One of our favorite traditions during the Christmas season is to put a tree in each of our kids’ rooms. They have so much fun making their own tree unique and special. This year, we decided to let them make some of their own homemade clay Christmas ornaments too, using oven hardening clay. They loved this and I think it will become a new part of our yearly tradition.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: oven-hardening clay, jewelry rings, an oven!
WHAT TO DO: Pick up some oven-hardening clay in as many colors as you would like. We grabbed every shade we could find! Set the kiddos loose to design their own mini Christmas inspired objects. We made snowmen, candy canes, wreaths, strings of lights, etc. After you have the little ornaments made, place a jewelry ring in the top and secure it by pushing the clay around it. Our clay directions called for an oven temperature of 275*. We laid the ornaments out on a cookie sheet and put them in to harden for approximately 15 minutes.
HOW TO CHANGE IT UP:
-Give your children pictures of different objects that they could make. Can they copy them exactly? Can they make them the same size and color?
-Challenge your kids to use only their hands to roll, pinch and squish the clay into the shapes they want. My kiddos kept requesting a rolling pin….this clay isn’t the softest or easiest to work with. But, I assure you that they can do it with some patience and some finger strength!
SKILL AREAS ADDRESSED: Fine motor skills, cognitive skills, visual motor integration, strength
Want to take a closer look at the skills kids are using in this activity? Check out our Clinical Closeup page, where we break down the skills listed below in terms everyone can understand.
