Clay is a soft, squishy material that you can shape with your hands. When you make something out of clay, it is called sculpting. People have been making things from clay for thousands of years!
Clay comes from the ground. When it gets wet, it becomes soft and easy to work with. You can roll it, squeeze it, pinch it, and press it into any shape you want. When clay dries or gets baked, it becomes hard and keeps its shape.
There are different kinds of clay you can use to make art.
Play dough is soft and colorful. It is great for practicing and having fun, but it is not meant to last forever.
Air-dry clay gets hard all by itself when you leave it out. You do not need an oven. Once it dries, you can paint it with bright colors!
Polymer clay comes in many colors and feels a bit like play dough. A grown-up can bake it in a regular oven at home to make it hard and strong.
Earthen clay is the kind that comes right from the ground. Potters use this clay to make bowls, cups, and vases. It needs to be baked in a special very hot oven called a kiln.
You can make so many things with clay! Here are some ideas:
A pottery wheel is a flat circle that spins around. You put wet clay on top and use your hands to shape it as it spins. It takes practice, but you can make smooth, round pots and vases this way!
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