30 Air Dry Clay Ideas to Try

Air dry clay is one of the most versatile and fun materials to DIY with! Try these air dry clay ideas for gifts, decor, and more.

As a kid, I spent hours forming and reforming lumps of clay — air dry, oven bake, wax, modeling clay.

It was so fun to feel like you could create a thing where a thing didn’t exist before.

And now as an adult I get an equal amount of joy and satisfaction from creating with clay!

Using air dry clay may feel like a basic craft idea but the possibilities of what you can create are truly endless. So let’s get inspired!

Psst — before you dive into the inspo, be sure to sign up below for my VIP group. I send these folks more of my very best DIYs and projects, along with some exclusive content.

Why Try Air Dry Clay?

So many reasons!

It’s incredibly versatile, and you can manipulate it in many different ways to create whatever you like.

It’s also a medium that’s perfect for making things that are not just beautiful, but useful. You’ll see lots of examples of that down below!

Air dry clay projects are great for kids and adults alike because you don’t have to use an oven or any heated tools to get to your final product.

And finally, it’s a super low barrier to entry — you don’t have to have any special skills to pick up a lump of clay and start making something.

Enjoy looking through all of these ideas! xoxo

Air Dry Clay Projects to Try

These 30 ideas cover a huge variety of project ideas and are meant to get your creative ideas flowing!

Try to replicate one of these while you build your skills, or let them inspire you to make your own project come to life.

If you can roll out clay then you can make these adorable flower coasters! They’d make a fantastic gift, too.

I made this home ornament last year to look like our own home, and now I’m making some for our friends to look like their homes!

The most charming, tiny little magnet vases can hold the treasures that your kids pick for you in the garden.

I love these modern, cool photo holders for their simplicity and shape.

If you’re a color lover, here’s a chance to incorporate some bright hues! A wavy painted bowl is a great place to gather jewelry, spare change, and more.

Talk about useful! An earring holder that you can customize with as many spaces as you need for all of your pairs.

A charming little idea that you can accomplish super fast! I think drink stirrers would also make a great hostess or host gift at a party.

These chunky and colorful book ends look like something you’d find in a fantastic art shop!

A set of small beaded dishes would be so fun and soothing to make. Use them as coasters, trinket dishes, or anything you like.

Another great ornament idea to try with air dry clay! You could make these alphabet ornaments in bulk and give them to friends and family.

Useful Air Dry Clay DIYs

A ring holder is such a great idea! I could use one of these at my bathroom sink to keep my rings safe while I wash my face.

Hard to imagine that these vases are air dry clay but they sure are! Click through to see the trick to making them.

A set salt spoons is not only charming but such a great addition to a kitchen! Give as a gift with some Maldon sea salt flakes and a little salt cellar.

I created a set of modern incense holders a copule of years back and they’re still holding up perfectly! This tutorial also teaches how you can get a glazed look on air dry clay.

These various candle holders are so inspiring, with their fun shapes and patterns. You could also use one of the short ones as a toothbrush holder for your bathroom counter.

I had never heard of a page opener before but I wish I had! What a cool use of air dry clay, and a great idea to save your thumb.

Keep everything in its place with modern desk organizer made of clay.

A set of happy face magnets would be an adorable gift for a friend on Valentine’s Day or a parent on Mother’s Day or Father’s Day!

This tutorial on making air dry clay waterproof is definitely one to keep in your arsenal! Perfect if you are wanting to make air dry clay vases or mugs.

This mini living room scene is so charming! You could make this as a replica of someone’s home and give it as a gift.

I really like the modern feel of this boho picture frame, and it would be so easy to create.

A great little design on this jewelry holder creates a place for everything! You could even add extra layers or pegs as needed.

Fun Ways to Use Air Dry Clay for DIYs

Betcha didn’t think of making a DIY clock! Some clay and a clockwork is all you need to recreate this super cool DIY.

The bubbled look of these coasters is so cool, and you could teach your kids the simple technique on how to do this so they could make coasters for teachers, grandma, neighbors, and more.

I’ll admit I have an addiction to trinket dishes but these are particularly adorable and would be so easy to make!

I can’t get over this idea. Making necklace charms from air dry clay is so chic and unique. You could create a whole batch to layer on a chain, or give to friends.

These air dry clay suncatchers look so pretty and fresh hanging in the window. It would be fun to experiment with shapes here!

Another super useful DIY! Make clay flower frogs to lay over the mouth of your vases, and insert flower stems through the holes.

Imagine playing on a domino set that you made with your own two hands! New level unlocked.

This citrus bowl is not only charming but super useful when it comes to keeping jewery from getting tangled.