Pinch Pots
Ingredients:
– Air dry clay or homemade salt dough
– A small bowl of water
– Acrylic paint or washable paint
– Paintbrushes
– Clear varnish or Mod Podge
– Apron or smock
– Wax paper or tray
Directions:
1. Prepare the clay: Give each child a small ball of clay or salt dough. Make sure the ball is smooth and free of cracks.
2. Shape the pot: Roll the clay into a smooth ball. Press your thumb into the center of the ball to create an indent.
3. Pinch and widen: Using your thumb and fingers, pinch around the sides of the indent while rotating the ball to widen and shape the pot. Ensure the walls of the pot are no thinner than 1/4 inch thick to ensure stability.
4. Smooth out imperfections: Dampen your fingertips in the small bowl of water and use them to smooth out any cracks or rough spots on the surface of the pot.
5. Let it dry: Carefully place the finished pinch pots on a piece of wax paper or a tray. Allow them to air dry for 24-48 hours if using air dry clay; if using salt dough, let them dry longer until completely hardened.
6. Paint the pots: Once the pots are dry, use acrylic or washable paint to decorate them as desired. Encourage creativity by allowing children to mix colors or add patterns.
7. Seal the pots (optional): After the paint has dried, you may choose to apply a coat of clear varnish or Mod Podge to protect the surface and give it a glossy finish.
Tips & Variations:
– Experiment with different textures by using tools like forks, stamps, or textured rollers to create patterns on the surface of the pots before drying.
– Encourage kids to create themed pots for different occasions (like plants, candy, or trinkets) or decorate them with seasonal colors for holidays.
