How to Draw a Shell: A Step-by-Step Tutorial for Kids

Learn how to draw a shell by following step-by-step instructions mentioned in this article. Kids can read below mentioned instructions carefully to illustrate shells on paper. Also, learning aquatic animal drawing for kids will enable them to explore marine species and things associated with them effectively.

What are shells? A seashell or shell is the protective layer of a marine animal. The shell protects and serves the bodies of organisms they live in. A few examples of animals with shells as the protective covering are snails, oysters, mussels and many more. These shells are exoskeletons of marine animals. What is the role of shells in organisms? They basically protect the organisms from predators and support their bodies.

Are you looking for ways to introduce shells to kids? If yes, we are here to provide you with simple step-by-step instructions on how to draw a shell on a sheet of paper. Learning drawing for kids is the best way to explore various concepts they find challenging to understand. 

If your children find it difficult to draw a shell on a sheet of paper, they can follow the step-by-step instructions mentioned in this article. Following these easy-to-follow instructions will help kids enhance their drawing skills and get the desired illustration they are looking for.

Once children know how to draw a shell, they can portray shells of any shape and size effortlessly. Most importantly, kids will learn different shapes and patterns while drawing the shells on paper. You can also provide coloring pages for kids so that they can enhance their coloring skills while learning drawing. Check out the stepwise instructions on how to draw a shell and the tips to learn drawing mentioned in this article. 

How to Draw a Shell: A Step-by-Step Guide for Kids

Children like to collect shells from the seashore. Also, they find it fascinating to know about shells. Sometimes, kids might not be aware that a few marine animals are enclosed within the shell for their protection. Also, there are different kinds of ornaments available in the market made from these shells. You can teach kids to draw the shell of a scallop, conch, tulip or snail. Their shells have intricate designs and patterns that make them look visually attractive. In this article, we will teach scallop shell drawing to kids. They can follow the stepwise instructions systematically to get the perfect shape of the shell. 

What You’ll Need?

  • A drawing sheet
  • A pencil 
  • An eraser
  • Color pencils or crayons

Stepwise Instructions on How to Draw a Shell 

The step-by-step instructions on shell drawing for kids are mentioned below.

Step 1:

Draw a semi-circle on a sheet of paper for the dorsal region of the shell.

Step 2:

Draw a curved line below the semi-circular region for the shell’s umbo.

Step 3:

Draw a curved line below the umbo for the shell’s beak.

Step 4:

Draw slightly slanting vertical lines on the shell to give the appearance of the growth lines.

Step 5:

Draw a curved line on the semi-circular region of the shell for the commissure.

Step 6:

Erase the extra line on the curved ends of the shell to give the perfect appearance of the commissure.

Step 7:

Finally, color the illustration of the shell using appropriate color pencils or crayons.

Download Free How to Draw a Shell PDF

Also, explore fish drawing for kids

Tips for Learning Shell Drawing for Kids

A few tips for learning shell drawing for kids are mentioned below. 

  • Encourage kids to follow the stepwise instructions systematically for a better drawing experience. 
  • Give constructive feedback for their drawings so that they will improve next time. 
  • Ask kids to identify the mistakes while illustrating the shell on a sheet of paper so that they can avoid repeating the same in future. 
  • Make drawing classes fun and entertaining for kids so they can develop an interest in learning about shells. 
  • Teach kids to draw the shell on different surfaces, such as paper, cardboard and fabric, to learn different techniques in drawing. 
  • Explain to kids the function of shell covering for marine animals. 
  • Encourage kids to experiment with their drawings to learn different shapes and patterns creatively. 
  • Conduct drawing games for kids to learn about shells so that they will develop a friendly competitive spirit and push themselves towards achieving their goals. 

We hope this article on how to draw a shell helps children. You can check out other games, activities, and worksheets on kids learning, worksheets for kids, and holiday activities for kids section at Osmo.

Frequently Asked Questions on How to Draw a Shell

How to draw a shell?

You can teach kids how to draw a shell on a sheet of paper by following the stepwise instructions mentioned in this article. They can learn to draw the commissure, growth lines, umbo and beak of a shell with the help of these easy-to-follow instructions.

What are the benefits of learning how to draw a shell?

The benefits of learning how to draw a shell for kids are that it helps them recognize, understand and memorize the structure and function of shells in protecting the organism living inside them through drawing. Besides this, kids will develop creative thinking and imagination skills while drawing.