Klay Master workshops are a fantastic way to raise funds for schools, daycares, or other organisations in need of additional income. They are enjoyable and hands-on, and a great fundraising option for groups of all sizes.
What you'll need
- Clay for each child to complete a project
- Baking paper (for placemats)
- 2–3 toothpicks per child (for sculpting and detailing)
- Blunt or plastic knives (safe for kids)
- Spare clay: a few extra blocks 'just in case', and glow-in-the-dark clay to divide and give out at the end for embellishments
- Printed instructions, which can be laminated and used again for recurring workshops
Baking the Creations
All you need is a regular household oven to bake the children’s creations. Alternatively, you can send them home with printed baking instructions for parents to follow. It’s crucial to remind parents to stick to the exact baking instructions to avoid overcooking the clay, which can release harmful fumes.
I’ve had a few incidents where things didn’t go as planned. Once, a parent forgot to set a timer, and the clay ended up burning in the oven. But the most memorable experience was during a workshop for family when the oven’s temperature gauge malfunctioned, causing the oven to overheat dramatically. The creations were unfortunately ruined, but it was a valuable lesson in the importance of making sure parents are aware of the importance of baking the items correctly.
Running Your Workshop
If you're new to running workshops, I recommend starting with smaller groups of 2–5 kids to get comfortable with the process. Once you gain experience, you can expand to larger groups, such as 10 or more children.
Over the years, I’ve developed a Teaching Framework that breaks down the workshop into manageable steps and keeps kids engaged throughout the process. Using this framework ensures that each session runs smoothly and that everyone, organiser and participants alike, has a positive experience.
Including Younger Children
Younger children can absolutely participate in Klay Master workshops, but they may need more assistance depending on their age. While the workshops are designed for kids aged 5 and up, younger children can still enjoy the experience with some extra help. You need to consider this with your group size. If you have a larger group of more than 10x kids, you might not be able to give the little ones the attention they need to complete the activity successfully.
I’ve worked with my nephew since he was 2 years old. He’s 4 years old now, and over this time I did most of the crafting while he helped by sticking pieces on by pressing. Even though the creations were very wonky and his attention span was short, the pride and joy on his face was unmistakable once the piece was finished. He still treasures those pieces as much as any toy, showing that even very young children can find meaning in their handmade creations.
Promoting Your Workshop
To ensure your workshop is well-attended, advertising is essential. You can use our library of images to create flyers, social media posts, or email newsletters. If you use any of our images, please make sure you put the Klay Master website address on any promotional materials as credit: www.klaymaster.com
Your promotional materials might include:
- The date of the workshop
- The maximum number of participants
- How to book
- What the children will be making
- Your contact information
Be sure to include a reference to the Klay Master website for additional information, helping parents know what to expect from the experience.
Initially you might just tell friends and family about your event to get the word out there. If you’re a daycare centre or school, you can send a flyer home with your students, or send an email out to parents with a PDF flyer attached for more information.
Final Tips for Success
Before your workshop, it’s essential to practise the models you’ll be teaching. It will help you anticipate questions and guide the kids more effectively, as you won’t have much time to look to study the instruction sheet if you’re the leader.
Secondly, make sure you order your materials so you can ensure you have these in time for your workshop.
Klay Master workshops are a wonderful way to raise funds while providing kids with a fun, creative outlet. Whether you’re organising a small session or planning a larger event, these workshops offer a unique opportunity to engage children in hands-on creativity while achieving your fundraising goals. With some planning and practice, you’ll be able to create memorable experiences for the kids while contributing to your cause.
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