Updated November 14, 2025
Maybe you want the kids to have some quiet down time in your Gulf Coast vacation rental. Perhaps you need some ideas on special ways to bring a bit of your vacation home with you as a memento. Or maybe you’re just a crafter at heart looking for some fun-and-sun DIY projects to create while you’re at the beach. Lucky for you we happened across some super simple crafts you can do during your beach vacation.
Without further ado, here are some of our favorites.
Clam Shell Critters
This is probably the easiest beach craft project on the list. It’s really cute, too. You only need a handful of supplies including clam shells you’ve collected from the beach, assorted paint and a paintbrush, glue, wiggly eyes and a little newspaper for easy cleanup. In reality, clams do not have eyes, ears or noses and can’t see, hear or smell. But with your imagination, you can do anything. This beach activity is perfect for the littlest ones and they’ll have some mementos to take home with them from their Gulf beach vacation. Paint them in varying colors, decorate them in a variety of ways, and soon you’ll have a nice set of memories to take with you. Don’t forget to write the date and location on the underside. Thanks to FreeKidsCrafts.com for this cute clam shell craft idea!
Driftwood Fish
How amazing is this? It’s the perfect craft to make at the beach and take home to give one of your rooms some coastal flair. Make a few, if you’d like. It sure is easy enough and the finished project is fabulous. All you need is some driftwood in varying length (or any kind of sticks you find), a piece of cardboard to sketch your shape, cut out and glue the driftwood on, and a hot glue gun. Layout your driftwood on your template and arrange to your liking. Then glue it in place and voilà! A driftwood fish that adds a touch of the beach to any room. Everyone in your family can make their own and you’ll have a whole school of fish to bring back from your beach vacation. Thanks to Creative in Chicago for the darling driftwood fish craft idea.
Make Your Own Sand Clay
Kids of all ages will love this beach-centric craft. Making your own sand clay allows you to create your own ornaments, footprints or shell impressions and keep them for posterity. You’ll need an old pot or a cheap one from the Dollar Store, since the sand will scratch it up when you mix this. The only other ingredients you need are sand, of course, baking soda, corn flour or corn starch and water. You combine the ingredients in the old saucepan over medium high heat while stirring until the mixtures thickens to mashed-potato-like consistency. Put it on some parchment paper or wax paper and cover with a damp dish cloth to retain moisture. Once cooled, model into the shape of your choosing and imprint with shells, handprints, footprints, or whatever you desire. Put your creations on a drying rack and bake at low heat (around 212 degrees F) for two hours and allow to cool in the oven to prevent cracking. For extra shine and protection, you can add a clear varnish. Thanks to Paging Fun Mums for this kid-friendly and fun beach craft.
Styrofoam Cup Sea Crabs
This is another kid-friendly craft favorite for the younger ones and the kids-at-heart. Take a break from the sun, sand and water and enjoy the air-conditioned bliss of your vacation rental while you get creative with cups. You’ll need some styrofoam cups, craft paint in beachy colors and paintbrushes, pipe cleaners, wiggly eyes, glue and scissors. Trim a few inches off the top of each cup and then paint them in your favorite color, adding a second coat if needed. Then use the pipe cleaners to attach wiggly eyes and form the claws and legs. Put it all together and admire you styrofoam cup crab creations. They’re sure to be a crowd pleaser! Thanks to Crafts by Amanda for this absolutely adorable crab craft.
Happy Crafting! Aren’t you inspired to go to the beach so you can make a few of these creations for yourself?
Start planning now to be here on Florida’s gorgeous Gulf Coast! You can book online or call one of our local Plumlee Reservationists at 866-921-1166 for personal assistance.
