# cool clay projects for young kids

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-clay-projects-for-young-kids/34151>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 22, 2000, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-clay-projects-for-young-kids/34151 "2000-09-22T15:50:32Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![gold1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c77e96/32.png) [@gold1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gold1)\
**Post date:** [September 22, 2000, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-clay-projects-for-young-kids/34151/1 "2000-09-22T15:50:32Z")

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While I’m at it, are there any sites that offer some ceramic projects that are easy but not lame? By now you’ve probably figured out that I teach art. Always looking for new ideas for the little demons! Thanks

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**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\
**Post date:** [September 22, 2000, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-clay-projects-for-young-kids/34151/2 "2000-09-22T17:28:11Z")

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may i suggest 2 things

1. Just give them the guide lines, like no bubbles in the clay, no walls over 1 cm thick and let them make what they want. show them basic ways to shape things like coil and slab if the want.

2. FIMO! great stuff. lots of colors and very neat to work with.

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**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\
**Post date:** [September 22, 2000, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-clay-projects-for-young-kids/34151/3 "2000-09-22T18:57:29Z")

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What materials are you using? “Real” clay, or some psuedo clay? Do you fire the projects in a kiln? Earthenware or stoneware?

What is your budget for clay projects, and what are the ages of the kids?

I’ve seen masks done, plaques…hmmm…what projects have you already done with the kids?

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**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\
**Post date:** [September 22, 2000, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-clay-projects-for-young-kids/34151/4 "2000-09-22T20:28:58Z")

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do any of the classes in your school have “pets” – like hamsters, ginuea pigs or mice? How about borrowing it a couple hours a week and having the lil munchkins work with a live model (in its cage of course and no touching).

A former ceramics teacher of mine had one of her classes work with a live, unrestained chicken!! which needless to say created hours of amusement but also some really cool sculptures. A caged critter would obviously be easier to control. This would probably only work with older kids who have some motor skills, but who knows? kids love animals and it can create a lot of focus.