape. One day, a group of Russian hunters (Aleutians) land on the island to hunt for otter. This is when the trouble really begins.

Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau (Underwater Picture Book for Kids)

Once upon a time in France, a baby was born under the summer sun. His parents named him Jacques. As he grew, Jacques fell in love with the sea. He dreamed of breathing beneath the waves and swimming as gracefully as a fish. In fact, he longed to become a manfish. Jacques Cousteau grew up to become a champion of the seas and one of the best-known oceanographers in the world. In this lovely biography, now in paperback, poetic text and gorgeous paintings come together to create a portrait of Cousteau that is as magical as it is inspiring.

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas (Illustrated 1875 Edition):

A beautiful edition with 110 images from the 1875 English edition. Use Amazon's Look inside feature to compare this edition with others. You'll be impressed by the differences. Don't be fooled by other versions that have no illustrations or contain very small print. Reading our edition will make you feel that you are traveling the seas with Captain Nemo himself.

Swiss Family Robinson (Illustrated Classic): 200th Anniversary Collection

More than 100 original illustrations by Louis Rhead. You want to read this book with illustrations.

An introduction by W. D. Howells.

Nicely formatted text in an easy-to-read font.

A beautiful cover from the 1891 edition.

Ocean: A Visual Encyclopedia

Embark on a captivating tour of the waters that cover 70 percent of our planet! See our oceans come to life in mind-blowing detail. This is the ultimate children’s visual encyclopedia about the awe-inspiring blue planet! 

Secrets of the Sea: The Story of Jeanne Power, Revolutionary Marine Scientist

How did a nineteenth-century dressmaker revolutionize science? Jeanne Power was creative: she wanted to learn about the creatures that swim beneath the ocean waves, so she built glass tanks and changed the way we study underwater life forever. Jeanne Power was groundbreaking: she solved mysteries of sea animals and published her findings at a time when few of women’s contributions to science were acknowledged. Jeanne Power was persistent: when records of her research were lost, she set to work repeating her studies. And when men tried to take credit for her achievements, she stood firm and insisted on the recognition due to her.

Ocean Anatomy: The Curious Parts & Pieces of the World under the Sea

Follow Rothman’s inquisitive mind and perceptive eye along shorelines, across the open ocean, and below the waves for an artistic exploration of the watery universe. Through her drawings, discover how the world’s oceans formed, why the sea is salty, and the forces behind oceanic phenomena such as rogue waves. Colorful anatomical profiles of sea creatures from crustacean to cetacean, surveys of seafaring vessels and lighthouses, and the impact of plastic and warming water temperatures are just part of this compendium of curiosities that will entertain and educate readers of all ages. 

The Fascinating Ocean Book for Kids: 500 Incredible Facts!

Do you know a kid who’s captivated by what goes on beneath the ocean’s surface? This amazing entry into ocean books for kids is packed with hundreds of incredible facts for hours of underwater exploration. Pages of full-color pictures feature life in and around the sea including fish, dolphins, and shipwrecks!

All About Bioluminescence: Deep Sea Animals

Dive into the mesmerizing world of bioluminescence with "All About Bioluminescence." In this captivating book, readers embark on a journey through the depths of the ocean to discover the extraordinary glow-in-the-dark creatures that inhabit its mysterious realm. From the enchanting sea angel to the infamous anglerfish, each page is filled with stunning illustrations and fascinating facts about these luminous beings.With a focus on deep-sea dwellers, readers will uncover the secrets behind bioluminescence and learn how these creatures use light to communicate, camouflage, and lure prey. But the adventure doesn't stop there! "All About Bioluminescence" also includes hands-on activities like a glow stick experiment, allowing readers to experience the magic of bioluminescence firsthand.

Treasure Island (Dover Thrift Editions: Classic Novels)

One of the most enduringly popular adventure tales, Treasure Island began in 1881 as a serialized adventure entitled "The Sea-Cook"in the periodical Young Folks. Completed during a stay at Davos, Switzerland, where Stevenson had gone for his health, it was published in 1883 in the form we know today.Set in the eighteenth century, Treasure Island spins a heady tale of piracy, a mysterious treasure map, and a host of sinister characters charged with diabolical intentions. Seen through the eyes of Jim Hawkins, the cabin boy of the Hispaniola, the action-packed adventure tells of a perilous sea journey across the Spanish Main, a mutiny led by the infamous Long John Silver, and a lethal scramble for buried treasure on an exotic isle.

Oceans and Seas!: With 25 Science Projects for Kids

In Oceans and Seas! With 25 Science Projects for Kids readers ages 7 though 10 dive into the underwater world of some of the most amazing landscapes on Earth. On this amazing underwater adventure, kids experience the ocean’s tropical reefs and spot crabs, sea sponges, and thousands of kinds of fish darting in its crags and folds. They’ll meet a giant squid with eyes the size of dinner plates and an mbrella-like bioluminescent jellyfish.

Discover the Oceans: The World's Largest Ecosystem (Discover Your World)

From both a historical and scientific point of view, above and below the surface, this engaging guide brings the world’s oceans to life through fun facts, illustrations, and in-depth information. Interactive activities appear throughout, ranging from making solar stills and simple fishing spears to experimenting with a homemade diving bell and figuring out how much water it really takes to survive. With the oceans being the least explored environment on Earth, this reference illuminates some of the most incredible and surprising plants and animals as well as how to survive and navigate these vast expanses.

Pagoo

An intricate study of tide pool life is presented in text and pictures through the story of Pagoo, a her-mit crab.

Next, look at these hands-on beach activities.

11 Awesome Beach Theme STEM Activities

  1. Cooking definitely falls under STEM by covering science and math, Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe.
  2. Check out this awesome Epic Sand Volcano for some explosive beach STEM fun.
  3. At home, create your own beach model (or diorama) to demonstrate the creatures that make their home in and near the water.
  4. Bring a little of the beach home and have fun Comparing Beach Sand Under The Microscope in the comfort of your living room.
  5. Practice addition, subtraction, and multiplication using seashells as manipulatives, carry them home with you to continue the beach themed math.
  6. Explore the reaction between seashells and vinegar in the Seashell Acid Base Experiment to see what happens.
  7. Find seashells and shark teeth, take along an identification guide and see how many you can name. A waterproof folding book is perfect to toss in your bag.
  8. How to Create a Hands-on Fun Shark Vocabulary Anatomy Activity.
  9. I love a good lapbook as you know and my Seashore Beach Watching Unit Study and Seashore Lapbook is a great way to learn more about everything from the strand line to zones of the ocean and more.
  10. See what causes beaches to erode with the Beach Erosion Project.
  11. Make a sundial with a stick placed in the sand and observe how far the shadows distance moves each hour.
11 Awesome Beach Theme STEM Activities | Quick Sunscreen Painting Experiment

Next read about the science behind sunscreen.

The Science Behind Sunscreen

Before you begin your sunscreen painting, talk about why we use sunscreen and how it protects us.

When we go to the beach or outside and use sunscreen it creates a protective barrier on our skin that blocks most of the sun’s UV rays.

And keeps us from getting a sunburn.

Some of the ingredients in sunscreen reflect the sun’s rays and some absorb the sun’s rays before they can reach our skin.

Recreating a similar effect on paper quickly and easily demonstrates for children how sunblock works in relation to the sun’s UV rays.

For older children you can take it a step further by using different brands or levels of SPF in the sunscreens to see if there is a difference in the papers.

Have your child make a hypothesis as to which brand or number will do the best job.

Check the paper after an hour, two, four, etc. to see if there is a difference in the paper color where there is no sunscreen.

Quick Sunscreen Painting Experiment

Instead of colorful paint this activity kids will be painting with just one color that becomes see through as it dries but it is no less fun and intriguing to your little sun lover.

You will need:

  • Black construction paper
  • Sunscreen
  • Paintbrushes
  • Paper plate
11 Awesome Beach Theme STEM Activities | Quick Sunscreen Painting Experiment

Squirt some sunscreen on a plate and offer your child a couple different sizes of paintbrush.

Place black or dark blue colored paper on the ground, weighing the corners down with stones or something so they don’t blow away.

11 Awesome Beach Theme STEM Activities | Quick Sunscreen Painting Experiment

Encourage your child to paint a scene on the paper, while leaving a good portion of it unpainted so that they can see the obvious color difference later.

11 Awesome Beach Theme STEM Activities | Quick Sunscreen Painting Experiment

Lay the sunscreen painted images out in the full sun with something to weigh them down.

11 Awesome Beach Theme STEM Activities | Quick Sunscreen Painting Experiment

Let them sit for several hours, at least 3-4.

Bring them inside and notice the difference, see how the painted areas are still dark while everything unpainted has faded quite noticeably?

Just like sunscreen protects your skin from the sun’s UV rays it keeps the paper protected and reduces the effects of the sun (color fades in this instance).

The UV rays break down the chemicals in the paper and fade the color.

11 Awesome Beach Theme STEM Activities | Quick Sunscreen Painting Experiment

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: beach, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, ocean, science

How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

May 23, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We’re making edible beach sand and shells. Also, you’ll love more ideas on my Oceans Unit Study and Lapbook and free Seashore Watching Unit Study and Beach Lapbook.

It’s a fun snack that is a great way to end or even begin a beach unit.

It is almost as fun to make it as it is to eat it, but not quite.

You can do this project just for a fun beach theme.

How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

Also, it makes a great starter for discussions on different colors of ocean water, the different colors and types of sand and what creates that sand.

In addition, you can learn about all the different varieties of seashells.

If you are lucky enough to live near a beach, you can incorporate a field trip to study beach sand up close.

Sigh, it’s a tough job but someone must do it.

Next, look at some of these books about the beach and ocean.

Books About the Beach and Ocean

16 Ocean Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Choose a few of these ocean themed books to go along with your study of the Oceans. Whether you're looking for a spine for a unit study or literature, you'll love this roundup.

The Burgess Seashore Book for Children in color

Join Danny Meadow Mouse, Jimmy Skunk, and Reddy Fox as they explore the seashore and take a closer look at the habits and habitats of the creatures they find. Discover the Seahorse, Shrimp, Crab, Anemone, Gull, and so many more.

The Burgess Seashore Book for Children is a wonderful way to introduce young ones to the fascinating world beneath us and is a perfect compliment to earlier books in this series, the Bird, Animal, and Flower books.

This edition is complete and unabridged with all of the beautiful illustrations by W.H. Southwick and George Sutton

Seaside Naturalist: Seaside Naturalist

Seaside Naturalist is an illustrated guide to marine plants and animals includes the characteristics of protozoa, arthropods, sponges, mollusks, reptiles, birds, fish, and mammals.

The Big Book of the Blue (The Big Book Series)

The book opens by explaining how different types of animals are able to breathe and survive underwater, and the different families to which they belong. Subsequent pages are dedicated to specific creatures, including sea turtles, whales, sharks, stingrays, and seahorses, and show varied life in specific habitats, such as a coral reef or deep sea bed. The Big Book of the Blue also explores the underwater world thematically, looking at animals in danger, learning how to spot creatures at the beach, and discovering how to do our part to save sea life. Beautiful and filled with fascinating facts, young, curious readers won’t be able to tear their eyes away from the page.

Scott O'Dell Set: Island of the Blue Dolphins + Zia

Island of the Blue Dolphins begins with a young girl named Karana who is living on the Island of the Blue Dolphins (fancy name, right?) with her younger brother, Ramo, and sister, Ulape. One day, a group of Russian hunters (Aleutians) land on the island to hunt for otter. This is when the trouble really begins.

Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau (Underwater Picture Book for Kids)

Once upon a time in France, a baby was born under the summer sun. His parents named him Jacques. As he grew, Jacques fell in love with the sea. He dreamed of breathing beneath the waves and swimming as gracefully as a fish. In fact, he longed to become a manfish. Jacques Cousteau grew up to become a champion of the seas and one of the best-known oceanographers in the world. In this lovely biography, now in paperback, poetic text and gorgeous paintings come together to create a portrait of Cousteau that is as magical as it is inspiring.

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas (Illustrated 1875 Edition):

A beautiful edition with 110 images from the 1875 English edition. Use Amazon's Look inside feature to compare this edition with others. You'll be impressed by the differences. Don't be fooled by other versions that have no illustrations or contain very small print. Reading our edition will make you feel that you are traveling the seas with Captain Nemo himself.

Swiss Family Robinson (Illustrated Classic): 200th Anniversary Collection

More than 100 original illustrations by Louis Rhead. You want to read this book with illustrations.

An introduction by W. D. Howells.

Nicely formatted text in an easy-to-read font.

A beautiful cover from the 1891 edition.

Ocean: A Visual Encyclopedia

Embark on a captivating tour of the waters that cover 70 percent of our planet! See our oceans come to life in mind-blowing detail. This is the ultimate children’s visual encyclopedia about the awe-inspiring blue planet! 

Secrets of the Sea: The Story of Jeanne Power, Revolutionary Marine Scientist

How did a nineteenth-century dressmaker revolutionize science? Jeanne Power was creative: she wanted to learn about the creatures that swim beneath the ocean waves, so she built glass tanks and changed the way we study underwater life forever. Jeanne Power was groundbreaking: she solved mysteries of sea animals and published her findings at a time when few of women’s contributions to science were acknowledged. Jeanne Power was persistent: when records of her research were lost, she set to work repeating her studies. And when men tried to take credit for her achievements, she stood firm and insisted on the recognition due to her.

Ocean Anatomy: The Curious Parts & Pieces of the World under the Sea

Follow Rothman’s inquisitive mind and perceptive eye along shorelines, across the open ocean, and below the waves for an artistic exploration of the watery universe. Through her drawings, discover how the world’s oceans formed, why the sea is salty, and the forces behind oceanic phenomena such as rogue waves. Colorful anatomical profiles of sea creatures from crustacean to cetacean, surveys of seafaring vessels and lighthouses, and the impact of plastic and warming water temperatures are just part of this compendium of curiosities that will entertain and educate readers of all ages. 

The Fascinating Ocean Book for Kids: 500 Incredible Facts!

Do you know a kid who’s captivated by what goes on beneath the ocean’s surface? This amazing entry into ocean books for kids is packed with hundreds of incredible facts for hours of underwater exploration. Pages of full-color pictures feature life in and around the sea including fish, dolphins, and shipwrecks!

All About Bioluminescence: Deep Sea Animals

Dive into the mesmerizing world of bioluminescence with "All About Bioluminescence." In this captivating book, readers embark on a journey through the depths of the ocean to discover the extraordinary glow-in-the-dark creatures that inhabit its mysterious realm. From the enchanting sea angel to the infamous anglerfish, each page is filled with stunning illustrations and fascinating facts about these luminous beings.With a focus on deep-sea dwellers, readers will uncover the secrets behind bioluminescence and learn how these creatures use light to communicate, camouflage, and lure prey. But the adventure doesn't stop there! "All About Bioluminescence" also includes hands-on activities like a glow stick experiment, allowing readers to experience the magic of bioluminescence firsthand.

Treasure Island (Dover Thrift Editions: Classic Novels)

One of the most enduringly popular adventure tales, Treasure Island began in 1881 as a serialized adventure entitled "The Sea-Cook"in the periodical Young Folks. Completed during a stay at Davos, Switzerland, where Stevenson had gone for his health, it was published in 1883 in the form we know today.Set in the eighteenth century, Treasure Island spins a heady tale of piracy, a mysterious treasure map, and a host of sinister characters charged with diabolical intentions. Seen through the eyes of Jim Hawkins, the cabin boy of the Hispaniola, the action-packed adventure tells of a perilous sea journey across the Spanish Main, a mutiny led by the infamous Long John Silver, and a lethal scramble for buried treasure on an exotic isle.

Oceans and Seas!: With 25 Science Projects for Kids

In Oceans and Seas! With 25 Science Projects for Kids readers ages 7 though 10 dive into the underwater world of some of the most amazing landscapes on Earth. On this amazing underwater adventure, kids experience the ocean’s tropical reefs and spot crabs, sea sponges, and thousands of kinds of fish darting in its crags and folds. They’ll meet a giant squid with eyes the size of dinner plates and an mbrella-like bioluminescent jellyfish.

Discover the Oceans: The World's Largest Ecosystem (Discover Your World)

From both a historical and scientific point of view, above and below the surface, this engaging guide brings the world’s oceans to life through fun facts, illustrations, and in-depth information. Interactive activities appear throughout, ranging from making solar stills and simple fishing spears to experimenting with a homemade diving bell and figuring out how much water it really takes to survive. With the oceans being the least explored environment on Earth, this reference illuminates some of the most incredible and surprising plants and animals as well as how to survive and navigate these vast expanses.

Pagoo

An intricate study of tide pool life is presented in text and pictures through the story of Pagoo, a her-mit crab.

Next, look at these facts about beach sand.

Colors of Ocean Water

Because most white pudding still has a yellow tint it is going to make your ocean more green than blue.

This is a great opportunity to understand why oceans run the gamut from blue to green and all shades in between.

  • The oceans are often blue because water absorbs those colors in the red part of the light spectrum. Much as a filter does this leaves behind colors in the blue part of the light spectrum for us to see, showing them as light to brilliant shades of jewel blue.
  • Some oceans appear greener due to the presence of algae and plant life. Photosynthetic organisms contain chlorophyll which looks green. Depending on the type of phytoplankton the ocean may look anywhere from blue green to emerald green.

Also, look at these facts about beach sand.

5 Fascinating Facts about Beach Sand 

  1. Sand is often made from silica but is not a single mineral, rather it is made up of multiple minerals like quartz, feldspar, mica, magnetite, etc. This composition of minerals varies with the region that it is found in.
  2. Sand comes in a rainbow of colors. The variety of colors is because of the composition of minerals and ph levels with other components. Black sand is rich in volcanic ash, white is full of quartz, pink is due to the single-celled organisms called foraminifera.
  3. It takes thousands of years for a single grain of sand to form as larger minerals like quartz go through decomposition and erosion into small fragments.
  4. The Sand Sea, located in the heart of the rich Sahara Desert, is the oldest desert in the world.
  5. The World’s Tallest Sandcastle was Made in Germany and stood almost 70 feet tall.
How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

Next, look at these other beach activities.

Hands-on Beach, Ocean and Sea Shells Activities

  • 5 Tide Pool Facts and Create An Edible Tide Pool Diorama Ideas
  • How do Fish Breathe Underwater Fun Activity & Animal Science Homeschool Curriculum
  • 22 Hands-on Fun Ocean Sea Shell Activities For Teens
  • Celebrate World Reef Day with a Blow Painting Coral Reef Hands-On Activity
  • 10 Edible Beach Crafts For Teens and Make Edible Beach Glass
  • How to Dissolve a Seashell – Beach Hands-on Fun Activity
  • Oceans Unit Study and Lapbook
  • Edible Ocean Layers
  • Egg to Sea Turtle Lesson Plans & Lapbook
  • Quick Unit Study & Easy Salt water Density Ocean Science Experiment
How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

Finally, look at how to make your own edible beach sand and shells.

How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells

You will need:

  • White melting chocolate
  • Seashell silicone mold
  • One package of graham crackers
  • Vanilla pudding
  • Blue raspberry drink packet
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • Food coloring – optional
  • Small paintbrush
How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

First, prepare pudding according to package directions and then stir in as much or little flavoring/color you like.

Now, even though the vanilla pudding is white it does have a bit of a yellow tint to it so when you add the blue, it’s going to turn it a pretty green/teal.

How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

It’s just another discussion on how bodies of water are colored differently and why.

Remember that mistakes or near misses are just great opportunities for discussion.

This gave us an intro to talk about how the ocean water in different parts of the world are very different colors.

Place pudding in the refrigerator to set.

Add graham crackers and brown sugar to either a powerful blender or a food processor.

How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

Pulse until very fine, like beach sand then set aside.

How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

Finally, on to the seashells- you can leave them white or you can buy various colors of chocolate melts, we decided to give them a little bit of color by brushing a small amount of food coloring onto the mold.

How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

Next place your desired amount of melted chocolate in a microwave safe container and heat for one minute ,stir, and then heat in 30 second increments each time until it is completely melted.

How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

Carefully spoon melted chocolate into the seashell molds. You can pop it in the refrigerator if you like to harden it quicker.

How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

Carefully remove each from the mold.

How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

Now all that’s left is assembling your edible beach, grab a shallow bowl and spoon half of your ocean water/pudding on it.

 Sprinkle your graham cracker mixture on the other half for beach sand, slightly overlapping area and then with your edible seashells.

How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: beach, earth science, earthscience, edible, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, life science, ocean, science, sea shells

22 Hands-on Fun Ocean Sea Shell Activities For Teens

June 22, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have 22 fun ocean sea shell activities for teens. Also, you’ll love more ideas on my pages Oceans, Homeschool Middle School and How to Homeschool High School.

There seems to always be a lot of fun ocean seashell crafts for the younger kids but not so much for older kids and especially teens.

I found a great list of crafts that are fun and more challenging.

From tinkling wind chimes to elegant artwork there are plenty of choices here to use for fun craft projects that will brighten up their room or have a special place on the mantle

22 Hands-on Fun Ocean Sea Shell Activities For Teens

Before we get into the more creative stuff, let’s answer a couple of important questions about these beautiful beach treasures.

You can ask your teen and have him research the answers on their own or read to them about shells while they work on a craft.

And yes, teens still liked to be read to.

What Is A Sea Shell?

A seashell is a mollusk’s abandoned exoskeleton.

It was their protection, home, and a place for their muscle to attach to. 

While ocean sea shells seem to come in an endless variety of shapes, they’re all really versions of the same fundamental pattern – a spiral.

How Are Seashells Made?

During their daily life mollusks draw in salts and chemicals from the water around them.

As they process the materials, they secrete the calcium carbonate, which hardens on the outside of their bodies and begins to form the hard outer shell.

 As they continue excreting the calcium carbonate the surface grows and grows.

What Kind Of Creatures Live In Seashells?

  1. Clams
  2. oysters
  3. scallops
  4. and sea snails to name some.
22 Hands-on Fun Ocean Sea Shell Activities For Teens

If you don’t already have seashells on hand from your beach trips, you can grab one of these mixed bags off Amazon to use.

Then, I thought this tutorial on How to drill a hole in a shell would come in handy for a lot of projects below.

More Summer Fun Ideas for Teens

Next, look at these other ideas for teens.

  • 20 Fun Summer Learning Activities And Make A Rock Sundial
  • 10 Sea Shell Activities for Kids and Make Crystal Sea Shells
  • How Do Sharks Float STEM Activity Free Shark Unit Study & Notebooking Pages
  • 10 Edible Beach Crafts For Teens and Make Edible Beach Glass
  • Fun Pineapple Candle For Fun Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers
  • Super Easy and Fun Aquarium Jar Craft For Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers
  • Fun Making Ocean Layers Soap | Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers
  • 11 Fun Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers
  • A to Z List: 100 Fun Summer Homeschool Unit Study Ideas
22 Hands-on Fun Ocean Sea Shell Activities For Teens

Finally, look at these 22 ocean sea shell activities for teens.

22 Ocean Sea Shell Activities

Nothing shouts in summer more than hitting the beach, learning about the ocean and doing some fun seashell activities.

Photo Credit: www.justmeasuringup.com

How to Make a Seashell Wall Hanging

Learn how to make an easy seashell wall hanging for your home using your shells from the beach.

Photo Credit: craftbits.com

Nail Polish Seashells

Decorating keepsake seashells with nail polish is a fun and creative way to add a personal touch to your collection of shells.

Photo Credit: tinasdynamichomeschoolplus.com

10 Sea Shell Activities for Kids and Make Crystal Sea Shells

I have 10 sea shell activities today. And your kids will love making these fun crystal sea shells. Grab more ideas on my Seashore Watching Unit Study and Beach Lapbook.

Photo Credit: onelittleproject.com

Glitter Sea Shell Picture Frame

This glitter sea shell picture frame is impossible to mess up and is perfect for adding a touch of summer decor to any room.

Photo Credit: www.pillarboxblue.com

A Fabulous And Unique Handmade Candles Gift Idea

The big shells look even more fabulous, spray painted and used as candles on the table.

Photo Credit: familyfocusblog.com

How To Make A Seashell Crown [With Photos]

This is a step-by-step tutorial for a DIY crown made with a glue gun and wire. 

Photo Credit: www.pictureboxblue.com

How To Make A Beautiful Decoupage Shell Dish

This is my latest craft tutorial a beautiful decoupage shell dish.

Photo Credit: www.artsychicksrule.com

DIY Seashell & Bead Wind Chime

Wind chimes just say summer breezes and hammock laying to me. I just love the sound. This DIY seashell & bead wind chime is a fun summertime activity for your kids or you.

Photo Credit: happilyeverafteretc.com

How to Make Ocean Wave Sea Shells with Resin

This little resin project is the perfect solution for those shells you brought home on your last beach vacation! 

Photo Credit: alphamom.com

Sea Shell Mosaics

We’ve been collecting shells and sea glass all summer so this was the perfect craft for us

Photo Credit: www.lovelyetc.com

Silver Leaf Shell Necklace

This DIY silver leaf seashell necklace is super easy to make and looks beautiful.  It makes the perfect souvenir from your beach trip or gift for a friend.

Photo Credit: www.marthastewart.com

Seashell Keychains

This summertime seashell craft is just the thing for you and the kids to do for an afternoon of fun. 

Photo Credit: www.thekeeperofthecheerios.com

Seashell Terracotta Pots

What a fun project.

Photo Credit: www.sprinkledwalls.com

EDIBLE SUGAR SEASHELLS

These edible sugar seashells are a perfect summertime dessert topper that looks as realistic as they are beautiful as a cake or cupcake topper. 

Photo Credit: asocalwayoflife.com

Shell Tic Tac Toe DIY Decor

Are you in the mood for a functional and fun home decor piece? 

Photo Credit: sweetteal.com

4 Starfish & Seashell DIY Hair Accessories

Summer is coming, summer is coming! What a perfect time to accessorize your hair with some DIY hair accessories using seashells and starfish.

Photo Credit: craft.ideas2live4.com

Adorable DIY Seashell Book: 4 Easy Steps - Craft projects for every fan!

This seashell book project is a perfect gift for your beach-loving friends!

Photo Credit: homelyhens.com

Turn Whelk Shells into Beautiful Succulent Planters

First, you go to the beach…then you make the pretty succulent planters. 

Photo Credit: www.marthastewart.com

How to Dye Seashells

Featuring a myriad of colors, dyed seashells are a great way to add some creativity to your summer.

Photo Credit: www.apieceofrainbow.com

Anthropologie Style DIY Oyster Shell Trinket Dish

Turn
an oyster shell into beautiful trinket dish, paper clip holder, catch all tray, jewelry dish & ring holder. Great handmade gift for mom, and anyone who loves unique home decor and crafts!

Photo Credit: www.findingsilverpennies.com

Painting Seashells (with watercolor)

I thought this would be a great painting project to share – highlighting some beach treasures.

Photo Credit: www.wethreeshanes.com

DIY Beach Memory Jar with Photo

Create your own DIY Beach Memory Jar with sand, shells, and a favorite picture from
your last beach trip and keep those fun summer memories alive!

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: beach, crafts, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, ocean, sea shells, teens

10 Sea Shell Activities for Kids and Make Crystal Sea Shells

May 11, 2023 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have 10 sea shell activities today. And your kids will love making these fun crystal sea shells. Grab more ideas on my Seashore Watching Unit Study and Beach Lapbook.

Sea shell activities are a fun way to explore one of your favorite parts of the beach.

If you find yourself with an abundance of sea shells from your beach visits or you just want to have some seashell-themed fun I have a fun learning activity.

 I have dug up 10 great sea shell activities and put together one of my own for you.

10 Sea Shell Activities for Kids and Make Crystal Sea Shells

You can observe and describe seashells, identify them with a favorite guide or reference book or use them for a multitude of crafts and activities.

I am sharing a tutorial today for how to make crystal seashells.

This is an activity that can be educational as well as pretty.

Your child can place these glittery shells alongside the plainer ones on your science shelf to remember the fun they had watching them grow crystals.

Gather up handfuls of your favorite seashells and let’s see what kind of fun and learning we can do with them.

10 Stupendous Sea Shell Facts

First, look at these facts about sea shells.

  1. A sea shell is a hard, protective outer layer usually created by an animal that lives in the sea.
  2. Mollusks can make their shells become different colors by eating a variety of colorful food. Eating red seaweed gives some sea animals a red shell.
  3. There is more to the pattern of the seashell than just being pretty. Scientists believe that mollusks use the patterns and colors as engineering blueprints. The design of the shells helps the animal know where to place their mantle, ensuring they grow its shell in the right spots.
  4. People used to use sea shells as currency, even as far back as Pompei.
  5. 90% of shells are dextral, meaning their shells open to the right.
  6. There are over 100,000 varieties of mollusks including snails, clams, mussels, scallops, oysters, and more.
  7. The official term for someone who collects shells is a “conchologist”.
  8. You can guess the age of shells, a scallop, for example, produces about a ridge per day. 
  9. The largest sea shell is the Australian Trumpet, weighing up to 40 lbs.
  10. Sea shells are an excellent source of calcium carbonate making them a great choice for adding calcium to your garden beds.
10 Sea Shell Activities for Kids and Make Crystal Sea Shells

10 Sea Shell Activities

Get your shell on with these fun and beachy-themed crafts and activities you can do with your sea shells.

  1. Sea Shell Sand Craft
  2. Sea Shell Necklaces
  3. How to Dye Rainbow Seashells
  4. Seashell Science and Math
  5. Storytelling Seashells
  6. Sea Shell Decorations
  7. Sea Shell Craft Project
  8. Ocean-Themed Playdough Invitation
  9. Glittery Seashells
  10. Sand Clay Handprint Keepsake with Seashells
10 Sea Shell Activities for Kids and Make Crystal Sea Shells

More Sea Shell Activities and Beach Resources

Also, look at more summertime and sea shell fun.

  • How to Dissolve a Seashell – Beach Hands-on Fun Activity
  • Humboldt Who? Hands On to Understand Ocean Currents & Their Effect On The Galapagos Islands
  • Edible Geography – Sea Levels
  • 10 Edible Beach Crafts For Teens and Make Edible Beach Glass
  • Super Easy and Fun Aquarium Jar Craft For Summer Activities
  •  Making Ocean Layers Soap | Summer Activities

In addition, look at these fun books.

4 Seashells Books for Kids

Add one or two of these books or resources to your unit study about sea shells.

What Lives in a Shell?

This clear and appealing book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom, is a fascinating exploration of the many creatures that make a home in a shell. This picture book features beautifully accurate illustrations of the many types of shells—inside and out! Young readers will love exploring the fascinating homes of creatures like hermit crabs, scallops, and turtles.

Fascinating Shells: An Introduction to 121 of the World’s Most Wonderful Mollusks

Beautiful photographs of stunning shells from London's Natural History Museum, home to one of the most significant and comprehensive collections in the world.Collected and treasured for their beauty, used in religious rituals, or even traded as currency, shells have fascinated humans for millennia. Ancient and enchanting, dazzling in form and variety, these beautiful objects come from mollusks, one of the most diverse groups in the animal kingdom, including snails, oysters, cuttlefish, and chitons. Soft-bodied, these creatures rely on shells for protection from enemies and their environments, from snowy mountains to arid deserts, in deep-sea hydrothermal vents and the jungles of the tropics, on rocky shores, and in coral reefs.

Seashells & Beachcombing for Kids: An Introduction to Beach Life of the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific Coasts

Ocean beaches capture our attention like few places on Earth—and for good reason. Two vastly different ecosystems merge here, attracting a wide variety of life forms. Become a young oceanographer. Learn all about beaches and the plants and animals found there. East Coast expert Erika Zambello and West Coast naturalist Stephanie Panlasigui present a kids’ introduction to beach life. The children’s book, ideal for early and middle-grade readers, conveys fascinating information for beginners.

Start by learning about beaches and their various habitats, as well as tips on beach safety, collecting etiquette, an

What A Shell Can Tell

Award-winning marine biologist Helen Scales introduces children to the wonders of shells (from seashells to land snails) through the art of observation. Using a friendly question-and-answer format, she explores, through a richly sensory experience, the incredible diversity of shells around the world and showcases the environments molluscs inhabit. From what a shell's shape, color, or texture can reveal about its inhabitant, to where shells are found (from the deepest seas to jungly treetops), with this book, readers can get up close with nature to observe its wonders.

Also, look at some of the science before we make this fun sea shell borax crystal.

Crystal Sea shell Science

Before we soak up the next activity let’s look at some of the science behind it.

First, it is important to know that hot water holds more borax crystals than cold or room temp. 

This is because the hot water molecules move far apart and make room for the borax crystals to dissolve.

You can extend this experiment by trying the same measurements of borax and water with different water temperatures.

As the solution cools down the saturated water molecules come back together and force the particles out of the solution.

They will then land on the nearest surface (sea shells) and then they will keep building up to form crystals.

Once dried you will really be able to see the unique crystal shapes, and how they build on different surfaces like the edges, ridges, cavities, etc/

You can purchase sea shells online or even at dollar tree but how much fun is it to use the ones you found on your last beach vacation?

10 Sea Shell Activities for Kids and Make Crystal Sea Shells

Finally, let’s make crystal sea shells.

How to Make Crystal Seashells

You will need:

  • Seashells
  • 4 cups hot water
  • ¼ to ½ cup borax
  • Shallow glass container
10 Sea Shell Activities for Kids and Make Crystal Sea Shells

Directions:

Heat the water in a microwave-safe container.

You can do it in a shallow glass container or a spouted glass measuring cup is perfect for pouring later in the activity.

The water doesn’t have to be boiling but you want it hot, as it is necessary to melt and absorb the borax crystals.

10 Sea Shell Activities for Kids and Make Crystal Sea Shells

Stir in the borax a few tablespoons at a time, adding more and more until it no longer dissolves.

This means the water is fully saturated.

10 Sea Shell Activities for Kids and Make Crystal Sea Shells

Place seashells in the bottom of a shallow glass dish and give a little space between each of them.

Lay them down upside down and right side up to observe what happens with the crystallization.

10 Sea Shell Activities for Kids and Make Crystal Sea Shells

Place the shallow dish in an area where they will not be disturbed.

Wait at least 24 hours before you check them for crystals.

Moving them around and removing them from the water will disturb the crystallization process.

Once they are done lay on a paper towel to dry.

Investigate your shells with a magnifying glass and a favorite resource book.

You can see here that the crystals started filling in the cavity of this conch.

10 Sea Shell Activities for Kids and Make Crystal Sea Shells

2 CommentsFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: beach, crafts, earth science, earthscience, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, ocean, science, sea shells, seashore, summer, summer activities, summer crafts, summerideas

10 Edible Beach Crafts For Teens and Make Edible Beach Glass

May 1, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

You’ll love these edible beach crafts for teens for fun summer learning. Also, look at my page Seashore Watching Unit Study and Beach Lapbook for more fun beach ideas.

Does your teen love to cook and craft?

If you are looking for a fun summer craft for a teen which is also edible, you’ll love the edible beach glass.

10 Edible Beach Crafts For Teens and Make Edible Beach Glass

This edible beach glass is adorable and delicious. It’s a great way to learn how beach glass is made.

Then there are the life skills cooking teaches, and some science and math worked into the simple recipe as well.

I also think it’s a great art project.

Whether the edible beach crafts are to be used as part of a unit study or for a fun summer-themed snack there are plenty of great ideas here.

So, include these excellent facts about beach glass.

5 Fun Facts About Beach Glass

  1. Beach glass is the debris left behind by broken bottles and jars which have been broken. The pieces are worn smooth, have a frosted appearance from the combination of the waves, and the sand wearing them down.
  2. There is a glass beach in Fort Bragg, California, but they don’t let you take souvenirs home with you.
  3. Beach glass is also known as sea glass, mermaid’s tears, and sea pearls.
  4. Common colors to find are clear, brown, green, and blue. Rarer to find are colors turquoise, yellow, and pink. Occasionally even red.
  5. Sea glass/beach glass can be found in many parts of the world. It is commonly found along the coasts of England and New England, North and South Carolina, Kauai Island in Hawaii, and California. There is also sea glass along the beaches of the Great Lakes, but it does look different than the glass found tossed about in the ocean.

5 MORE Facts about Beach Glass

  1. To age sea glass look at the tint- a light purple shade will be newer as manganese is added to the glass and turns purple with sun exposure, a green shade indicates that the glass is older.
  2. Sea glass is highly collectible and is used in jewelry, glass mosaics, wind chimes, to decorate frames or even just stored in a mason jar.
  3. It is much harder to find beach glass these days. More people are hunting for it on the beaches and many glass items packing items have now been replaced with plastic.  
  4. Due to more storms and the reshaping of the shoreline, the best time to find beach glass is spring.
  5. While often used interchangeably sea glass and beach glass are not the same thing. Sea glass is found on saltwater beaches, and beach glass on freshwater beaches.  The main difference in appearance is that the lakes aren’t as rough so there is not as much tumbling, making it less frosted and might even still have some shine to it.
10 Edible Beach Crafts For Teens and Make Edible Beach Glass

Too, look at these other edible beach crafts for teens.

10 Edible Beach Crafts for Teens

  1. Let them get creative with these Strawberry Sea Creature Snacks and see what they come up with.
  2. Delicious for a hot summer day- Ocean Blue Lemonade Popsicles. I have added these Shark Attack Cheesecakes to my must-make recipe list, don’t they look amazing?
  3. What a great art and cooking project this Edible Sugar Seashells and Sand recipe is.
  4. These sand dollar cookies are just too precious.
  5. Simple but these Beach Pudding Cups are a tasty and cute beach-themed treat.
  6. Pinchable cute Beach Crab Sandwiches look delicious.
  7. Learn how to Make a Sandcastle Cake.
  8. Semi-healthy and a fun theme- Beach Ball Fruit Pizza.
  9. I bet these Butterscotch Crunch Starfish are amazing.
  10. Make a Fun Edible Coral Reef

More Beach Crafts for Teens Activities

  • How to Dissolve a Seashell – Beach Hands-on Fun Activity
  • Oceans Unit Study and Lapbook
  • Edible Ocean Layers
  • Egg to Sea Turtle Lesson Plans & Lapbook
  • Quick Unit Study & Easy Salt water Density Ocean Science Experiment

Summer Crafts for Kids

Also, add some summer crafts to keep summer fun for teens.

  • Pineapple Candle For Fun Summer Activities
  • Super Easy and Fun Aquarium Jar Craft For Summer Activities
  •  Making Ocean Layers Soap | Summer Activities
  • 11 Fun Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers
  • A to Z List: 100 Fun Summer Homeschool Unit Study Ideas
  • How to Use Summertime to Put a Foot in Homeschooling

Grab a copy of Ocean Anatomy, not a heavy textbook, but rather a fun and beautifully illustrated flip-through full of great facts about the ocean and all that is in it.

10 Edible Beach Crafts For Teens and Make Edible Beach Glass

Finally, look how to make fun edible beach glass.

Beach Crafts For Teens Make Edible Beach Glass

I highly recommend using flavorings coconut, mango, and banana to add a little something extra to your edible beach glass but it is delicious with just the sugar flavor as well.

You will need:

  • 2 cups granulated white sugar
  • ¾ cup of water
  • ⅔ cup of light corn syrup
  • food coloring -blue and green
  • Flavoring oils – optional.
  • Candy thermometer
  • Silicone spatula
  • Medium baking pot
  • Baking mat
10 Edible Beach Crafts For Teens and Make Edible Beach Glass

Directions:

Clip your candy thermometer onto the side of a medium-sized pan so that it doesn’t quite touch the bottom.

Combine water, sugar, and corn syrup into the pot and stir together.

10 Edible Beach Crafts For Teens and Make Edible Beach Glass

Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the temperature on the candy thermometer reaches 300 degrees.

10 Edible Beach Crafts For Teens and Make Edible Beach Glass

At this point, you must work very quickly so be sure to have all your add-ins ready to go with the caps removed, heat-safe bowls, silicone mat, food coloring, and flavorings.

Carefully remove from the heat and divide ⅓ of the mixture into 2 heat-safe containers like these Pyrex measuring cups.

Quickly stir a bit of green and blue food coloring as well as a bit of the flavoring oil into two of your containers. Leave the third clear but feel free to add flavor.

10 Edible Beach Crafts For Teens and Make Edible Beach Glass

Pour the mixture from the pan and your containers onto your silicone mat quickly.

Beach Crafts

You don’t need to be neat just make a large blob shape. If it has started to set up, you can place the pan back on the heat for a minute or the glass cups into the microwave for 30 seconds to soften the mixture.

10 Edible Beach Crafts For Teens and Make Edible Beach Glass

Allow it to cool completely until hard, this should only take 10-15 minutes but you can pop it in the fridge to speed up the process a bit.

Transfer the hardened pieces to a zipper bag or cover them with waxed paper and hit them with a little mallet or against the counter to break them up into smaller pieces.

10 Edible Beach Crafts For Teens and Make Edible Beach Glass

Add pieces to a separate ziploc bag and add a few spoons of powdered sugar, shake to coat everything. This keeps them from sticking together and gives your beach glass the dull frosted appearance of real beach glass.

10 Edible Beach Crafts For Teens and Make Edible Beach Glass

Dust off excess powdered sugar.

Check out this side-by-side of real beach glass and edible beach glass, you can hardly tell the difference!

10 Edible Beach Crafts For Teens and Make Edible Beach Glass

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: beach, crafts, edible, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, ocean, summer, summer activities, summer crafts, summerideas, teens

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