Fun Clay Modelling Ideas For Children, And The Young At Heart!

Colourful clay or play dough is an attraction for children and adults alike. These fun clay modelling ideas will get you started.

Give your child a piece of clay and it will be difficult for you too to resist the temptation of creating your own masterpiece with it while your child experiments with his creation.

This extremely creative and time-tested clay modelling is simple yet extremely stimulating and beneficial for the development of your child. Apart from keeping your child happily busy, here is how those adorable clay models help your child:

• He understands the concept of cause and effect when he picks up the clay in his hand and squeezes it to change its shape.
• It stimulates child’s creativity and tickles her intelligence. Scientifically, it creates many new synapses in the brain and activates the neurons through the senses applied while working with clay.
• It improves hand-eye coordination in kids and helps in development of fine motor skills.
• It increases concentration and attention span of the kids.

You would be surprised to know that some of the greatest scientists of all time loved to play with clay and would even create complex clay models from a very early age. So, if this bit has motivated you enough to explore craft, here are some DIY craft ideas for all age groups and even for curious teens and adults!

Clay Modeling For Kids

Here we will explore clay art for kids across age groups:

1. For the cutest of the lot (0-2 years of age)

This age group will be thrilled to see the colourful dough and creating simple shapes to introduce concepts to them is what will appeal to them the most. Check out these simple artwork that you can help them create:

• Play with me caterpillar

• Easy to create snail and butterfly

• Shapes

Get simple shape cutters and see your little toddler enjoying the many shapes that he can create from these, also learning them in the process.

P.S: As you introduce the concept to this age group, make sure they are always assisted lest they end up putting the dough in their mouth!

2. Little explorers (2-5 years of age)

This fun age group can really ‘cook up’ something with the dough. Some interesting clay art ideas for them include:

• A fruit platter: Pineapple, pear, apple, grapes berry, watermelon…this is fun to create and beautiful to look at.

• Pizza: Create this pizza for your little one and teach her the ‘I am pizza song’ in the process.

3. Budding scientists (5-10 years of age)

This age group is an interesting one as you can actually drive concepts through clay modeling. Here are some ideas:

• Concept of Earth: Teach them the concept of Earth by creating the different layers of the Earth using different colors and explaining to them the inner core, core, mantle and crust!

• Rainy Season: Rainy season can be created with playdough on an old cardboard piece that you may have at home. You can even ask your child to create a small rainbow to further make it interesting.

4. Creative Geniuses (10-13 years of age)

Children of this age group should be left to use their imagination and creativity. However, to get them started, you may suggest the following clay modelling ideas to them:

• Self Photo Frames: Give your child one of his printed photographs and he can create a personal photo frame with clay for himself, using a hard object such as CD or piece of cardboard as a base. You could dry it in the sun for some time to increase its longevity.

• Beaded bracelets and necklaces: Young kids would enjoy making it for themselves and for their friends. Before you know it, this will be the new fashion in town (and at such a great price!)

5. Children at heart (Teens, and Adults like us!)

For the ‘young at heart’, you too can indulge in a lot of DIY craft with the regular clay or polymer clay, which is more durable. Here is what you can do:

• Refrigerator magnets: Create refrigerator magnets for any shape or object you want.
• Jewellery like rose studs, necklaces and much more: Whether for yourself or to give away as a gift, this idea is sure to appeal to your creativity.

Now that you have all this and much more to do in your free summer time, buy clay and get going!

All images via Shutterstock

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Ruchi Verma

Ruchi Verma Rajan is a woman on a mission of self-discovery. An avid reader

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