By Spramani Elaun
Winter Snowflake Modeling Project For Kids, Clay Play
In celebration of winter upon us and my new book Clay Play on Kindle Amazon, I’m sharing this fun snowflake project.
Snowflake shapes are all different, and this is a great way kids can learn this concept by creating snowflakes with clay.
Kids can make different shapes by hand modeling or using a snowflake cookie cutter.
Learning about snowflakes is super fun science and great fine-motor visual art learning!
Gather Materials:
Clay – non-harden modeling clay, blue and white colors
Rolling-pin – small or large
Optional,
Snowflake Cookie Cutter – If you don’t have one hand building is just as fun and creative.
Snowflake cookie cutter shapes can be found in the baking area of department and hobby stores for just a few dollars.
Snowflake Modeling Steps:
- Make a round ball by rolling clay on a table surface or between hands.
- Flatten the ball into a pancake shape, then roll flat with a rolling-pin.
- Press cookie cutter into the clay, clear away extra clay around outside edges of cookie cutter shape, and push out gently. This takes lots of practice.
- Have kids decorate by pressing and pushing white clay pieces into each side of the snowflake.
Hand modeling without cookie cutter:
Make rope-like coils.
- Pinch off a small amount of clay and start rolling on a flat table surface or between hands.
- Explain to kids how pressing or applying pressure makes the coils expand and lengthen.
- Use a cutting tool to decide how long you want the snowflake sides to be.
- Press and squeeze clay sides together.
- Ask kids to make needle clusters around their snowflake sides.
Snowflake Science:
When a crystal grows, the molecule does not stack together perfectly and regularly. Each snowflake falling from the sky travels uniquely through many different microclimates. Every snowflake is unique and is a different shape of crystal. Snowflakes come in so many shapes!
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/the-science-of-snowflakes/
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Clay Play
Natural art method guide book using tactile fine-motor play with clay
Amazon Kindle made its presence, Clay Play – Air-dry potter clay.
The second book to this series will be available late February.
