How to Make a Clay Rainforest

Use clay to make any part of the rainforest.

If you are teaching your students or children about the rainforest, a diorama is one way to reinforce the concepts you have taught. Clay is a medium most children enjoy working with, and it can be used to create detailed rainforest models. Show your students clay techniques so they know how to roll, pinch and shape the clay into shapes that resemble plants and animals that reside in the rainforest. Allow the children to be creative in interpreting their understanding of the rainforest, and use these directions to guide their creativity.

Things You'll Need

• Large piece of cardboard
• Aluminum foil
• Books about the rainforest
• Modeling clay
• Assorted clay tools
• Paint
• Paintbrushes

Instructions

1. Line your piece of cardboard with aluminum foil, completely covering the cardboard.

2. Look through books that show pictures of the rainforest. Begin developing ideas of what you would like to include in your rainforest.

3. Take a large ball of clay and knead it with your hands to make it more malleable.

4. Construct trees and plants for your rainforest first. Arrange them on your foil-lined piece of cardboard. Use books about the rainforest to help you determine where each type of plant or tree grows. Use various clay tools to help you add details.

5. Make animals, bugs and birds once you are done with your plant life. Include a variety of insects, such as butterflies and beetles, as well as animals, such as snakes, jaguars and sloths. Add clay birds to your trees. Use the clay tools to add your details.

6. Allow your rainforest to dry completely, which may take 24 to 48 hours.

7. Use a paintbrush to paint color and detail onto your clay rainforest. Use your picture books to help you determine what color each item should be.

Tips & Warnings

• For younger children, use colored modeling clay, which will eliminate the need to paint the rainforest when it is dry, though many types of colored modeling clay do not dry hard.

• Show children how to mix colors to make darker and lighter shades of the colors they wish to use to paint their rainforest.

• Place a garbage bag over the work surface to prevent clay from drying to your tables.

• Wash hands after using clay.

• If the clay does not stick together very well, use a small drop of water to help it stick. This is helpful if the children are trying to put birds in trees or attaching tiny insects to tree trunks.

• Allow the clay rainforest to dry completely before painting it. If you do not wait long enough, the rainforest may be damaged.

References

• "Crafts From Modeling Clay"; Huguette Kirby; 2006
• "Imagine Your World In Clay"; Maureen Carlson; 2005