Art Lessons For Kids - Clay Pinch Pots
Clay Pinch Pots
This is a very easy and super-fun project that all children can succeed at. They are quick to make and take about a week to dry, depending on where you're located. Since they are not kiln-dried, they can be brittle and will probably shatter into a billion pieces if dropped...but they're fun to make anyhow. And, great for keeping paperclips, or other tiny things organized.
What You Will Need:
- Newspaper
- Clothing that you can get messy in
- Tiny bowl of water
- Clay, pounded out and given to students in a chunk a bit larger than an adult fist
- Popsicle sticks, spoons (anything that they can use to dig out clay and make designs on the pots)
- A drying area
Easy To Make Clay Pots for Kids
Clay Pinch Pots Drying
Leaf-shaped pot
Drying Pots
Detail inside and outside the pot
Younger student's work
How To Make Clay Pinch Pots
- Cover the table with newspaper and put on art shirt or smock that can get messy!
- Have the students pound out the clay to make it a bit softer.
- Roll the clay into a ball using both hands, or hands and a hard table (The ball should be smooth without cracks)
- Push your thumb right into the middle of the clay creating the "bowl" part.
- Try to keep at least 1/2 inch of clay for all the walls.
- Smooth the surface of the clay pot as you mold it, deciding if you want the top edges flat as well - you may need to dip your fingers in water to help smooth out the surfaces.
- Use the tools to draw in any designs you like (I usually show picture references of ancient pottery to give students an idea of how they can design their pots).
- Allow to Dry.
- When dried, you can apply acrylic paint
Tip - make sure if you have to use water to help smooth out your pot - only use a tiny amount or your clay will turn back into mud.
