Paint a Heart Jewel - Fun at-home activities for Kids.

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Paint a Heart Jewel

Make a heart shaped jewel from air dry clay, paint it with bright colors, add glitter and a ribbon to display or gift.

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Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to paint a heart jewel

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How to Make a Heart Painting - Inspired by Alma Thomas for kids #paint #art #mrschuettesart

What you need

Air dry clay, rolling pin or smooth bottle, heart cookie cutter or paper heart template and plastic knife, toothpick or wooden skewer, bright paints, paintbrushes, glitter or glitter glue, small bowl of water, wax paper or parchment, ribbon about 30 cm, paper towel, adult supervision required

Step 1

Cover your table with wax paper to keep your workspace clean.

Step 2

Tear off a piece of air dry clay about the size of your palm.

Step 3

Knead the clay with your hands until it feels soft and smooth.

Step 4

Flatten the clay with the rolling pin until it is about 1 centimeter thick.

Step 5

Cut a heart shape from the flattened clay using a heart cookie cutter or by tracing the paper template and cutting with the plastic knife.

Step 6

Make a small hole near the top of the heart using a toothpick so you can add a ribbon later.

Step 7

Smooth the edges and surface of the heart with a damp fingertip from the bowl of water.

Step 8

Let the clay heart dry completely on the wax paper for 24 hours or follow the package drying time.

Step 9

Paint the entire dry heart with bright paints and choose fun colors.

Step 10

Let the paint dry completely before adding any sparkle.

Step 11

Brush glue onto the painted spots where you want glitter or use glitter glue to add sparkle.

Step 12

Sprinkle glitter over the glue and gently tap off the extra onto the paper towel.

Step 13

Thread the ribbon through the hole and tie a knot or bow to make your heart jewel hangable.

Step 14

Share a photo of your finished heart jewel on DIY.org.

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

Complete & Share

Help!?

What can we use if we can't find air-dry clay or a heart cookie cutter?

Use oven-bake clay or homemade salt-dough (flour, salt, water) instead of air-dry clay, and if you don't have a heart cookie cutter trace the paper template and cut with the plastic knife as shown in step 5.

My heart cracked while drying or the ribbon hole tore—how can I fix that?

If the clay cracks while drying or the toothpick hole tears, rehydrate and smooth the area with a damp fingertip (step 7), press in a small patch of kneaded clay to fill cracks, and re‑make the hole with the toothpick when the clay is slightly firmer.

How can I adapt this activity for toddlers or older kids?

For toddlers, skip the rolling pin and cookie cutter and let them press a palm-sized flattened lump of clay and use washable paints and stickers instead of loose glitter, while older kids can roll the clay to 1 centimeter, carve textures before drying, and experiment with layered shapes or mixed paints.

How can we extend or personalize the heart jewel after making it?

Press initials or tiny beads into the clay before it dries (before step 8), follow steps 9–11 to paint and add glitter, then seal with clear craft glue or Mod Podge and swap the ribbon for a magnet or attach several hearts to make a mobile.

Watch videos on how to paint a heart jewel

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Painting a Perfect HEART from Dots | Easy Acrylic Painting Techniques

4 Videos

Facts about air-dry clay crafts for kids

🧱 Air-dry clay hardens at room temperature — no oven or kiln needed, perfect for kid-safe projects!

🎨 Acrylic paint dries fast and stays vibrant, so bright colors on your heart jewel will pop and last.

✨ Glitter was originally made from ground minerals like mica before plastic glitters became common.

❤️ The stylized heart symbol for love goes back to medieval art and doesn't match the shape of an anatomical heart.

🎁 People often find handmade gifts more meaningful than store-bought ones — perfect for a painted heart jewel!

How do I make a painted heart jewel from air-dry clay?

To make a painted heart jewel from air-dry clay, roll a small piece into a flat slab and cut a heart shape with a cookie cutter or knife. Smooth edges with a damp finger and use a straw to poke a ribbon hole. Let the clay dry completely (usually 24 hours), sand rough spots, then paint with bright acrylics. Add glitter with craft glue or by mixing it into paint, seal with non-toxic varnish, and thread a ribbon to hang or gift.

What materials do I need to make a heart-shaped jewel craft?

You’ll need air-dry clay, a rolling pin or smooth bottle, a heart-shaped cookie cutter or craft knife, a straw or skewer to make a ribbon hole, sandpaper or nail file, acrylic paints and brushes, craft glue or Mod Podge, glitter (or biodegradable glitter), clear non-toxic sealer, ribbon or cord, wax paper to work on, and damp wipes for quick cleanup. Optional: a small bead or charm to press into the clay for decoration.

What ages is painting a heart jewel suitable for?

This craft suits ages 4 and up with adult supervision. Preschoolers (4–5) can press pre-cut hearts, paint, and add glitter while an adult handles shaping and hole-poking. Ages 6–9 can shape, sand, and paint more independently. Older kids and tweens can try detailed designs and sealing. Not recommended for under 3 due to small parts and ingestion risk. Adjust steps and materials for skill and attention span.

What safety tips and fun variations should I know for heart jewel painting?

Safety first: use non-toxic air-dry clay and child-safe acrylic paints, supervise small children, avoid loose glitter around toddlers, and wash hands after crafting. Ventilate the room when using sealants. For fun variations, press beads, sequins, or dried flowers into the clay before drying, make magnets or keychains instead of pendants, use metallic or glow-in-the-dark paints, or create stamped patterns with textured objects. Seal finished pieces if they’ll be handled often.

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