Clay molding is a great activity to keep children away from screens and digital devices. This highly creative craft activity also engages children’s senses and is a great medium for improving their motor skills. The best clays for kids can let children try clay modeling from the comfort of the homes in an easy and fun way. Playing with clays can help children unleash their creativity as they mold the clays to create beautiful cups, vases, cars, or anything they can imagine. In this post, we have rounded up some great clay modeling kits for you to bring home to your children. Keep reading.
15 Best Clays For Kids
1. Best Ready-To-Use: Crayola Air Dry Clay
The ready-to-use clay comes in a reusable plastic bucket that helps to keep the clay fresh. It has a fine and smooth texture and is less sticky than the traditional clay, so your children would like to touch and feel it. Made from natural white earth clay, it gets dried up to become hard. It is also non-toxic, safe to use, and is recommended for children aged six years and up. This clay is best for doing projects at home and comes in white, pastels, bright, and natural colors. Pros
Easy to mold Reusable Compatible with watercolors, acrylic, or tempera when it’s dry Needs no oven to mold
Cons
May need a lot of kneading Some colors may take several coats on this clay
2. Best Light And Soft Clay: Sago Brothers Air Dry Clay
Help your child boost their creativity with this multicolored modeling clay pack. With 24 different colors and a 72 pages tutorial book, this clay set is just what you need to keep your kids engaged. It is super light, soft, and easy for kids to play with. It is said to be non-toxic and is wheat, tree nut, and peanut-free. This clay dries naturally in the air and does not lose its shape once dried. It also contains 24 extra sealed bags and three sculpting tools. Pros
Helps enhance logical thinking Boosts creativity Mess-free Kid-friendly texture Have passed ASTM F963-17, CPSIA & EN71 certification
Cons
Reusing might seem challenging Clay may dry up while still in use
3. Best Clay Accessories: Creativity Kids Clay Mythical Creatures Kit
If your child is into fantasy and mythology, then they would enjoy playing with this unique clay kit. In this kit, children need to sculpt three mythological creatures using the clay and plastic skeletons provided. This could be an ideal clay crafts project for beginners. Also, this clay does not get dried quickly. The kit contains five different colors of clay, sculpting tools, and accessories to decorate the mythical creatures. You can choose from three themes: Mythical creatures, dinosaurs, or glow-in-the-dark turtle lagoon. Pros
Easy to sculpt Stimulates a sense of touch Non-toxic Improves fine motor skills Strengthens hand muscles
Cons
May stick to surfaces May be difficult to remove clay from molds
4. Best Non-Sticky And Non-Toxic: USA Toyz Moosh Fluffy Modeling Clay
It is fluffy, squishy, and super light, and also fun to play with. This clay is said to be soft, smushy, and non-sticky, which makes it easy and fun for kids to play with. Along with these clays, this kit also comes with four dinosaur clay molds and a mixing bucket to mix different colors of clays. Both the clay and the mold are non-toxic, BPA free, and are said to be safe for kids.
5. Best For Beginners: Alex Toys Artist Studio 16 Modeling Clay
This clay kit has 16 vibrant colored clays to encourage your kids to try clay projects at home. This clay is soft and does not dry out, so it could be the best clay for your beginners. Also, this clay does not shrink and lose texture and so can be used multiple times. Although it is recommended for children from three years and above, adult supervision is for younger kids.
6. Best Easy-To-Mold: Crayola Modeling Clay Classpack
Naturally stretchy and safe, this pack of clay kit for kids has 21 one-ounce packets of white clay and 18 one-ounce packs of red, yellow, and blue clays. The clay is super stretchable and porous; hence, easy to mold. It also does not stick to hands and is easy to roll out and cut. Kids also have a choice of blending clays of different colors with white to make their own shades. This clay dries in the air so your child can hold on to their masterpieces forever. Pros
Blends smoothly Becomes lightweight when air-dried Does not crumble Mess-free Safe and non-toxic
Cons
May dry hands May feel like foam
7. Best Washable And Easy-To-Clean: Essenson 24 Color Air Dry Clay Set
With 24 different colored clays, sculpting tools, and cute animal accessories, this kit is one of the best clay kits for kids. The clay is made of eco-friendly materials that are safe, washable, and easy to clean. This is recommended for children aged six years and up. The clay air dries within 24 hours, so it is suitable to make clay crafts such as keychains, bag tags, etc. This can be used as a fun activity that keeps children engaged for hours.
8. Best Vibrantly Colored Clay: Hey Clay Aliens Modelling Air Clay
Do your kids get fascinated with animated cartoons of aliens and monsters? If yes, then they can create their own aliens using this kid’s clay. This kit comes with 18 cans of vibrantly colored air dry clay packs along with an app that has designs to create quirky monsters. The clay is said to be soft, easy to mold, non-sticky, and safe to use. Once your child finishes creating the desired figure, it dries up within 24 hours and can be stored forever. Pros
Improves imagination play Attractive colors Each clay color comes in an individual container Made per US and EU standards
Cons
Clays are hard to pull when two colors are combined Green color clay may leave a stain
9. Best Skin-Friendly And Hypoallergenic: Toyvelt Clay Dinosaur Set
Expand your child’s creativity as well as the learning curve with this dinosaur molding clay kit. Using this kit, you can help your child to recreate some of the animals and plants of the prehistoric age. All they need to do is work the clay and press it using the molds. This clay kit comes with five colored clay doughs, 11 pieces of plastic molds, tools, and accessories, all of which are said to be BPA, lead, and phthalate-free, and safe for kids. Pros
Portable storage box Non-toxic material Ideal for preschoolers, kindergarteners, and toddlers Helps develop motor skills Durable
Cons
Accessories may feel flimsy May stain fabric
10. Best For Children Above Six: Creative Kids Air Dry Clay Modeling Crafts Kit
Looking for modeling clay for creating crafts with your children? Then, you could try this clay set, which has 30 different colored clays that are non-toxic, skin-friendly, and hypoallergenic. This set also includes googly eyes and keychains to let the child craft exciting and fun objects. Additionally, it also has three sculpting tools to craft and mold the clay. This could also be the best gift for your child’s birthday or for Christmas. Pros
Easy-to-follow instructions Develops creativity Strengthens hand movements Soft texture
Cons
May stick to carpet or furniture May not have a storage box
11. Best Smooth And Reusable: Holicolor 36 Color Air Dry Kit
Made of non-toxic and eco-friendly materials, this modeling clay kit is recommended for children aged six years and above. However, younger kids can play with it under adult supervision. With 36 different colored clays, sculpting tools, and cool accessories, this clay kit extravaganza might help spark your child’s creativity. This clay dries up within 24 hours, so it is advised to keep the lid of the clay closed after use. It also comes in a 24-color variant. Pros
Easy to stretch and mix Separate storage containers Bright colors Includes instruction booklet
Cons
May stain your hands May attract mold if clay is wet
12. Best Vegetable-Based Material: Ifergoo 46 Blocks Polymer Clay Set
The kids’ clay kit comes with 46 blocks of polymer clay along with sculpting tools, accessories, and a storage box. Unlike air-dry clay, polymer clay is smooth and easy to shape. Also, it can be reused even after leaving it out in the air. However, to preserve your kid’s clay project, you may have to bake it in an oven. This clay is said to comply with industry standards and is non-toxic and eco-friendly. Pros
Complies with the ASTM D-4236 standards Individually wrapped Easy bendable Bright colors
Cons
Tiny accessories may cause a choking hazard May not be compatible with other brands
13. Best For Imagination And Creativity: Jovi Plastilina Reusable Modeling Clay
You can teach your kids to make animals and funny cartoon models with this kid’s clay kit. It contains 5oz. rolls of ten different colored clays for kids to play with. These clays are said to be made of vegetable-based material and mineral-based modeling clay, and so are non-toxic and safe for kids. They are soft and have a fine texture, which could be easily molded by tiny hands. Also, the clay does not dry out, and so can be used again.
14. Best For Family Time Activity: Faber-Castell DIY Modeling Clay Set For Kids
It has everything your child would need to put their imagination to work. This kid’s clay set comes with ten clay colors, a rolling tool, eight shape cutters, one texture plate, and a push mold. The clay is soft, easy to use, and does not stick to the hand. They are said to be made of quality materials and are considered safe for kids. These clays do not dry up, so your kids can build, leave them on display, and reuse it again. This clay kit is great for family time activity and helps you bond with children. Pros
Creates less mess Comes with a storage case Won’t stain hands Non-toxic
Cons
May stick to certain surfaces May feel quite hard after drying
15. Best Engaging: Toysmith Rainbow Clay
The clay kit has 24 vibrant colors for your kids to unleash their imagination and create masterpieces. Each clay bundle is said to be made of high-quality materials that are non-toxic and safe to use for kids. This kit is recommended for children aged five years and up. With all the colors in the rainbow at their disposal, your kids can have fun creating funny and interesting art pieces. Pros
Soft texture Flexible Reusable Boosts curiosity
Cons
May not have a storage container or pouch Cannot be baked
How To Choose The Right Clay For Kids
Modeling clays are a great way to spark creativity in young minds. Clay modeling activities also help in developing their fine motor skills. So, it is important that you give them the right clay sets. Here are a few points to remember to choose the correct clay for your kids.
Safety: Before purchasing clay, make sure it is made up of non-toxic materials and is safe for kids. Also, check the age recommendation. Only buy those clay sets that do not have chemicals or allergy-causing agents in them. Type of clay: Kids’ clays come in two types, polymer clay and air dry clay. Each of them has its own benefits. For example, polymer clay does not dry but might need an oven to bake, whereas, air dry clay dries up within 24 hours, but shrinks upon drying. So, choose the one which would suit your needs. Accessories: Many clay kits come with additional accessories such as sculpting tools, googly eyes, etc. So, check them out and buy the one which you think your kids might enjoy doing. Molds or freestyle: Some clays come with molds, and all that the kids need to do is place the clay in the molds and press it to the desired shape. However, some clay kits do not come with molds; these need hand sculpting to create various shapes. So, it is best to choose based on your child’s skill level.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Priti Bose is a content and product writer who is passionate about researching the right toys for children of different ages. She has created this list of the best clays for kids after sifting through numerous user reviews and analyzing the product features to pick high-rated products. She has also included a buying guide and pointers on choosing the right product for your child.
References:
Recommended Articles:
Best Probiotics for Kids Best Diaper Caddies Best Bottle Drying Racks Best Polymer Clays For Jewelry
