We had a big family gathering in Devon over the bank holiday weekend, and the kids made the most of the chance to get creative with some lovely beach craft.
Our first beach trip of the weekend consisted mainly of body surfing. However, as the tide had just started to go out there was lots of very wet sand, which the youngest cousins loved crafting with. It was so wet, you could drizzle it through your fingers to create some crazy-looking sculptures, like this one which became a fairytale castle.
Sunday saw us all heading to the beach again to enjoy the sunshine and let off steam. The kids always launch straight into a shell hunt as soon as they hit the sand, and it wasn’t long before some more beach craft started to take shape.
This little shell person was a great prompt to find shells in different shapes and sizes.
And of course, huge clumps of seaweed make perfect mermaid’s hair…
I’m not sure which family member created this last one. While it isn’t strictly a nature craft, I absolutely agree with the sentiment!
I do love how the seaside offers a completely different selection of natural materials to get creative with. I also like the transient nature of the whole activity; you create your little piece of art knowing full well that it won’t be there for long, so you make the most of the moment rather than focusing on the finished ‘thing’. Does beach craft have that effect on you too?
Naturally Crafty
If you’ve been crafting with nature lately, or would just love some inspiration, do join in with our nature craft linky which is hosted this week over at Simple Parenting.
Becky says
September 8, 2016 at 4:51 pmJust absolutely love the choclate heart!
Me, You and Magoo says
September 9, 2016 at 2:13 pmI love these sand crafts, it’s great when you get absorbed into something like this when you’re on the beach. We went to Putsborough Sands near Woolacombe over the August bank holiday & the sand was gorgeous, you couldn’t help trickle it through your fingers. We attempted to make a large octopus in the sand, but it turned into a sun in the end! Thank you for linking up to #craftingismytherapy
Catherine says
September 9, 2016 at 7:28 pmAh we weren’t far from you then, also in North Devon! Love Woolacombe, we’ve had so many great days there.
Jennifer says
September 11, 2016 at 1:22 pmHow lovely! The beaches near us are all pebbly and I love building little towers and walls with the pebbles. We always come home with buckets of pretty stones and shells! My children love hunting through the seaweed for treasures like crab legs that they can use to decorate their castles with. Thank you for linking up to #craftingismytherapy!
RachelSwirl says
September 12, 2016 at 10:32 pmsome great ideas, I love natural craft 🙂
Catherine says
September 13, 2016 at 4:07 pmIt’s my favourite craft too, so tactile.
relentlesslypurple says
September 14, 2016 at 5:30 pmSuch beautiful ideas! My youngest was washing stones and making patterns earlier today & really enjoyed it, think we may have to do the same next time we go to the beach xx #craftingismytherapy
Catherine says
September 16, 2016 at 2:12 pmAh there was a fair amount of stone washing on this particular beach trip too, the little ones love it don’t they!
AmyLovestoSew says
September 21, 2016 at 9:18 pmA fairytale castle made out of sand, what a joyful thing! You know, now I think about it, the urge to write/sculpt/play with sand and pebbles and shells etc is all grounded in an instinct to be creative – it never really leaves you does it! Can’t wait to be having fun like this with my daughter (10 months at the time of writing). Gorgeous photos #craftingismytherapy
Catherine says
September 22, 2016 at 8:20 amOh you’ve got so much crafty fun ahead of you! You’re right, it never leaves you – seeing my kids instinctively get stuck in at the beach always brings it out in me too 🙂