Top modelling and messy play ideas for kids
This page contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small amount of money if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase. All our articles and reviews are written independently by the Netmums editorial team.
Top modelling and messy play ideas for kids
1. Cornflour clay
Make clay using cornflour and glue. This is such an easy clay to make at home and it is so soft and lovely to model with.
Your clay can be made into beautiful hanging decorations or unique gift tags too.
2. Playdough
Every child loves playdough! You can buy it in so many colours but it is actually really really easy to make your own and much cheaper too.
Here we have a foolproof easy peasy no cook recipe – one that you don't need Cream of Tartar for (which is often not something you have in your cupboards).
3. Gloop
If you have never heard of gloop before you're in for a treat.
Gloop is a fascinating mixture – it is almost solid when you pick it up and then it melts and trickles away to a liquid. Kids are fascinated by it. And best of all it is super quick and easy to make. Perfect when you need a quick boredom buster.
4. Salt dough
Salt dough is so easy to make and is a really lovely soft dough to play with.
There's no cooking or heating involved so in minutes you can make a batch of dough ready for play.
You can bake salt dough in the oven so it is perfect for making models and hanging decorations.
5. Cloud dough
Cloud dough is so soft and silky and just lovely for kids to play with – to squish, squidge and explore.
It's made from cornflour and shaving foam so it smells wonderful too. It's so quick and easy and a perfect make for filling in a quiet afternoon.
6. Fimo bead jewellery
A great craft for older kids, although little ones might enjoy it too.
Use Fimo (or Sculpey) to make some beautiful marbled beads, which you can then thread to make a pretty necklace.
It's so quick and easy but looks amazing.
7. Clay pinch pots
A quick and easy way to make pots from clay and a perfect introduction to pottery for kids.
Make these little pots from air drying clay. Perfect for storing treasures in and great for giving as handmade gifts too.
8. Clay hedgehogs
This cute little hedgehog takes minutes to make. Why not make a whole hedgehog family and then play with them on some leaves from the garden?
9. Paper mache bowls
This craft is a bit more time consuming but easy to make and a lovely way to fill a quiet afternoon.
Make some pretty paper mache bowls - these also make wonderful homemade gifts to giveaway too.
10. Easy clay bowls
Another easy way to make pretty clay pots. A perfect introduction to pottery for kids.
More ...
For more crafty fun ideas on Netmums try:
- Top printing ideas
- Put together your own children's craft box
- Ideas for junk modelling
- Print offs to colour in
- More arts and craft ideas
