Seashells are so much fun to collect on the beach. At the end of your vacation, your child might have a full bucket of shells. What to do with it, you might ask? There are so many craft projects you can do (39 Sea Glass and Seashells Crafts –https://feltmagnet.com/crafts/making-crafts-with-seashells). In my family, we would put shells in a big jar to remind us of the fun we had. We also tried to listen to “the ocean” by putting shells to our ears!
Science
For this shell experiment, you need (2) a glass cup, (2) a shell, and (3) white vinegar. Have your child pour vinegar in the cup and drop shell in it. Shells are made of calcium, which reacts to the acid in vinegar. If the shell is left in the vinegar for a few days, it will actually dissolve!
if your child has a journal, have him/her make a drawing of the science experiment that you can label and date.
Language Arts
A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0UlGQUNLwAQ
tells the story of a hermit crab that outgrows its shell and needs to find a bigger one. After viewing the story, help your child to remember the details of the story.
You might also discuss with your child how you take care of your house, like hermit crab took care of his house.
On the Shore Song (Tune of “Twinkle, twinkle, little star”)
Seashells, seashells on the shore.
Pick some up and look for more.
Pink shells, white shells, big and small.
In our Paul’s, we let them fall.
Seashells, seashells on the shore,
Once lay on the ocean floor!
Shell Song (Tune of “The farmer in the Dell”)
Some shells are beautiful.
Some Shells are beautiful.
Heigh-ho, we all know.
Some shells are beautiful.
Other verses: a shell can be a home, some shells are hard and thick, some shells are colorful, a shell can be a shield.
Math
June is a new month and your child needs a new calendar. Print this calendar set https://www.themailbox.com/magazines/june-calendar-setbr4-pages/june-calendar-set and have your child choose a pattern to follow for the new month.
Beach Day Counting Page https://twistynoodle.com/beach-day-counting-coloring-page/
Help the Crab Count to Ten https://twistynoodle.com/help-the-crab-count-to-10-coloring-page/
Lots of Shells! Math Worksheet https://www.themailbox.com/magazines/math-worksheet-addition-to-5-with-pictures/lots-of-shells-2
Art
Handprint Hermit Crab Craft https://thekindergartenconnection.com/handprint-hermit-crab-craft/
A Sandy Shell Seashell Craft https://www.themailbox.com/magazines/seashell-craft/a-sandy-shell
Sand Jar Craft https://www.themailbox.com/magazines/sand-jar-craft/shifting-sands
25 Summery Seashells Craft https://www.playideas.com/25-summery-seashell-crafts-kids/
Small Motor Skills
Seashells Coloring Page https://twistynoodle.com/3-shells-coloring-page/
Flip Flop Puzzle Cutting Page https://twistynoodle.com/flip-flop-puzzle-coloring-page/
Beach Fun Book https://twistynoodle.com/beach-fun-2-minibook/
Gross Motor Skills
For this game, print this page twice: https://www.themailbox.com/magazines/programmable-worksheet-shells/seashell-sensations
Then, write letters on shells and have 2 copies of the same letter or more for recurring letters. Put one set of letters together to form a word. Hide the copy of each letter around in your house. Have your child search for the letters and place them on top of the word you built. Have fun!