Yep. We have all been there.. bought Air-Dry Clay in bulk.. used some.. but over time it has become quite hard and stiff! This is particularly a problem when using air drying clay with kids! Their fingers are not strong enough to knead it back into softness and they will have problems connecting pieces, so that their creations do not later fall apart. It is actually incredibly EASY to soften hardened air-dry clay – as we will show you here! I think this is the easiest way to revive dry clay.
Our favourite Air Dry clay projects have been our Nature Art Projects, and our Monster Pinch Pots. Simple and fun. But there are MANY uses for air drying clay and we look forward to sharing more ideas with you over time.
Do watch this short video (which is part of our handy “Crafts Basics” series on YouTube – let us know what else you would like to see in this series.. we have everything from basic sewing stitches, to removing labels from jars here!).
So.. how do you soften air drying clay??
- Basically…. you get your clay. You get a couple of plastic bags (with no holes in them) and a cup of water.
- Place the clay in the bag. Poke a few times with a knife to make some holes.
- Add the water.
- Seal the bag and leave for a day.
- You will now have very soft clay indeed.
NOTE: It is best that you get your clay out and ready to be used maybe a good half an hour before use. As you WILL want it to harden a little bit again. Depending on whether you are doing this in Winter or summer.. you may want to leave it out resting under a damp art rag. But it WILL be a little too wet for use immediately!
What others are reading
Air Dry Clay Projects for Kids- Creative Pinch Pot Ideas for Kids
- Easter Pinch Pot Idea – Chicks & Eggs
- Easy Leaf Pinch Pots – Fall Craft for Preschool
- How to make Autumn Leaf Bowls (Guest Post)
- Easy Pinch Pot DIY – Clay for Beginners
- Air Drying Clay Birds for Kids
- Snowman Pinch Pots – Winter Crafts for Kids
Katie Osborne says
Will this work for oven baked clay
Red Ted Art says
Oh that is a good question. I don’t know. I would suggest experimenting?
Mason says
I used too much water and now my air dry clay is like chocolate mousse…ive left it to dry, I’ve tried kneading it, I’ve hung it up in an old pillow case but nothing is working..have I ruined my clay?
Red Ted Art says
No, it should still dry out.. it may just take a while? How long have you left it? (I know people who “make” clay from mud in river beds.. so you can definitely salvage it)
Hannah says
Hello what happens if you forget and it goes hard again
Red Ted Art says
You can soak it in water again!
ELLENA says
Um my clay was model magic clay, will it still work?
Red Ted Art says
No, I don’t think so..
ELLENA says
Ok thank you for telling me?
Emma says
Should we put water with the holes, won’t it leak?
Red Ted Art says
I keep it all in a big plastic bag and it helps soften the centre.. once you start working with it, you need to drain any excess water anyway
Anonymous says
Hi
Anonymous says
I Don’t get it
Why do I have to get a bag with no holes then poke holes in it
Red Ted Art says
You don’t poke holes in the bag, but the clay!
Anonymous says
Thank you!!!!
Anonymous says
Can I use Clay from the grown
Red Ted Art says
Yes, but it needs to be cleaned first
Avril17 says
Can you drill a hole in a project made from air-dry clay after it has dried? Will the project crack?
Red Ted Art says
Ooh that is a good question!!! I think if done carefully it should work. However, I would probably NOT try it. So risky!