Art and Craft — Sculpture

Subtopic: Making Toys (Umbo la Vitu vya kuchezea)

Age: 7 years (Kenya). Simple, safe and fun ways to make toys using clay, paper, bottles and recycled items. Karibu — let’s make toys!

Learning goals (Malengo):
  • Learn to shape simple sculptures (animals, cars, dolls).
  • Use everyday Kenyan materials (clay, cardboard, bottle caps).
  • Practice cutting, joining and painting carefully.
  • Be creative and share your toy with friends or family.
Materials (Vifaa) — simple and local:
  • Clay or modelling dough (locally available clay from river banks or store-bought).
  • Empty plastic bottle or jar, bottle caps, cardboard, toilet rolls.
  • Old socks, fabric scraps (kitenge pieces), beads, sisal/twine.
  • Child-safe scissors ✂️, PVA glue or paste, water-based paint and brushes 🖌️.
  • Markers, crayons, leaves and small stones for decoration.
Safety first (Salama):
  • Always work with a grown-up when using scissors or glue. 👩‍👦
  • Do not put small parts in your mouth — bottle caps and beads can be choking hazards.
  • Wash hands after using clay or paint.
Activity 1 — Clay Animal (Simple Sculpture)
  1. Make two balls: one big (body) and one small (head). Roll them in your hands. 🟤🟤
  2. Press the small ball onto the big ball gently to join them.
  3. Shape legs by rolling four small sausages of clay and attach them under the body.
  4. Use a small stick or your finger to make eyes and mouth. Add bottle-cap eyes for sparkle. 👀
  5. Leave to dry (if using air-dry clay) or let your teacher help you bake (only with adult help).
  6. Paint and decorate with beads, fabric or leaves when dry. 🎨
Example: 🐶 🐸 🐵
Activity 2 — Bottle Car (Recycling toy)
  1. Take an empty plastic bottle (clean and dry). This is the car body. 🚗
  2. Use four bottle caps for wheels. Ask an adult to help make holes and attach with short sticks or skewers.
  3. Decorate with paint, stickers, or kitenge fabric for seats. Add a face with marker.
  4. Test your car on a smooth floor—push and watch it roll!
Activity 3 — Sock Puppet (Soft toy)
  1. Put a sock on your hand and imagine a face where your fingers move the mouth. 🧦
  2. Glue on buttons or beads for eyes (adult help). Sew or glue a small fabric strip for a tongue.
  3. Add yarn for hair and dress it with a small cloth. Put on a puppet show!
Questions to ask while making (Maswali):
  • What animal or toy do you want to make?
  • Which materials are strong? Which are soft?
  • How can you make your toy safe to play with?
Extension ideas (Wazo zaidi):
  • Make a small market stall and display your toys for family to see.
  • Learn about Kenyan animals (e.g., elephant, zebra) and sculpt them.
  • Use natural paints made from soil and plant dyes (adult help needed).
Teacher / Parent note: Supervise cutting, gluing, and any drying or heating. Encourage creativity and praise every child’s work. Snap a photo and make a small gallery at school or home. 📸
Have fun and create — Tengeneza kitu uzicheze nï! 🎨🧸🌿

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