Clay Projects for Preschoolers

Preschoolers can make shapes, figures and ceramics with clay.

Preschoolers enjoy making clay projects for many reasons. Clay is a material that their tiny hands can pinch, roll, punch and coil. Even small children can get that rewarding feeling you receive when the clay project is complete. In addition, preschoolers feel a sense of pride when you display their clay creations to their families and friends.

Ceramic Coil Pot

Hand your preschooler a big ball of clay. Have her knead it to remove all air bubbles. When the clay feels flexible, soft and "pinchable," have her grab a handful of clay and pat it down so it becomes flat and forms a circle for the base of the bowl. Grabbing more clay, show her how to roll it into a smooth cylinder shape between her hands and on the table. With a long clay strip evenly rolled and smoothed out, take one end and place it down at the edge of the clay to serve as the base of the bowl. Show her how to continue to wind the strip along the diameter of the base. Continue the coil stack until the wall of the bowl is at the desired height. Show her how to smooth the interior wall; she has to gently nudge down on the clay above each layer of coil and use a wet sponge to run over the surface. Also smooth the surface on the outside. Place the bowl into the kiln, and fire and bake as per the instructions provided with the clay.

3-D Clay Name Sculpture

Hand your preschooler an 8-by-10-inch piece of cardboard. On the cardboard, help him write out his name with crayon. Show him how each letter has different lines and curves. Present him with modeling clay to mold a piece resembling the lines or curves found for each letter. When all letters are molded, add glue to the first letter on the cardboard, and place the molded clay on top of it. Have your preschooler firmly press down the letter, then do the same with the rest of the letters. Show him how to create patterns on the letters with different tools such as pushing down a straw, craft stick and pencil. He can also color or paint the rest of the cardboard background to complete the design.

Clay Flower Press

Using modeling clay and a roller, roll the clay flat to the size of a piece of paper. Hand your preschooler a variety of flowers that are just budding. Have her firmly press the flower bud and stem into the clay. Help her to carefully lift the flower back up. Repeat this step several times on the sheet of clay, and soon she will have it filled with a variety of flower imprints. Help her use tempura paints to give all the flower imprints some color.

Model Face From Clay

Have your preschooler select a head shot of one of their favorite cartoon characters or people in their lives. Point out the main features that make up a face: eyes, nose, mouth and ears. Hand him modeling clay to sculpt and mold these features to appear similar to the image in the photo. When all the features are complete and properly placed onto the surface, show him how to roll a cylinder of clay between his hands and on the table. Have him use the rolled strip to form the outline of the face. You can help him roll the strip to a thinner cylindrical shape to create hair for the model face.

References

• Art Lessons For Kids: Clay Fun in Elementary
• Education: Construction and Sculpture Activities