Lately, I am gravitating towards art projects that meet the developmental needs of a large range of ages. This summer I loved facilitating classes for children ages 2 to 10 years old. It was incredible to watch a 2 year old and 10 year old sitting side by side using the same materials in completely different ways. Kid Smushed Clay Process Art is one of my favorite art activities because it checks all the boxes- minimal materials, accessible to multiple ages and all about the process over product. 
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WHAT YOU NEED FOR KID SMUSHED CLAY PROCESS ART
polymer clay- look for very soft class like Sculpey III
canvas board or piece of sturdy cardboard
HOW TO MAKE THE KID SMUSHED CLAY PROCESS ART
Prior to introducing the activity set up a table with a canvas board for each child and pieces of polymer clay in a variety of colors. The clay comes in rectangular blocks. You can support children by breaking up the clay into smaller, more manageable pieces. 
Demonstrate how to take a piece of clay and smush it onto the board with fingers or thumbs. This is a fun way to build the small muscles in the hands necessary for writing skills.
Continue to add more colors smushing them on to each other. This is a great opportunity to observe how the clay can mix together and make new colors. Look at the way the green and red mix together. I see a new color! What do you see?
Older children may enjoy using the clay to make less abstract works. Check out this gorgeous sunset created by a 10 year old.
Our Clay Portraits for another way to use polymer clay!
