how to make clay

There are several simple ways to make clay at home using common kitchen ingredients. One easy recipe for air dry clay involves these steps:

1. Ingredients: baking soda, cornstarch, and water.
2. Mix baking soda, cornstarch, and water in a pot over low to medium heat.
3. Stir continuously until the mixture thickens and pulls away from the pot, forming a soft dough with a mashed potato-like consistency.
4. Remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature.
5. Knead the cooled clay until smooth; if sticky, dust with cornstarch.
6. Shape the clay as desired; it air dries for 3 to 5 days or can be baked at 200°F for 1 to 1.5 hours.

Alternatively, a flour and salt clay can be made by mixing flour, salt, and water to form a dough that dries to a hard finish, sometimes baked at low heat to increase hardness. These homemade clays are easy, inexpensive, and good for crafts with kids or adults.