I’ve been blessed to spend the past few afternoons researching the best air-dry clay ideas, seeking the ones that make your eyes sparkle. Dreaming about the next air-dry clay project had me distracted at times.
Yes, air-dry clay crafts are not just for kids; there are cool craft ideas for adults.
I’m grown-up and still fascinated with craft supplies like a kid – I love air-dry clay crafts. My parents knew craft projects were the perfect gift for me as a child, but air-dry clay crafts were unique. Getting my hands dirty was part of the fun. To my parents’ relief, this type of clay doesn’t need a special oven or equipment like traditional clay crafts; the finished product dries without baking or firing.
What to make with air-dry clay ideas? There are so many fun clay crafts to make, air-dry clay pots, bowls, clay dishes, all kinds of jewelry, and crafts to hang as home decor or decorations, planters, or pretty plates – the clay project ideas are endless. It’s good to follow the tutorials because you can use different types of clay.
I’ve created a shortlist of versatile air-dry clay craft projects for beginner to advanced crafters. These air-dry clay ideas for adults and kids are my top picks for creative fun.
Great Air Dry Clay Projects For Kids
DIY Rainbow Crayon Holder For Crayons
Kids love crayons. With this creative crayon holder, the crayons are always within reach. It’s the perfect air-dry clay project for kids to make something practical but beautiful for themselves or as a handcrafted gift for their best friend.
Air-Dry Clay Unicorn Magnets Kids Craft
Cutest Air-dry clay magnets for unicorn fans! These incredible air-dry clay decorations will make any kid proud. Little ones will love these unicorns with cute horns, ears, and eyelashes.
Ladybugs For Nature-Related Crafts With Clay
The most adorable nature-related air-dry clay animals! Maybe your kiddo should make an air-dry clay mushroom for these cute ladybugs. The googly eyes, vibrant colors, and painted polka dots make these the most gorgeous little creatures.
DIY Air-Dry Clay Fairy House Craft Idea
The fairies need a home. One of the most beautiful projects for kids is this stunning fairy house made from air-dry clay, pasta, beans, and a paper plate. Kids can decorate the fairy house with a little clay garden and interesting air-dry clay stuff only fairies and kids understand.
Clay Coral Reef For Fun Adventures
Stunning! With the colored air-dry clay, imaginations create fantastic coral reefs. Add a black light and neon paint, and you have a fabulous coral reef day and night.
Air-Dry Clay Leaves For Closer Inspection
When crafts and nature merge, the result is an exciting outdoors adventure-STEM project for children. Great science activities for your youngster and outside time – what could be better! The final product shows the details in a fun way. A closer inspection of the leaf is irresistible to curious kids and budding scientists.
Geometric Clay Jar Craft Ideas For Dad
Perfect handmade gift for dad to keep his change, keys, or use as desk organizers for paper clips and other small items. The air-dry clay tutorial is easy to follow. The geometric jar is made with white air-drying clay, but kids can paint a bit of color with a gold leafing pen. The little clay pots are also great for faux succulents.
Air Dry Clay Ideas For Home Decorations
Lovely Air-Dry Clay Bowls For Home Decor
The air-dry clay bowls are the perfect projects for kids and teens to hold personalized items like jewelry, office paper clips, or as a keepsake to a friend. Although not food-safe, kids who love stamping can create unique stamped clay bowls.
DIY Clay Knobs Ideas For Texture And Style
An extraordinary air-dry clay craft idea that adds style and texture to a bedside table. Covering the original round knobs with air-dry clay allows you to change the shape and color for a stylish accent.
Interesting Air Dry Clay Pendant Lamps For Ceiling
Gorgeous air-dry clay creations hang from your ceiling made from plastic cones and air-drying clay! The air-dry clay pendant lamp is a wonderful alternative to a desk lampshade, and it’s not just for decorative purposes.
Clay Pinch Pots Crafts For Walls
Colorful, creative, and beautiful. Painted in bright colors, the mini pots with fake clay succulents look great displayed against empty walls. Kids can make larger air-dry clay plant pots for nearby tables to complement the mini pots.
Stamped Clay Coasters For Beverages
Decorative air-dry clay coasters are one of those ideas popular with beginners or experts. Emboss the wet clay with stamps to create amazing coasters and match the home decor with the acrylic colors.
Fun Jewelry Air Dry Clay Ideas
Air-Dry Clay Beads Necklace
A beautiful coral air-dry clay necklace made from air-dry polymer clays. Paint the beads in vibrant colors and patterns with acrylic paint. The lovely clay necklace is the perfect choice for a summer’s day and beautiful addition to your teen’s jewelry necklace collection.
Air-Dry Clay Earrings DIY Project
A great project idea is crafting jewelry from left-over air-dry clay. The best part of these beautiful pieces is that kids can customize the clay earrings in any shape and decorate the earrings according to their fashion statements.
Faux Stone Air-Dry Clay Bracelet
The gorgeous DIY beach pebble bracelet is one of the most amazing air-dry clay ideas. The bracelet is not made from stones but air-dry clay that looks like stunning beach pebbles.
Essential Oils Diffuser Charm Crafts For Air Fresheners
Stunning textured handmade air-dry terracotta clay charms for essential oils. Scent the clay oil diffuser charm with a few drops of essential oils to use as a fragrance in a room, vehicle, or school locker, or wear the clay jewelry as a necklace.
Geometric Rings From Air-Dry Clays
Amazing! A small air-dry clay ball transforms into an exquisite clay ring. You can have an amazing clay piece ready to wear within 24 hours or make a few and gift friends their customized rings.
Beautiful Clay Ornaments Ideas For Christmas
Fingerprint Christmas Tree Ornament Air Drying Clay Ideas
A fantastic idea to memorialize your little one’s fingerprints and have the most memorable Christmas ornaments! These cute clay Christmas trees are made from natural materials; you can make them in either white homemade natural clay or salt dough that lasts for weeks in an airtight container. The adorable lights are your little one’s fingerprints painted on the clay tree ornament.
DIY Air Dry Clay Grinch Ornament
An air-dry clay grinch ornament is the perfect choice for teenagers and the ideal activity for kids with patience. If you don’t think he’ll steal Christmas, why not hang an air-dry clay Grinch ornament this Christmas? The craft tutorial looks pretty simple, and it is if you have the patience for this clay craft.
Adorable Air-Dry Clay Gingerbread Man Sign
So cute you want to eat the gingerbread man! This endearing air-dry clay gingerbread man fits nicely on a framed canvas displaying a cheerful message. The Merry was stamped on the clay using a set of alphabet stamps.
Clay Shooting Star Ornaments For Minimalists
Neutral tones and rustic elements are so typical of Scandinavian Christmas decoration ideas. You don’t need clay tools to make these minimalistic handmade ornaments; you only need small start cookie cutters, wooden beads, wax paper, and air-dry clay.
Other Things To Make With Air Dry Clay
DIY Air-Dry Clay And Driftwood Spoons Project
Sprinkle sugar on your pancakes with your DIY air-dry clay spoon. Varnished with food-safe Decopatch varnish, these cute clay spoons work great for dry foods.
Air-Dry Clay Card Holder For Cards Or Photos
Cute and fun to make, the holder can hold a Mother’s day card, a small sign, or your favorite photos. The clay craft idea doubles as a paperweight or ornament.
Clay Crafts For Themed Picture Frames
Unique, one-of-a-kind picture frames for favorite photos. The tutorials guide you step by step but are also great inspirations for new ideas. The step-by-step tutorial focuses on a beach with seashells, glass, pebbles, and driftwood. However, kids can adapt the picture frames to themes displayed in the photos.
Air Dry Clay Seed Bombs For Gardeners
Brilliant! It’s the best idea as a gift for gardeners. So simple, but an amazing idea. Reveal what seeds are inside the seed bomb or leave it as a surprise when the plants grow and flower.
Connect Four Game For Family Game Night
Excellent! A DIY family craft project for an entertaining family game night. The clay craft tutorial requires adult supervision; it shows kids how to make the board and use a cookie cutter for the game pieces.
Air-Dry Clay Ring Keeper And Jewelry Dishes
The clay ring holder and matching jewelry clay dish are great alternatives to the beautiful bowls used to hold jewelry. It’s a stunning choice for adult projects; the washi tape helps define lines for intricate patterns.
What are your favorite air-dry clays, and which of these air-dry clay ideas will you try next?