Discover 25 fun and educational clam activity ideas for kids! Clams come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, making them a fascinating subject for children. From crafts to science experiments and outdoor exploration, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. These activities can be adapted to suit any learning level and are suitable for kids of all ages. Explore the amazing world of clams and dive into a host of engaging learning experiences!
1. Crafting a Clam Shell Jellyfish
Your elementary-aged students will enjoy crafting this jellyfish. Simply paint a clamshell, add glitter, and hot glue colorful bits of yarn to the back of the shell.
Learn More: I Heart Arts N Crafts
2. Paper Clam Shell
Begin by choosing three liners in different colors. Fold the innermost one in half and cut out a semicircle. Fold, stack, and glue the liners together; ensuring the cut liner is inside. Finish it off by adding a gem to represent a pearl and then popping on a pair of googly eyes.
Learn More: Fun Family Crafts
3. Foam Clam Craft
Elementary students will love to make a foam clam craft! Cut two equal-sized circles out of a foam sheet to make the clam’s shell. To make the shell hinge, glue the top and bottom circles together on one side. Add googly eyes and sequins to complete the cute clam craft.
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4. Anatomy of a Clam
No dissection is needed here! Get ready to be intrigued (or grossed out) as students learn about the anatomy of the inside of clam shells- including a clam foot used to help them burrow into sandy holes. Pause the video and have your students sketch the innards of a clam.
Learn More: Insider Science
5. Mermaid Clam Plate
Print the free mermaid template on white cardstock. Cut a paper plate in half and then decorate the halves with paint and glitter. Staple them together to create a clamshell and then color and attach the mermaid to the plate.
Learn More: Glued To My Crafts Blog
6. Singing About Clams
Need a brain break? Encourage your students to sing and dance along to this fun Hot Clam Buns tune!
Learn More: Pinkfong Baby Shark – Kids’ Songs & Stories
7. Diagramming a Dissected Clam
Ready to get your hands slimy with clam juice? In this activity, your students will dissect real clams and then diagram color code, and label the various parts inside a clam’s shell.
Learn More: Growing a STEM Classroom
8. Kinetic Sand Fun
Tactile learners will adore this hands-on activity to learn colors. Use a clamshell cutout or design it with your bare hands to shape the different colors of kinetic sand into a shell shape. As you add each layer, teach the color to your class. Cleaning up will be fun for everyone!
Learn More: MagicPang
9. Egg Carton Clam Craft
Create an adorable clam by trimming two cups from a recycled egg carton. Tape them together. Glue a pink circle in the bottom one and then glue on a white pom pom. Add googly eyes to create a face on the top cup.
Learn More: Crafty Morning
10. Clam Shell Memory Game
Collect shells, a tray, and a sharpie. Create two sets of shells. Write matching numeral names on each set, i.e., 1-10 on each set. Allow the ink to dry before shuffling the shells and placing them face down in random order. Learners can then match the correctly numbered shells to earn points!
Learn More: No Time for Flashcards
11. Clam-I-Am Read-Aloud
Story time just got a lot more fun! This clam-themed read-aloud will delight your students as they explore rhyming words in literature. Assign it as homework to become a bedtime story.
Learn More: The Little Beans
12. Shell Counting
This time-saving clamshell template will come in handy when practicing counting skills in math class. In small groups, students will take turns rolling the 10-sided die and adding the number of shells to their colorful beach scene.
Learn More: Life Over C’s
13. Color Matching
Matching colored pompoms to the corresponding clam cutout will provide an enjoyable opportunity for kindergarteners to utilize their categorization abilities. Teachers will appreciate this free printable activity with easy set-up for stations or circle time.
Learn More: Kindergarten Worksheets and Games
14. Explore Giant Clams
Learn scientific facts about giant clams! Challenge your students to write down as many facts as they can remember from the video.
Learn More: National Geographic
15. Googly-Eyed Clams
To complete a beach-themed unit, these clam friends are the perfect addition! Guide your students to paint their own clam shells and attach googly eyes for a touch of humor.
Learn More: We Know Stuff
16. Shrinky Dinks
Request that your students gather plastics labeled with the recycling code #6 from their household recycling bins. Have them cut out square and heart shapes from the containers to serve as decorative pieces. Next, hole punch each piece, color them using permanent markers, and then shrink them in the oven.
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17. Classroom Cooking Time
Your class can make a fresh clam, chowder base soup by melting butter and cooking onions, celery, carrots, potatoes, and thyme with clam juice. Simmer, whisk the flour with butter and hot broth, mix it in with the vegetables, and add clams and milk. Heat, season with salt and pepper, and serve!
Learn More: Food Network
18. Pop-Up Shell Craft
Students can create a pop-up seashell by coloring and cutting out a clamshell template, folding along dotted lines, and making a crease for the pop-up pearl stem. Glue the tongue to the colored shell and connect the box and shell parts. Glue the pearl and captions onto the stem.
Learn More: Easy Peasy and Fun
19. Decoupaged Shells
Instruct students to gather big shells, spray paint them glossy white, and attach cut-to-size scrapbook paper to the shell’s interior using Mod Podge. Apply more Mod Podge on top, wait for it to dry, and repeat. Lastly, trim off any remaining paper and paint the rim gold.
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20. Clam Yoga Pose
Try the clam yoga pose as a brain break. Lie on your side with your hips and knees at 45-degree angles. Place a theraband above your knees, keep your feet together, and resist the band by raising your top knee. Do ten repetitions for three sets on each side.
Learn More: Children’s Hospital Colorado
21. Color Your Own Crown
To make a paper crown, print the PDF provided and have students color it to their liking. Cut out the crown pieces, glue or tape the ends together, and decorate it with glitter, stickers, or gems to give it a unique look.
Learn More: Happy Paper Time
22. Painted Butterfly Clam Shells
Guide your students to glue the two halves of the “wings” together, let dry, and repeat on the back. Paint with acrylic pens and seal each layer. Fold a 6-8 inch stainless steel wire in half. Using pliers, twist the wire into a spiral shape to make the antennas and then attach the butterflies.
Learn More: Beach Combing Magazine
23. Craft Stick Shell & Pearl
Your class will glue 3 craft sticks together to form 2 triangles, paint them gray, and attach pink triangles on the back. They can then glue on a flap to create a hinge. Cut out and glue two gray shells from the template to the outside of the frames. Add a pearl and decorate!
Learn More: In the Bag Kids Crafts
24. Scuba Diving for Giant Clams
Students learn about Giant Tridacna clams, their growth, and their symbiotic relationships with algae. Immerse your students in a discussion about these “killer clams” after watching this video.
Learn More: BlueWorldTV
25. Origami Clam Shell Tutorial
Amaze your students with this origami clam shell tutorial. In no time, your students will be able to create a beautiful shell manipulative.
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