Bad weather? Kids stuck inside? Here is a fun and easy project for the kids to do.
This will challenge them to exercise their creativity and get them thinking about the important things in life.
Materials needed:
- 1-2 oz. per child of white Model Magic clay
- Clay tools or household objects to use as tools
- Paint and brushes
- Magnet strip
- Paper and pencil
I prefer Model magic for this because it is so lightweight. Using clay that dries heavy doesn’t work for magnets. If you want to use heavier air-dry clay you can just poke a hole before drying to hang it from a ribbon instead.
Trace a small plate or saucer onto the paper. Cut two half circles off of each side of the top of the large circle. You can taper the bottom also but it is totally up to your child and what they envision.
Challenge the child to design a coat of arms for a specific purpose. Show them how it can be divided into a number of different ways to create areas they will fill with patterns. Usually dividing it into four sections is easiest to explain. For each of the four sections they are going to create a design. This means having them make a symbol that is not recognizable.
- In the first section ask them to create a design that will stand for ‘Family’.
- In the next section have them create a design that will represent their career goals.
- In the third section have them create a design that represent their education goals
- In the fourth section they will make a design that represents them.
Have the child shape the clay into a pancake. Then using clay tools or a kitchen knife, have them cut and shape it into a coat of arms shape. They can use forks and toothpicks and any other utensils to create their design into the clay.
Allow to dry. This usually takes 24 hours. If you use clay that gets baked, they can continue to the next step as soon as the clay cools.
Allow the child to paint the coat of arms in any color they think best suits the design sections. Add self-sticking magnet strips when dry and you are done.
Attach this to the refrigerator to remind them of their goals and their place in the family.
Use it with adult and simply change the meaning of the four sections. It can be used for fun or for more serious reminders. Use it in a group of children at a birthday party giving a prize for the funniest, the most colorful, etc. Or use it for a group of women recovering from abuse. The range is limitless.
