This fun Earth Day kids’ activity combines crafting and art. A simple necklace is a great project to add to any Earth Day lesson for elementary school children. Have fun making these easy clay texture pendants, that can be worn for years to come!

Cold Clay Ingredients:

• 1 Cup Cornstarch
• 2 Tbsp. Vegetable Oil
• 5 Tbsp. White Glue

Necklace Materials:

• Circular Cookie Cutter
• Parchment Paper
• Embellishments (beads, sequins, etc.)
• Paint
• Modge Podge or Clean Nail Polish (optional)

Directions:

1. Begin by making a batch of basic clay. Stir together cornstarch, vegetable oil, and glue in a medium sized bowl until a clay texture forms. Knead until the clay easily forms into a ball.
2. Roll out the clay to ¼” inch thickness to prevent breaking.
3. Using the cookie cutter, cut out circles for your earth.
4. Use a straw, pencil, or toothpick to pierce the hole for the ribbon. Make sure that your hole is not too close to the edge or it will break.
5. How you choose to paint and decorate is up to you. Use blues and greens and make them look as realistic or unrealistic as you like. Press beads into the clay before they dry if you wish.
6. Let the clay pendants air-dry and harden on parchment paper, over night.
7. You can use Modge Podge (or clear nail polish) as a sealer to make them stronger if you wish.
8. Once dry, feed the ribbon through the hole in the top of each pendant. Be sure to check the length of the necklace before you tie it in place. You can secure the knot with a small dot of super glue.

Jenna is a staff writer and production assistant at Creative Child Magazine. She is currently attending University of Nevada - Las Vegas.