Modeling with play dough etc. is not just fun for children. Adults can also relax really well and forget about any stress. So sit down with your children at the weekend and make something nice for fall! Need some ideas for modeling clay? What can you do with modeling clay?
Lanterns, plates, figurines and jewelry - the possibilities are so numerous that you almost don't know what to start with first. Decorate your home beautifully for autumn with homemade decorations!
Autumnal ideas for modeling clay for children and adults
It's best to use air-hardening modeling clay to make the project even easier and not have to harden the clay in the oven. You can also paint the air-drying modeling clay at the end using acrylic paints, so you can make it even more autumnal.
How long does modeling clay take to dry?This depends heavily on the size and thickness of the elements being made. But you should allow at least 24 hours. But it's better to let everything dry longer than too short.
Now let’s get to the modeling clay ideas!
Make your own pumpkin lanterns for indoors
Think these pumpkins look really easy? That's what they are! In just a few steps you will receivea pretty lantern, which you can leave minimalistic gray or white, but can also design in classic orange after it has hardened.
- First, form the well for the tea light. To do this, take a tea light and surround it with the craft clay. Make sure that the tea light is still movable so that it can be easily inserted and removed.
- Now create the curves of the pumpkin. To do this, roll out some clay and pull off a roughly triangular piece. It doesn't have to be perfectly shaped.
- Place the piece around the candle holder (top to bottom) and sweep over the ends to create seamless transitions. Be sure to form a nice arch.
- You can use a hairpin to smooth out hard-to-reach areas or even create cracks.
- Immediately next to it, repeat this step with another triangular piece of rolled out clay.
- Continue doing this until the entire tea light cup has been circled.
- Let the clay dry and then paint it as desired.
Air-drying clay for a leaf garland with fairy lights
In autumn it gets darker earlier and the days can be dreary. So we need lights! And in addition to candles, fairy lights are ideal for this. How about a bright garland like this? This is one of those ideas with modeling clay that toogreat for giving as a giftare.
- air-drying modeling compound
- any leaves
- LED fairy lights
- rolling pin
- toothpick
- sharp knife (e.g. carpet knife or cutter)
- optional acrylic paints
How to make the pendants for the garland with modeling clay:
- Roll out the craft clay about half a centimeter thick. The leaves should neither be too thick, so that they become too heavy, nor too thin and fragile.
- Press the leaves into the clay to create prints. You can use the rolling pin again for this.
- Run the knife along the outline of these prints to cut them out.
- You can then knead the remaining clay together again and roll it out again to make more sheets.
- Use the toothpick to pierce the still soft leaves to create holes for the fairy lights. Make sure that they are big enough.
- Leave thatself-hardening modeling claydry.
- Thread the fairy lights through. Complete!
Tipp:You can also paint the leaves or just add glitter. Artificial leaves or autumn flowers can also be incorporated into the garland. Just get creative!
By the way, you could also work a handprint into the modeling clay in this way, then cut it out in the same way and then design it for autumn and give it as a gift.
Ideas for modeling clay – making figures
A cool oneIdea for elementary schoolIt would also be to make autumnal animals yourself from modeling clay or other figures such as acorns, pumpkins, leaves, etc. If you make sculptures from modeling clay, you can display them as autumn decorations or give them away.
How about animals like these that you also use pine cones for? They are so simple that even children will have no problems with the project.
Animals made from air-drying modeling clay – instructions:
- The tenon is the body.
- Punch out a heart shape from any color (depending on the animal) (also works great freehand) for the feet and as a support for the cone. Let the clay dry and only then continue working.
- Glue the cone onto this surface at a slight angle using hot glue.
- Then you can shape the faces and other elements such as wings, tails and faces in matching colors and press them onto the peg.
A cool and even simpler idea for the hedgehog would be to form a teardrop-shaped body and simply make the spiked dress out of sunflower seeds. To do this, simply insert them into the still soft mass. This is a great alternative to the above variant, especially for children.
Super simple jewelry - autumn rainbow earrings
Never wasJewelry made so easy! Use colored modeling clay to create earrings in the shape of rainbows in fall colors.
- First you need to form four rolls of equal thickness from the modeling clay. Use different paint or take white clay and paint it later.
- Place together and then shape the set into a U. Try to press the rolls together but not crush them.
- Cut the ends straight with a knife.
- After piercing the clay, attach jump rings and attach a hook. If you want, you can attach another element in between, such as a circle.
- Make a second earring and let the modeling clay jewelry dry.
