Cover the table.

Prepare the clay and tools.

Help younger kids with cutting and sharp tools.

Cover the table.

Prepare the clay and tools.

Help younger kids with cutting and sharp tools.

Let kids decorate freely.

Roll the clay with a roller

Cut it about 7 inches long with your craft knife, and one side 1,5 and the second 3 inches as I did on the photo

Use a straw, a toothpick, or any other tool to make holes that will shed a beautiful light from your candle holder

Wrap the sides and merge them with some clay tools. You can wet your fingers to soothe the edges so they are seamless

Roll another piece of clay to make your base

Put the first peace on it to make the exactly shaped bottom as your upper part is

Cut the excess

Again use the tools and fingers to merge two pieces

Let it dry

Grind with some sandpaper to even all the bumps

If you make it higher you can place some paper roll tube inside to hold it straight up until it dries

Paint on air-dry clay as desired. Kids can use felt-tip pens, watercolors… sprinkle some glitter, whatever. To me, they are gorgeous in white

Varnish or not. I didn`t. The rustic look gives it some charm

Roll the clay.

Shape it into a small pot.

Smooth the edges with wet fingers.

Add fingerprints or imprinted shapes.

Let it dry.

Paint or decorate.

Prepare cookie cutters in shapes you desire.

Just let the kids roll out some clay and cut shapes: hearts, Santa, and stars…

You can even cut some shapes yourself as we did it – a house, a Christmas tree… You don`t need a cutter for those. They will be amazing when done by hand. You can imprint the doors, the windows, and the roof. It will be easier for kids to color it later and it will give them a unique touch

Don`t forget to drill a hole at the top so you can put a nice ribbon for hanging

When dried kids can color as desired

What we love to do is write a personalized message in the background