Clay art is one of the most famous art styles at present. It is popular because of its broad applications, creative freedom, and simple-to-use nature. If you are new to clay art and thinking about what to use, you must start with air-dry clay. Just as the name suggests, it dries with air. You can easily manipulate it and shape it the way you want. The Crayola Air Dry Clay is one of the best products in the category, usable for multiple projects, and is a common choice for children or beginners. In this article, we have discussed some of the popular family-friendly Crayola air-dry clay projects.
Key Properties of Crayola Air Dry Clay
Crayola Air Dry Clay is a popular choice you cannot overlook when looking for a medium to bring your creative pursuits to life. Here is every technical detail you need to know about this clay type.
| Properties | Crayola Air Dry Clay |
| Material | Water-based |
| Dry time | 24 hours |
| Shelf life | 1 year |
| Key Features | Easy to paint and dry |
5 Most Popular Family-Friendly Crayola Air Dry Clay Project Ideas
Some of the creative things that you can do with your Crayola Air Dry Clay are discussed below:
1. Flower Wall Hanging
One of the best things you can do with your Crayola Air Dry Clay is make a gorgeous flower wall hanging. To do it, follow the given below steps:
Step 1: Roll out a small ball of clay using a rolling pin.
Step 2: Use the back of a blade and cut the shape of a petal.
Step 3: Pinch together the wide end of the petal and give it some shape.
Step 4: Make a few more petals along with some small petals.
Step 5: Arrange the petals while adding more layers to one another and do it until it looks complete.
Step 6: Dry it for at least 24 hours, and then smoothen the rough areas with sandpaper.
Step 7: Paint it with an acrylic craft paint and hang it on the wall.
2. Clay Pot
The clay pot is one of the easiest things to make out of Crayola Air Dry Clay, and when you are a beginner and trying out some family-friendly projects, try it once. You can also use it to store your fruits or anything you want. To do it, follow the below-mentioned steps:
Step 1: Roll out the air clay and lift it into the bowl.
Step 2: Press the clay into place with your fingertips, collecting all the extra clay to a single point.
Step 3: Cut the extra clay lump around the bowl’s edge.
Step 4: Take a bowl of water and smoothen out every crack, crease, and lump.
Step 5: Use the flat end of a straw and make holes around the bowl’s edge to give it a unique design.
Step 6: Leave the clay and let it dry.
Step 7: After it fully dries, remove the pot from the bowel, and use a wet make-up sponge to smooth over the areas with cracks.
3. Ornament
Try making out an ornament using the Crayola Air Dry Clay. It will not only look unique but will also be a usable product. To make a great ornament, follow the given below steps:
Step 1: You need to draw or print out your desired template.
Step 2: Transfer the design to a plastic sheet using a thin marker.
Step 3: Cut out the template using a craft knife.
Step 4: Knead and roll out a piece of your air clay, then wet it slightly by dipping your finger in water and rubbing it in a circular motion.
Step 5: Then, give it the shape of your desired ornament.
Step 6: Cut the extra portions with a blade or a thin knife.
Step 7: Leave it to dry and use sandpaper to smoothen the surface.
4. Bottle Vase
Each of your rooms deserves colorful flowers. So, you will need a unique bottle vase to brighten your room. A bottle vase looks extremely elegant and will fit any home décor. To make it, all you need is a glass bottle and Crayola Air Dry Clay, and execute the following steps:
Step 1: Cut out a portion of your Crayola Air Dry Clay and pack the rest inside an air-tight container immediately.
Step 2: Take a rolling pin and roll the clay into a flat tortilla-like shape. Do not make it too thick or too thin.
Step 3: Measure the glass bottle and roll the clay until you are sure that you can cover the bottle’s surface.
Step 4: Grab a craft knife and cut the clay according to the measurement of the bottle. Keep the excess clay aside.
Step 5: Position the bottle on a flat surface and lay the air-dry clay sheet over it. Take care of the cracks, wrinkles, or folds.
Step 6: Roll the bottle around so the clay sheet covers it completely.
Step 7: Bring the side with notches up, press it with the other side, and gently press the clay to blend well.
Step 8: Put extra attention on the mouth and neck of the bottle that is still exposed, and cover it with the excess clay.
Step 9: Cover the bottom as well with the air-dry clay.
Step 10: Let it dry for a few days, and then smoothen the cracks using a sponge soaked in water.
Step 11: Paint the bottle, which is ready to use after a few hours of drying.
5. Clay Tray
If you are a beginner and want to create something super easy, you must make a clay tray using Crayola Air Dry Clay. So, follow the below-given steps to create your DIY clay tray:
Step 1: Work the clay and distribute and soften the clay.
Step 2: Roll out the air clay on wax paper and make it about ¼ inch thick.
Step 3: Cut and smoothen the edge to give it a perfect shape.
Step 4: Cover the clay with another wax paper piece on top and flip it onto a basket or bowl.
Step 5: Allow the tray to dry, and use regular craft paint for the final touch.
You can get many Crayola Air Dry Clay variants in the market to perform these projects. But if you want something that will last a long time and can be used to create all the pottery pieces mentioned above at once, go for the 5-pound Crayola Air Dry Clay Bucket.
Conclusion
After using air-dried clay for making your vessel or tray, you must give it ample time to dry at its best. Also, ensure not to make it too thin or thick. Just use the exact amount you need to come up with an item.
