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summer activities

How to Make Fun Watermelon Seed Slime For Summer Learning

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

Summer is rapidly coming to an end but there is plenty of time to enjoy this watermelon seed slime. You may also love my page Free Summer Unit Study for more ideas.

Watermelon is easily one of the most popular summer snacks and themes so there was no way I was skipping over the fun of this one.

How to Make Fun Watermelon Seed Slime For Summer Learning

Slime is a surefire hit with kids every time and this is a unique, borax-free slime recipe that they will love to stretch, squeeze, and watch it ooze.

August 3rd is National Watermelon Day,

if you enjoy celebrating the simple things as well as the big ones like I do then this is a great activity to do with your child before cooler weather takes over.

5 Watermelon Facts

  1. Watermelons are made up of 92% water and 8% sugar.
  2. You can eat the whole thing, not just the delicious red flesh but the rinds and seeds too!
  3. Watermelons can grow to epic sizes, the record is held by Christopher Kent from Sevierville, Tennessee, in 2013. This winner weighed in at 350.5 pounds.
  4. The famous writer Mark Twain loved watermelon; he called it the food of angels.
  5. The record for watermelon seed spitting was set in 1995 and was 75 feet 2 inches.

Encourage your child to research some fun facts about watermelon on their own, like how many varieties there are. (More than 1200)

What colors do watermelons come in? (red, light pink, yellow, orange, and white)

How long does it take to grow one (65-100 days)

Watermelon is a delicious treat that can be enjoyed on its own, with salt, and feta cheese, made into popsicles, infused into water, or in many other ways.

How to Make Fun Watermelon Seed Slime For Summer Learning

 Be sure to grab a watermelon to enjoy with your child for National Watermelon Day while you explore a few of these ideas below.

10 Watermelon Seed Ideas to Enjoy

  1. Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest– Kids love gross stuff like being given free rein and even encouraged to spit. They won’t even realize that they are learning about graphing and measurements at the same time.
  2. Sensory Watermelon Dough is a fabulous sensory activity that makes a great base for a sensory bin or a canvas for practicing letters and numbers.
  3. Watermelon Squish Bag is another great sensory activity that little hands love.
  4. The Watermelon Seed Popsicle Stick Watermelon Slices
  5. Watermelon Kiwi Pops I couldn’t gather up watermelon ideas without at least one tasty snack, these look so yummy.
  6. Q Tip Watermelon Seeds for a good fine motor activity for little hands working on those pre-writing skills.
  7. PomPom Painted Watermelon Craft is a simple low prep activity that only requires paper, paint, and pompoms.
  8. No Cook Watermelon Sensory Rice– Make this watermelon-themed sensory rice for a sensory bin or bottle. Hide letters and numbers in it for your child to find or count out the “seeds”.
  9. Watermelon Seed Math is a great way to practice simple math skills like counting or more challenging addition and subtraction problems.
  10. Watermelon Seed Slime- See below for instructions.
How to Make Fun Watermelon Seed Slime For Summer Learning

Finally, look how to make fun watermelon seed slime.

How to Make Watermelon Seed Slime

You could use watermelon seeds or black beans as the seeds in this slime but I wanted to avoid any real food additions to keep it from spoiling quicker from the moisture.

You will need:

  • 2-4 oz. bottles of school glue
  • 1 teaspoon of baking soda
  • 2-3 Tbsp. Contact eye solution
  • Red gel or liquid food coloring
  • Black craft foam
  • Watermelon scent-optional
How to Make Fun Watermelon Seed Slime For Summer Learning

First, pour your glue into a large bowl or measuring cup.

I buy mine by the gallon so I can easily measure out 8 oz. into a glass measuring cup but if you use 4 oz bottles you can just empty both into any bowl you like.

Mix in gel or liquid food coloring to get the shade you like.

How to Make Fun Watermelon Seed Slime For Summer Learning

Stir in scent if you are using any, a good essential oil is a fun way to add another sensory aspect to this activity.

How to Make Fun Watermelon Seed Slime For Summer Learning

Add the baking soda and be sure to mix it until smooth and completely combined.

How to Make Fun Watermelon Seed Slime For Summer Learning

Now, stir in your contact solution and mix until it begins to pull away from your container and is no longer sticky.

How to Make Fun Watermelon Seed Slime For Summer Learning

Watermelon Seed Slime

Cut little watermelon seed shapes from craft foam. 

How to Make Fun Watermelon Seed Slime For Summer Learning

Stir them into the mixture.

How to Make Fun Watermelon Seed Slime For Summer Learning

At this point, you can remove it and need it with your hands for a few minutes.

How to Make Fun Watermelon Seed Slime For Summer Learning

If you want to make a cute little jar for storing, take any jar you have with an airtight lid like a little pickle jar, mason jar, etc.… and paint the entire thing dark green on the outside.

Allow it to dry.

How to Make Fun Watermelon Seed Slime For Summer Learning

Paint lighter green squiggles over the dark green and allow it to dry.

You now have a cute little watermelon rind container to hold the watermelon in, a great idea for gifting too.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Your slime should keep a couple of weeks or more depending on how much it is used and how well it is stored.

How to Make Fun Watermelon Seed Slime For Summer Learning

1 CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: crafts, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, slime, summer activities, summer crafts, summerideas, watermelon

25 Summer Homeschool Ideas To Keep The Learning Spark Alive

June 24, 2023 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I’m sharing summer homeschool ideas to keep the learning spark burning. Also, grab more ideas on my pages The Dynamics of How to Homeschool Easily and Smarter and Free Summer Unit Study.

Even if you school year-round, most of us need a change during summer.

Whether you’re looking to add a few hands-on ideas, a summer unit study or a fun workbook, you’ll love these ideas.

25 Summer Homeschool Ideas To Keep The Learning Spark Alive

Also, summertime is a time to focus on those subjects like art, music, and maybe even science, which we would love to do more of.

Look at How to Incorporate Subjects into a Fun Homeschool Cooking Unit Study.

Summer Homeschool Ideas

As I mentioned summer can be a mix of fun and learning.

Look at some of these classes we love to do during summer.

  • It’s a great time to start learning music at home. Look at these self-paced Learn Music in our Homeschool courses. From 15 minutes lessons to 20th century music, there is something for all ages.
  • And language arts doesn’t have to be boring or if you’re like me and have an independent learner, these online self-paced courses from Literary Adventures for Kids have so many fun books to choose from.
  • Then if you’re looking for your kids to take formal but fun cooking lessons, do Kids Cook Real Food.

Then I’m not above a few fun workbooks especially when it’s hot outside.

  • But a summer workbook where all subjects are included allows opportunity for review and easy days.

11 Fun Summer Activities for Middle School

More Summer Homeschool Learning Activities

In addition, I have a few more ideas if you’re homeschooling multiple ages.

  • 20 Fun Summer Learning Activities And Make A Rock Sundial
  • A to Z List: 100 Fun Summer Homeschool Unit Study Ideas
  • 25 Summer Homeschool Ideas To Keep The Learning Spark Alive
  • 30+ Summer Activities for Middle School Kids
  • 11 Fun Summer Activities for Middle Schooler
  • How Do Sharks Float STEM Activity Free Shark Unit Study & Notebooking Pages
  • Fun Kids Hands-on Egg Carton Sea Turtle Life Cycle Activity
  • 10 Edible Beach Crafts For Teens and Make Edible Beach Glass
  • 11 Fun Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers

Finally, look at these fun summer learning ideas.

Summer Learning Ideas

Use one or two of these ideas to add to your summer learning program. Add a few hands-on projects to keep learning fun.

Photo Credit: tinasdynamichomeschoolplus.com

Fun Pineapple Candle

Squeeze in more fun summer activities for middle schoolers by making this fun pineapple candle. Plus, there is more to homeschool middle school than just academic subjects.

Photo Credit: www.steampoweredfamily.com

Sun Art – Cyanotype STEAM Project

Have a WOW moment with kids this summer making Sun Art using chemistry and sunlight to make cool art. This is a very inexpensive, easy project with lots of STEM lessons.

Photo Credit: www.whatdowedoallday.com

Summer Must-Do: Ice Cream in a Bag

Ice Cream in a bag is a delicious summer science experiment.

Photo Credit: tinasdynamichomeschoolplus.com

Fun Making Ocean Layers Soap | Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers

If you’re diving into a study on the ocean layers, doing summer activities for middle schoolers, or want to do an ocean unit study and ocean lapbook, our kids will love this ocean layers soap. Also, look at my page homeschool middle school for more fun tips.

Photo Credit: www.simpleeverydaymom.com

Jellyfish Name Craft For Kids [Editable Template]

This jellyfish name craft offers a delightful and engaging way for children to practice letter recognition and fine motor skills.

Photo Credit: www.whatdowedoallday.com

Build Vocabulary with a Summer Word Jar (Plus Tips and Ideas)

Boost your kids' vocabulary with a summer word jar

Photo Credit: tinasdynamichomeschoolplus.com

A to Z List: 100 Fun Summer Homeschool Unit Study Ideas

These summer unit study ideas will keep kids of all ages having fun learning with topics they will be eager to study. Summer is a perfect time to get in some relaxed themed learning with unit studies

Photo Credit: www.simpleeverydaymom.com

Octopus Cutting Activity Pages For Kids [Free Printable]

These octopus cutting activity pages provide an entertaining and educational way for kids to improve their fine motor skills. They have adorable octopus pictures that will keep little ones engaged while they practice their scissor skills.

Photo Credit: tinasdynamichomeschoolplus.com

20 Fun Summer Ideas for a Teen

I may have a bit more than 20 fun summer ideas for a teen, but having some ideas to help out during the summer when hormones boredom hits will hopefully keep you and your teen getting along.

Photo Credit: intheplayroom.co.uk

Decorate the Ice Cream Play Dough Mats

Set up your own ice cream shop pretend play with this fun printable playdough ice cream mat activity.

Photo Credit: intheplayroom.co.uk

Shadow Names Outdoor Summer Activity

https://intheplayroom.co.uk/shadow-names-outdoor-summer-activity/

Photo Credit: tinasdynamichomeschoolplus.com

Super Easy and Fun Aquarium Jar Craft For Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers

Your kids will love this fun aquarium jar craft for summer activities for middle schoolers. Whether you’re diving into a study about the oceans or doing a shark unit study, hands-on activities are the way to go. Also, look at my page homeschool middle school for more fun tips.

Photo Credit: barleyandbirch.com

Make An Adorable DIY Nature Explorer Kit (from a Shoebox!)

Turn a humble shoebox into an exciting DIY Nature Explorer Kit with your kids, sparking curiosity and fostering a love for the great outdoors right from your backyard

Photo Credit: lorenaylennox.com

FREE Summer Word Scramble Printable Worksheet in Spanish

In this activity challenge your students and children’s mind as you unravel the letters to form summer-related words in Spanish.

Photo Credit: tinasdynamichomeschoolplus.com

20 Fun Summer Learning Activities And Make A Rock Sundial

I have 20 fun summer learning activities and we’re making a rock sundial. And look at 11 Fun Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers for more summer fun.

Photo Credit: lorenaylennox.com

Summer Coloring Pages in Spanish for Kids [Free Printables]

Let’s get children of all ages familiar with summer vocabulary in Spanish with these fun coloring pages which includes different summer clip art from a sandcastle, to summer fruit, to ice cream and flip flops.

Photo Credit: taminglittlemonsters.com

Colorful Rainbow Fish Fine Motor Activity for Summer

Learn how to make a Rainbow Fish Peg Board out of simple craft supplies. This is a great way for toddlers and preschoolers to practice color matching and fine motor skills.

Photo Credit: taminglittlemonsters.com

Easy DIY Math Fishing Game for Kids

Learn number recognition, counting, fine motor skills and more with this DIY fishing for numbers math game.

Photo Credit: tinasdynamichomeschoolplus.com

Free Carnivorous Plants Lapbook and Fun Homeschool Unit Study Ideas

I have a free carnivorous plants lapbook and fun unit study ideas. Also, I have my page Carnivorous Plants.

Besides, carnivorous plants are a fascinating topic for every age.

Photo Credit: alittlepinchofperfect.com

Learning about Shark Senses Activity and Free Printable

Summer is the perfect time to learn about sharks! Try these fun hands on learning activities with the accompanying free printables.

Photo Credit: barleyandbirch.com

A Mini Sailboat Craft for Kids (With Secret Messages!)

Set sail on a fun adventure with your kids as you build secret message miniature sailboats, a creative and fun-filled way to learn about the intriguing world of codes!

Photo Credit: www.littleladoo.com

Sun Roll and Cover Mat

Roll and cover mats are fantastic resources for kids to practice numbers in a playful way! This summer, add excitement with the Sun Roll and Cover Mat, featuring Dice Dots for subitizing skills.

Photo Credit: alittlepinchofperfect.com

Ocean Animal Phonics Activity: FREE Printable Clip Cards

 We are currently learning about the Ocean so this first set has adorable sea animals like a whale, turtle, seahorse, starfish, and more!

Photo Credit: rediscoveredfamilies.com

How To Make Ice Cream In A Bag (A Delicious STEM Activity)

DIY ice cream in a bag is fun STEM activity for kids that ends with a yummy treat! 

Photo Credit: tinasdynamichomeschoolplus.com

Free Coral Reef Printable Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Unit Study Ideas

I have a free coral reef printable lapbook. Grab more ideas on my Coral Reef, lapbook ideas, and on my best homeschool unit studies pages.

1 CommentFiled Under: Homeschooling Tagged With: hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, summer, summer activities, summerideas, summerschool

20 Fun Summer Learning Activities And Make A Rock Sundial

May 12, 2023 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have 20 fun summer learning activities and we’re making a rock sundial. And look at 11 Fun Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers for more summer fun.

Are you looking for fun summer learning activities? Whether you teach year-round or take the summer off there is no reason that learning must end.

One of the best things about homeschooling is that learning can be fun and takes place all year long, even in the long hot days of summer.

20 Fun Summer Learning Activities And Make A Rock Sundial

A simple rock sundial is not only a fun and frugal summer activity, but there is much to learn.

Look at what you learn when you make a simple rock sundial.

  1. good way to work on telling time
  2. problem-solving
  3. the history of telling time
  4. learning about the Earth’s rotation
  5. shadows,
  6. and enjoying some fresh air.

You can use this activity for preschool and up, creating more challenging tasks for different ages.

More Summer Learning Activities

Also, look at more summer learning activities below.

  • 20 Fun Summer Learning Activities And Make A Rock Sundial
  • A to Z List: 100 Fun Summer Homeschool Unit Study Ideas
  • 25 Summer Homeschool Ideas To Keep The Learning Spark Alive
  • 30+ Summer Activities for Middle School Kids
  • 11 Fun Summer Activities for Middle Schooler
  • Free Coral Reef Printable Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Unit Study Ideas
  • 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
20 Fun Summer Learning Activities And Make A Rock Sundial

Then, look at these fun summer learning activities.

20 Summer Learning Activities

I am also giving you a wonderful list of fun summer learning activities to keep them busy all sunny summer long including water play, tasty treats, messy fun, and many more hands-on activities.

Photo Credit: preschoolpowolpackets.blogspot.com

Science Experiment: Elephant Toothpaste

"Elephant toothpaste" is a science experiment that I used to do with my high school students.  It is a strong multi-sensory demonstration that goes great with a lot of chemistry concepts.

Photo Credit: www.123homeschool4me.com

Marshmallow Shooter Summer Activity for Kids

These super EASY to make marshmallow shooters are a must for your summer bucket list.

Photo Credit: www.growingajeweledrose.com

Bean Experiment for Kids

To help with observation we used a jar instead of a bean this time, and I was delighted to discover that my kids were just as amazed by this simple bit of science as I was so many years ago. 

Photo Credit: littlebinsforlittlehands.com

Geometric Bubble Activity

Kids love blowing bubbles so learning, while you play, doesn’t get any better with this easy to set up geometric bubble STEM activity.

Photo Credit: littlebinsforlittlehands.com

Build A Marble Run Wall - Little Bins for Little Hands

Make a simple noodle marble run wall from pool noodles!

Photo Credit: www.kindergartenworksheetsandgames.com

Ice Cream Volcano Experiment - Summer Science Activity for Kids

Kids will be excited to learn and explore when making this ice cream volcano! This is a combination of an ice cream activity and easy volcano experiments for one EPIC, memorable summer activity for kids! 

Photo Credit: www.steampoweredfamily.com

Build a Nerf War Battlefield

Build a Nerf War Battlefield in your own backyard for an adrenaline-pumping, active play experience and STEM challenge.

Photo Credit: www.mombrite.com

Easy Sun Print STEM Activity: The Power of the Sun

In this simple experiment, your kids will learn just how potent the sun’s rays are, and why colors fade under the sun.

Photo Credit: www.steampoweredfamily.com

The Coolest Project For Kids With Craft Sticks – Engineer Launchers

This is a great engineering and crafting challenge for kids 7 years old and up. The result is part crossbow, part slingshot, all fun!

Photo Credit: rhythmsofplay.com

Human Sundial Shadow Science Experiments

Hands-on outdoor science activities for children, such as this human sundial experiment, can help children learn how shadows are created, and, measure the earth’s rotation.
Photo Credit: aroundthekampfire.com

Ice Cream in a Bag: Changing Matter Experiment for Second Grade

 Students investigate ways that matter can change and whether these changes are reversible. 

Photo Credit: funlearningforkids.com

Rain Cloud in a Jar Science Experiment with Printable Recording Sheets

This rain cloud in a jar is a weather science experiment gives young children a chance to explore clouds and rain in a hands-on and engaging way!

Photo Credit: climatekids.nasa.gov

Make SMores With a Solar Oven!

Harness the energy of the Sun to make the best snack ever invented, S’mores!

Photo Credit: www.simplemost.com

Make A Fun DIY Mason Jar ‘Fairy Light’ With Your Kids

Check out this super easy DIY weekend project that will help you turn a regular old mason jar into a glow-in-the-dark fairy light. Your kids will love how they sparkle and shimmer at night, and it’s the perfect craft for when you’ve got a little free time on your hands.

Photo Credit: sugarspiceandglitter.com

Beach Water Table Invitation (with Video) ⋆ Sugar, Spice and Glitter

This fun DIY Beach Water Table Invitation brings all the best parts of the beach to your backyard!

Photo Credit: www.glitteronadime.com

Soda Geyser Eruption Experiment - Science for Kids

We kicked it off with a Soda Geyser Eruption Experiment. Have you tried this? It is so easy and the kids loved it! Like with most of our activities, it is extremely inexpensive and simple to set up

Photo Credit: www.123homeschool4me.com

Paint Gun Parts of Speech Game

Looking for an outrageously fun parts of speech game to help kids review nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. Kids are going to have a blast with this fun parts of speech activity that is perfect for summer learning

Photo Credit: theresjustonemommy.com

Trail Signs Printable & Activity

When it comes to simple activities to keep kids busy and having fun, scavenger hunts are always popular.  They are also extremely versatile.  You can find easy scavenger hunts geared towards toddlers and harder ones for teen

Photo Credit: www.123homeschool4me.com

Pipe Cleaner Constellations - a Hands-on Constellation Activity

Calling all space lovers!  Whether you enjoy star-gazing on a clear summer night or are in planning mode for an upcoming solar system unit or astronomy study, this hands-on STEM activity will help your kids learn about constellations, stars, and the patterns stars form in the night sky! 

Photo Credit: theresjustonemommy.com

Dragon STEM Activities for Kids

Because everybody should study about dragons in the summer.

Finally, look at how to make the fun rock sundial.

20 Fun Summer Learning Activities And Make A Rock Sundial

How to Make a Rock Sundial

Obviously, this wasn’t a foolproof way to tell time because it didn’t work at night. But it was an early innovative technique that paved the way for later more advanced time telling.

People used sundials to keep track of time by watching where the shadow falls on its surface.

The sun seems to move across the sky during the day due to the earth slowly spinning on its axis. 

The various positions of the sun in the sky during the day causes the shadow to move on the sundial, showing the change of time.

You will notice each day that the shadow falls very close to where it was the day before demonstrating the accuracy of the sundial.

In the morning the shadow continues to get shorter and shorter as noon approaches. 

Then, in the afternoon, the shadow gets longer and longer.

Observe the length of the shadow on the sundial throughout the day.

Is it longer in the morning or late afternoon?

Kids Rock Sundial

You will need:

  • A straight stick
  • 12 flat smooth rocks
  • Sharpie
  • Phone or clock
  • Compass
20 Fun Summer Learning Activities And Make A Rock Sundial

Directions:

First, find an area of your yard that gets full sun all day, you can start any time of day when there is sun but it may take a full 24 hours or more to get all the times set.

Use a Sharpie or paint marker to write 1-12 on each rock.

20 Fun Summer Learning Activities And Make A Rock Sundial

Set a timer on your phone to go off every hour on the hour.

Push a fairly straight sturdy stick into the soil, and tilt it slightly to the north.

You can find this out with a compass or use the compass on your phone.

20 Fun Summer Learning Activities And Make A Rock Sundial

When you are on the hour, go check the direction in which the shadow from the stick is pointing and add your first corresponding numbered stone.

Throughout the day, on each hour add the next numbered rock to the end of the shadow until you have completed your clock.

You can repeat this experiment several times to make sure your numbers are in the correct space. Then try learning time at :30 as well as on the hour.

20 Fun Summer Learning Activities And Make A Rock Sundial

1 CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: crafts, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, summer, summer activities, summer crafts, summerideas

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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