Clay Mobiles

This project looks more complicated than it actually is. Try it. The process is slow-paced and satisfying and the results are unique and pleasant.

Children ages 3-4 years can string the clay pieces FM II
Children ages 2-2 ½ years can roll, pound, squeeze, and pull the clay FM I
All children participating will be able to construct a 3-dimentional mobile with clay. FM II

 

Materials

Non-fire clay; cookie cutters (optional); knives; rolling pins; spatulas; red, blue & yellow paints in containers; brushes; driftwood found around school or on a field trip to the beach; string; pastry cloth or individual boards to roll clay on; wind chimes made from clay for a model; 2” sq. piece of paper.

PART 1:

1. Ask each child to sit around the table. Spread the cloth over table or give each child a board to work on. Tell the children they are going to make wind chimes and describe what wind chimes are. Explain that when various objects hit each other they produce noises. Experiment with how different sounds are produced by having children hit two objects together. “What do they sound like? Which ones are loud? Soft? Which sounds tingly? Thud-y?” Show children that these chimes are made from dried clay.

2. Give each child a ball of clay and tell them to work it flat into a pancake. Put cookie cutters, knives, pencils, and plastic straws in center of the table. Tell the children that once they roll their clay flat, they are to cut out shapes for their wind chimes. They may use cookie cutters or cut shapes and designs with a knife or pencil.


PART 2:

1. After several days when the clay has dried, have the children paint their shapes. Have child put a piece of string in each hole and tie a knot to stop it from slipping off. Tie the shapes to a piece of driftwood or broken tree branch.

2. Help the children hang their mobile outside to hear the sounds that their chimes make.