Coconut fantasies for decorating an aquarium. What DIY crafts can you make from coconut shells? Coconut shell crafts for kids

In the hands of a master, even an ordinary coconut shell will become original crafts. Indeed, coconut shells are an interesting material for creativity. You can buy coconut in absolutely any store. And after you enjoy it, you shouldn’t throw away the shell. Below we will offer you beautiful and unusual crafts made from coconut shells.

What can you make from coconut shells?

Coconut shell lamps.

From coconut shells you can create completely various crafts. They can be simple or complex. A simple one is an aquarium house. But original lamps can be considered complex. Such products will fill any room with beautiful light and create an extraordinary atmosphere in it. Check out some ideas for lamps you can make from coconut.

Coconut saucepan.

In this article we will tell you about what crafts to make from coconut shells. Coconut shells can have unexpected uses in life. For example, you can make a saucepan.

For this purpose, take a large coconut. Cut off the top of it. Do not throw away the top. It will be the lid.

Make sure to scoop out all the meat from the coconut.

Glue the handles to the coconut using glue.

Coconut glass.

To make a glass. Buy a small coconut from the store. Cut off the top. Be sure to clean everything inside the coconut. Glue the top that you cut off using glue gun to the bottom of the coconut.

Original candlestick made of coconut.

This craft is also very easy to make. Be sure to clean the coconut and then pick up a candle. Decorate the cute candle holder with some accessories.

And a few more ideas for coconut candlesticks.



Coconut box.

It is worth saying that crafts made from coconut shells that you make with your own hands can be useful in your household.

For example, if you peel the pulp from a coconut and cut off the top, you can make an original box. At the same time, in order for the box to look beautiful, you must varnish it. And stick shells on top of the box. Remember that such a craft can become an original gift.

Coconut turtle.

A turtle like this may appear in your house. To create it, use personal skills, as well as carving tools.

Coconut jewelry.

If you know how to work with wood, then you will not have any difficulties processing coconut. Take a look at what items can be made from coconut shells. And if you learn how to create such crafts, then perhaps in the future you will make money by selling them.

As you can see, these can be interesting pendants or beautiful earrings. And these can also be massive bracelets.

Coconut maracas.

Here we are talking about what can be made from coconut shells. It is worth mentioning that in addition to the above mentioned coconut crafts. Maracas are made from its shell. And if you don’t know what gift to please your loved one for some holiday, then give him maracas. Remember that not only children, but also adults will be happy with this gift. Below we will offer you a master class on making maracas.

So, first prepare all the essentials. You will need:

  • coconut,
  • hacksaw,
  • putty, which is designed for working with wood,
  • sandpaper,
  • Super glue,
  • rope for maracas handle,
  • acrylic paints,
  • items for decoration.

Content:

Coconut shells can be used to make interesting decor for aquarium. Coconut is easy to process, does not contain harmful substances and does not rot in water. Coconut in the aquarium is widely used to create tropical landscapes. It’s not difficult to work with, you just need to put in a little effort and imagination - and the unusual decorations are ready!

How to choose a good coconut?

It is best to buy coconuts in a store; here you can compare several fruits with each other. Here are the signs of a fresh coconut:

  • healthy appearance;
  • light, dry surface;
  • whole shell, without chips or cracks;
  • dry, hard eyes, without rot or mold;
  • visually the fruit seems lighter than it actually is;
  • milk splashes inside.

Attention! Shake the nut near your ear. Fresh fruit is filled with milk. In a damaged or old one, you can’t hear its splashing. This kind of coconut cannot be used in an aquarium because of its hardness.

Preparing the Coconut

So, you have chosen the ripest and freshest coconut for the aquarium. Now you need:

  1. cut a nut;
  2. extract the pulp from it;
  3. drill or saw through decorative holes;
  4. soak and boil the fruit so that it does not color the water;
  5. place it in the aquarium.

Step 1: Cutting the nut

Inside the coconut there is valuable and nutritious milk. If you want to drink it, before sawing the nut, drill a hole in the shell and pour the contents of the coconut into a glass.

Now you can start cutting. The walnut can be easily cut using a hacksaw for cutting metal. Be prepared for shavings to fly from the shell.

It is much more difficult to saw coconuts lengthwise than crosswise. First of all, it's inconvenient. Secondly, the hacksaw blade can slip off the surface of the nut and injure your hand. Therefore, all operations must be performed with extreme caution.

Step 2: Extract the pulp

There are three ways to extract the pulp from a coconut: anthill, fermentation and scraping.

  • Anthill. Find an anthill in the forest where red ants live and place a sawn coconut on it. After some time, the hard-working ants will clean the nut until it shines.
  • Fermentation. Use a drill to drill three holes in the bottom of the nut. Wrap the nut in a bag and place it in a very warm place or in the sun. There is no need to pour out the coconut milk from the nut. After 3-4 days, the sour, mushy pulp can be easily removed with a regular spoon.
  • Scraping. Separating the pulp from the shell is not as easy as it seems. You need to insert the blade of a knife between the pulp and the shell and separate the pulp into small pieces. So, moving from the sawn edge deep into the nut, you will gradually remove all its internal contents.

Step 3: Drill decorative holes

Now that the coconut is free of its internal contents, you can cut or drill decorative holes in it.

  • Round hole. To drill a smooth, round hole in a nut, you need to use a drill with a special ballerina drill. Using such a drill, you can get a perfectly even hole, like in a birdhouse.
  • Uneven hole. An uneven hole has a more natural appearance. It can be done using pliers, gradually breaking off pieces from the shell until a hole of the desired size and shape is formed. To prevent the fish from getting hurt on the sharp edges of the hole, they need to be sharpened with a file.

Step 4: Soak and Boil the Coconut

After removing the pulp from the coconut and cutting out the holes of the desired shape, they begin to soak the shells. To do this, the empty shell is placed in a vessel with water for 2-3 days. The water is renewed every 12 hours. After this, the shells are boiled in boiling water for 5-10 minutes. This is done so that the coconut in the aquarium does not color the water.

Attention! Coconut can be cleaned of fibers using skins, or left in its original form. Aquarium crabs love coconut fibers and eat them with pleasure.

Types of coconut decorations

From coconut you can make hanging pots, a boat, a grotto (house) or a bridge for your aquarium with your own hands. The surface of the fruit can be treated with sandpaper, or the fibers can be left in their original form. If desired, you can “green” the scenery with moss.

House

The houses are made from two halves of a coconut, or from a nut with the lower part cut off. In the first case, the houses turn out to be flatter, in the second - more voluminous.

In the houses, holes are drilled or hollowed out, through which the fish freely penetrate into the coconut dwelling and swim out. The shape and size of the holes may vary.

Tip: The house can be stylized as a pirate treasure cache. To do this, you need to pour decorative elements into it that imitate treasure. It is important that these “treasures” are clearly visible through the holes in the coconut shell.

Bridge

A large coconut is suitable for making a bridge. The top and bottom parts of this nut are cut off and a coconut ring no more than 10 cm wide with white flesh inside is obtained. The ring is laid horizontally on a flat surface, a small section is sawed off from it and you get original decor in the form of a bridge. All that remains is to clean the shell from the pulp and place it in the aquarium.

Interesting: To green a bridge, you need to lay out pieces of moss on its surface, cover it with a plastic net, wrap it with cotton thread and place it in an aquarium. After a couple of weeks, the moss will sprout and cover the mesh, and the thread will dissolve in water.

Hanging pot for aquarium plants

To make a hanging pot, the nut is cut lengthwise into four parts, the smoothest slice is selected and the pulp is removed from it. Then, according to the internal profile of the quarters, the back wall of the pot is cut out of plexiglass 2-3 mm thick. Several through holes with a diameter of 0.1-0.2 cm are drilled in this workpiece for water circulation and one hole in the center for a suction cup. A suction cup is inserted, the plexiglass blank is glued with epoxy glue to the cut of the coconut, wait until the glue dries and attach the pot to the inner wall of the aquarium.

In a pot filled with soil, you can plant plants that love intense light. It is convenient to apply root feeding in such a pot.

boat

If you look closely at the coconut, you will see that it consists of three parts connected to each other by barely noticeable lines. By sawing the nut along these lines, you can get three pieces that look like boats. These blanks can be styled as a sunken fishing boat or a pirate ship that sank with treasure.

Help: To quickly divide a nut into three parts, you need to saw it along the connecting lines with a hacksaw, and then split it completely with a hammer. It will not be difficult to extract the pulp from such a preparation.

Coconut shell is an extremely interesting material that can be transformed into a wide variety of household items in the hands of a skilled craftsman. In this article we will talk about how to make crafts from coconut with your own hands. Photos of unique creations will be presented below.

Coconut saucepan

In fact, you can make a variety of crafts from coconut. The main thing is to show your imagination. One of the simplest solutions is to create a saucepan from such a shell.

For the above purpose, you need to choose a large, symmetrical coconut. The top needs to be cut off. It is convenient to do this with a hacksaw, since the shell is quite hard. Alternatively, you can use a jigsaw. There is no need to throw away the top. After all, in the future it will play the role of a saucepan lid.

It is necessary to thoroughly remove all the pulp from the coconut. Further it inner part need to dry thoroughly. The walls should be cleaned with coarse-grained sandpaper and later polished with fine-grained sandpaper.

You need to cut out the side handles of the saucepan from wood. The latter can be attached to the shell using superglue or mounted on small bolts by drilling appropriate holes in the walls of the coconut. Similar operations must be done with the lid of the saucepan.

Wineglass

What other crafts can you make from coconut with your own hands at home? Making a glass from a shell looks like a fairly simple task. To do this, you need to pick up the smallest size coconut in the store. Cut off the top from it. Then you should clean out the pulp. To make the glass stable, the cut top needs to be glued from below to the main part of the man-made container.

Candle

let's consider simple crafts from coconut with your own hands (photo). It will not be difficult for children to make an original candle from a shell. To cope with the task, you need to cut the coconut in half and clean out its inside. The outer walls of the shell can be polished and varnished, or left as is.

Next, you need to select a large candle, divide it into several parts and carefully remove the wick. The wax must be heated and melted inside the coconut halves. During the work, you need to hold the previously obtained wick in the central part of the improvised container.

That's it, the candle is ready and you can use it. The main thing is to wait until the wax completely hardens in the shell. Finally, you can decorate the walls of the shell with a pattern or some small accessories.

Flower pot

What crafts can you make from coconut with your own hands for the kindergarten? It will be easy for children, as well as their parents, to make a pot for indoor plants. Work must be performed in the following sequence:

  • choose a large coconut;
  • split the shell in half using a hacksaw or jigsaw;
  • clean out the pulp;
  • drill holes along the edge of the shell half in 3-4 places;
  • pass a strong one through the resulting holes, connecting its ends at the top.

At the final stage, you can start filling the man-made pot with soil. Next, all that remains is to plant the plant in the resulting container and hang the product in any convenient place.

Lamp

Let's continue talking about coconut crafts. Interesting idea is to create a lampshade from a shell. This will require imagination, drawing, polishing and carving skills.

To make original lamp, just choose a coconut of the correct, round shape. It must be carefully cut in half and then cleaned out all the pulp. Next, you should rub and polish the inner and outer surfaces of the shell. It is recommended to treat the resulting blanks with varnish, which will give the finished lamp an attractive appearance.

In one half of the future coconut craft, you need to cut a round hole, the size of which corresponds to the parameters of the base of the light bulb used. Then you should draw any pattern of your choice on the surfaces of the shell. It is desirable that it be made of thin lines. The latter will act as a contour along which you need to drill equidistant holes with a thin drill. Thus, when the light bulb is turned on, light will pass through the holes, which will “draw” the previously depicted pattern on the walls of the room.

Next, you need to insert the base with the light bulb into the shell and fix it in any convenient way. You need to solder an electrical wire to the base, at the end of which there is a plug. Finally, just glue the halves of the coconut together and connect the lamp to the network.

House for aquarium inhabitants

Next, I would like to consider crafts made from coconut for an aquarium. shell large fruit must be cut in half. One of the parts can be thrown away. The remaining half should be cleared of pulp. Next, use a wood saw to make cuts along the edges of the shell. Place a jigsaw here and cut out part of the shell in the form of a semicircle. In this way, you can get a hole, which will subsequently serve as an entrance for fish or crustaceans that inhabit the aquarium.

Finally, all that remains is to treat the coconut against rotting. To do this, the product must be boiled several times in a pan of salted water, draining it periodically. As soon as the water stops being colored, the coconut house can be immersed in the aquarium. After some time, the inhabitants of the artificial reservoir will begin to inhabit the shell.

Bracelet

An excellent option for crafts made from coconut would be a bracelet. It's easy to make. You just need to cut the ring out of the shell so that your wrist fits snugly into it. The sharp edges of the resulting product need to be smoothed and sanded for convenience. This can be done using sandpaper. The surface of the bracelet should be decorated by gluing beads and other small accessories onto it. If desired, the product can be carved.

Handbag

There are several ways to create a unique handbag from a shell. First, let's consider the option of making a flat product. To implement the idea, you need to cut off two tops of the same size from the shell. Along the edges of the latter you should drill holes where you need to sew a zipper. Finally, it is enough to attach handles made of decorative rope or any other material of your choice to the shell. That's all you need to do to create a miniature handbag for the summer.

As for the second method, similar steps should be performed here, with the only difference being that the coconut shell must be divided in half into two equal parts. It is also worth drilling holes along the edges of the resulting blanks for attaching the zipper. If desired, lacing can be used to connect the shell halves.

Finally

As you can see, a whole host of decorative or practical crafts can be made from coconut shells. To give the resulting products an attractive appearance, their surface can be wrapped in fabric, treated with patterned thread or cord, and beads, seed beads, and other accessories used in needlework can be glued on. Crafts made from both unshelled coconut and polished shells with all kinds of designs and carved motifs look attractive.

Useful tips

Considered one of the most used trees in the world, the coconut palm is a vital part of many South Asian and tropical cultures. Its fruits have incredible properties and are used for a variety of purposes, primarily in cooking.

A group of scientists recently discovered that coconuts and coir palms are used for 360 purposes these days. We would like to share the most common uses of this product, some of which may seem quite surprising.


1) Style icon

We know that coconut is widely used in cooking, but it is also used in the fashion industry. Coconut shells are used to make all kinds of products and accessories, as well as fiber for clothing! Moreover, with a little imagination, you can make an original round fashionable handbag from two halves of a walnut. Coconut shells also make an excellent ashtray or pot for home flowers.

How to make a bag with your own hands:


To do this, use a drill to drill holes in a clean, varnished shell and attach a zipper to it. Or you can glue the zipper using good superglue. All that remains is to attach the handles. The result is a fashionable handbag.

2) Skin moisturizer


Not everyone knows that coconut oil is an excellent moisturizer, which is especially effective in dry and frosty winter weather. It is recommended to be applied to cracked heels and elbows; it moisturizes and soothes dry skin, and quickly relieves irritation. Just apply a little coconut oil onto dry areas of skin and rub it in with massaging movements. You will be pleasantly surprised at the benefits of using coconut oil on your face and body.

3) Toothpaste


One of the healthiest toothpastes is made with coconut oil. To do this, mix a few teaspoons of oil with a spoon baking soda. Brush your teeth with this mixture and you will see how your smile instantly shines white. Research has shown that coconut oil has a strong antimicrobial effect and helps destroy the main pathogens in your mouth that cause tooth decay.

4) Body scrub

If you want your skin to be smooth and healthy, you should use a scrub regularly to get rid of the top layer of dead cells. Coconut oil and coconut flakes work great for this purpose, and you can easily make a scrub at home.

How to make a homemade body scrub?


Take 1 part sea ​​salt or granulated unrefined sugar and 2 parts coconut oil and flakes. Mix everything with a teaspoon of coconut essential oil and massage into clean skin. The scrub will help exfoliate dead skin cells and give the skin a pleasant smell, while also filling it with moisture. The scrub can be used for better effect once a week, and men can also get a lot of benefit from it. For example, you can apply it to your chin and cheeks before shaving: the antifungal and moisturizing properties of coconut will keep your skin smooth and intact.

5) Dishes made from coconut milk


Coconut milk is a very important ingredient in South Asian cuisine and is especially popular in Thai cuisine. It is great for a variety of curries, rice dishes, marinades and sauces for grilled dishes. Coconut milk is also used in soups instead of sour cream, and added to oatmeal and other dishes as a substitute for regular milk. Coconut milk has quite a rich taste, it is sweet and aromatic, so you should be careful when adding it to different dishes. Moreover, it is quite high in calories and contains saturated fat.

6) Homemade makeup remover

It may seem strange that oily liquids are suitable for removing makeup, but clean essential oil Coconut is very effective at removing mascara from eyelashes, as well as other decorative cosmetics.

How to remove makeup from your face?


Apply a little oil to a cotton pad and use it to massage away makeup, making sure that the liquid does not get into your eyes. Alternatively, apply a couple of drops of oil using your fingertips directly to the area of ​​skin, and then wipe it off with a damp cloth. The oil will allow you not only to cleanse your face, but also to keep it fresh and prevent the formation of wrinkles.

7) Healthy cold snacks


Freshly grated coconut meat will be a great addition with your snacks. It does not need to be kept in the refrigerator, it has a number of properties that have a positive effect on the heart, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease. Moreover, coconut pulp will allow you to satisfy your hunger and increase your energy. Add some shredded coconut to salads or low-calorie pudding for a tangy, tropical flavor.

8) Healthy digestion


Coconut essential oil does not go rancid like many other oils and has a positive effect on digestion. Medium-chain fatty acids break down more quickly than long-chain fatty acids found in other oils. They are processed with the help of saliva and gastric juice without pancreatic enzymes, therefore, coke oil does not burden digestive system just like other oils do. It is often used in baby food and in hospital products. Moreover, coconut oil also regulates metabolic functions and soothes an upset stomach, reducing the symptoms of diseases such as Crohn's disease.

9) Coconut drinks


Coconut drinks have recently begun to appear frequently on the market. Coconut milk contains electrolytes such as sodium and magnesium, making them a healthy, tasty, low-carb drink that's a great alternative to sugar-filled sports drinks. However, you should read the ingredients in commercial drinks carefully because some are not as healthy and less effective at restoring hydration.

10) Application in medicine


Coconut oil has many medicinal uses. This is an effective natural antifungal remedy used to relax the legs, get rid of athlete's foot, candidiasis and fungal infections. skin diseases. It has mild antiseptic properties and helps fight fungi. Small sunburn and insect bites can be easily treated with the help of this wonderful product. Moreover, it also promotes milk production in lactating women.

Nowadays, coconut, or as it is commonly called coconut, is no longer an exotic and rare delicacy; it is easy to buy everywhere. Its hard outer layer is like a shell, and the inner mass of white light is the core. Coconut husks are often used for various crafts, starting from buttons and ending with tableware. But we found another use for it. We decided to make a cute glass - a stand for pens, pencils, etc.
Before you begin, you need to pour out the liquid contained in the fruit. There are 3 indentations on top of the coconut; you need to make holes in them and pour out the coconut milk, without opening the entire nut.
For production you will need: a hand drill, a hacksaw for metal, a long bolt and a nut of suitable diameter and two washers, and the coconut itself.

We saw off the third part, the top of the coconut, and kitchen knife remove the coconut pulp.


In the middle of the sawn-off top, use a drill to drill a hole with a diameter similar to the diameter of the bolt.


We take the bolt, put on one of the washers and insert it into the hole inside the larger part of the coconut.


We put the upper part of the coconut on the bolt, put a washer on the side of the stand and tighten the nut tightly. At the end of these simple manipulations, you should get such a stable, functional, and most importantly exotic pen stand.



The stand can be additionally decorated with inscriptions, artificial flowers, butterflies, or can be left in its original form.