What to Make with Air-Dry Clay: 12 Ideas for Kids and Adults

Air-Dry Modeling Clay hardens on its own in the air, so you don’t need a kiln or oven to make decorations. Here are twelve things you can make at home or in a craft club, with tips on which clay to use for each project and how to finish it.

What Will You Need?

• air-dry clay – to get started, try ARTMiE Clay with me 500 g, white JOVI or DAS 1 kg
• a smooth work surface, roller and knife or toothpick; shape cutters
• a bowl of water to smooth the surface
• acrylic paints and varnish for finishing

How to Work With Air-Dry Clay

Knead the clay in your hands and roll it out to an even thickness. Thin areas crack, while thick ones take a long time to dry. Wrap up any unused clay right away. Leave your piece to dry at room temperature, allowing about 24 hours per centimeter of thickness, and don’t speed up drying with heat. Once dry, you can sand, paint and varnish it. Clay-based materials aren’t waterproof when dry; Padico Modena is the exception.

12 Ideas for Things to Make With Air-Dry Clay

1. Bowls and Coasters

Roll out a slab 5 to 7 mm thick, cut out a circle and shape the edges over an upside-down bowl. Before it dries, you can press a leaf or lace into the surface. Clay with me or DAS works well; use the bowl for dry items.

2. Tealight Candle Holder

Shape a ball of clay into a small cup and press a glass tealight holder into the center. The flame must not sit directly in the clay. Once dry, paint and varnish it.

3. Vase for Dried Flowers

Shape a cylinder or build a vase from slabs. Since the clay isn’t waterproof, fill it with dried flowers or insert a glass tube for water. Get a concrete look with DARWI Concrete Clay.

4. Pendants and Earrings

Use lightweight clay for jewelry: Padico Hearty can be rolled thin and weighs very little once dry, while Padico Modena is waterproof and translucent when dry. Make a hole for a jump ring with a toothpick before the clay dries.

5. Flowers

Shape thin petals from Hearty or Modena with your fingers and join them by dampening the edges. The flowers are lightweight, so they stay in place on wire or a hair clip.

6. Child’s Handprint

Roll out a slab about 1 cm thick. Have the child press their palm into it, then use a toothpick to add their name and the date, and make a hole for a ribbon. DARWI Kids is softer and pleasant for kids to work with.

7. Christmas Ornaments

Roll out a slab, use cookie cutters, and make a hole for a ribbon. Once dry, paint the ornaments, or leave the clay white and press lace into it for a pattern. The Koh-i-noor modeling clay also works well with kids and hardens at room temperature.

8. Magnets

Make small shapes up to 5 cm across, about 5 mm thick. Glue on the magnet only after the clay is completely dry and varnished.

9. Figurines and Dolls

Padico La Doll Premier is made for detailed figurines. Once dry, it can be sanded, cut, and drilled without crumbling. For kids ages 3 and up, there’s lightweight paper-based Padico Karugaru.

10. Masks and Models

JOVI Patmaché paper clay is best for masks, models, and larger forms. It’s lightweight, holds its shape, and dries in 24 to 48 hours. DARWI concrete clay also works for architectural models and geodes.

11. Letters and Name Tags

Cut letters from a slab of DAS or Clay with me. Once dry, paint them and glue them to a small wooden board. Plant markers will last outdoors only if varnished, and should not be left in the rain.

12. Succulents That Don’t Need Watering

You can sculpt an entire succulent from clay. For a ready-to-follow project with materials included, try the OKTO Succulents 21 × 21 cm set with a frame, clay, tool, and varnish.

How to Seal and Protect Your Creation

Once completely dry (it’s best to leave it for one extra day), sand the surface, paint it with acrylic paints, and apply varnish. Varnish protects against dust and moisture in the air, but it won’t make a bowl watertight. For DARWI concrete clay, the manufacturer recommends a sealant varnish, which also brings out the texture.

Which Air-Dry Clay Should You Use?

For general modeling, try Clay with me, JOVI, DAS, or Easy Dry; for fine details, DARWI; for larger, crack-free areas, Pebeo Gedeo; for flowers and jewelry, Padico Hearty and Modena; for dolls, La Doll; for kids, DARWI Kids and Karugaru. Find the full range and prices in the air-dry clay category.