If you haven't used it before, air dry clay is an accessible and versatile modelling clay. It can be used for a multitude of projects, and the beauty is you don’t need a kiln to cure it!
There are many brands and different types of air dry clay available. You can even make your own if you want to save pennies. The great thing about air dry clay is that it's cheap and you don’t need many extra materials to create gorgeous pieces.
Air dry clay is very adaptable, there really is no limit to what you can make! This includes everything from homeware to decor, ornaments, Christmas decorations and kids' makes too.
It’s an excellent option for both adults and kids. For kids, the clay itself is non-toxic and a fun sensory experience. For adults, it’s not only a relaxing hobby but you can also create stunning modern items for your home.
In our guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about air dry clay, from simply what it is right through to amazing projects you can try for free! Once you’ve explored this guide, you’ll be eager to get stuck in!
Jump to:
- What is air dry clay?
- Where to buy air dry clay
- How to store air dry clay
- How long does air drying clay take to dry?
- Does air drying clay fully harden?
- DIY air dry clay
- Painting air dry clay
- Finishing air dry clay
- Air dry clay ideas
- Air dry clay for kids
- Free air dry clay projects on Gathered
- Air dry clay kits
Air dry clay ideas – your ultimate guide
What is air dry clay?
Air dry clay is clay that dries or cures when exposed to air. It has a soft texture and is easy to work with, making it a popular choice for pottery beginners and children.
Air dry clay can be used to make a variety of items, from trinket dishes, to plant pots and jewellery. It can be painted and glazed to give it a professional look.
However, it's worth noting that air dry clay can't be made completely waterproof or food safe, so it’s not suited to kitchenware like bowls and cups.
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Where to buy air dry clay
There are plenty of places to buy air dry clay, both on the high street and online. If you’re looking online, places like Amazon and Etsy are worth checking out. For high-street shops, try Hobbycraft, The Range or The Works.
There are many brands to choose from for air dry clay. We’ve rounded up our favourite clay brands and where to buy them, so you can choose the one that's right for you!
Whether you're looking for a basic clay pack ready to mould your creations from scratch, or an all-star kit featuring vibrant colours, we’ve found the best air dry clay products for you to browse.
Check out places to buy air dry clay.
How to store air dry clay
Keep air drying clay wrapped in clingfilm and in an air-tight container when not in use. This helps the clay to retain as much moisture as possible and prevents it from drying out prematurely.
Air dry clays come wrapped in air-tight packages, so only open the package when you are ready to get sculpting. This is very important to remember!
How long does air drying clay take to dry?
Air dry clay is slow drying. This is ideal as you don’t need to worry about working fast – you can take your time sculpting the clay before setting it aside to dry.
Air dry clay takes 24-48 hours to cure, depending on the brand or size of the project. As you might expect, smaller air dry clay projects will dry quicker than larger projects.
Does air drying clay fully harden?
Yes, once air dry clay is exposed to the air for the right amount of ‘drying’ time, the creation will be permanent. As with every item, it will wear with age, but it’s a durable material that should last for years to come.
Just be careful not to expose it to moisture!
DIY air dry clay ideas
Making your own air dry clay is simple and requires mostly items you probably have in your kitchen. DIY air dry clay is a much cheaper option than buying pre-made clay if you need a large quantity, like for a children's party.
Making air dry clay only requires three ingredients: a mixture of sodium bicarbonate, cornflour and water. As the mixture requires heating, the kids can’t get involved with the making process, but they will certainly enjoy the outcome!
This mixture will provide you with pliable, non-toxic white air drying clay that can be used in exactly the same way as shop-bought clay.
Take a look at our full guide to making air dry clay to see the process.
Painting air dry clay
Painting air dry clay is easy and fun! Once your clay has fully dried, you can paint it with your chosen medium to achieve your desired look.
Before you get started, it’s wise to sand your work, as air dry clay can be quite porous and bumpy. You may also wish to seal your clay before painting to ensure smooth application.
Acrylic paint is ideal for painting air dry clay, as it brushes onto the surface easily and smoothly, and dries relatively quickly. Avoid using oil-based paints as they take significantly longer to dry and smudge easily.
We show you how to prep and paint a rainbow trinket dish in our guide to painting air dry clay.
Finishing air dry clay
As you know, unlike ordinary clay, air dry clay doesn't need to be fired in a kiln to cure. This means you’ll need to protect your clay using a different method.
To seal your clay, use Mod Podge (which you can buy from Amazon), varnish or acrylic sealer to add water resistance. This will prevent moisture from interfering with your creation once it’s dry.
If your item is going to spend time outdoors, be sure to use an outdoor Mod Podge instead of a regular Mod Podge designed for découpage.
Check out the full guide to varnish for air dry clay, and we’ll guide you through the process of sealing your work.
Air dry clay ideas
Now you know the basics of air dry clay, it’s time for the exciting part - making! For adults there are plenty of makes to get stuck into, as well as some projects you might not have even considered!
Our top air dry clay ideas include both adult and kids' projects. For adults, there’s everything from candle holders, terrazzo coasters to Christmas tree decorations (including a mini Christmas pretzel!).
With air dry clay, you’ll often paint it, that's why it can work so well as part of your home decor. Your colour choices can fit perfectly with the theme of your room and accentuate your space.
Browse the list of air dry clay ideas and you’ll find something fabulous to make, we’re sure of it!
Air drying clay for kids
There are plenty of ways to keep the kids busy with air dry clay, plus it’s cheap, fun and easy to use. There are lots of projects for little hands to take on, we particularly love magnets, small trinket bowls and even handprint ornaments!
For more ideas for kids, check out our air dry clay ideas.
Free air dry clay projects on Gathered
Along with lots of inspiration for your air dry clay projects, we have a number of fun projects right here on Gathered. Within each project, you’ll find a step-by-step guide plus lots of tips and tricks from experts.
Air dry clay ring holder
If you’ve never tried air dry clay this project by Laura Elmsey is a great starting point! It’s very simple and quick to make. We’ve painted ours in modern sage green and gold colours, but you can choose the scheme that suits your style!
Once you have finished you can pop it on your dressing table to keep your rings safe and sound!
Discover the air dry clay ring holder tutorial.
Air dry clay fridge magnets
Stay cool with these fun retro ice cream-themed magnets! With dollops of ice cream, tonnes of sprinkles and golden cones, they look good enough to eat.
Designed by Tia and Lauren of Little Button Diaries, this fun project contains step-by-step instructions plus free templates for the ice cream shapes.
Make your own air dry clay vase
As we’ve mentioned, air drying clay can’t be made waterproof, but we have a handy trick so you can still make vases for fresh flowers.
Start with an old jar (you can upcycle jam jars if you want to keep it eco-friendly). You’ll wrap the clay around the jar to create the illusion of a vase, but no water will touch the clay, and your flowers will stay fresh.
You can get the full tutorial on how to make an air dry clay vase. There are three designs for you to choose from.
Make Christmas decorations!
Air dry clay is perfect for Christmas decorations! It’s easy to mould into a variety of shapes and dries quickly. It’s a fab activity to get the kids involved in and it’s a sweet way to add a homemade touch to your tree too.
If you’re looking for fun and modern decorations Emily Ashbourn’s air dry clay Christmas decorations are ideal! The set includes a glittery lobster, avocado, and pretzel.
The fun doesn’t stop there though, you can literally make anything you like to hang on your tree. For kids, try hand stamps. Adding their age and name too is a great way to remember each Christmas!
How to use air dry clay
Brush up on your skills and check our guide to using air dry clay. It contains tips, tricks and advice on creating your first project.
Air dry clay kits
If you want to make your pottery debut even easier, we’d recommend an air dry clay kit. They contain all of the materials you’ll need to make your creations and often guidance on how to use the clay and what to create.
Most kits contain all of the tools you need for the project plus the clay itself and any bonus extras. Each kit will be suited to a different project, and to the person doing the crafting.
Make sure you read the descriptions carefully before making your choice, to ensure you get the right kit for you.
In our round-up of air dry clay kits, you can find the best kits for adults, kids, friend groups, beginners and experts.
Air dry clay: A versatile and fun medium
Now you’ve seen the amazing versatility of air dry clay, how to use it and the best ways to store it. All that’s left now is to choose your project! And we aren’t short on ideas for you...
Make a gorgeous clay pot!
Start with a simple project, like this pretty air dry clay pot for your desk. Follow along with Lucy Davidson as she shows you how to make this artisan clay pot, in beautiful pastel colours.
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