We used Mexican red clay for the end of of art club. It's a nice air drying clay, but can be a little messy. The students worked on coil pots and coil animals. After drying they were painted with acrylic paint. I just need to spray with a clear sealant and they are ready to take home.
The thumb is not clay, but plaster of paris that was cast from clay. Kinda creepy looking.