DIY Halloween Clay Magnets: Make Easy & Spooky Designs
Are you looking for a quick and easy clay craft for kids? Use our tutorial to make adorable Halloween magnets to decorate your fridge this October!
I love creating fun Halloween art projects and crafts with kids. And oven-bake clay is so easy to work with that even young artists can make cute Halloween clay magnets in minutes. Most of these designs were created by 5- and 6-year-olds.
Why Kids Love This Clay Art Idea
WARNING – If making these with children, please allow an adult to do the baking while taking proper precautions.
Supplies You’ll Need
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*You can purchase packs of regular magnets, mini magnets, or self-adhesive ones. We like to superglue our magnets onto the clay for a stronger bond.
How To Make Halloween Magnets
If your child is having a difficult time coming up with a design, you can have them sketch a few ideas beforehand. A ghost, a mummy, a Frankenstein face or a Jack-O-Lantern magnet are all great options. You can easily adapt the clay tutorial to fit the artists’ needs.
HOME SUPPLY WE USE – This cheap sculpting kit was great because each child had a plexiglass work surface.
Step 1: Set Up Work Area
Give children a small amount of polymer clay to work with on a piece of plexiglass or other smooth surface. You can roll the clay or mold the design with your hands first.
Step 2: Sculpt
Flatter shapes work better for magnets. Show children how to build with coils, slabs, and other sculpting techniques. Use a toothpick and other tools to add texture.
Step 3: Bake Clay
This is best done in a toaster oven at 275 degrees F for 15-30 minutes. For Premo clay, you bake at that temperature for every 1/4″. We baked it in our toaster oven for 15 minutes.
Step 4: Glue On Magnet
Depending on the size of your sculpture and the magnet, glue 1-2 magnets on the back of your clay design. We used this superglue and love how easily you can control how much glue comes out.
ART TEACHER TIP – Use a magnetic thermometer to monitor your temperature. You want your temperature to be as even as possible to avoid cracking your pieces.
What are other easy ways to add texture?
Use small letters like these to stamp in fun words (like Boo) on our DIY ghost magnet. If you don’t want to use polymer clay, you can also check out how to make these easier Model Magic ghosts.
How can I change the look of my Halloween magnet?
To change the appearance of your surface, you can purchase a specific, clear gloss from Sculpey, use Varathane, an iridescent medium, or different versions of Mod Podge.
Tips
- CHECK SIZE – Make sure the sculptures are larger than your magnets. You can use a magnet to check the size of your creation.
- NOT TOO THIN – Don’t roll the polymer clay too thin.
- SIMPLE IS BEST – Keep clay designs simple at first.
- WARM CLAY UP FIRST – Use clean hands to warm the clay.
- CLEAN AREA – Work on a clean surface. Colors will transfer to your clay sculpture if you are not careful.
- DOUBLE-CHECK – Before cooking, make sure that all clay is pushed together. Read the baking instructions on the clay you chose to work with.
Polymer Clay FAQs
I have made this mistake when I didn’t let the toaster oven fully preheat. If the oven is too hot, you can overcook polymer clay.
We like to use these small letters to add extra words to our clay magnets.
Yes, you can follow the instructions for your polymer clay and use a regular oven. I recommend using an Art-only baking sheet.
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Our Favorite
Easy Clay Crafts
We know our little artists were so excited to display their DIY Halloween magnets for all to see!
Easy Halloween Clay Magnet Craft
Equipment
- Smooth work surface such as this polymer clay kit
- Toothpicks or clay tools
- Rolling pin or small glass
- Baking tray
- Magnetic oven thermometer
Supplies
- Polymer Clay
- Small Magnets
- Super Glue
- Clear Gloss or Iridescent Medium Optional
Instructions
Before You Begin
- Preheat the toaster oven according to the directions for your brand of polymer clay. Have kids sketch a simple Halloween design first if they need help planning their sculpture. An adult should always handle the baking and super glue.
Instructions
- Prepare The Clay – Give each child a small amount of polymer clay. Warm and condition the clay with clean hands until it is easy to shape.
- Sculpt Your Halloween Design – Shape the clay into a simple ghost, pumpkin, mummy, monster, or other Halloween design. Keep the sculpture relatively flat so it works well as a magnet.
- Add Details and Texture – Use coils, small clay pieces, toothpicks, stamps or clay tools to add facial features, patterns and texture. Make sure all clay pieces are firmly attached.
- Bake The Clay – Have an adult bake the polymer clay according to the manufacturer's directions. For the Premo clay used in this project, bake the pieces at 275°F for approximately 15 minutes.
- Cool Completely – Remove the sculptures from the oven and allow them to cool completely before handling or adding the magnets.
- Add A Clear Coat (Optional) – Brush on a compatible clear gloss or iridescent medium if you want to add shine to the finished clay.
- Add A Magnet – Have an adult glue one or two magnets to the back of each sculpture, depending on its size. Let the glue dry completely before using.
Notes
- Keep the first designs simple, especially with younger artists.
- Give kids a magnet while sculpting so they can check that their design is large enough.
- Avoid making the clay too thin.
- Work on a clean surface because polymer clay colors can transfer.
- Before baking, check that all added clay pieces are firmly pressed together.
- Use an oven thermometer to help maintain an even baking temperature. Always follow the baking directions for the specific polymer clay you are using.