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How To Build A Clay Fish Sculpture For Kids

Do you want to build an easy 3-D fish pinch pot sculpture with your art class? Our detailed step-by-step clay fish art lesson is for you (plus a few Art teacher tips along the way).

orange and yellow glazed ceramic fish project for kids.

This craft tutorial has been a long-time reader favorite since it was published in April 2022. This post was recently updated in January 2025 with more straightforward and precise instructions and my key takeaways.

Why You Will Love This Art Idea


  • GREAT FOR UPPER ELEMENTARY (4th grade & Up) – This age seems to have the fine motor skills to build a hollow structure and add details to complete a clay fish sculpture.
  • BUILDS ON PREVIOUS CLAY BUILDS – This project fits well in clay units where children have built basic pinch pots and slab projects.
  • CAN MODIFY SUPPLIES – You could use air-dry clay and acrylic paint if you do not have access to a kiln.
  • LENGTH – This clay fish project is a fantastic 2-day clay building project that will take about 1 hour to complete.

Using clay with children is super fun. In addition to this fish build, you can check out some of our other favorite elementary ceramic lessons, such as our clay turtles, clay cats and fun clay monsters.

clay fish on cart drying.

Why does the clay fish body have to be hollow?

It is essential to teach kids about how a kiln works. You want to explain that if you just put a big chunk of clay in the kiln, it will explode. Kids are fascinated by this. This visualization allows them to understand that they have to have a hollow shape for the body and that their fish details cannot be too thick.

Before You Begin

  • SKETCH – Students should create a fish sketch with details before building.
  • PREPARE CLAY AND WORK AREA – Pre-cut clay with a wire cutter and set up placemats for kids to work on.

ART TEACHER TIP – We always recommend children draw at least three different sketches before committing to the final design. To help with this, look at examples of real fish and ask students to observe the details that make up a fish.

I always tell kids that artists make multiple sketches because their first idea is not always their best idea. And if your first idea is the best, you will know it after drawing the others.

Clay Storing Tips

  • Pass out large gallon-sized bags and label them with the child’s name and class (if doing this with a large group)
  • Pass out all clay needed for the whole build
  • All clay will be stored in the bag for the next time
  • Have kids flick 3 “flicks” of water on their fingers before closing the bag completely
  • Show kids how to carefully zip part of the bag and gently push out the air before zipping it completely
  • Model to kids how to carry the bag by holding clay projects and wrapping the plastic back around the projects
hand holding clay fish project in gallon sized plastic bag.

Supplies you’ll need

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  • White clay*
  • Skewer or needle tool
  • A small cup of water
  • Clay placemat or surface to work on
  • Glazes or acrylic paint
  • Kiln

*We like this type for class clay builds with elementary-aged kids

How To Make A Fish Out Of Clay

*Note each of these builds is based on a 40-minute class time. Days may vary, especially if this art project is done with a smaller group.

3 equal sections of clay balls on a placemat used to make a clay art project for kids.

Step 1: Divide Clay

Split the clay into 3 close to equal sections and roll 2 of them into spheres (notice I say sphere instead of balls..it just is easier than the giggles).

thumb pushed in circle in clay ball next to small pinch pot already made.

Step 2: Create 1 Pinch Pot

Push your thumb into one sphere as far as it can go without going all the way through. Create a pinch pot but make sure kids do not make the walls to thin.

hand holding small clay pinch pot.

Step 3: Create 2nd Pinch Pot

Repeat pinch pot steps to create a matching pinch pot.

hand using wooden skewer to score clay edge of a pinch pot.

Step 4: Repeat For The Other Side

Score the edges of each clay pot. 

water rubbed on the edges of two small clay pinch pots.

Step 5: Add Water

Rub water along the two edges using one finger.

clay pinch pots pushed together to make a hollow shape to be used for a clay fish body.

Step 6: Make Hollow Body Shape

Put pinch pots together. Use your finger to blend the seams. Be careful not to push too hard so as to collapse the fish body.

skewer used to cut in fish mouth in clay hollow body.

Step 7: Poke Hole For Mouth

Use the skewer to put a hole for the mouth. Students can make their fish mouths in a variety of sizes. I like to have all fish have mouths to help with airflow in the kiln.

hollow clay form that will be used to create a clay fish art project.

Step 8: Open It Up

Use fingers to sculpt a fish mouth and/or use your finger to pop any spots that may have collapsed.

clay skewer cutting through clay slab to create back fin on ceramic fish project.

Step 9: Make Details

Make details such as fins and eyes by making a small slab and cutting through the clay in the desired shapes.

beginning of a clay fish done by a third grade aged kid.

Step 10: Score and Attach

We also recommend using your finger to blend the seam of the clay on large items like fins.

score lines on fish eye being attached to clay fish ceramic project.

Step 11: Continue Building, Scoring and Attaching Fish Details

Build fish eyes, side fins, tail fins, and any other details they want to add. Make sure children score and add water to items they are attaching.

loop clay tool used to add texture to children's clay fish art project.

Step 12: Add Extra Texture

Use a skewer, popsicle stick or clay tools to add extra fish-like textures.

clay fish art project for kids drying with clay tools.

Step 13: Let Dry

Write the child’s name on the bottom of the fish.

inside of kiln with fish and clay projects for kids.

Step 14: Fire In The Kiln

Follow your firing instructions for your kiln and clay type.

orange glaze being painted on clay fish art project from kids.

Step 15: Add Color

Use glaze by adding 3 coats of the same color glaze and rinsing brush in between.

glazed clay fish project with orange and yellow glaze before going in the kiln.

Step 16: Finish & Fire In The Kiln

Follow your firing instructions for your kiln and glaze type.

ART TEACHER TIPS – We wrote a whole post on tips and tricks to use glazes with children successfully. The kids are always so amazed when they see their finished glazed clay fish.

orange and yellow glazed ceramic fish project for kids.

More Tips

  • LET THE CLAY FULLY DRY – Wait at least a week. Some of these fish may take that long to dry, depending on the thickness of the clay and how much they add. It is always better to be safe than sorry. 
  • LABEL WITH NAMES – I always think having an adult do this is best. You can use a skewer, but a nice needle tool will help you draw a fine line.
  • OUR FAV GLAZES – I like using Mayco glazes with elementary artists.
  • DON’T GLAZE THE BOTTOM – With large groups, it is easiest not to let kids glaze the bottom of their projects so that you do not have to use kiln stilts. 

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Art Project FAQs

You can have students blend the seams with their fingers to help make sure items won’t fall off.

Yes, most regular clay projects can be done using air-dry clay as well.

We know better than anyone that sometimes glaze just isn’t in the budget. Other options for adding color to clay include: watercolor paint, acrylic paint, oil pastel with black ink resist, or just a simple clear coat. 

As with most art projects for kids, this one allows kids to add details based on their level and abilities. You can teach kids about basic art elements like form and texture but also add extra vocabulary like movement. 

We love opening the kiln and seeing the fantastic clay fish projects! And if you can’t use a kiln, you can paint your fish for an equally cool clay art idea.

clay fish lesson for kids painted with watercolor paint.

Do you like this art project? Please give us 5 stars below 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩 and have fun being creative with your family.

How To Build A Clay Fish

This easy clay fish build is perfect for kids in grade 3 or older. They will use combination of clay building techniques such as pinch pots, scoring and ceramic sculpting.
Print Tutorial
clay fish art lesson made from two pinch pots glazed with orange and yellow glaze.
Prep:10 minutes
Creating:1 hour
Additional Time:8 hours
Total Time:9 hours 10 minutes

Equipment

  • Wooden Skewer
  • Clay Needle Tool
  • Clay Placemats
  • Clay Needle Tool (For adult)
  • Kiln
  • Paint Brush
  • Optional: other clay tools

Instructions

  • Split the clay into 3 close to equal sections.
  • Roll 2 of them into spheres (notice I say sphere instead of balls..it just is easier than the giggles).
  • Create 2 matching pinch pots.
  • Score the edges of each clay pot and rub water along the two edges.
  • Put pinch pots together.
  • Use your finger to blend the seams. Be careful not to push too hard so as to collapse the fish body.
  • Use the skewer and fingers to help sculpt fish mouth.
  • Build fish eyes, side fins, tail fins and any other details they want to add.
  • Use a skewer, popsicle stick or clay tools to add extra fish-like textures.
  • Write the child’s name on the bottom of the fish.
  • Run a bisque fire in your kiln according to recommendations.
  • Repeat glazing process until all white areas are covered.
  • Run projects in kiln following instructions on the glaze you are using.

Notes

  • Make sure kids score first and then add water no matter what they are attaching.
  • Using double-pinch pots helps the inside of the fish stay hollow.
  • Allow proper dry time to ensure all moisture is out of the clay before firing. We would like to wait a week before performing a bisque fire for a class ceramic project.
Author: Erin Nutter
Cost: under $5

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