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Air-Dry Clay Magnets
Craft Basket

Air-Dry Clay Magnets

Little hands shape and paint tiny clay charms that turn into keepsake magnets for the fridge.

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Ages 3+15 min plus drying prepSave to Pinterest

We made these as a rainy day project and they are still on my fridge two years later, holding up drawings and permission slips.

There is something about making an object with a job that my kids love. It is not just art, it is a magnet, and it lives in the kitchen where everyone sees it.

Air dry clay is forgiving and cheap, and a bag of small round magnets from the craft store lasts forever. We did hearts, rainbows and one very lumpy dinosaur.

Shaping small clay pieces at the table with the magnets waiting
Shaping small clay pieces at the table with the magnets waiting
The finished magnets living on our fridge
The finished magnets living on our fridge
A whole tray of little clay shapes drying before the magnets go on
A whole tray of little clay shapes drying before the magnets go on

What you'll need

  • White air-dry clay and terracotta air-dry clay
  • Small cookie cutters (hearts, stars, flowers)
  • A rolling pin
  • Acrylic or washable paints (optional)
  • Small paintbrushes
  • Small round magnets and strong glue

How to make it

  1. 1

    Roll the white and the terracotta clay to about a quarter-inch thick.

  2. 2

    Press cutters into the clay to make small shapes. Mix the two colors: a white center on a terracotta flower, or a rainbow with stripes of both.

  3. 3

    Let the pieces dry flat for 24 hours until fully hardened.

  4. 4

    Leave them in their natural earthy colors, or add small painted details and let dry.

  5. 5

    Adult only: glue a magnet to the back of each piece.

More clay, older hands

If the magnets were a success and your child is ready for finer work, the same kind of clay becomes beads and pendants.

Try polymer clay jewelry →

Rolling, shaping and baking tiny beads for necklaces.

Tip

White and terracotta together look lovely without any paint at all. Make a set together as a handmade gift for grandparents.

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