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This summer, try out some fun turtle crafts and activities – perfect for World Turtle Day on May 23rd or World Sea Turtle Day on June 16th!

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 ocean creatures, never mind how slow or fast they move! There’s something endearing about the peace-loving, own-business-minding, slow-moving turtle, which is probably why they’re so loved!

Fun Facts about Turtles

• Turtles are one of the oldest reptiles living on the planet
• They live both on land and in the sea
• Turtles live everywhere on Earth except Antarctica, and in all 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.

With World Turtle Day being on 23rd May and World Sea Turtle Day being on 16th June, we think it’s a great time to relive the excitement of spotting a turtle with some cute turtle crafts and activities for kids!

20 Turtle Crafts and Activities for Kids

1. Crumpled Paper Turtle Craft

Crumpling paper is a great fine motor exercise for young kids, and once you’ve got enough crumpled paper, use it to create a colorful turtle shell!

2. Paper Plate Crab and Turtle Craft

We love this cute paper plate summer craft that features a turtle and his crab friend chilling out by the seaside! The googly eyes give our creatures a nice personality!

3. Easy Handprint Turtle Craft for Kids

This craft shows that handprints are a great way to make turtle crafts and activities! The thumb works perfectly as the turtle’s neck, and all you need is a googly eye and a smile!

4. Printable Turtle Playdough Mat

Can you make a turtle with playdough? Well, this printable playdough mat can help, so don’t worry about getting the right shapes!

5. Printable Turtle-Themed Pom Pom Mat

Kids can exercise their pincer grasp as they pick up pompoms and try to match them with the circles on this printable pompom mat!

6. Easy Sew Felt Turtle Plushie

If you like making felt plushies, you’re going to love making this adorable green turtle plushie! You can download the printable template and follow the instructions!

7. Paper Plate Turtle

Your little ones will love making this fun summer project from Glued To My Crafts. This kid craft can be put together with simple supplies like a paper plate, glue and tissue paper.

8. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Salt Dough Ornament

This is a list of turtle crafts and activities, so we can’t leave out the Ninja Turtles! This Ninja Turtle-themed salt-dough Ornament from I Heart Arts n Crafts make the perfect keepsake for those little hands!

9. Recycled Plastic Bottle 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.

10. Recycled CD Turtle Craft

These turtle crafts and activities are a great resource for ways to recycle things lying around the home, like old CDs! Use them to make this cute craft from I Heart Arts n Crafts.

11. Wine Cork Turtle Craft

Wine corks seem like the last thing to use for turtle crafts and activities, but Michelle from Crafty Morning shows us how it’s done!

12. Felt Turtle Tutorial

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!!

13. Stuffed Fabric Turtle Craft

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.

14. Egg Carton Turtle Craft

This egg carton turtle from Emma Owl is both easy and fun to make – we can’t think of a better use for old egg cartons!

15. Rock Turtle Keepsake

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

16. Sea Turtle Sensory Bin

Sensory bins are a great way to learn things in a more tactile way, and this one from Teaching Mama helps acquaint little kids with turtles and their habitats.

17. Bubble Wrap Handprint Turtle Craft

Did you know that bubble wrap is a great thing to craft with? We love how The Best Ideas for Kids have used it here to create a cute turtle card!

18. 3D Turtles Paper Craft

3D crafts are always fun, and we love this one from Easy Peasy and Fun that features lots of little colorful 3D turtles swimming in a lovely blue pond!

19. Turtle Paper Bag Puppet Craft 

Fancy pretending to be a turtle? Well, Simple Everyday Mom offers you the chance with this DIY turtle paper bag puppet! 

20. CD and Button Turtle Craft

If you’ve got a stash of mismatched buttons and don’t know what to do with them, this turtle craft from Fireflies and Mudpies is what you should be trying!

If you’re looking for a turtle-themed activity for little kids, they’ll love this Connect the fun Dots printable from Carrots are Orange. Older kids will enjoy checking out this Free Life Cycle of a Sea Turtle by Montessori Motivation at Teachers Pay Teachers. We’re sure your interest in turtles has been re-ignited by seeing all these cute turtle crafts and activities, so let’s start crafting!

If you want to try out more reptile-themed crafts, check out these projects:

• 10 Amazing Alligator Crafts for Kids
• 10 Sassy Snake Crafts for Kids
• I for Iguana Recycled CD Craft
• Mixed-Up Chameleon Foil Craft