Another great project is to have kids make clay shakers or rattles. I usually give them tips on how to make some easy ones and then ask them to make one this is really unique. Given very few guidelines, they really come up with some creative ideas! We start by making tiny "balls" for the insides to make them rattle. If they clay is not leather hard, we line the inside with newspaper so the balls don't stick to the inside. The newspaper just burns up in the kiln. Don't forget to put a tiny airhole so they don't blow up!
Turtle
Cheesecake
Cheese (after all, we are in Wisconsin!)
Ying and Yang
Carved Hollow Ball
Interesting take on Minnie and Mickey
Pillow Shaker