Probably actually was clay! Reminds me of when I was a kid and "Slime" was being sold in shops and we didn't have any but we got actual slime from this pond and wanted to sell it (not sure who to either, but mum said no).

Your 6 year old sounds super creative.

[–] Dave 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It may have been actual clay! I only have loose memories but it was this grex colour and definitely had clay-like qualities. Pretty squishy and hard to form into something, but it was probably clay in some form.

[–] liv 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Probably squishy because of the river?

Clay's malleability depends on its water content. If a ceramicist wanted to use your river clay they'd probably add more water so they could strain out impurities (sticks etc) then leave it to dry until it got to the right consistency.

[–] Dave 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I wish you were there at the time, we could have sold it as real usable clay!

[–] liv 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Probably be clay millionaires by now!

[–] Dave 2 points 1 year ago

Missed opportunity, I could have been Elon Musk if I'd had your advice back then!