Simple Pinch Pot Flower Clay Project For Kids

This art lesson is the perfect first pinch pot project for younger elementary students. Children and their families will love creating this easy flower ceramic idea.

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Age

This art project for kids is great for kids of all ages but has especially been a hit with kindergarten and first-grade artists.

The best part of this easy ceramic art idea is that all kids end up with a flower cup (or plate). The process of learning through doing with clay is so important. Kids will still love the outcome of their flower pinch pot even if they end up making more of a flower plate instead of a bowl.

Does a child have to have experience making a pinch pot?

No, if you break down each part step-by-step all young artists should be able to create this easy kid’s ceramic art project. Sometimes this is the first clay project we introduced to our students.

Supplies 

• Small container of water
• Skewer
• White Clay
• Placemat or surface to work on

How to make a flower bowl out of clay

Step 1: Roll a ball of clay.

Step 2: Have kids push two holes close together with their thumbs as far as they can go without going through. 

Step 3: Turn the clay ball so that they put two more thumbprints. You can tell them it kind of looks like a four-leaf clover. This helps children pinch the wall whole.

Step 4: Use your hands to pinch around the edge and make sure not to make walls too thin. 

Step 5: Kids can use water to smooth out any rough areas. We always instruct them that a little goes a long way and to not make “mud pie”.

Step 6: Use your fingers to pinch in small petals around the edge of the bowl. 

Step 7: Use a clay skewer to cut in the flower petals.

Step 8: Use the end of the skewer to lightly poke holes for the seeds in the inner part of their flower. Make sure kids lightly stamp the seeds. Tell them they do not want to poke all the way through. It isn’t the end of the world though if they do in some areas.

Step 9: An adult should write the kid’s name on the bottom of the pinch pot with a sharp sewer or needle tool.

Step 10: Let the flower pinch pot dry and run a bisque fire in your kiln.

Tips for creating pinch pots with young children

• Make sure the thumbs push enough down. You may need to “check” each child before they move on. You do not want a lot of extra clay in the bottom of their pinch pots.
• Don’t let kids overmuch the clay. It can start to dry out or get crumbly.
• Show children how to use one finger to smooth the pot. If they use too much water they will end up with mudpie.
• Play a game to get kids used to clay before starting this pinch pot project and during the project. Ask students to hold up their hands when they complete each game step. This will help them to stop playing with the clay when they are not actually building.

How to add color to clay flowers?

We love using ceramic glaze on these flowers. Most of the time this is the first “glaze experience” for young children. The amazement on their faces when they see the colors change is really fun.

Read more>>>9 tips for how to easily use clay glazes with your kids

We love using these glazes with young children. They are able to get rich color and they fire pretty easily in the kiln.

What if you don’t have clay glaze?

This simple pinch pot project can also be made with air dry clay or painted instead of glazed. We actually made one of these and painted it with acrylic and add an awesome gloss medium to clear coat it.

Tips for glazing ceramic flowers

• Encourage students to use only 3 colors of glazes. One for petals, one for the inside and one for the outside. 
• Do not let them glaze the bottom. When firing large quantities of projects, we just find it is easier to keep the bottoms white or unglazed.
• Kids should use 3 coats or layers of glazes
• Make sure the brush is clean and dry when changing colors.
• Run your finished clay pots in the kiln.

If you don’t have glazes or built this simple ceramic project with air-dry clay, feel free to use acyclic paint to add color to your flower art project.

Looking for other cool pinch pot ideas?

• Easy clay owl from a pinch pot
• Clay pinch pot monsters (a little more advanced build, but still great for elementary kids)
• Easy Pinch pot turtle art project
• Easy clay slab cat art lesson

Follow us on Pinterest or YouTube for more arts and crafts ideas!

See the joy on a child’s face when they see their completed clay flower art project!