This fun memory game for kids is made with seashells – either from the craft store or the beach! Put it in a pouch and it’s portable for fun play anywhere you go.

 

My kids favorite beach activity, besides swimming, is collecting seashells. Needless to say, we have a lot of shells sitting around in plastic bags. And no one wants to throw them out. Not even me!

We’ve done many different kinds of shell themed crafts. There are only so many shell mirrors or shell picture frames that one family needs. We needed a new way to let the kids keep their beloved shells and put them to good use.

Here is where our beach vacations collided with our camping vacations.  Portable games are great for camping and road trips. Things like cards, tic tac toe and memory games.  Take the shells from a beach vacation and turn them in to a fun little portable memory matching game.

 

Supplies Needed to Make Seashell Memory Game for Kids:

Small Drawstring Bag
10 Seashells – we used shells from the beach, but you can just as easily buy bags of shells
Paint Pens (the same ones we used to make decorative plates!)

How to Make A Memory Game for Kids:

How many seashells you use is up to you. This set was made with 10 shells. Of course, you will want to use an even number of shells. You can always add or remove shell pairs depending on the age of the kids playing. 

Start by setting the shells out in to sets of two.  Draw the same shape, number, letter or whatever you want inside each shell. You could use these to teach numbers, letters, colors… maybe even multiplication facts or spelling words. Get creative with it. 

We just did a bunch of easy designs the kids would remember like flower, sun, dragonfly, heart, etc. We kept it simple. You could also have the kids draw their own choices inside the shells. 

Once all the shells have a design on the inside and there are two of each design, you’re ready to play.  Throw the shells in a small pouch for carrying.

To play, set the shells out with the pictures facing down. Play like a memory game. Flip two shells over at a time and try to remember the matches! The person with the most matches wins.

These would also make great party gifts for a sea, beach or mermaid themed birthday party. You could even let the kids make their own game set and take it home as a party gift.