How To Build Clay Monster Pinch Pots for Kids

Do you need another fun ceramic project for kids? Look no further. We have yet to meet a kid that hasn’t liked making a pinch pot monster.

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Have you ever seen the excitement on a child’s face when they learn it is clay day? From simple clay owls to more advanced clay fish art project, clay can be used to unleash children’s creativity. This clay monster art project from a basic pinch pot is no exception.

What ages can complete this project?

Clay monsters are an awesome art project for second graders and older. However, as with most projects with a little adult assistance, I am sure a 5 or 6 year could build their own monster. As a child’s skills increase they just may be able to add more details to their clay pinch pot monster.

Also, younger children can use the same concepts but build a clay monster with air dry clay or model magic.

Model magic is amazing because you won’t even need to score to attach items. It just works together. Or have fun using homemade playdough to practice these steps before actually using clay!

Why create pinch pot art with kids?

Pinch pots or thumb pots are the most basic clay-building technique. When children are pinching clay they naturally are helping not to have air pockets in their ceramic pieces. 

Can you use air-dry clay?

Yes, most regular clay pieces can be done with air-dry clay. You would just have to use acrylic paint to add color and not glazes.

Tips To Build Clay Monsters

• Make sure pinch pots are not too thin but still create a hollow form to start with. If they are too thin, it will make it hard to attach facial items.
• Encourage kids to add texture to their monsters. A simple wooden skewer and/or popsicle stick will work or you can also provide other clay tools if you have them. 
• Kids should use a little homemade slip when attaching items. The image below shows how the scoring and water method can work.
• If possible, students should blend the seam with their fingers after attaching the clay.
• Let projects fully dry before loading them into the kiln. 
• Make sure children do not make details that are too thick.

Recommended Supplies

• White Art Clay (or air dry clay if you do not have a kiln)
• Wooden Skewers or other clay tools
• Small container of water
• Clay placemat or work surface
• Glazes or acrylic paints
• Paintbrush
• Kiln

How To Build Pinch Pot Monster

Step 1: Pass Out Clay

Start with a ball of clay that can fit inside a child’s hand.

Step 2: Split Clay Into 2 Parts (on larger than the other)

Split a little bit off the hunk of clay. The bigger chunk of clay can be rolled into a ball.

Step 3: Push Thumb In The Middle

Have kids push one hole with their thumbs as far as they can go without going through. 

Step 4: Make Pinch Pot

Use your hands to pinch around the edge and make sure not to make walls too thin. The walls should probably be around 1/8” thick to support the shell when flipped on its side.

Step 5: Place Pinch Pot On Its Side

Step 5: Put the clay pinch pot on its side.

Step 6: Sculpt Monster Details From Extra Clay

Begin sculpting eyes for your monster. Make sure the eyes are not too thick. Use a skewer to poke in the pupils. This will also help to ensure eyes are not too thick.

Step 7: Attach Items By Scoring and Adding Water

Attach eyes to pinch pot monster face by scoring the eyes and where you are attaching to the face of the monster.

Use one finger dipped in water to add “slip” and secure.

Use your finger to help blend the seam where the eyes are going if possible.

Step 8: Sculpt and Add More Unique Monster Facial Features

Create monster details. Roll a coil for eyebrows. Add texture by drawing lines with a skewer. Make sure to score and add water when attaching to clay.

Step 9: Add Hair and Horns

Create horns and attach them properly.

Step 10: Continue Adding Other Details

Create a tongue, teeth and any other monster facial detail.

Finally, add any extra texture to the monster.

Step 11: Let Fully Dry and Fire In kiln

Once your projects are not cool to the touch and completely dry, you will run a bisque fire in your kiln. We always like to wait a week before putting projects in the kiln.

Additional or optional steps

• Kids can use water to smooth out any rough areas. We always instruct them that a little goes a long way and not to make “mud pie”.
• An adult should write the kid’s name on the bottom of the pinch pot with a sharp sewer or needle tool.

How to add color to clay pinch pot monsters

You can choose to glaze, but we know not everyone has access to that. Therefore, acrylic paints, oil pastel and ink resist or even watercolor paint can be used to finish your clay monsters.

See our tips for using glaze with children.

Looking for more easy clay pinch pot projects?

• This simple clay flower build is a perfect clay project for a child’s first pinch pot. They will love learning about the properties of clay by exploring the textures and feels. You don’t even have to score and attach clay for this easy clay pinch pot idea.
• Fun Clay Owl Art Lesson

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