Skill level: Beginner

You will need:

• White Air Dry Clay – 200-250g approx.
• Acrylic Paints
• Cookie Cutters – 2 different shapes, 40mm x 40mm
• Heat transfer vinyl – 18cm x 4cm
• Iron
• Rolling Pin
• Paintbrushes
• Baking paper
• Sandpaper
• Instructions, materials and equipment for drawstring bag Note: Use two pieces of fabric 30cm height x 22cm width each.

Important information:

• The game is suitable for children 3 years and older.
• Children must be supervised at all times when creating or playing the game.

To make:

On a clean, flat surface, use the rolling pin to roll out the clay to a thickness of 5mm.

Take one of the cutter shapes and cut out 5 shapes from the clay. Repeat with the second shape. Place the cut shapes on a piece of baking paper and leave them to dry – this will take approximately 24 hours. You may wish to turn the shapes upside-down a couple of times during this to assist with the drying process.

Using the instructions here, create a bag using 2 pieces of fabric 30cm height x 22cm width. Ensure one piece of the fabric is plain or has little pattern – this will be the side the grid goes on to.

Cut four strips of the heat transfer vinyl, 18cm x 1cm. Place them on the plain side of the bag, under the drawstring, two vertically and two horizontally, evenly spaced to create a grid.  Carefully lay a piece of baking paper over the top of the vinyl and iron on top of the baking paper (as per the instructions of the vinyl you are using). Remove the baking paper and top sheet of vinyl, then allow to cool.

When the clay shapes are dry, in a well-ventilated area, if needed, gently sand the edges of the shapes with the sandpaper.
Use the acrylic paints to paint the clay shapes. Allow time for the paint to dry. Add a layer of sealant if you wish.

Your game is now ready to play!

Tips and ideas

• This is a great activity for the children to help with. They can assist with the rolling of the clay and cutting of the shapes, and also the painting of the shapes.
• Older children could assist with the making of the drawstring bag – a perfect sewing project for beginners.
• If you only have one cutter - paint different designs or colours to create different counters for the two players.
• If you don’t have heat transfer vinyl, you could use a fabric marker to draw out the lines or sew on strips of fabric when creating the bag.
• Use the bag to also store other games whilst travelling – eg. a pack of playing cards, a pencil and paper