Gray clay or other colors hardening clay has to be stored properly if you want to be able to use it over and over again. I explained in another post briefly, why this clay is better than play dough and I showed you how to cut it. (I have tended to use the gray but the white and the red works equally as well)

This short post is to teach you how to store it.

First you have the children roll the clay they were using into  ball the size of an orange or a grapefruit. Then using their thumbs as shown above, make a small indentation in the ball.

Take a small bit of water and pour it slowly into the hole.

You need to supervise the children when they are doing this at first as they can go water crazy with water splashing all over the place. there needs to be a very small bit of water put into the hole.

Once the water is in, you gently smush some of the clay with your fingers over the hole.

The children can then lay the balls of clay in a  plastic container. Originally I had learned that when storing the clay you need to first put it into a plastic bag, then put a damp rag over it and cover it tightly in the plastic container.

I did however discovered firstly that I don’t need a plastic bag. I then saw that I  don’t think I need the wet rag as it often gets moldy.

I think you will be fine if you follow the above directions and close the plastic container tightly.

This way when the children are ready to use the clay again, they just lift it out of the container and they are ready to go.

If you are not sure exactly what this gray clay is you can check it out in its 5 lb form here Marblex Gray Clay. It also comes in 25 lb.. which is suitable  if  you are going to be using it for a large group for a long period of time.