If you’ve got a huge collection of summer shells in your home (and if your preschooler has to pocket every single shell like many do), you could probably use a few ideas on how to make them useful. You could use some of these craft ideas, or try incorporating them into games and activities with your children. Here are a few ideas.

Shell Identification: Grab a guide from the library or online and try to see which shells you can identify.

Shell Painting: See what kinds of masterpieces your kids can make with their shells. When they are finished, the bright shells will look beautiful in a mason jar or a vase.

Shell Matching: You may have shells that are similar in shape or color to use already; if not, paint a few pairs of shells and let your child match them. Include various colors for color identification, or patterns like spots, stripes and zigzags for older children.

Hopscotch:  If you’ve got a hard thrower on your hands, you probably won’t want to do this—unless you want shattered shells all over your driveway! But used gently, sturdier shells can be used as a summer twist instead of rocks.

Pretend Play: Create an underwater backdrop using a blue blanket and any fish, mermaid or other toys your child has, and let the shells be creatures living in this environment. You may even have small people or animal toys that will fit inside the shells, allowing your child to make brand new sea-creatures!

The Stage Awaits: Act out scenes in beach books, such as What Lives in a Shell?, Beach, or Rhinos Who Surf. Or, use the shells in a summer play, such as one about mermaids or pirates.

Listen to the Beach: Let children “hear” the beach inside the shell like you did as a child. For a twist, make up creatures that you pretend to hear inside and copy their sounds out loud.

Share a Story: Take turns telling stories about the shells you’ve collected. You could talk about real events that involve the shells—such as a float trip—or make something up on your own. Children can draw pictures to go along with their tall tales and you can help them write or type them up for a memorable book about their summer.

Seashell Critters: Make your own toys out of the seashells.

Seashell Magnets: Make your own magnets out of your shells. Your kids will have a ball moving them around on the fridge or your filing cabinets.