JavaScript isn't enabled in your browser, so this file can't be opened. Enable and reload.

1 of 12

Beautiful Stuff

Exploring

Clay

Pre-K - Kindergarten

2 of 12

Exploring Clay

In this activity, you will use your hands to change clay in different ways.

You will need:

Clay (or playdough)

Cardboard to work on

3 of 12

Exploring Clay

What do you notice about clay?

Touch it with your hand. How does it feel?

How can you use your hands to change the clay?

4 of 12

Roll: Around

Try using both hands to roll the clay, around and around.

What happened to the clay when you rolled it? Did it get round?

5 of 12

Roll: Back and Forth

��Use both hands to roll the clay back and forth.

What happened to the clay when you rolled it this way? Did it get longer?

6 of 12

Twist

How can you change the long piece? Maybe you can twist it.

What happened to the clay this time? Does it have a spiral

7 of 12

Press

What happens if you use your hands to press the clay? It starts to get flat like a pancake.

8 of 12

Poke

You can use your thumb to poke the clay.

What happened to the clay? It has a hole in it.

9 of 12

Pinch

You can also try pinching the clay. What does pinching look like?

What happened to the clay when you pinched it?

10 of 12

Break

You can even break your clay into pieces. You can always press them back together and start all over again.

11 of 12

Reflection

When you are done, look at what you made. Move around what you made so you can see all the different sides.

How did you change the clay with your hands?

12 of 12

Exploring Clay

Written by Andrea Burgay, Director of Curriculum and Programs

Lesson Development

Julie Applebaum, Senior Director

Sassy Kohlmeyer, Director of Early Childhood Programs

Daniel Mantilla, Artist Instructor