Swells of fun with shells: make egg carton turtles and thumbprint sea animals

A turtle is a reptile that has a shell covering its body. They are known for moving slowly. There are more than 350 species, or types, of turtles. They are found in most parts of the world.

Most turtles live in freshwater ponds, lakes or rivers. Others live in the ocean or on land. Some even live in forests or the desert. Sea turtles have flippers, but those living on land usually have feet.

The smallest turtle is less than 10cm long, and the largest is over two metres. Some turtles can live for more than 100 years. The oldest turtle in the world is over 190 years old.

Egg carton turtles

Materials

• an empty egg carton box

• green paint

• cardboard (or sturdy paper)

• glue

• pom poms (try to find green or grey ones)

• googly eyes

Instructions

1. To make “shells”, cut the egg cartons into individual cups. Then, paint them with as many shades as you like. Let the paint dry.

2. Draw the body of your turtle onto the cardboard. Give it a pointy tail and four flippers (see the example below).

3. Use glue to stick the shell to a body.

4. Then, glue a pom pom head onto your turtle. Add small googly eyes, and you’re done.

Photo: Pinterest/Emma Owl

Adapted from Emma Owl

Ocean thumbprints

Materials

• coloured ink stamp pads (as many colours as you’d like)

• black marker

• paper

Instructions

1. To make a fish, press your thumb onto a coloured stamp pad and make a sideways thumbprint. Then, use your marker to draw an eye and a smile. Add three fins, one on the top, the bottom and the back. Finish your drawing with some scales and air bubbles.

2. To make a crab, make a red sideways thumbprint. Draw two eyeballs going up, and a smile. Add eight legs and two arms. Draw some sand at the bottom.

3. For a jellyfish, make a sideways thumbprint in any colour. Draw a face with two eyes and a smile. Use a mix of straight and squiggly lines for the tentacles.

4. To make an octopus, use any finger and make a vertical print. Then, draw a face and add eight tentacles!

5. For a turtle, make a green thumbprint in any direction. Then, draw a circle for its head, and add two arms and two legs. Add a smile and eyes, and finish with spots on its shell.

6. Finish your artwork with any details, like the ocean, a boat, or even some glitter!

Photo: Pinterest/Messy Little Monster

Adapted from Messy Little Monster