Imagine cracking open a peanut and discovering not just a nut, but a character waiting to be revealed.

With paintbrushes in hand, you can turn shells into tiny stage actors, some dressed as monsters, others grinning like cartoons.

Plus, each creation tells its own story, like pages of a comic book unfolding in miniature form.

Materials Needed

• Whole peanut shells (emptied and cleaned)
• Acrylic paints (bright colors + metallics for details)
• Fine-tip paintbrushes or paint pens
• Permanent markers
• Optional: googly eyes, tiny stickers, or craft glue-on details

Step-by-step Guide

Step 1: Select peanut shells with interesting shapes. Long ones can become bodies, rounded ones can make funny heads.

Step 2: Clean and dry the shells thoroughly so the paint adheres well.

Step 3: Sketch your designs lightly with a pencil like cartoon eyes, sharp teeth, silly expressions, or even costumes.

Step 4: Start painting. Begin with a base coat and let it dry before adding details like eyes, mouths, or clothes. You then use fine brushes or paint pens for precision.

Step 5: Add final touches with markers such as outlines, highlights, or shadow details to make the characters pop.

Step 6: Let your peanut characters dry fully, then display them in a small shadowbox, line them up on a shelf, or scatter them across a festive table for laughs.

Tips:

I love how peanut shells naturally give you unexpected faces, little dents or curves become perfect places for eyes or noses.

Don’t overthink it; let the shell shape guide your creativity. If you’re making these with kids, lean into silly and goofy expressions, they’ll get endless joy out of it.