Want a fun art project to do with your kids? One that is fun, educational, and easy to do...Try making things the fun way with homemade clay!

~ What You Will Need ~

1 cup of flour
1/2 cup salt
1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil
1/2 cup hot water
Food coloring
Bowl
Large spoon
Glitter (optional)

~ What You Do ~

1. Mix together the flour and salt in a bowl.
2. Add the oil and water. Mix well with a large spoon.
3. Knead the clay until it holds together. Add a little more flour if the clay is sticky. Add a few drops of water if it is too dry.
4. To color the clay, divide it into sections. Add a few drops of food coloring to each piece. Knead the clay until the color is well blended. (Instead of coloring the clay, you can paint it with poster paints after the clay has dried.
5. Store in a self-closing plastic bag.

~ The things children can do with clay can be fun, educational and rewarding. Using a little imagination, the possibilities are endless! ~

A Few Helpful Hints...

Spread wax paper over the area where you're going to work. Or you can use newspaper. Just be careful not to press the clay too hard into the newspaper because it might pick up the print.

Wear an old shirt or smock to protect your clothes.

Keep a cup of water nearby. Wet the tips of your fingers to help pieces of clay stick together and to smooth cracks.

Be careful if you decide to add glitter to the clay. You wouldn't want to get any in your eyes, and remember to wash your hands when you're finished with your art project.

When your'e working on a project, keep the clay you're not using in a plastic bag or plastic wrap to keep it from drying out. Do the same for leftover clay and unfinished projects.

When you're finished with your art project, let it dry overnight. Thicker pieces may take longer to dry.

Some tools will come in handy when you are working on your art project made of clay.

Plastic knife
Colored toothpicks
Use buttons, fat crayons, pencils, and empty spools of thread to make imprints.
Wrap clay around twist ties or toothpicks to give an object support or to help it stand up.
To help two thick pieces hold together, connect them with a piece of toothpick (like if you are making a stickman or a kitty cat).
Use craft glue to attach bits of yarn, sequins, paper, tiny buttons, and other decorations to projects. Glue can also be used to mend cracks and clay pieces if they break off.

Michelle (my little girl) and I just finished making a Message Magnet to put on the fridge. If you would like to make one too here's what to do...

Use one of your plastic cutters to press out a shape from clay. (we used a kitty shaped cookie cutter). Let it dry competely.

Glue the magnet to the back of the cutout shape. Let the glue dry completely.

What You Need To Make The Fridge Magnet...

Assorted cutters
Clay
Small round magnet or a small piece of flexible magnet strip
Glue

I hope you and your child have as much fun as Michelle and I did doing this fun art project together!