Fun Clay Art for Kids

Several years ago, Wilma designed a clay art programme for a small local country school, and the programme was trialled several times. This has now been made into an online teaching programme for the benefit of the wider community.

Her easy-to-understand guide is the result of self-learning, and teaching her own daughters and their friends, the fun and satisfaction of uninhibited creating.

Create together & make memories! The Online clay workshop with your child

Sessions: 39 modules

Times: Module lengths vary

Cost: NZ$80 for a lifetime licence

About This Product

Introduction to clay modelling and design, with video footage of Wilma demonstrating how each piece is made. From age 5 to 12 years old, each module’s principles develop and build on the next, giving capabilities to progress through each design. Inspirational for all ages to also participate, this programme includes video footage, a resourceful directory, and some explanations of ceramics, in easy-to-understand techno talk.

Disclosure: Edited live footage, and in most cases sped up to trim down time. Modules can be played anytime, with lifetime access. Individual results depend on dedication and willingness to follow techniques.

Fun Clay Art for Kids

This is a clay art programme for parents, grandparents, guardians and their children. It’s been used by over 400 students in schools, and following the video footage in each module, starting with basic knowledge outlined in the directory, the Wilma avatar guides with additional tips for success without causing overwhelm.

Fun Clay Art for Kids begins with: 

Module One for five-year-olds, whose little hands make small objects. Thinking about different shapes and textures, with correct labels, it’s strung together to make a larger artwork. This module has one session.

Six-year-olds have four sessions in Module Two. Based on rolled-out slabs of clay, three are made into tiles, oblong and square, one is free and object form. Textures and some relief is added, using the clay joining guidelines in the directory.

Seven-year-olds have five sessions in Module Three looking at aquatic creatures. Their forms are spongy and stringy like a jellyfish or soft with a hard shell, like a turtle.

Eight-year-olds have six sessions in Module Four based on forms and structures made by humans. These sessions show several options for transposing boxes and modular shapes into clay.

Nine-year-olds have seven sessions in Module Five with land creatures, including the very small multi-legged ones. It’s not possible to make very fine structures out of clay, so for insects, wire is used instead. It requires forward planning at the beginning to prepare for that. Mammals have many parts that join in proportion to their body. Consideration is required on how the structure will hold together through the drying to the firing stage.

Ten-year-olds have three sessions in Module Six. Standing structures upright considering balance and gravity. One of the sessions is a 3-in-1, based around a cylinder.

Eleven-year-olds have two sessions in Module Seven,functional objects. It extends out the consideration for structure and balance and how to prepare to control the clay through the drying process.

Twelve-year-olds have one session in Module Eight. The figurine embraces a component of all the previous modules, with additional footage showing changes in facial expressions. Body stances convey moods and attitudes.

Fun Clay Art for Kids is designed, directed and produced by Wilma Jennings as part of Wilma J Design Ltd.

Fun Clay Art for Kids is designed, directed and produced by Wilma Jennings as part of Wilma J Design Ltd.
Fun Clay Art for Kids is designed, directed and produced by Wilma Jennings as part of Wilma J Design Ltd.

Enquire with Wilma directly today:

Wilma Jennings Ph: 021 103 2265

Email: wilma@wilmajdesign.co.nz

What other people say:  

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“Having done pottery work for over 10 years including teaching beginners, I found Wilma’s was of a very high standard. She is very forthcoming with information and encouragement.” — Gretchen Gavey

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“Wilma is a working potter who has a passion for sharing her craft in a friendly and welcoming way.”

— Jo Douglas

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“A talented ceramic artist who inspires with her enthusiasm and welcomes people with her warmth for other people.” — Carol Bannister

★  ★  ★  ★  ★ 

“Great to see a working potter in their studio. I learned heaps about slip casting.”

— Jill Briar

★  ★  ★  ★  ★ 

“Wilma is generous with her time, her expertise and experience. Thank you, Wilma.”

— Jennifer Stuart

  • I have done a clay workshop WITH wilma in the past. She is clear in what we were going to achieve with good instructions. I enjoyed the experience as the environment was nice. Wilma was very good at offering advice to help me achieve a good outcome for my clay pieces.

    Lyn Scott

  • I attended one workshop to make Humperdink Houses and another for poppies. I loved them both. Previously I had done some claywork. Wilma was well prepared for each class, ensuring all participants had success. Creativity/individuality was encouraged and supported by Wilma. I left each class feeling it was my work, as Wilma answered my endless questions but did not complete my work for me. Once glazed, the pieces took on their own personality. I have proudly included all my pieces in my garden, and am proud to show others what I have made.

    Judith Kilgour

  • Never having done any claywork before I opted for a themed workshop, so I had some expectation. The instructions suited me and Wilma was supportive in encouraging me with some suggestions how to enhance my project. I loved how my pieces turned out.

    Carol Biggar

  • I had done some clay art work a long time ago, and knew what to expect re: process, but a model horse challenge was a nice surprise. Wilma is a patient and encouraging teacher, with great advice. It was definitely a relaxing environment, the most relaxed I had felt all week! My horse started to look a little stumpy and Wilma saved the day with some leg extensions. I was able to design my project as I saw fit and was pleased and surprised with what I could make in less than 2 hours. I would you do this again, and recommend it to others. It was a fantastic morning and keen to do more!

    Isaac Whatnall

    Participant in the 'Make a Horse' challenge, iCLAW
  • Never having touched clay before, it was all very new to me. Wilma's instructions were just right. She had her work cut out on the day, but there was great encouragement from her, as well as the other participants. The introduction was good and then help along the way. I was assisted to develop my ideas for my truly unique piece. Although Wilma showed us an example of what we would be making, we were left to develop something individual to ourselves. My result was by no means a masterpiece, I was pleased I was able to complete something close to resembling a horse, (donkey). I would do it again and recommend it. It isn’t so much about making something of art gallery standard, it was the giving it a go and sharing in an experience that was the most beneficial. I appreciate the opportunity to have been able to give this a go, and thank Wilma for her time and patience in helping me on the day.

    Graham Roberts

    Participant in the 'Make a Horse' challenge, Investment Adviser at Craigs Investment Partners
  • I hadn't done any clay work before, and didn't know what to expect. Wilma's instructions were perfect, it was an encouraging environment, and along the way receiving some valuable gems of wisdom! Im surprised... it actually looked like a horse...of sorts! This is a great creative space to be in - Go For Gold! It was a Brilliant event and I am really glad I got involved.

    Wayne Cooney

    Participating in the 'Make a Horse' challenge, Wise Cover & Advice. (Insurance Adviser)
  • I had never done any clay work before, so didn't know what to expect. Wilma's instruction were perfect and suited what I was doing. It was a great environment, lots of laughs and a great energy. Wilma keyed into my project and gave me some awesome suggestions to make it work. She was open to any ideas that arose, and I was pleased with my final result. I would recommend it to anyone, and would love to do this again.

    Fiona Stephen

    Participant in the 'Make a Horse' challenge, NZ Business Connect