Enjoy creating these Seed Mandalas with your children, while boosting their creativity and independent learning skills!
Clay activities are so beneficial for young children – and the benefits exist both inside and outside of the art room!
Small movements like rolling and shaping clay develop the muscles in the hands that are needed for future fine motor tasks like writing. Pressing items into clay to create texture or designs encourage inquiry and independent learning.
Often times, clay activities can be messy and time consuming. This clay activity is NEITHER of those things.
Here’s how we did this low-prep, low-mess clay craft.
Supplies:
- Airdry clay
- Dried beans, seeds, and dried pasta
- Placemat (optional, but highly recommended)
Directions:
- Roll your airdry clay into a ball.
- Use your palm to flatten your clay ball into a pancake. The pancake should be as thick as a pencil or as thick as your pinky finger.
- Press dried beans, seeds, and pasta into your clay pancake to create a design of your choice. Depending on the age of your child, you can tie in math by encouraging the creation of a design that has symmetry or radial symmetry.
- Allow the Seed Mandala to dry entirely. Display and enjoy!
Looking for another clay craft for kids? Check out this blog post on DIY Candle Holders.
Interested in a full lesson plan for a clay project? This lesson plan for Pinch Pots Inspired by Maria Martinez is my favorite clay lesson to use with kindergarten and first grade artists.
