Hello!
Welcome to Clay Projects for Schools.
Simple, fun, creative, tried and tested projects for children using clay.
No experience necessary from adults or children.
All projects are made with up to four simple shapes, a ball, a bean, a sausage and a carrot.
Each resource has a demonstration, step by step photographic instructions and preparation notes.
I have over 25 years experience creating clay projects for children in schools and museums and am also a TA in Primary Schools.
Hello!
Welcome to Clay Projects for Schools.
Simple, fun, creative, tried and tested projects for children using clay.
No experience necessary from adults or children.
All projects are made with up to four simple shapes, a ball, a bean, a sausage and a carrot.
Each resource has a demonstration, step by step photographic instructions and preparation notes.
I have over 25 years experience creating clay projects for children in schools and museums and am also a TA in Primary Schools.
Here’s how to make Diya (lamps) for Diwali using the pinch pot/thumb pot method. This resource includes video demonstrations and easy to follow, child friendly, step by step instructions.
Suitable for children aged 7 and upwards including SEN children and any child needing additional support. If you are new to clay, allow a whole afternoon to make this project if you can. This project also works as a one to one activity or in small groups.
There are two videos included in this resource, how to make a Diya and put patterns on it and how to decorate it when it is dry. There are two powerpoints to accompany the making video and one powerpoint to accompany the decorating video which include step by step instructions.
What you need:
clay
pencils
lolly sticks
LED tea lights
paintbrushes
acrylic paints
What you get:
Video showing how to make a Diya with suggestions for patterns
Video showing suggestions on how to decorate your lamp
Powerpoint step by step instructions - I can make a Diya
Powerpoint step by step instructions - I can put patterns on my lamp
Powerpoint step by step instructions - How to decorate your lamp
Information for teachers:
How the projects work
Things you will need
Lesson plan
Preparing for your workshop (including tips for decorating)
Health and Safety
How to recycle your clay
Handling clay
Looking after your clay
Certificate of Achievement
These projects help children learn and practice basic skills which can then be used to create their own projects and enhance their own creativity. Although your children are making the same project, they will all look different.
Here’s how to make a clay fish step by step. Suitable for children aged 4 and upwards including SEN children. Great for nature, underwater or seaside themed topics. This also works well for after school clubs, as a golden time activity and can be completed in the space of a lesson (up to an hour and a half).
What you need:
clay
lolly sticks
pencils
old paintbrushes
pots of slip or water.
What you get:
Powerpoint step by step instructions - ‘I can make a fish’ and ‘I can make different types of fish’
Printable step by step instructions for ‘I can make a fish’.
Video animation showing how to make a fish and how to make a fish with stick on scales.
Video showing how to make four basic shapes
Video showing how to press your clay flat
Information for teachers:
How the projects work
Things you will need
Lesson plan
Preparing for your workshop (including tips for decorating)
Health and Safety
Certificate of Achievement
Working with clay when the weather is exceptionally hot can be tricky as it dries out more quickly. Here are some tips on how to use clay in the summertime.
Here’s how to make a clay crown step by step. Suitable for children aged 7 and upwards including SEN children. Great for topics involving fairytales, castles or royalty. This also works well for after school clubs, as a golden time activity and can be completed in the space of a lesson (up to an hour and a half).
What you need:
clay
lolly sticks
pencils
old paintbrushes
pots of slip or water.
What you get:
Powerpoint step by step instructions - ‘I can make a crown’
Powerpoint step by step instructions showing how to make a star close up
Printable step by step instructions for ‘I can make a crown’.
Video animation showing how to make a crown
Video showing how to make four basic shapes
Video showing how to press your clay flat
Information for teachers:
How the projects work
Things you will need
Lesson plan
Preparing for your workshop (including tips for decorating)
Health and Safety
Certificate of Achievement
Here is some information on different methods of joining stoneware or earthenware clay.
What you get:
Powerpoint showing different methods of joining.
Video showing how to join things using the ‘slipping and scoring’ method (also known as cross-hatching).
Video showing how to make slip.
Here’s how to make a play-doh fish step by step. This project has been designed to be used as a one to one activity for SEN children, for children who need help with their mental well-being and as a small group activity for children. Great for nature, underwater or seaside themed topics. Suitable for children aged 4 and upwards.
What you need:
Play-doh
lolly sticks
pencils or thin paintbrushes
What you get:
Powerpoint step by step instructions - ‘I can make a play-doh fish’
Printable step by step worksheet instructions
Video animation showing how to make a play-doh fish.
Video showing how to make four basic shapes
Information for teachers:
How the projects work
Things you will need
Lesson plan
Preparing for your workshop
Health and Safety
Certificate of Achievement
Here’s how to make a clay crown step by step. Suitable for children aged 8 and upwards including SEN children. Great for topics involving fairytales, castles or royalty. This also works well for after school clubs, as a golden time activity and can be completed in the space of a lesson (up to an hour and a half). This project works best as a one to one activity or in small groups.
What you need:
clay
lolly sticks
pencils
old paintbrushes
pots of slip or water.
What you get:
Powerpoint step by step instructions - ‘I can make a crown’
Powerpoint step by step instructions showing how to make a star close up
Powerpoint step by step instructions showing how to make a cross close up
Printable step by step instructions for ‘I can make a crown’.
Video animation showing how to make a crown
Video showing how to make four basic shapes (you only need to watch the first three shapes)
Video showing how to press your clay flat
Information for teachers:
How the projects work
Things you will need
Lesson plan
Preparing for your workshop (including tips for decorating)
Health and Safety
Certificate of Achievement
There are many different types of clay available.
If you and your children are happy with the clay you are using then stick with it! If, however, you are not sure what sort to use, here’s a quick overview of some different types of clay that are suitable for children.
Slip is a creamy thick liquid made from clay and water.
Potters use slip to join and stick pieces of clay together.
Here are simple, school friendly, step by step instructions on how to make it so that your children can use it to stick things together when making things out of clay.
All you need is some clay, some water, a paintbrush and a recycled tub with a resealable lid.
I have also included a short video showing how to make it.
Mini-makes are fun projects for your children that use very small amounts of air-drying clay. Here’s how to make an Easter egg decoration. Although the shape is simple to make, the children can create a variety of different ways to decorate their eggs which are demonstrated in this resource. There is also information on how to turn this project into a display to brighten up your classroom for Easter.
Suitable for children aged 7 (Year 2) and upwards including children with special educational needs and those who need help with their mental wellbeing. This also works well for after school clubs or as a golden time activity. Also suitable for Forest schools if you wish to make an Easter egg tree.
This project works best as a one to one activity or in small groups.
Please note, due to the fact that the clay needs to dry, this project needs to be completed over a few sessions.
What you need:
DAS clay
Pot of water
Paintbrush
Strip of thin recycled cardboard
Paperclips
Paper plate
Palette
Acrylic paints
Metallic acrylic paint
Palette
Ribbon or gold thread
Mat to work on
Tea towel
What you get:
Powerpoint step by step instructions - ‘I can make an Easter egg decoration’.
Powerpoint step by step instructions - ‘How to decorate your egg’.
Video showing how to make an Easter egg decoration.
Video showing things to watch out for when making.
Information for teachers:
How the projects work
Things you will need
Lesson plan
Preparing for your workshop (including tips for decorating)
Health and Safety
Certificate of Achievement
These projects help children learn and practice basic skills which can then be used to create their own projects and enhance their own creativity. Although your children are making the same project, they will all look different.
Mini-makes are fun projects to make that use very small amounts of air-drying clay.
Here’s how to make a Mother’s day card which doubles up as a keepsake decoration. This could also be made for a birthday gift or just to say ‘thank you’ to someone special.
Suitable for children aged 7 (Year 2) and upwards including children with special educational needs and those who need help with their mental wellbeing. This also works well for after school clubs or as a golden time activity.
This project works best as a one to one activity or in small groups.
Please note, due to the fact that the clay needs to dry, this project needs to be completed over a few sessions. (Between two and three depending on how much time you have for each session). Guidelines for this are in the resource.
What you need:
DAS clay
pencil
lollipop stick
pots of water
paintbrush
strip of thin cardboard
strong cardboard
paper
scissors
single hole punch
paper plate
PVA glue
ribbon or jute string
mat to work on
metallic gold acrylic paint (optional)
What you get:
Powerpoint step by step instructions - ‘I can make a love heart decoration part 1.’
Powerpoint step by step instructions - ‘I can make a love heart decoration part 2.’
Video showing how to make a love heart decoration part 1.
Video showing how to make a love heart decoration part 2.
Information for teachers:
How the projects work
Things you will need
Lesson plan
Preparing for your workshop (including tips for decorating)
Health and Safety
Certificate of Achievement
These projects help children learn and practice basic skills which can then be used to create their own projects and enhance their own creativity. Although your children are making the same project, they will all look different.
Mini makes are fun projects to make that use very small amounts of air-drying clay.
Here’s how to make two types of fish decoration with easy to follow, child friendly, step by step instructions.
Suitable for children aged 7 (Year 2) and upwards including children with special educational needs and those who need help with their mental wellbeing. This also works well for after school clubs or as a golden time activity. There are two different fish to choose from. Each fish has a video demonstration and a powerpoint with step by step instructions to follow which includes painting the finished model. This project works best as a one to one activity or in small groups.
These would be a fun additional activity to an underwater or seaside project. They can be made as gifts for someone or they can be made just to brighten up a workspace!
What you need:
DAS clay
Pencils
Lolly sticks
Pots of water
Paintbrush
Strip of thin cardboard
Paperclip
Metallic gold acrylic paint
Ribbon or string
Mat to work on
What you get:
Powerpoint step by step instructions - ‘I can make a fish with a cut out mouth’
Powerpoint step by step instructions - ‘I can make a fish with a stick on mouth’
Powerpoint step by step instructions - ‘Decorating your fish’
Powerpoint step by step instructions - ‘How to sort out sticking problems’
Video showing how to make a fish with a cut out mouth
Video showing how to make a fish with a stick on mouth
Video showing how to paint your finished fish
Information for teachers:
How the projects work
Things you will need
Lesson plan
Preparing for your workshop (including tips for decorating)
Health and Safety
Certificate of Achievement
Here’s how to make a head of a lion out of clay with video demonstrations and easy to follow, child friendly, step by step instructions. This project can be used alongside nature/animal/habitat topics or just as something fun to make! Ideal as part of an art day/art week. It also works well as a one to one activity or in small groups.
Suitable for children aged 7 and upwards including SEN children and any child needing additional support. If you are new to clay, allow a whole afternoon to make this project if you can.
This project is made using four basic shapes, a ball, a bean, a sausage and a carrot shape. There are video demonstrations as well as powerpoint step by step instructions included in this resource.
What you need:
clay
pencils
lolly sticks
wooden forks (optional)
pots of slip or water
paintbrushes
acrylic paints
What you get:
Powerpoint step by step instructions - ‘I can make a head of a lion’
Powerpoint step by step instructions - ‘How to paint your lion’
Video showing how to make a head of a lion
Video showing how to paint your lion
Video showing how to make four basic shapes
Video showing how to press your clay flat
Information for teachers:
How the projects work
Things you will need
Lesson plan
Preparing for your workshop (including tips for decorating)
Health and Safety
How to recycle your clay
Handling clay
Looking after your clay
Certificate of Achievement
These projects help children learn and practice basic skills which can then be used to create their own projects and enhance their own creativity. Although your children are making the same project, they will all look different.
Here’s how to make an underwater tile out of clay with easy to follow, child friendly, step by step instructions. This is a step up from my clay fish project and can be used alongside nature/seaside/underwater topics or just as something fun to make! Ideal as part of an art day/art week.
Suitable for children aged 7 and upwards including SEN children and any child needing additional support. If you are new to clay, allow a whole afternoon to make this project if you can.
There are three videos included in this resource, how to make an underwater tile, how to make a starfish and how to paint your underwater tile.
This project is made using three basic shapes, a ball, a bean, and a sausage shape. There is also a video included demonstrating how to make these shapes.
This project can also work as a one to one activity or in small groups.
What you need:
clay
pencils
lolly sticks
pots of slip or water
paintbrushes
acrylic paints
What you get:
Powerpoint step by step instructions - ‘I can make an underwater tile.’
Powerpoint step by step instructions - ‘I can make a starfish.’
Powerpoint step by step instructions - ‘How to paint your underwater tile’
Video showing how to make an underwater tile
Video showing how to make a starfish
Video showing how to paint an underwater tile
Video showing how to make four basic shapes (ignore the carrot shape)
Video showing how to press your clay flat
Information for teachers:
How the projects work
Things you will need
Lesson plan
Preparing for your workshop (including tips for decorating)
Health and Safety
How to recycle your clay
Handling clay
Looking after your clay
Certificate of Achievement
These projects help children learn and practice basic skills which can then be used to create their own projects and enhance their own creativity. Although your children are making the same project, they will all look different.
Here’s how to make a nature tile out of clay with easy to follow, child friendly, step by step instructions. This project could be used alongside nature topics or just as something fun to make! Ideal as part of an art day/art week.
Suitable for children aged 8 and upwards including SEN children and any child needing additional support. This also works well for forest schools.
There are three videos included in this resource, how to make a nature tile, a slightly different version of how to make a nature tile and a speeded up version of how to paint the finished model.
The powerpoint is split into two parts (due to file size). The first part is how to make the base and the leaves for the background, the second part is how to make the flower.
This project is made using four basic shapes, a ball, a bean, a sausage and a carrot shape. There is also a video included demonstrating how to make these shapes.
Suggestions for variations are shown plus step by step instructions for decorating the finished model after it has dried. This project can also work as a one to one activity or in small groups.
What you need:
clay
pencils
lolly sticks
strips of cardboard
pots of slip or water
paintbrushes
acrylic paints
What you get:
Powerpoint step by step instructions - ‘I can make a nature tile part 1.’
Powerpoint step by step instructions - ‘I can make a nature tile part 2.’
Powerpoint step by step instructions - ‘I can make a nature tile variations.’
Powerpoint step by step instructions - ‘How to paint your nature tile’
Video showing how to make a nature tile
Video showing how to make a slightly different nature tile
Video showing how to paint a nature tile
Video showing how to make four basic shapes
Video showing how to press your clay flat
Information for teachers:
How the projects work
Things you will need
Lesson plan
Preparing for your workshop (including tips for decorating)
Health and Safety
How to recycle your clay
Handling clay
Looking after your clay
Certificate of Achievement
These projects help children learn and practice basic skills which can then be used to create their own projects and enhance their own creativity. Although your children are making the same project, they will all look different.
Here’s how to make a monkey face out of clay with easy to follow, child friendly, step by step instructions. This project could be used alongside rainforest or habitat topics.
Suitable for children aged 7 and upwards including SEN children and any child needing additional support. This also works well for after school clubs or as a golden time activity and can be completed in the space of a lesson (up to an hour and a half). Suggestions for variations are shown plus step by step instructions for decorating the finished model after it has dried. This project works best as a one to one activity or in small groups.
What you need:
clay
pencils
lolly sticks
strips of cardboard
pots of slip or water
paintbrushes
acrylic paints
What you get:
Powerpoint step by step instructions - ‘I can make monkey face’
Powerpoint step by step instructions - ‘How to paint your monkey face’
Powerpoint step by step instructions - ‘Monkey face variations’
Video showing how to make a monkey face
Video showing how to make four basic shapes (you only need to make three of them)
Video showing how to press your clay flat
Information for teachers:
How the projects work
Things you will need
Lesson plan
Preparing for your workshop (including tips for decorating)
Health and Safety
How to recycle your clay
Handling clay
Looking after your clay
Certificate of Achievement
These projects help children learn and practice basic skills which can then be used to create their own projects and enhance their own creativity. Although your children are making the same project, they will all look different.
Here’s how to make a clay Eye of Horus with easy to follow, child friendly, step by step instructions.
Suitable for children aged 7 and upwards including SEN children. Great for topics about Ancient Egypt. This also works well for after school clubs, as a golden time activity and can be completed in the space of a lesson (up to an hour and a half). This project works best as a one to one activity or in small groups.
What you need:
clay
pencils
pots of water.
What you get:
Powerpoint step by step instructions - ‘I can make an Eye of Horus’ (for children who are right handed)
Powerpoint step by step instructions - ‘I can make an Eye of Horus’ (for children who are left handed)
Printable step by step instructions for ‘I can make an Eye of Horus’ (both left and right handed versions).
Video animation showing how to make an Eye of Horus
Video showing how to make four basic shapes (you only need to watch a ball and a sausage)
Video showing how to press your clay flat
Information for teachers:
How the projects work
Things you will need
Lesson plan
Preparing for your workshop (including tips for decorating)
Health and Safety
Looking after your clay
How to recycle your clay
Looking after your clay
Handling clay
Certificate of Achievement
There is also information regarding painting the Eye of Horus when it is dry.
These projects help children learn and practice basic skills which can then be used to create their own projects and enhance their own creativity. Although your children are making the same project, they will all look different.
Here’s how to make a dragon for Chinese New Year with easy to follow, child friendly, step by step instructions.
This project works well for after school clubs, golden time, or for children with special needs. The powerpoint instructions are split into twelve steps which can be completed over a series of sessions. If working on a one to one basis, this project can be worked on as and when required.
Please note that this project works best as a one to one activity or in small groups and will probably take more than one session to complete.
Suitable for children aged 8 and upwards.
What you need:
orange plasticine
red plasticine
lolly sticks
rolling pin
mat to work on
pencil
tea towel
scissors
ruler
cardboard
felt tip pen lid
Recycled things to collect:
jam jar lids (for variation)
strong cardboard
What you get:
Powerpoint step by step instructions - ‘I can make a Chinese dragon
Printable step by step instructions for ‘I can make a Chinese dragon’
Powerpoint step by step instructions for variation - ‘How to make a jam jar lid base.
Video animation showing how to make a Chinese dragon
Video showing how to make a ball
Video showing how to make the shape for the body
Video showing how to make the scales around the neck
Video showing how to roll thin sausage shapes for the border
Information for teachers:
How the projects work
Things you will need
Lesson plan
Preparing for your workshop
Health and Safety
Certificate of Achievement
These projects help children learn and practice basic skills which can then be used to create their own projects and enhance their own creativity. Although your children are making the same project, they will all look different.
Here’s how to make and decorate a flat clay snowman with easy to follow, child friendly, step by step instructions. A fun project to make for Christmas!
Suitable for children aged 6 and upwards including SEN children. This also works well for after school clubs or as a golden time activity and can be completed in the space of a lesson (up to an hour and a half). Differentiation suggestions are shown plus step by step instructions for decorating the finished model after it has dried. This project works best as a one to one activity or in small groups.
Step by step instructions are available in both Powerpoint and Keynote formats.
What you need:
clay
pencils
lolly sticks
pots of slip or water
paintbrushes
acrylic paints
PVA glue
silver glitter
What you get:
Powerpoint step by step instructions - ‘I can make a snowman’ (includes instructions for decorating the finished model)
Keynote step by step instructions - ‘I can make a snowman’ (includes instructions for decorating the finished model)
Printable step by step instructions for ‘I can make a snowman’
Powerpoint step by step instructions - ‘I can make a snowman with a hat on (differentiation version, includes instructions for decorating the finished model)
Keynote step by step instructions - ‘I can make a snowman with a hat on (differentiation version, includes instructions for decorating the finished model)
Video animation showing how to make a snowman
Video animation showing how to make a snowman with a hat on
Video showing how to make four basic shapes (you need to watch a ball, a bean and a sausage)
Video showing how to press your clay flat
Information for teachers:
How the projects work
Things you will need
Lesson plan
Preparing for your workshop (including tips for decorating)
Health and Safety
How to recycle your clay
Handling clay
Looking after your clay
Certificate of Achievement
These projects help children learn and practice basic skills which can then be used to create their own projects and enhance their own creativity. Although your children are making the same project, they will all look different.
Here’s a fun activity for Halloween! Four different ways to make a spider on a web using plasticine and play-doh with easy to follow, child friendly, step by step instructions.
These projects are suitable for after school clubs, golden time, or as a one to one activity with a child with special needs.
Main project - ’I can make a spider on a web’
Differentiation options -
Extra mild - ‘I can make a play-doh spider on a web’
Spicy/Hot - ‘I can make a spider on a jam jar lid’
Extra Hot - ‘I can make a spider on a white web’
Each project does not have to be finished in one session but the main project, ‘I can make a spider on a web’ and the play-doh version can be if needs be.
These projects work best as a one to one activity or in small groups.
Suitable for children aged 7 and upwards. Play-doh version suitable for children aged 6 and upwards.
What you need:
orange plasticine
black plasticine
white plasticine (for differentiation project)
orange and black play-doh (for differentiation project)
lolly sticks
rolling pin
mat to work on
pencils
tea towel
scissors (for differentiation project)
Recycled things to collect:
jam jar lids (for differentiation project)
strong cardboard (for differentiation project)
large yoghurt pots (for differentiation project)
What you get:
Powerpoint step by step instructions - ‘I can make a spider on a web’
Printable step by step instructions for ‘I can make a spider on a web’
Powerpoint step by step instructions - ‘I can make a spider on a jam jar lid’
(left and right handed versions)
Powerpoint step by step instructions - ‘I can make a spider on a white web’
(left and right handed versions)
Powerpoint step by step instructions - ‘I can make a play doh spider’
Video animation showing how to make a spider on a web
Video animation showing how to make a spider on a jam jar lid
Video animation showing how to make a spider on a white web
Video showing how to make a ball and a bean shape
Video showing how to flatten your plasticine with a rolling pin
Video showing how to roll thin sausage shapes
Powerpoint showing how to make basic shapes
Information for teachers:
How the projects work
Things you will need
Lesson plan
Preparing for your workshop
Health and Safety
Certificate of Achievement
These projects help children learn and practice basic skills which can then be used to create their own projects and enhance their own creativity. Although your children are making the same project, they will all look different.