Make your own air dry clay using three ingredients you (probably) already have in your kitchen! I call this the “cauliflower rice” of air dry clay. It is homemade, which makes it really fun, but it doesn’t have the longevity that a mass produced clay has. That being said, I still have an artwork I made four years ago and it has held up beautifully.
I have made this many times with just the baking soda, cornstarch and cold water, but I also added a few squirts (because why measure) of Elmer’s glue. The batch using glue was especially non-crumbly and held up very well during my durability test.
Homemade Air Dry Clay Durability Test
Anything DIY and homemade won’t have the same durability as a store bought mass produced product. This recipe also has the human factor. Just like a batch of cookies, unless you make it all day everyday, each batch will be different depending on so many factors. It can be crumbly, it’s not great for making small intricate pieces, and (like all types of clay) it can be fragile. That being said, it’s so much fun, provides a great tactile experience and I have made some surprisingly long lasting art pieces!
Homemade Air Dry Clay Recipe
- Baking Soda 2 cups
- Cornstarch 1 cup
- Cold Water 1 1/4 cups
- **I compulsively added a little bit of Elmer’s glue, which is totally optional. And the internet loves to remind me that adding glue technically makes this recipe four ingredients.
This long form video will walk you through the steps:
If you prefer short form content, here is my YouTube and TikTok version that will walk you through the steps in less than 90 seconds.
What to Make with Homemade Air Dry Clay
Once you have made your clay, the options are endless for what to create! I love anything holiday inspired and they make great ornaments and other decorations.
Here are some other ideas:
Homemade Air Dry Clay Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my ingredients so liquidy?
You need to stir on medium low heat until your ingredients form one big mass. If they are still liquidy, keep stirring and turn up the heat just a little. Low and slow is best.
Why is my clay so crumbly?
You may have needed more water as you were heating it. Also, if you skipped the step with the damp cloth while cooling it will also be more crumbly. Wait until your clay is totally cool (30 minutes at least!) and make sure you cover with a damp cloth to help it retain moisture.
How long can I store it?
Put your clay in an air tight container and I have kept mine for over two weeks. It depends on your container, your climate and how much time your clay spends in open air when you are working with it.
Will it mold?
My clay has never once molded or smelled bad when it’s been stored in an air tight container. I usually use mine up pretty fast, so if you let it sit for six months you might have a different experience.
Will it smell bad?
My clay has never smelled bad at any point of the process. One of its main ingredients is baking soda, so it is always fresh and odor free.
Can I use it for molds?
I would not recommend using homemade clay for molds. I would use a kiln fired or modeling clay that is more durable and has stronger binding ingredients.
Can I use this clay for handprint ornaments?
You can, but I personally wouldn’t make any keepsake ornament out of DIY clay. It’s a fun craft experience, but if you want something to last a lifetime buy DAS modeling clay or AMACO air dry clay.
Is this porcelain clay?
In my opinion, no. The internet has told me that this is “cold porcelain clay”, which is a DIY version that mimics the properties of porcelain. While it can look similar to porcelain, the homemade version doesn’t involve the high-heat firing process needed to create true porcelain, which is made from mined minerals like kaolin and is used for high durability functional pieces like dinnerware.
My Bachelor of Fine Arts degree has an emphasis in Ceramics, so porcelain to me will always be porcelain, but there have been many comparisons with this recipe and cold porcelain clay.
Can I paint it?
Absolutely! You can use spray paint, acrylic, watercolor, magic marker, modge podge and gouache. I like to seal it with Krylon’s clear gloss coat when the paint is dry.
