Choose the right clay for your project with our guide to the best kid-friendly modeling materials.

CRAFTER’S PICKS

1. Brightly pigmented and air-drying, Das Color feels almost like plastic once it hardens. Finished projects are durable, so this clay is perfect for creating figurines, pendants, and buttons. Ages 4 and up, $4.99 for 5.3 oz., officedepot.com

2. Unlike other polymer clays that require kneading, Sculpey Pluffy is pliable and super-soft right out of the box. It remains lightweight when baked, making it an especially good choice for jewelry. Ages 8 and up, under $12 for 8-oz. variety pack, sculpeyproducts.com and creativewholesale.com

3. The slightly oily Crayola Modeling Clay never dries out. Choose it for everyday sculpting fun and stop-motion animation projects. Ages 4 and up, $3.99 for 1 lb., crayola.com

4. Delight is a light and fluffy modeling compound that feels uncannily like stiff Styrofoam once dry. Use it for small, detailed items, such as jewelry and dollhouse miniatures. Ages 4 and up, $5.99 for 3 oz., paperclay.com

5. Polyform Model Air comes in white or terra-cotta and dries to a claylike look and feel without becoming brittle. It takes paint well — making it ideal for ornaments, bowls, and other decorative projects. Ages 3 and up, $8 for 2.2 lbs., creativewholesale.com