Bring out your child’s inner sculptor with one of these 30 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 clay art ideas that you can do with your kids!
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 clay crafts listed below because it doesn’t harden.
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 playdough, 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 a project.
Polymer Clay
Polymer clay doesn’t actually contain clay, but can be used for many modeling clay purposes as it is very similar. Unlike air dry clay, polymer clay needs to be heated to harden.
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 isn’t any 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 crafts for kids. They would also be fun for adults!
Clay Crafts for Kids
Looking for something to do on a rainy day? Keep the kids busy with one of these fun clay ideas for kids. There are great crafts but also great gifts. There is something for everyone on this list!
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.
Whale Phone Holder
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.
Outer Space Jewelry
This kids’ outer space jewelry craft is out-of-this-world fun! This strand of planets is made with clay – it’s really easy to do.
Owl Necklaces
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.
Christmas Ornaments
Learn how to make Christmas ornaments using polymer clay! Cut any shapes that you like and paint any colors to match your holiday decor.
Bug Garden Stakes
Whether you add them to an indoor plant or out in your garden, these fun little critters will be a happy surprise when people find them!
Handmade Medals
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.
Seashell Creatures
Use air-dry clay, shells, and paint 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.
Marbled Pens
Kids will love playing with clay in this project! They’ll learn to marble, and the pens make great gifts for friends and family.
DIY Clay Push Pins
Dress up a bulletin board with fun push pins. These are in a geometric shape, but you could create any shape you like.
Mini Cupcakes
Jen used Model Magic clay for this project because it is softer and easier for kids to work with. Plus it just air dries so no oven needed!
Unicorn Magnets
These colorful and sweet little unicorns are adorable! Can you guess what the horn is made out of? Hint: you use them for birthdays.
Rainbow Tangle Beads
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.
Trinket Dishes
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.
Painted Mosaic Pinch Pots
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!
Bees and Flowers Tic Tac Toe
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!
Little Blue Book(mark)
A bookmark in the shape of a book? Perfect! This cute little book is simple to make, and looks cute in a book or planner.
Clay Bracelets
In this post, you will get six different ways to make bracelets out of clay. You won't believe that kids can make some great looking jewelry!
Kid's Necklace
Learn how to make a polymer clay necklace for kids featuring hand drawn pictures! Kids will have fun drawing, stringing, and wearing these.
Clay Fish
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.
Emoji Faces
Everybody can make their favorite emojis out of clay. Make them into magnets, necklaces or even keychains.
GIANT Beads
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.
Fridge Magnets
Learn how to make clay fridge magnets with oven bake clay. The whole family can get into making these magnets. Everyone can create their own pattern!
Petal Planter
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.
Rainbow Catch-All Dish
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.
Peeps Easter Magnets
Make these unique Easter magnets using cookie cutters shaped like Peeps! These are so cute and easy – even a kid can make them.
Nintendo Geek Earrings
You can use random household objects like a game remote to make the cutest earrings ever! What else can kids find to make a clay mold? Teens and tweens will love this idea.
Garden Gnomes
Not only will kids have fun making these, they will also have fun putting them in the garden and trying to find each other's gnomes!
Cactus Candle Holders
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.
Popsicle Charms
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.
Ring Dish
Make a cute little clay ring dish with hand painted accents! These darling dishes are a pretty personalized gift, and are so easy to make.
Which of these clay crafts for kids 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:
4th of July • Apples • Back-to-School • Boredom Busters • Candy Cane • Christmas • Christmas Trees • Coffee Filters • Construction Paper • Cotton Balls • Earth Day • Fall • Flowers • Frozen • Ghost • Halloween • Hearts • Love Bugs • Macaroni • Mickey Mouse • Minions • Monsters • Moon • Mummies • Mushrooms • Nature • Paper • Paper Bag • Paper Cups • Pine Cones • Pipe Cleaners • Pokemon • Popsicle Sticks • Preschool Crafts • President’s Day • Pumpkin • Reindeer • Santa • Snowflakes • Snowmen • St. Patrick’s Day • Stars • Straws • Summer • Super Mario • Thanksgiving • Valentine’s Day
faith Phillips
Friday 7th of July 2023
these small charms are great for my little girls thank you website