Sensory Art 3D Koi Painting Kit

One of my all-time favorite curriculum suppliers, Timberdoodle Company (and from which I’ve been ordering for 30+ years) released their new 2025 catalog TODAY! It is chock full of fun, exciting, enriching, and educational new products for every grade level. One such new product is this amazing Sensory Art 3D Koi Painting Kit.

Everything your student needs to create a stunning, one-of-a-kind piece of 3-D art is right inside the sturdy cardboard box.

The folks at Okto thought of everything. They even included a handy “Do Not Disturb” sign to hang on the door while your budding artist is at work on her masterpiece.

They also provide a link to some “relaxing” music to listen to while she creates. (I’ve got to be honest, though: Neither my daughter nor I cared much for the genre of music. So we listened to an audiobook while she completed the project instead.)

Getting Started

The project is made by pressing a modeling compound onto a blank canvas in the desired pattern and allowing it to air dry.

The compound dries fairly fast, so it’s a good thing the packages are small. This allows students to work in small section at a slower pace without having to worry that the unused portion will dry out before they get to it.

It also allows for different colors to be combined for more variegated effect. I love the way the curved lines and subtle shades of color give the background a watery appearance.

Be advised that the modeling compound tends to stick to the plastic packaging when it’s first opened. But if your student will gently dab at it with the portion of clay in her hand, it will peel away easily enough.

Also, she’ll probably want to keep the edges of her canvas smooth. This can be done by cutting excess modeling compound away with a knife. Or with the plastic sculpting tool included in the kit. Or by simply pinching it off with her fingers before it has a chance to dry.

The instructions for this Sensory Art 3D Koi Painting Kit are super simple. They contain very few words but rely on easy-to-follow diagrams instead.

Adding Detail

Here, your student will work with a bigger chunk of modeling compound, combining red and white colors to form koi.

The basic fish shape is formed by hand, then details are added once the koi has been positioned on the canvas.

In addition to adding texture and detail, pressing lines into the fish’s fins and scales onto its body helps affix the koi more firmly to the canvas.

A full size “pattern” is included with the kit, which is of immense help in getting size, placement, coloration, and sculpting details of koi just right.

Finishing Touches

After the three koi and a lily pad are sculpted, positioned, and have had a chance to dry, the masterpiece is ready to be sealed.

A smalll paintbrush and a jar of sealant is included in the kit for that purpose. Give the entire sculpture at least one coat. Maybe two.

Would somebody at your house enjoy this Sensory Art 3D Koi Painting Kit? Beginning today, it is available for individual purchase through Timberdoodle Co. I hope you’ll check it out.

And while you’re on the Timberdoodle website, I’d encourage you to look around. We love everything we’ve ever ordered from this small family-owned company!

Be sure to sign up for their Doodle Dollar program to save on future purchases. And to read more of my Timberdoodle Reviews, follow this link.

PLEASE NOTE: As a member of the Timberdoodle blog team, I routinely receive free or deeply discounted products in exchange for writing honest reviews. Opinions expressed in these posts are 100% my own. I’ve been a happy and enthusiastic Timberdoodle customer for decades — long before I ever started blogging for their company.