Clay Ideas for Projects

You need to warm and knead new clay to soften it before using.

Faced with a lump of clay, you might find it difficult to think of a project other than bowls or snakes. Clay is a versatile art material and available in many varieties, such as kiln fired, oven baked, air dried or homemade clay. Because of its forgiving nature, creating with clay is a full multisensory experience that children and adults alike can enjoy.

Faux Candy

Create sweet confections from polymer clay to use as holiday decorations year after year. Use chocolate molds to design faux chocolate rabbits, toy trains or small chocolate treats. Roll clay into small balls and press the bottom flat for gum drops, or form cone shapes for candy corn. If you plan to make candy garlands or ornaments, poke a hole in the clay candy before it dries with a toothpick or sewing machine needle. Paint and cover with a coat of shellac. Add beads or glitter to resemble candy sprinkles or sugar.

Clay Tiles

Design clay tiles to use as wall decorations, coasters or trivets. Experiment with different tools to create marks in the clay, such as clay tools, combs, forks or coins. Roll out the clay to approximately ½-inch thickness. Cut square shapes of any size from the clay with a sharp knife. For wall decorations, poke a hole in the top. Finish the dried clay with a layer of clear shellac. For coasters, cover the backs with felt.

Clay Bowls

Form unusual bowls, use nontraditional shapes, such as a maple leaf, flower, fish or car. Roll a flat sheet of clay to ½-inch thickness. Trace the desired design into the clay. Cut out and gently lay the shape over a glass bowl or ball. Remove clay when it hardens. Use food-safe paints to seal, if you plan on using the bowl for food.

Clay Beads

Clay beads can be simple balls of homemade salt dough clay, or elaborately swirled and designed pieces of polymer clay. Thread several small beads on a string for a bracelet or necklace, or use a large single bead as a pendant. Poke holes in the clay balls with a toothpick before the clay hardens. Roll several colors of clay together to create a marble effect, or layer flat sheets of clay and cut into squares. Once the clay is dry, paint the beads and cover with a clear coat of shellac before stringing into jewelry.

References

• Homeschooling Ideas: Clay Projects for Kids
• Fun Family Education: Clay Sculptures
• Zoom Activities: Homemade Clay Beads