Simple Christmas Clay Project for Kids

Clay is a wonderful medium to use with kids of all ages and abilities, as it is so forgiving, and once fired with a coat of glaze over the top, the results can look spectacular. Matt has recently completed a fab Christmas tree project with the local 'Beaver' group, (mini-scouts, not aquatic rodents!)

Grab yourself a paper Party hat, turn it upside down and place a plastic bag inside. Then fill that bag with plaster, Let it set, and Voila, a simple cone shaped mould.

Provide each kid a cone mould and a 'prepped' piece of flat clay. Let them wrap the clay around the cone and press together at the join. Then using a drinking straw bash a load of holes all over the clay cone, using the plaster mould as a support, (even the most aggressive 'bashing' shouldn't fell the tree on its cone support!). Then paint all over using a green Stroke & Coat colour.

Then, using a clay gun, extrude some square 'worms', to be attached to the painted tree as tinsel. It looks best to give them a little twist as you apply them, which gives them a little more depth. Makes sure they press them well against the tree as you want the whole piece to dry at the same rate, you do not want the tinsel to pop off as it dries.

Then ask the kids to roll up 'pea' sized balls which are again, pressed onto the side of the tree, giving the effect of little baubles. These can them be painted, along with the tinsel.

Provide a template of a star for each of them to cut around. Have them write their name on the reverse. Then paint the other side, and carefully squidge down on the top of the tree.

Leave teh whole thing on the cone to firm up, (as long as the paint still looks wet to the touch), then remove and stand on a board to dry completely. Fire to Cone 05, glaze, and fire again to cone 06.

For added 'Bling' paint on a little over-glaze gold star and refire to complete.

These pieces can them be used for many Christmases to come as adorable little candle covers.