The story behind it
By TurkeyMom · October 2013
Ages3–8 yrs
Prep30 min
Activity40 min
Levelmedium
MessMedium
Works for1:1 · Small group · Class
Cook a fragrant baking soda and cornstarch clay scented with pumpkin pie spice. Kids cut it into leaves with cookie cutters, let it dry, then paint and glitter the shapes for a fall mantle garland.
⚠️ Safety first
- Adult does the stovetop cooking. The clay mixture bubbles and gets hot, so keep kids away from the stove.
- Let the cooked clay cool enough to handle before anyone kneads it. Check the inside, not just the surface.
- It smells 'yummy' but it is not food. The clay is mostly baking soda and cornstarch, so don't let kids eat it.
- Acrylic paint is not taste-safe and can stain clothes. Use smocks, and supervise young painters.
- Keep glitter and spice powder away from eyes. Wash hands after the activity.
Before the kids arrive
- Adult: cook the pumpkin pie spice clay and let it cool before the kids arrive.
Steps
Adult: put 2 cups baking soda, 1 cup cornstarch and 1 to 1.5 cups water in a saucepan on medium heat.
Adult: stir in pumpkin pie spice until you like the scent.
Adult: cook and stir until it bubbles and thickens. Don't let it stick to the sides, and keep stirring until it comes together (about 7 minutes).
Turn off the heat, let it cool enough to handle, and knead it by hand on wax paper.
Press the clay flat and cut out shapes with leaf cookie cutters.
Poke a hole near the top of each shape with a straw for hanging.
Let the ornaments dry for about a day.
Paint each ornament with acrylic paint using a thick brush.
Sprinkle on glitter while the paint is wet.
Let them dry, then string them into a garland for the mantle.
Tips
- Choosing a thick brush seemed to be the best situation, since just a drop of paint on a thick brush was enough to cover an entire leaf.from the author
- It took a day for the clay to dry. Honestly, the kids painted a few even before they dried.from the author
- Cutting out the leaves with cookie cutters was great for their developing fine motor skills.from the author
- For every new season we create new decorations for our mantle, and the kids take pride in seeing their work on display.from the author
- Ended up with a liquid mess? Keep cooking. Within 7 minutes or so the mixture should come together, and a quick knead on wax paper gives you the clay.from the author
- One reader got a runny, good-smelling liquid twice, once with 1.5 cups of water and once with 1 cup. Cooking time seems to be the key.from readers
Make it your own
- Use acorn and other fall-shaped cookie cutters along with the leaves.
- Skip the glitter for a simpler, less messy finish.
- Make a new garland for each season's mantle display.
Questions readers asked
Why did my clay turn into a liquid mess?
The author asks how long it was cooked. Within 7 minutes or so on the stove the mixture should come together. Then give it a quick knead on wax paper.
How long do the ornaments take to dry?
About a day before painting, although the kids painted a few before they were dry.
How do you make the hanging holes?
Poke them with a straw before the clay dries.
What readers say
💬 3 comments ✍️ 1 answered by the author
Read all 3 comments
Karen · Oct 2014
I love the idea of adding the pumpkin spice!!
Kelli McCann · Oct 2013
I need help with this! Lol. First time I used 1.5 cups water and the second I only used a cup and both times all I end up with is a liquid mess that smells good.
TurkeyMomAuthor · Oct 2013 · replying to Kelli McCann
Hi Kelli Thanks for reading! How long did you cook the dough? With in 7 minutes or so you should get a mixture that comes together! A quick knead on a wax paper should give you the clay. Let me know if it works out.