Summer fun is just starting, and we’re kicking things off this year with a bunch of ocean crafts and ocean science experiments!
My kids are SUPER into ocean animals this year (when they are not sitting around making slime, that is), and together, we created a lot of fun ocean-themed kids craft projects like this adorable egg carton oyster craft for kids!
I love using egg cartons for crafting because I hate seeing the cardboard just get thrown away (even if it is super easy to recycle) and I love transforming egg cups into silly little crafts.
We’ve made so many egg carton crafts over the years (like this egg carton narwal) and this oyster craft is definitely one of our favorites!
The kids could not get over how cute the little oyster was, and we added her to our growing collection of ocean crafts that the kids have been making this year.
How to Make an Oyster Craft Out of Egg Cartons!
In the summer, I only like to give my kids crafts they can do on their own (mostly). This oyster craft for kids fits the bill perfectly! If your kids can handle scissors, they can make this craft.
You may also like this octopus science experiment.
Oyster Facts for Kids
As you make your oyster models, here are some oyster facts for kids to discuss!
- Oysters are members of the family Ostreidae.
- Oysters are filter feeders. This means that they both breathe and eat through their gills. Water passes over their gills and oxygen is pulled into the bloodstream, but plankton and other food is trapped by the gills and transported to the mouth.
- Some oysters have male and female oysters, while others have both male and female reproductive organs. In some cases, an oyster can reproduce on its own.
- Oysters lay eggs.
- The life cycle of an oyster includes: eggs, larva, and the adult form of the oyster with the shell.
What you’ll need to make an oyster with googly eyes:
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- Egg carton
- Googly eyes
- Low-temp glue gun (if you want kids to be able to do it alone)
- Acrylic paint
- White pom pom
Step-By-Step Directions to Make an Oyster Craft
Here’s how to make your oyster craft out of an egg carton! It’s tons of fun and super cute as an ocean craft or even as an ocean science activity to learn more about osyters!
Cut two egg cups out of your egg carton. Try to make them as round as possible.
Paint the inside of the cups pink and the outside another color. My kids chose gold, but it really doesn’t matter. Most oyster shells are kind of ugly, so throw realism to the wind if you like.
Or if your kids are super-literal like my youngest (she didn’t get to pick the paint color for this one), then go ahead and paint the outside a greyish white.
Let the paint dry.
Glue the two cups together so that the oyster is holding it’s mouth open. Glue the white pom pom inside the oyster for a pearl.
Glue two googly eyes to the front of the egg carton, and you’re done!
Presto, a perfect egg carton oyster craft.
More Ocean Crafts and Activities
Try these fun ocean-themed activities for kids!