Printable invitations · EYFS provision
Explore autumn through clay and malleable play
Press a leaf, roll a pathway, shape a nest or follow an idea of your own. These illustrated invitations offer starting points for children to explore what soft clay can do, with time to pinch, join, squash and change their creations.
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Take a look inside
These three sample pages give a flavour of the illustrations and invitations in the pack. Each card includes an optional “You could…” suggestion and “Words to share” during play.
On smaller screens, scroll or swipe sideways to browse the three watermarked previews. Download the pack for the complete set of printable cards and guidance.
What’s included in the pack?
Eight pages altogether: 12 illustrated invitation cards on six A4 sheets, plus two “No need to print” practitioner pages with a contents and schema guide.
Invitations to explore and change
Illustrated starting points encourage children to discover what soft clay can do and develop their own ideas. Optional suggestions and vocabulary help adults support the exploration as it unfolds.
Support for the adult alongside
Find guidance on preparing materials, setting up provision, supporting communication and making the experience accessible. The editable Word file lets you adapt text and borders or replace the illustrations.
There is room for children’s own ideas. The pictures suggest possibilities. Children can make something quite different, repeat an action or enjoy changing the clay without making a recognisable model. The smaller suggestions are optional, and the cards can be revisited in any order.
Using the invitations in your provision
Place a card beside a workable piece of soft clay, a board or tray and a small choice of suitable tools. Offer it when it connects with the children’s interests, then leave time for their ideas to develop.
Offer a starting point
Choose one invitation and read it aloud if helpful. Try a checked fallen leaf for an imprint, a chunky roller for a pathway or a blunt tool for making tracks.
Notice and respond
Watch what the child repeats or changes. Comment, pause and share useful words through talk, gestures or signs. Demonstrate on your own piece if invited, and ask before changing their work.
Return and transform
Let children revisit a join, make a base wider, reshape a hollow or squash everything and begin again. A new tool or another way to use the material can give an idea somewhere to go.
Different ways to join in
Offer softer or larger pieces, easy-grip tools and a stable, reachable surface. Children can use tools instead of touching the material, direct a partner, choose a resource or watch before joining in.
Possible schema connections
Look for repeated interests in connecting, enclosing, covering, positioning and transforming. The guide suggests connections across the invitations; these are possibilities to notice over time, rather than labels to assign from one activity.
Can we use playdough instead of clay?
Yes. Suitable playdough can offer a softer alternative to ready-prepared, child-suitable clay. The materials behave differently, so explore what happens and adapt the invitation. There is no need for every creation to hold its shape.
Do children need to read the cards or copy the pictures?
No. An adult can share the invitation and model the vocabulary as the play unfolds. The pictures are starting possibilities, and the “You could…” line is there if a child wants an idea. Children can follow their own interests and communicate in their usual ways.
What should we print?
Choose from pages 3–8 and print on portrait A4 at actual size. Each sheet has two cards to cut apart and place beside provision. Pages 1–2 are practitioner notes and the contents/schema guide, so there is no need to print them.
What materials should we prepare?
Start with soft, ready-prepared clay or suitable playdough, a clear board or tray, and a few chunky rollers or blunt modelling tools. Add checked natural materials when useful. Choose materials for the children using them, check ingredients and sensitivities, and use alternatives where children mouth objects. Follow the pack’s material-care guidance, including handwashing, damp cleaning and removing hidden pieces before storage.
Download the Autumn Clay & Malleable Play pack
Choose an invitation to place beside your malleable play provision, or keep the cards ready for an idea children want to explore again.
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Continue an interest in autumn materials, making and changing. These links open member resource pages; sign in or join if prompted.
Resource and preview images © Little Owls Resources.