How to Make Clay

Making your own clay is a fun craft that you can use to create gifts, keepsakes, and school projects. Fortunately, mixing up a batch of clay is also really easy, and you likely already have the ingredients at home. For a simple option, stir together flour, salt, and water to create a basic clay that will dry out fairly quickly. If you want a nice modeling clay, mix together cornstarch, salt, and water. For a softer, longer lasting clay, mix a little oil into flour, salt, and cream of tartar.

EditIngredients

EditFlour and Salt Clay

• 4 cups (480 g) of all-purpose flour
• 1.5 cups (417 g) of salt
• of water

EditCornstarch, Salt, and Water Clay

• 2 cups salt of (550 g)
• of warm water
• 1 cup (120 g) cornstarch
• of cold water
• Food coloring (optional)

EditFlour, Salt, and Cream of Tartar Clay

• of water
• 3.5 cups (420 g) of all-purpose flour
• .5 cup (137 g) of salt
• 1 tablespoon (9 g) cream of tartar
• of vegetable oil
• Food coloring (optional)
• Vanilla extract (optional)

EditSteps

EditCombining Flour and Salt

1. Mix 4 c (480 g) of flour and 1.5 c (417 g) of salt in a large bowl. Add both dry ingredients to a large mixing bowl. Then, use a big plastic or wooden spoon to stir the dry ingredients until they are thoroughly mixed.^[1]
   
   
   
   • Make sure the flour and salt are mixed well before you add the water because it will be harder to redistribute one of the ingredients once the clay starts to form.
2. Add of water gradually as you stir the mixture. Pour small amounts of water into the bowl at a time, stirring between pours. Blend the mixture as well as you can before you add more water. By the time all of the water is added to the bowl, your clay should be forming a ball.^[2]
   
   
   • It should get harder to stir each time you add more water.
3. Knead the clay until it reaches an even consistency. Take your clay out of the bowl and place it on a flat surface, like the kitchen counter. Use your hands to push and pull the clay to work it into a nice consistency.^[3]
   
   
   • You can also pick up your clay and throw it down on the counter to work out any air bubbles that might be present. This will help your clay stay moist longer.
4. Sculpt the clay as you desire. Now that your clay is ready, you can mold it into a figure, create ornaments, or just play around. Use it as you would use a store-bought clay.^[4]
   
   
   • This kind of clay can make great keepsakes. For example, press your child's foot or hand into the dough until there is an imprint, then let the mold harden to make a gift.
5. Allow the clay to air dry for 2 days to preserve your model. If you want to create a sculpture or keepsake, you’ll need to let your clay dry. This kind of clay dies out pretty quickly, but it’s best to leave it untouched for at least 2 days to make sure it’s fully dry.^[5] for 3 hours. If it still feels soft after 3 hours, you can put it back in the oven for up to 2 more hours.}}
   
6. Store unused clay in an airtight container. You can preserve your clay for a few weeks by keeping it in an airtight container. Make sure you leave the clay in the container whenever you’re not playing with it, as it will dry a little bit whenever it’s exposed to the air.^[6]
   
   
   
   • For instance, you can use a plastic bag with a zipper or a Tupperware container. For extra longevity, place the clay in the refrigerator.

EditMixing Cornstarch, Salt, and Water

1. Heat of water and 2 c (550 g) of salt for 4 minutes. Pour the water into a saucepan, then stir in the salt to create a lumpy consistency. Place the saucepan on your stove and heat it over medium heat for 4 minutes. Stir the mixture as it heats to prevent it from burning.^[7]
   
   
   • Use potholders or a towel to handle the pot so you don’t accidentally get burned.
2. Move the pot to a cool surface and add 1 c (120 g) of cornstarch and of cold water. Remove the pot from the heat source, then pour in the cornstarch and cold water. Use a big plastic or wooden spoon to stir the mixture together.^[8]
   
   
   • It should feel difficult to stir the clay, as it’s going to have a thick consistency.
3. Knead the mixture until it feels smooth. Put the clay on a flat surface, such as the countertop. Then, use your hands to push and pull the clay until it reaches an even consistency. It should feel very pliable in your hands.^[9]
   
   
   • As you knead the clay, it helps to throw it down against the counter to push out any air pockets.
4. Add a few drops of food coloring if you’d like colored clay. Squeeze a few drops of food coloring over the clay, then knead to mix in the color. Continue to add food coloring until you reach your desired color.^[10]
   
   
   • If you like, you can also add glitter to your clay to make it sparkly.
5. Heat the mixture until it starts to feel thick, if necessary. Put the clay back into the pot and heat it over medium heat. Stir the clay as it warms to prevent it from sticking to the saucepan and burning. Remove the pot from the heat when your clay reaches the consistency you like.^[11]
   
   
   • You can skip this step if you’re already happy with your clay.
6. Let the clay cool to room temperature before you play with it. Don’t touch the clay while it’s hot, as you could get burned. Instead, spread the clay out on a baking sheet or the counter to let it cool down. When it feels just slightly warm, it’s ready for use.^[12]
   
7. Allow your clay to air dry for 2 days if you want to preserve it. You can play with your clay or sculpt something out of it. If you do make a model or keepsake, you can preserve it by letting it dry. The clay will air dry if you let it sit out.^[13]
   
   • Make sure you leave the clay untouched for at least 2 days so your sculpture doesn’t get messed up.
8. Store your clay in an airtight container when you’re not using it. Your clay will dry out in the air, so it’s important to put it away between uses. You can expect your clay to last for about 2 weeks if you consistently put it away in an airtight container.^[14]
   
   
   
   • The best storage containers for this type of clay are plastic bags with a zipper or Tupperware.

EditUsing Flour, Salt, and Cream of Tartar

1. Bring of water to a boil. Pour the water into a saucepan, then warm it over high heat. Watch for bubbles rippling on the surface of the water, which means it’s boiling. Then, remove it from the heat.^[15]
   
   
   
   • Be careful when heating the water. Use a towel or potholder to handle the saucepan.
2. Add a few drops of food coloring if you want your clay to be colored. Squeeze the food coloring into the water while it’s coming to a boil. Use as much food coloring as you need to create the color you want.^[16]
   
   
   • You can also add food coloring later, if you like. Just squeeze the food coloring into the clay as you knead it.
3. Mix 3.5 c (420 g) of flour, .5 c (137 g) of salt, and 1 tbsp (9 g) of cream of tartar in a bowl. Add the ingredients to a large mixing bowl. Then, use a plastic or wooden spoon to stir until the ingredients are blended. Make sure they are in an even consistency before moving on to the next step.^[17]
   
   
   • It’s important to blend them thoroughly. Otherwise, it will be hard to redistribute the ingredients once you add the water.
4. Move the pot to a cool surface and add of vegetable oil. Remove the water from the heat so it will start to cool. Then, slowly pour the vegetable oil into the pot. Use a spoon to mix the oil into the water.^[18]
   
   
   • Oil and water naturally separate, so you will still see oil bubbles floating in the water.
5. Pour the water and oil mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients. Slowly add the water and oil to the flour, salt, and cream of tartar. Be careful not to splash, as the water will be hot.^[19]
   
   
6. Stir the ingredients until they reach a smooth consistency. Use your spoon to mix the ingredients together. When the clay starts to cool, you can take it out of the bowl and begin kneading it with your hand. Push and pull the clay until you’re happy with its consistency.^[20]
   
   
   • The clay still won’t be ready to use at this point. It needs to sit for a few minutes.
7. Add a few drops of vanilla if you want your clay to smell good. Although this step is optional, it may make playing with your clay more fun. Pour a little vanilla extract over the clay as you’re stirring or kneading it. Then, mix in the extract until it’s spread throughout the clay.^[21]
   
   
   
   • You can add as much or as little vanilla extract as you like.
8. Let the clay sit on a baking sheet until it feels pliable. Spread the clay on the baking sheet, then wait a couple of minutes for it to reach room temperature. It’s okay to poke the clay often to see if it’s ready to use.^[22]
   
   • This shouldn’t take very long. Expect it to be ready in about 5-10 minutes.
9. Allow your clay to air dry if you want to create a sculpture or keepsake. If you want to use your clay to create a figurine, keepsake, or project, you can preserve your work by letting it air dry for about 2 days. Leave the clay untouched during this time, then check on it. If it still feels a little moist, it may need more drying time.^[23]
   
10. Store your clay in an airtight container so it doesn’t dry out. Your clay will dry out if it’s exposed to air, so make sure you put it away after each use. Storing it properly can make it last for about 2 weeks.^[24]
    
    
    
    • You can store the clay in a plastic zip-up bag or a piece of Tupperware.

EditThings You’ll Need

EditCombining Flour and Salt

• Large bowl
• Plastic or wooden spoon
• Airtight container

EditMixing Cornstarch, Salt, and Water

• Pot
• Plastic or wooden spoon
• Baking sheet
• Airtight container

EditUsing Flour, Salt, and Cream of Tartar

• Pot
• Large bowl
• Plastic or wooden spoon
• Baking sheet
• Airtight container

EditTips

• You can add food coloring or glitter to your clay to make it prettier.
• Once your clay is dry, it’s okay to decorate it with paint or glitter glue.
• Stir the mixture every 15-30 seconds to avoid burning the clay.
• If the clay is too dry, add a bit of water or cooking oil to make it wetter.
• Store your clay in an airtight container when you aren’t using it so that it lasts longer. However, keep in mind that your clay will still spoil eventually.

EditWarnings

• Never leave your stove or oven while it’s on.
• This clay may grow mold if you leave it out for a long time.

EditRelated wikiHows

• Make a Clay Rose
• Make Salt Dough
• Use Air Drying Clay
• Make a Clay Pot
• Animate Clay
• Make a Clay Horse
• Make Clay for Kids

EditReferences

• Videos provided by FimoKawaiiEmotions

EditQuick Summary

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