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Welcome to my blog! I'm MaryAnne, and I write about building a rewarding family life through mindful parenting, hands-on learning, and creative family activities. Learn more.
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Model Magic Christmas Ornaments

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building fine motor coordination making Crayola model magic ornaments

Crayola very kindly sent us a lovely gift pack this month, and four-year-old Lily had a wonderful time making Crayola Model Magic ornaments with me while the two oldest kids were at school and Anna was napping! She used this set of pottery tools (affiliate link) that I ordered after seeing it at Afterschool for Smarty Pants. It’s a little sophisticated for Model Magic, and Lily is on the younger end, but she knows how to use real tools properly, and she loved how easily they manipulated the Model Magic!

using a tool to add details to a Crayola model magic ornament

Lily came up with the idea of what to make all on her own. I love the way she used the flat end of her tool to make the sun’s rays – so pretty, and I never would have thought to do that! It took a few tries, but she eventually was able to get her name written on the sun in points so that she was happy with how it looked – you can see it in the middle row here:

Crayola model magic sun ornament designed by a four-year-old

Lily also made this handprint ornament on her own – no doubt inspired by Anna’s baby handprint ornament. I would have done it a little differently, but then it would be my ornament, not Lily’s! I love this as a memory of her creativity at age four.

crayola model magic preschooler handprint made by a four-year-old

I find that crafting alongside my kids is one of the easiest ways of keeping myself from interfering with what they are making! I enjoyed making this simple nativity ornament. Model magic is a little unique to work with (sort of like working with moldable marshmallows, only it sticks to itself very well, but not to you). I did the little neck shaping on the people once the clay was on the black background using one of the tools we had; a fork or toothpick would also work. The star one large triangle with three smaller ones added, and then blended together.

Crayola Model Magic nativity ornament

I added a loop behind the star to hang it. This would not work with play dough or probably even salt dough, but model magic sticks to itself super well and is very lightweight, so I think it will hold over time without too much trouble.

hanger for Crayola model magic nativity ornament

Crayola is generously offering one reader of this blog with a US address the same gift pack we receive – everything shown below plus a $25 Walmart gift card. Perfect for keeping your kids creatively engaged throughout this winter! You can enter by filling in the form that is directly underneath this photo.

Crayola goodies giveaway package

 

This giveaway has now ended. Congratulations, Katie @ Happilyevermom !
 

Crayola has a lot of fun crafts you can try with these products on their Holiday Crafts Pinterest Board! You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter!

We haven’t broken into the glitter glue or colored pencils yet (both are products I have purchased in the past), but Emma has been using the Slick Stix to make cards for teachers – she loves how vibrant the colors are and how quiet they are! Anna has been using the washable markers to make some art of her own:

baby art with Crayola washable markers

What crafting has your family been enjoying lately? Do you have a handmade ornament that we should try? How about a Model Magic project?

The Crayola product, gift card, information, and additional gift pack have been provided by Crayola. All opinions are my own.

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MaryAnne lives in Silicon Valley with her Stanford professor husband Mike and their four children, born in 2006, 2007, 2009, and 2012. She is passionate about parenting through education, creativity, and play. Mama Smiles - Joyful Parenting is a space to share crafts, activities, and family outings that enrich lives and bring families together.

About MaryAnne

MaryAnne lives in Silicon Valley with her Stanford professor husband Mike and their four children, born in 2006, 2007, 2009, and 2012. She is passionate about parenting through education, creativity, and play. Mama Smiles - Joyful Parenting is a space to share crafts, activities, and family outings that enrich lives and bring families together.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. Natalie says

    I love Lily’s ornaments and glad that you liked the pottery set. We just received ours yesterday in a neat package that came all the way from China :)

    Reply

  5. Emma @ P is for Preschooler says

    Great ornaments! My daughter would love the glitter glue. She loves glitter, and I like the glue version because it’s not as messy!

    Reply

  6. andiejaye says

    Of all the Crayola products we’ve ever used, I don’t think that Model Magic is one of them. I’m totally curious now! I adore her sunshine ornament, how clever to use the tool for the rays. And of course, mama, yours turned out lovely as well :)

    Reply

    • MaryAnne says

      Oh, you need to try Model Magic – it is probably my favorite! My younger sister brought home this little dragon she made out of it in Seventh Grade, and it made a huge impression on me because I had never seen a clay that was anything like it before!

      Reply

  7. Cathey Livezey says

    I have never tried Model Magic. My 6-year-old granddaughter is very creative and I think she would really enjoy it. It would be fun to create things together.

    Reply

  8. Jody says

    I love Lily’s ornaments! It’s so special that you two have this one on one time together. I struggle finding that with just two kids so I can imagine that it’s extra special when you have four to divide your time between. I also struggle with not interfering with my kid’s creations – it’s something I’m constantly reminding myself not to do. Crafting alongside is such a great idea.

    Reply

    • MaryAnne says

      Thank you, Elisa! I was happy with how my ornament turned out, and I LOVED the way Lily designed her sun! It looks so neat, and I never would have thought to us that tool that way!

      Reply

  14. Scot V. Hines says

    1. roll out your model magic so it’s about 1/4 – 1/2 inch thick. 2. using your cookie cutter, cut out a snowflake 3. using the straw, poke a hole at the top 4. repeat process for however many you want to make 5. allow to dry for about 24-48 hours, turning over halfway through. 6. hang with a ribbon.

    Reply

  17. Abe Padilla says

    We love the Crayola Model Magic. It seems a bit expensive, but the kids spend hours molding different scenes and animals. The variety of colors is fantastic, and when it dries, it doesn’t crack or crumble like Play-Doh. It maintains its soft appearance and dries like hard foam. If you don’t let it dry out, you can re-use it over and over! Although, I now have little model magic creatures all around my house so it’s about time to order more. But I love it! I would recommend it to any parent whose kids love to sculpt and mold with clay.

    Reply

  24. Lauren O. says

    I am excited to try the Model Magic. My daughter has never tried it and she loves Play-Doh so I really think she would enjoy it.

    Reply

  29. Nichole says

    I think my kids would have a blast with the Model Magic. I don’t know what the Slick Stix are but I would love to find out! Thank you for the giveaway!!

    Reply

  30. Darlene Owen says

    I am most interestied in the washable markers as my grandchildren are all young and sometimes makes mistakes (that could be washed away with these).

    Reply

  33. brandy Fisk says

    I would love the glitter glue because glitter is pretty messy with two two year olds and a four year old. I think it would be so fun for them without the huge mess for me :)

    Reply

  48. kelley roach says

    Ooh… the model magic looks like so much fun. It’s one thing we haven’t tried and I know my kids would love it.

    Reply

  55. Amy O. says

    I’d love to try those twistable slick stix with my kids!

    Beautiful photos, by the way, and you have a talented family. :) Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply

  57. Becky VanGinkel says

    I am most interested in the glitter glue! Our 4 year old daughter would love to do some projects with glitter :) The Slick Sticks would also be fun for all 3 of our children, and also the Model Magic! Our 10 month old daughter would love the feeling of it :) Thanks for the chance to win such an awesome prize package!

    babydjs_mom@yahoo.com

    Reply

  63. Dawn Monroe says

    Id like to win the glitter glue. My granddaughters are always cutting and glueing so I know they would get alot of use out ofvit.

    Reply

  66. wendy b says

    I’m most interested in the gift card and the model magic. It looks like a fun way for the kids to be creative….first time I’ve heard of this

    Reply

  75. jessica hager says

    What crafting has your family been enjoying lately? Do you have a handmade ornament that we should try? How about a Model Magic project?

    We’ve made some foam Santa’s for the tree and I have never tried Model Magic before.

    Reply

  76. Claire Rheinheimer says

    I’m most interested in the model magic. I’ve never used it and I think my 2 1/2 year old son and I would have a blast with it!

    Reply

  82. Monja Blue says

    What wonderful magic Christmas ornaments one can make with Crayola! Most interested in the glitter glue & adding sparkle to some wonderfully made Christmas cards!
    Thanks for the chance to win this fantabulous giveaway!

    Reply

  95. Kathy Davis says

    I would like to win the Washable Markers because I have a 16 month old granddaughter who loves to “draw’ on everything.

    Reply

  101. Meghan Malicoat says

    I would be excited to win any of them. My seven year old daughter is going though a crafting faze and would love it!!

    Reply

  104. alicia zirjacks says

    I would love the washable markers because my son always gets marker on his clothing!
    We have been making gingerbread houses and love it!

    Reply

  110. Kortney Picker says

    I would say the glitter glue, I wonder what we could craft to use that, it would be fun to try out some new projects!

    Reply

  113. Emmi Jones says

    Would love to try the Model Magic! My daughter loves making things with playdoh, I would love to see if she would love this too! <3

    Reply

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