It’s true. Most people have never had their hands in real clay.  Some have used  flour, salt and water clay and brightly colored play dough. But there is really nothing akin to digging one’s hands into the good old stuff that Mother Nature provides.

Real clay comes from the ground. It’s the color of the ground and it smells like the ground. Playing with it is primal, fun and a valuable way to spend a few hours with a group of friends or family.

Artist’s clay is available in art stores in 10 pound bags, which is a pretty big block. It’s good to have a lot so you can make whatever you want.

All you need is the clay and a spray bottle full of water to have a good time! Spraying the clay will help keep it pliable and squishy, gooey and slimy when needed.

Throw a flannel backed vinyl table cloth across a table. Open the clay and dump it in the middle, then everyone grab a chunk. Hands down, hands can stand on their own (handstands?) in clay play, but sculpting tools are good too, and/or you can find many tools in the kitchen. For instance a garlic press makes fantastic hair, worms, snakes, spaghetti or ?  Look for things that make textures when pressed into the clay.

Most people can’t wait to get their hands into clay, but there are some who hang back. There are many people who have never made mud pies and are most likely the ones who are hesitant to “get dirty”. (We reuse our clay so make a point of washing our hands before playing with it, to keep it clean!)

Once the trepidation is overcome, and the hands are fully in, all heaven breaks loose.  Clay is great for pounding, pushing, breaking, pulling rolling and poking. It’s a versatile medium because of the multiple ways it can be shaped. You can pull a shape out, such as starting with a ball and making a dog by pulling the legs out and then on to the head and tail. Or you can stack or pile pieces and pat them down, create and join shapes and so on.

Clay lends itself to parallel play, each doing one’s own thing side by side, or working together on a group project. Start with an idea, or theme, such as a parade, a meal, robots, a family of people, zoo animals, or an abstract group sculpture, etc. and just go for it.

When the session is finished, squirt the clay down, pound it all back into a block. There is a wonderful freedom knowing that nothing you make will be kept. (On the other hand, if a masterpiece has been created it must be honored. Put it aside and let it dry.)

Moistened clay can be stored indefinitely in a plastic bag inside a plastic container with a lid. The plastic tablecloth wipes down with paper towels or a rag or a big sponge. Fold and put away  to be used again.

Clay is easily wiped off the floor and other surfaces. It even comes right out of a rug, once it dries into a dirt clod. Cleaning hands is a breeze, especially if you have one of those little fingernail brushes.

You may also enjoy: Handmake A Clay Bird in PA | Artisan Clay | Bucks County | happy clay |