Bring out your child’s inner sculptor with one of these 30 easy clay crafts for kids. There are clay activities for kids of all ages including preschoolers, elementary age, teens, and tweens.
Everyone has fond memories of playing with play dough as a child. However, there comes a time when you should probably upgrade to a different type of modeling clay.
There are so many fun kids clay ideas that you can do with your kids! I’m excited to share over 30 with you today.
Many of these fun projects can’t be accomplished using play dough, because it cracks when it air dries. So if you want to keep your creations, you are going to need to switch to a different type of modeling clay.
Types of Modeling Clay for Kids
Oil Based Modeling Clay
Oil based clay is great to play with because it stays soft and malleable. It comes in a lot of colors and can be mixed to make more colors. It also doesn’t stick to hands, tables, hair, and so on.
However, it shouldn’t be used for the crafts listed below because it doesn’t harden. You’ll want to use either air dry or polymer if you would like to create finished projects like the ones shown.
Air Dry Clay
Air dry clay is exactly what it sounds like – it hardens by letting it sit. No heat is needed to set this type of clay. So if you are looking to not use your oven, this may be your best bet for clay art.
Unlike play dough, it doesn’t crack as it dries. However, it does shrink slightly as it sets. And it can take days to fully dry, so give yourself time for the projects. Air dry clay can be painted when completely dry – but you’ll have to wait until then.
Polymer Clay
I was surprised to learn that polymer clay doesn’t actually contain clay! It’s actually a plastic (primarily PVC) made of pigments, fillers, lubricants, plasticizers, oils, and binders. Unlike air dry clay, polymer clay needs to be heated to harden (baked in the oven).
The projects are typically finished by baking in an oven at 265° – 275°F (129°–135°C) for 15 minutes for each 1/4 inch (6mm) of thickness. You can paint them after baking, and also mix colors.
This can be good if you want to work on something over a long period of time. It can sit out and won’t harden like air dry clay. Plus, there is very little shrinkage as it sets.
The best clay for kids to make the following activities would be either air dry or polymer clay. It just depends on your preference.
Now that you know what to use, you really need to check out these 30 fun clay craft ideas. They would also be fun for adults, so don’t be afraid to break off a hunk of clay and jump in. Happy crafting!
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The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Make Eric Carle's very hungry caterpillar from polymer clay! Read the book and make him come to life with this simple tutorial.
Make a fun whale phone holder out of air dry clay. This simple craft is great fun and you can keep it forever to prop up your phone! You could make these phone holders as DIY gifts to give to friends and loved ones.
Oh my word these are so cute! Who, who, who wouldn't want to make these owls? I just love how these owl necklaces turned out! So fun and colorful, such a great diy jewelry craft that is perfect for older kids and tweens.
Who would your kids give a medal to? Make these and have fun asking them who to give them to and why. These are also a fun idea for a summer Olympics at home.
Use air-dry clay, shells, and this step by step to make these cute seashell creatures. This is a fun craft for after a beach vacation! Make fun creatures to go with shells you've collected.
Kids will love playing with clay in this project! They’ll learn to marble, and the pens make great gifts for friends and family.You can also do this with pencils – if you choose to make a colorful pencil, try air dry clay.
Kids might find it tricky to make polymer clay beads. Getting them the same shape and size and keeping their roundness while baking can be hard! But don’t despair, because these unique tangle beads are foolproof.
Painting these dishes in bright colors and designs will be really fun for kids! They are so simple to make and your kids will love rolling them out, watching them turn solid and painting them.
Instead of a trinket dish, kids can hide little toys and jewelry in these pinch clay bowls. These whimsical and fun containers are perfect for holding kids' smallest and most special items!
If you’re a honey-lover, this should make you excited! It is Honey Bees vs Flowers in this cute tic tac toe game. This is an incredibly cute craft and makes for a lovely gift too. This is one of my favorite clay projects for kids ever!
These fish would make cute backpack tags or keychains. Or make them larger to use as cute decorations in a kid's room. All you need is some air dried clay and acrylic paint.
Even though these are super large beads, you won't use up your clay because the middle is a ball of aluminum foil! Ana shows how you can use them to make a statement necklace, door hanger, garland, keychain, backpack hanger or a funky lei.
I love the colors and how it doesn't need to be perfect to look good – great for a kid's project! This is the easiest clay art for kids ever. All ages will be able to tackle this idea.
A rainbow dish in the shape of a rainbow! Holly was inspired by Rainbow Brite's boots when making this, and I think it turned out just about as cute as can be. Both teens and tweens will love this project.
If you've never left the cactus trend behind (I didn't), then you'll appreciate this cute idea that kids will also love. Air dry clay, paint and a gold pen are used to make these super cute candle holders.
Kids love tiny toys and charms! Although these may be a little small for kids to make, they could make them bigger and create a pendant necklace instead.
Which of these kids clay ideas do you think you will try first? Let me know in the comments! I’d also love for you to check out the following children’s craft collections with various supplies and themes:
faith Phillips
Friday 7th of July 2023
these small charms are great for my little girls thank you website