12 Creative Things You Can Make with Sand

If your summer plans include a trip to the seaside, be sure to bring home a few buckets filled with sand. It makes an excellent addition to your arts and craft supply, and we’re pretty sure the beach can spare your haul! From easy memory jars to vibrant works of art, these awesome projects and keepsakes will last long after the tan lines fade and the school year begins. Scroll down to see our favorite ideas below.

photo: West Chester Public Library via Flickr

1. A Castle You Can Keep
Making sandcastles is a rite of passage for beachgoers of any age, so imagine the fun of making one that sticks around once you get home! Education.com has a great tutorial that is easy for little hands. Besides sand, you’ll need cardboard and corn starch. Find the whole tutorial by clicking here.

photo: Shannon Schmid via Everyday Best

2. Hand in the Sand
With a little prep, this handprint project is something you can do while at the beach. You’ll need a good patch of sand, a bunch of beach treasures, and the details from Everyday Best. Blogger Shannon Schmid provides great tips and a video tutorial.

photo: Angie Holden via The Country Chic Cottage

3. Marvelous Memory Jars
There are a lot of ways to remember your trip to the beach, but we especially like this easy memory jar idea from The Country Chic Cottage. If you’ve got mason jars and a snapshot of your favorite beach bum, you’re halfway there. Get the tutorial at The Country Chic Cottage.

photo: Deborah Alter-Rasche via Learn with Play at Home

4. Swim with the Fishes
Your little fishes can recreate a beach scene with a diorama like this one from Debs over at Learn with Play from Home. You can use all sorts of supplies, including rocks, cupcake liners, fake plants and more! Get the whole tutorial and more ideas over at Learn with Play at Home.

photo: Meri Cherry

5. Sand Paper Painting
Let your little impressionists express their artsy side with a colorful canvas craft like this one we found over at Meri Cherry. Made using paint and multiple hues of sand, you’ll want to display these summery works of art year round. Find all the materials you’ll need here.

photo: Pink Stripey Socks

6. Oceanside Ornaments
These fun sand sculptures won’t wash away with the tide. Made from a homemade sand dough and decorated with colorful beads and stamps, each shape can easily be transformed into ornaments to hang around the house. Visit Pink Stripey Socks for the three-ingredient recipe.

photo: Consumer Crafts

7. Sea Scenes
Magnetized shadow boxes filled with photos and trinkets are an easy way to display your favorite vacation finds. They also make great fridge decor! Head over to Consumer Crafts to learn how to make a set of your own.

photo: Diana Rambles

8. Coastal Colors
The kids over at Diana Rambles used food coloring to make their sand castles really pop. Then, to bring a little bit of the beach home, they filled decorative glass bottles in assorted shapes with layers of the vibrant sand. Learn to make these colorful keepsakes here.

photo: Buggy and Buddy

9. Tide Pool Pictures
This colorful tide pool from Buggy and Buddy is bustling with sea life. Encourage your little artist to draw her favorite sea creatures before encircling the tide pool with a little sand. A great art and sensory craft for all ages, find the list of materials and how-to here.

photo: No Time for Flash Cards

10. Deserted Island Art
It’s easy to feel like you’re back in the tropics with this beach-themed art project. Even better, Allison of No Time for Flash Cards turns an easy craft into a fun sensory activity by using real sand and pom poms to create texture. Head over to the blog to find a list of supplies and instructions.

photo: Something Turquoise 

11. Sandy Hues
Something Turquoise uses everyday sand to create these anything-but-ordinary ombre candle holders. They’re the perfect centerpiece for summer table decor and fun to make. Choose your favorite hue of food coloring and check out the step-by-step tutorial here. The kids can help pour in the colorful grains!

photo: We Made That

12. Sand Box
We love the clever way the mom over at We Made That used seashore treasures, and a little sand, to make this beachy shadow box extra special. Learn how to display your favorite vacation photo here.

How will you preserve your sandy memories? Share with us in a Comment below! 

— Gabby Cullen & Lauren Hill