This summer, as you visit various places, you’re likely to come across many little creatures – crabs, starfish, bugs and – turtles! Turtles are among the most adorable marine creatures, never mind how slow or fast they move! There’s something endearing about the peace-loving, own-business-minding, slow-moving turtle. Once you’re home, relive the excitement of spotting  a turtle with these cute turtle crafts and activities for kids.

17 Adorable Turtle Crafts and Activities for Kids

1. Paper Plate Turtle

Your little ones will love making this fun summer pet. Check out the tutorial for the Paper Plate Turtle via Glued To My Crafts. This kid craft is pulled together with simple supplies like a paper plate, glue and tons of tissue paper.

2. Hand print  Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Salt Dough Ornament

Hand print and footprint salt dough ornaments make the perfect keepsake for those little hands and feet. Jackie from I heart arts n crafts shows you how to make a Ninja Turtle themed Salt dough Ornament.

3. Recycled Turtle Bank

This simple craft – using the ends of soda bottles and other crafty items – puts a huge smile on our faces. Find the full tutorial here at krokotak.

4. Recycled CD Turtle

Have any old CDs or DVDs lying around that you can’t use anymore?  Use them to make this cute craft – a recycled CD turtle! All you need are a few materials to make this cute guy from I heart arts n crafts.

5. Turtle Stamp Craft

Turtle craft for kids using a Wine cork – easy peasy! Michelle from Crafty Morning shows how kids can make this simple turtle craft!

6. Felt Turtle

This little felt turtle from Wildflower Ramblings looks like he walked straight out of the woods into your home. A simple craft and just too cute for words!!

7. Fabric Plush Turtle

Make a stuffed fabric fluffy plush turtle toy to keep your little one company during his bedtime story session. Get all the instructions over at Make it Love it.

8. Egg Carton Turtle Craft

This egg carton turtle from Emma Owl is both easy and fun to make – and seriously… an egg box does not get any cuter than this!!

9. DIY Turtle Costume

If your little one adores Teenage Mutant Ninja turtles, then this easy and convenient DIY turtle costume from Little Miss Kate is perfect for some great pretend play or for a costume party!

10. Rock Turtle Keepsake

If you need a unique pet rock why not give these rock turtles a try? Easy Peasy and Fun’s  tutorial is simple yet fun to make!

Turtle themed Activities

Children are fascinated by turtles and love to watch them swim and crawl around. Here are several interesting ideas for a turtle theme in your preschool class or at home.

11. Check out this adorable sea turtle for an indoor activity idea. Printable is from Learn Create Love.

12. Free Life Cycle of a Sea Turtle by Montessori Motivation at Teachers Pay Teachers

13. Connect the Dots to finish the picture and then add some colour via Carrots are Orange

14. Relive the popular ‘Hare and the Tortoise’ fable with this cute jigsaw puzzle from DLTK Kids

15. This turtle roll and cover activity at Child Careland Blog is  great for children to work on their number recognition skills

16. Learn about sea turtles with a hands-on sea turtle sensory bin from Teaching Mama. Fun guaranteed!

17. Check out jdaniel4smom for Teenage Mutant Turtles-inspired colour sorting activity – great for young ones to practice their pincer grasp.

Did  you know?

• Turtles are one of the oldest reptiles living on the planet.
• They live both on the land and in the sea. Turtles live everywhere on earth except Antarctica. Turtles inhabit all of the world’s oceans except the Arctic.
• Green sea turtles are an endangered animal. They are frequently hunted for their meat & eggs, are involved in boat propeller accidents, and are involved in drowning accidents from fish nets.
• They can weigh up to 700 pounds and can grow to be 5 feet long!
• A green sea turtle cannot pull its head into its shell.
• Adult sea turtles feed on sea grasses and algae, while younger turtles will also eat crabs, jellyfish, and sponges.
• Turtles live in the water and only venture onto dry land to lay eggs. When the eggs hatch the baby turtles head straight to the water.

We’re sure your interest in turtles has been re-ignited by seeing all these activities, so start crafting!