sensory-play
Five-Minute No-Cook Play Dough
Soft, stretchy dough from pantry staples, ready before the kettle boils.
35 minIndoorLow mess
See the activity →3 activities
Clay, Dough and Modelling Crafts
Modelling materials do something no other craft does: they build real hand strength while a child plays. That strength is the foundation of a comfortable pencil grip later.
Homemade doughs cost pennies and behave better than most shop-bought versions. Each recipe lists the ingredients, the method and how long the dough keeps.
Browse by age
Number of activities suitable for each age. Many activities suit several ages, so these overlap.
Featured clay & dough crafts activities
crafts
Salt Dough Handprint Keepsake
Three ingredients, one small hand, and a keepsake you will still have in twenty years.
40 minIndoorLow mess
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clay-crafts
Air-Dry Clay Animals
No kiln, no oven: air-dry clay lets children shape simple animals that hold their form by the next morning.
40 minIndoorLow mess
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Twenty printable activity cards for ages 2–8, sorted by time and mess level. One email, no spam, unsubscribe any time.
Frequently asked questions
Salt dough or air-dry clay?+
Salt dough for keepsakes with young children — it is cheaper and more forgiving. Air-dry clay for older children who want finer detail.
How do I stop dough drying out?+
An airtight tub, and a teaspoon of oil kneaded in when it starts to feel crumbly.