Seashell Christmas Tree

A Kids Project Fit for Gift Giving

Let's face it, sometimes kid's projects are projects only a mother could love.  Drawings did not adorn my parent's refrigerator when I was growing up.  My paternal grandmother once said of my mother that if it didn't match her decor, she didn't want it.  I didn't understand this as a child, but as and adult who loves decor, I totally get it.  This is why I try to think of projects that look great and kids can have fun making.  It is important for children to enjoy the process and it is equally important that they feel good about what they have made.  Creativity can be stunted by a bad experience.  My sister claims that her grade school, art teacher stunted her creative growth by taking my sister's pencil away from her and finishing her drawing for her.  Don't be heavy handed when guiding a child through an art project.  They will build from their mistakes as well as their successes.  The most important thing is for them to have fun with the process.

This project is ideal.  All it requires is a cardboard cone, hot glue and seashells.  I would suggest using medium and small size seashells, and keep it to one or two varieties of shells.  A multitude of seashell types could end up looking like a jumbled mess.  Let the kids place the larger seashells on the cardboard cone first, then fill in the gaps with the smaller ones.