Our next summer activity was to sculpt with air dry clay. Back in Scotland, we had used air dry clay several times during our summer projects – to make ancient Greek pots, for example, when learning about ancient civilizations – but this time I wanted to let the boys have complete and utter free rein. I thought it would be interesting to see what they came up with. I advised on technical issues but otherwise I was able to leave them to it.
My oldest son was over at a friend’s house so it was just the younger three for this activity. They spent quite some time sculpting – sometimes smooshing their creations up and starting over – and then we left them to dry for a couple of days. They dried out pretty quickly, perhaps because the hot and humid summer means the air conditioning has been on. Once they were dry, we got the acrylic craft paints out and they set about decorating their sculptures.
My 9 year old has been making comic books featuring a character from his imagination (who looks a lot like him, a resemblance he denies) so he decided to sculpt that character from clay so that he had his very own, one of a kind, comic book collectible. My 10 year old loves myths and legends so he made a red dragon. My 7 year old made a three-eyed slime monster but wanted to challenge himself to make some very tiny sculptures. He is one of those kids who loves to have tiny wee toys in his pocket so the idea of some small things appealed to him. In addition to the slime monster, therefore, he made a tropical fish, an apple, and a hot dog.
I like all the creations! Lots of craft experiences are really starting to show up now – these are going to be well rounded young men!!
Thank you. They are a little lacking in science and engineering input but are definitely getting exposed to arts and humanities. I’m hoping some of it sticks.
I love them all and I also liked having small mini toys or figures to carry around with me when I was young. These are special, all of them.
Thanks, Claudia. The boys will be pleased with your feedback given your experience with clay.
I would enjoy seeing what they make of working with fired clay someday, and working with glazes, etc.
They’ve done a bit of that at school but obviously directed to make a specific thing rather than freestyle. They love it.
Clay is one of the most versatile things I have tried. I hope they can keep involved with it to where they create their own projects.
I hope so too. We now have a big tub of the air dry stuff so they can dive in whenever the mood takes them. I need to do so too.
It is a great way to relax and to become calm, working with clay – something about the way it feels in your hands…
What a great and fun activity! Your kids had a blast! Each with different creations and lovingly made. The three eyed monster caught my heart.
Thanks. The monster is my favourite too.
Laura you have such a creative family! I’m sure your boys have so much fun making such wonderful creations!
Thank you. The boys have definitely inherited my love of creativity.
Wonderful – love all the creations and the fact they each took such a different angle.
Thanks. It’s always interesting to see what they come up with when an activity is freestyle.
Oh cool, another fun art day in your house… And it’s great to see where the boys’ imaginations led them! I love all their creations – but of course the slime monster especially caught my eye 😀
Thanks. Yeah, that slime monster is fantastic.