Colorful Clay Plant Markers
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Ages: 2 years and up
These simple press-and-bake plant markers make beautiful birthday or Mother's Day gifts -- and special reminders of that thoughtful little someone who made them herself. Consider giving them in a small container garden as shown, or wrap them with a pretty pot and envelopes of seeds.
What you'll need
- FOR 3 MARKERS:
- 1 (2-ounce) package of nontoxic polymer clay (we used Sculpey III)
- Plastic cup or container with a smooth, flat bottom (for pressing)
- Leaves and sprigs with distinctive patterns (we used rosemary, parsley, and thyme)
- Medium-size clear adhesive glue dots
- 3 wooden craft sticks
How to make it
Divide the block of clay into three equal piles. Show your child how to soften the clay by warming it in her hands and kneading it with her fingers. (You may want to soften it slightly beforehand.) Roll each pile into a ball.
Use the container to flatten each ball to about a 1/4-inch thickness. Set a leaf or sprig in the center of each clay disk, then gently press down again to make an impression. Peel up a corner of the plant to check the impression. Press again, if needed, then carefully remove the leaf or sprig.
Bake the disks on a parchment-lined baking sheet according to the manufacturer's directions. Remove the sheet from the oven and allow the markers to cool completely, about 10 minutes. Use 2 or 3 glue dots to attach a craft stick to the back of each marker (a parent's job).
