Craft projects are something the whole family can enjoy, and whether you play around for fun or create a keepsake that you’ll treasure for years to come, working with homemade clay is a good way to spend an afternoon with the kiddos away from screens. Once your kids try working with clay, they’ll want to do it all the time. Use the following recipes to make modeling clay or other types of clay for kids’ crafts or teens’ entertainment that can be rolled or shaped into figures. Some clays should be dried overnight, while others are best baked in an oven. When hard, sculptures can be decorated and preserved with acrylic paint or a varnish finish. Dig in and enjoy the creative process of making something special with your DIY clay. These clay recipes can easily be made at home and will provide hours of fun for your child. (And if you want to take it to the next level and make your own play dough, check out our video!)
1. Modeling Clay
Modeling clay is a flexible, moldable material and may be very long-lasting, depending on how it’s preserved. Making modeling clay is an easy DIY project that even the youngest children in the house can participate in, which will give them the experience of creating something from start to finish. Materials:
2 cups salt 2/3 cups water Saucepan 1 cup cornstarch 1/2 cup cold water
Directions:
2. Bread Clay
Bread clay is the best choice for creating objects that will be used often, like necklace beads, handprints, small figurines, and other fun things they choose. Your kiddos will enjoy mashing up the bread and adding the gooey ingredients like white glue, PVA glue, or basic school glue, to make the clay. It may be messy, but it’s lots of fun! Materials:
6 slices white bread, crusts removed 6 tablespoons white glue 1/2 teaspoon detergent or 2 teaspoons glycerine Food coloring Paintbrush Equal parts white glue and cold water Acrylic paint or spray or clear nail polish
Directions:
3. Baker’s Clay
Use baker’s clay to create hanging ornaments for Christmas trees, Halloween wreaths, or Easter baskets. You can use the baker’s clay homemade clay recipe to create small animals or other creatures, too. Materials:
4 cups flour 1 cup salt 1 teaspoon alum 1 1/2 cups water Food coloring (optional) Large bowl Cookie cutters, drinking straw, and fine wire (optional) Baking sheet Fine sandpaper Plastic-based poster paint, acrylic paint, or markers Clear shellac, varnish, acrylic spray, or nail polish
Directions:
4. No-Bake Craft Clay
This is a completely safe DIY recipe that any child can use, and you won’t have to worry if little ones are prone to putting things in their mouths, since it’s all-natural and comprised of cornstarch and baking soda mixed with water. You can store leftover clay in plastic wrap or plastic bags to use another day. Materials:
1 cup cornstarch 1 1/4 cups cold water 2 cups baking soda (1 pound) Saucepan Food coloring (optional) Plate Damp cloth Tempera or acrylic paints (optional) Clear shellac, acrylic spray, or nail polish
Directions:
5. No-Bake Cookie Clay
No-bake cookie clay is another great choice for toddlers and small kiddos since it’s completely non-toxic. This DIY clay is made with only water, salt and cornstarch. Materials:
2 cups salt 2/3 cup water Medium saucepan 1 cup cornstarch 1/2 cup cold water Rolling pin Cookie cutters Drinking straw Paint, glitter, and other decorative materials
Directions:
