Easy Clay Projects for Kids

Kids Clay Craft Ideas

In the summer we love being outside making things with clay!

The problem my kids have, after making their first few coil pots or pinch pots, is knowing what to make next. There are only so many brown shapeless lumps you can cope with!

I have been scouring books and the internet for kids clay crafts. I hope these ideas inspire you and help your homeschool clay craft sessions become a fun and creative time.

My children like all types of clay - air drying, firing, sclulpey, fimo - even clay we have made ourselves (see how to make clay). These projects are flexible enough to try with lots of types of clay. Who knows, you might even end up trying to fire your own clay at home!

Clay Projects for Kids Index:

(Click on an image below to view
project ideas and tips)

Wind Chimes	Bowls	Aliens
Tiles/Coasters/Trivets	Jewlery/Holders	Faces

Wind Chimes

Photo courtesy of futurestreet

Wind chimes are easy to make from flat shapes cut from cookie cutters - leaves look very effective. Roll out the clay and then cut several shapes to hang together. Don't forget to make holes in each chime so you can hang them when the clay has dried or been fired. You need something to hand the chimes from. Either use a piece of clay with holes poked into it, or try a tree branch. When hanging the chimes from the holder, hang them quite close together so that they hit each other in the wind.

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Bowls

Photo courtesy of sugar

Bowls are easy to make using pinch pot or coil methods. If you want to use the bowl for food-use, then do make sure your clay or paints/glaze are food-safe. To make a shaped bowl like the Maple Leaf Bowl, roll out a thin layer of clay. Use a paper pattern (or a real leaf) as a guide to cut out a shape. If the clay is to be kiln-fired the paper/leaf can be left in place (it will burn away), but otherwise should be removed. Place the cut-out shape inside a large bowl (or upside down over a bowl or ball) to give it a bowl shape and remove when leather hard.

This technique works great for other simple shapes too. Check out children's coloring pages for simple outlines to use - why not try fish, houses or car shapes for your bowl?

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Aliens

Photo courtesy of brownpau

Aliens are really fun clay projects for kids because anything goes. Just shape out your figure and add some eyes! To make a large alien it is best to roll out flat a large piece of clay. Wrap the clay around balled up newspaper to make a body shape. Repeat for the head. This will help your alien dry, and not be too heavy. If your alien is going into the kiln, then make some air holes in the body to help air escape during firing.

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Tiles/Coasters/Trivets

Photo courtesy of exfordy

Flat shapes make great coasters, tiles and trivets. A large flat shape would make a great stepping stone for the garden - or hang a small one as a holiday decoration. Glue felt to the back of trivets to safe scratching your kitchen bench. Children's coloring pages make great outlines for clay shapes. Choose simple shapes and cut around them on rolled out clay. Or hand and footprints look great too. If you are going to hang your shape then don't forget to make a hole in the top of it.

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Jewelry/Jewelry Holders

Photo courtesy of izarrak

Pendants are great projects to make. Cut different shapes and add a hole for hanging. Don't make the pendant too heavy or it will be uncomfortable to wear. Shapes with 'sticky-out bits' make great jewelry holders - like this great monster ring-holder. An alien with lots of arms would make a good bracelet stand.

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Faces

Green Man taken by Simon Garbutt

Faces, and self portraits make easy clay projects for kids. Start with rolled out clay to use as a 'base' for your face - and add the features and hair. If you make a couple of holes near the top for hanging, these look great hung from a tree or on a garden wall.

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