When school’s out and the sun is shining, every parent faces the same question: how do I keep the kids busy and happy this summer? If you’re tired of screens and want something hands-on, imaginative, and mess-friendly (yes, really), this guide is for you. Clay crafting is one of the best summer activities for kids, giving them hours of fun, creative expression, and proudly handmade keepsakes. And the best part? You don’t need a kiln. Just grab an air-dry clay kit and let the summer magic begin.
What you’ll need
-
Air-dry clay, as the star of the show
-
Shaping tool, for cutting, making imprints, etc.
-
Acrylic paints & brushes, for painting and decorating
-
Waterproof sealant, for outdoor use
-
Shiny glaze, for a glossy finish
Tip! Find all of this material on Pott’d, your one-stop shop for fun at-home clay kits. For example, check out this all-inclusive clay kit, specially designed for home projects, or the pottery painting kits, if you’re not into starting from scratch!
Also handy to have is this pottery guide for complete beginners! Learn more about how to work with air-dry clay, and get 15 easy ideas to try out with your children today.
Now that we've got the basics, let’s jump into the ideas!
1. Make your own mini garden gnomes
Every garden needs a guardian. Nothing beats one made by your kids. Using air-dry clay, they can sculpt tiny gnomes, mushrooms, or magical creatures to add charm to your flowerbeds or pots. No kiln needed, just shape, dry, and paint. Gnome-making can be one of the most fun summer activities for the whole family, a great candidate for some quality, screen-free time together.
Tip! While you’re at it, check out this mushroom manor kit from clay, the perfect house for your hard-working gnome friends!
2. Create summer story stones
Turn storytelling into a craft session! For a week, ask your children to describe their day through a drawing on a clay rock. It’s an easy way to spend time reflecting together, which encourages your kids to develop reflection skills. After they’re done with painting, keep them somewhere nice and dry, and revisit these clay stones at a later moment. It’s a great activity, especially during rainy days, when kids have to spend the day indoors. With smooth, hand-rolled clay stones, kids can sculpt and paint little symbols, such as a sun, a dog, or a treasure chest, and use them as storytelling prompts.
Tip! Bake your polymer clay creations for extra durability, or use air-dry clay if you prefer no oven. What’s the difference between these two clay types?
3. Paint your own mug
Starting from scratch can be daunting, especially with kids. A low-entry craft project to take on if you’re unsure about building a clay project from the ground up is the good-old paint-your-own-ceramic. A good way to start painting pottery is through mugs, where you will see children’s imaginations run wild. Mug-painting suits all ages, from toddlers up to teenagers. It’s a soothing way to relax, unwind, and recuperate after all of the exciting outdoor adventures.
For the summer holidays, try a mug-painting kit, or another painting kit, such as:
4. DIY sea creature magnets
Bring the beach home with a set of colourful fridge magnets shaped like sea stars, turtles, or fish. Take on this little project as a way to learn more and remember more about the great outdoors. Fun activities, as exciting as they are, can sometimes be fleeting. By helping kids recreate the creatures they came across on beach day, you’re making their summer even more unforgettable. Elevate this idea by creating these clay creatures as magnets. Clay magnets are easy to sculpt and paint, and kids love seeing their art on display every day.
5. Build a friendship totem
Each family member or friend sculpts a mini figure that represents them, maybe it’s a panda, a rocket, or a crown, and stacks them into a tower of personalities. It’s collaborative, meaningful, and makes for a perfect summer keepsake. The good thing about this activity is the involvement you’re getting from all family members. Everyone can create at least one totem, which can then be cured and worn as a nice reminder of the school holidays. Furthermore, jewelry making can also be a personal activity. Kids can create their unique bracelets, necklaces, and earrings, which they will own as their own. How cool is that?
Usually, we advise using polymer clay as a starting material for all jewelry making. Check out this customised kit with polymer clay and instructions!
6. Clay ice lollies
Create a lollipop that never melts! Ice lollies are one of the clay projects in which you don’t have to rack your brains over. Encourage kids to mold the clay into the shape of their favorite lollipop and color it with whichever flavor they want (or can think of). Just a word of caution! Air-dry clay and polymer clay are not food-safe, so it’s essential to keep this project for older kids and inform them that it’s not suitable for eating. Now, let their imagination fly and see what ice cream they can come up with!
7. Make a clock
One way to encourage kids to learn about new things, especially about everyday objects, is by creating these objects with them. One of the most common objects to recreate is the clock. You’ll be hitting two birds with one stone: you’ll get the questions going about the inner workings of the clock, while simultaneously learning how to tell time. This project is suitable for 4-7-year-olds, who are constantly questioning things they see around them.
Lucky for you, you don’t have to devise a blueprint for this project. Find a pottery kit that helps you create your own clock on Pott’d, complete with clock hands and batteries!
8. Host a clay-off craft party
One of the most memorable summer holiday activities for every kid is having their friends over for a sleepover. While that sounds like a good idea, keeping 5-6 kids entertained throughout the day can be a daunting task. That’s why you should throw a clay-off, where everyone gets to create anything to their heart’s desire with air-dry clay. Invite a few friends over, set out some clay, paints, snacks, and a timer, and get started! Set themes like “jungle animals” or “make your own monster,” and let the kids sculpt. Vote for the funniest, most realistic, or most creative.
Ready, set, sculpt!
No more cries of “I’m bored!” this summer. These summer activities for kids are more than just fun—they build confidence, creativity, and calm. With Pott’d clay kits, everything you need is already in the box. Whether you're planning a weekend activity or a full day of summer crafting, you’re just one clay session away from a big, proud smile.
