Fun Clay Pinch Pot Turtle For Kids
There are so many fun things you can build using pinch pot techniques. We feel that making clay projects is definitely part of the creative journey of elementary school. This easy clay pinch pot turtle art project is a great idea for your art room and little artists.
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What age child can complete this clay project?
First graders and older kids should be able to build these clay turtles using real clay that has to go into the kiln. If you do not have access to a kiln, you can use air dry clay or another sculpture material, like Model Magic. And if you do that, then really any aged child should be able to create a turtle pinch pot.
Read More>>>Our Awesome Model Magic Food Sculpture Idea
The only reason we say 1st grade and older for real clay is because you have to properly attach the clay together. This requires more fine motor skills than just sticking or smooshing model magic or playdough together.
If you are unsure if kids can do this build, you could always try a simple ceramic relief tile (like our clay cat) to see how they do first.
While this turtle art project may be a great first pinch pot project, you may want to do a simple pinch pot the previous year before requiring kids to score and “slip”.
What is a pinch pot?
If you are new to clay building some of the basic hand-building clay techniques are pinch pots, coils and slabs. Pinch pots are created by pinching or using your fingers to squeeze the walls into the desired shapes.
The best part about ceramic projects for kids is that a simple pinch pot can be the end product or can be used as a base for more advanced clay projects (like our clay pinch pot monsters). There are so many creative pinch pot ideas for your kids to try.
Why do you need to make a hollow turtle shell?
This clay project uses a pinch pot in a unique way because you flip it over. A lot of other pinch pot projects are meant to be a cup or bowl at the end.
If using real kiln clay, you need to have walls and items that are thin enough so that they do not explode in the kiln. By starting with a pinch pot base you are ensuring that this will not happen.
Recommended Supplies
- Skewers
- White clay (or air drying clay if you do not have a kiln)
- Glaze, acrylic paints, or watercolor paint to add color to clay
- Placemat or surface to work on
- Small container of water
How To Build An Easy Clay Turtle
Step 1: Start With Clay Ball
Start with a ball of clay that can fit inside a child’s hand.
Step 2: Create A Large And Small Ball Of Clay
Spilt a little bit off the hunk of clay. The bigger chunk of clay can be rolled into a ball.
Step 3: In The Large Ball Of Clay Push Your Thumb In
Have kids push one hole with their thumbs as far as they can go without going through.
Step 4: Create 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 over.
Step 5: Flip Pinch Pot Over
Lightly push on the pot to make sure it is resting evenly. You can also take a little water and smooth out any cracks or bumps.
Step 6: Build Head From Extra Clay
Create a head by sculpting it with clay and using a skewer to cut the mouth of the turtle.
Step 7: Attach Head To Pinch Pot
- Attach to pinch pot turtle shell by scoring the end of the head and where you are attaching to the shell.
- Use one finger dipped in water to add “slip” and attach.
- Use a finger to help blend the seam where the head is attached.
Step 8: Add and Attach Extra Turtle Details
Create turtle eyes with small balls of clay and a skewer. Attach by scoring and using water.
Step 9: Build and Attach Legs and Other Details
Make sea turtle legs by sculpting clay. Make sure not to make them too thick (1/2” of less).
Attach legs to the shell by scoring and adding water.
Repeat sculpting, scoring and adding water until all parts are added to your sea turtle.
Step 10: Draw Texture
Use a skewer or other clay tools to add turtle shell texture. Draw a circle around the edge and add lines. Add hexagons to the top of the shell in a brick pattern (see image).
Step 11: Let Dry and Fire Projects
We also like to wait a week before placing a large quantity of projects in the kiln.
Fire the dried clay projects in the kiln for your bisque fire.
Step 12: Add Color With Glaze
Have children add color with glazes or even oil pastels on clay.
We glazed this turtle with different types of green. However, you can also use different glaze alternatives to add color to ceramic projects.
Extra tips for building a clay turtle with children
- 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”.
- An adult should write the kid’s name on the bottom of the pinch pot with a sharp sewer or needle tool.
Other Pinch Pot Animal Art Lessons
As you can tell, we love when kids are amazing clay artists.
- Learn How To Build A Clay Fish with double pinch pots
- Create a Cute Owl Cup in one class period
- Cute Easy Animal Pinch Pots (we show you how to make a fun pinch pot elephant)
- Clay Slab Cat Lesson
Follow us on Pinterest for more free art and craft ideas!
Not only are these an easy ceramic turtle pinch pot project, but the end results make every little artist proud.
Easy Pinch Pot Turtle
Equipment
- Wooden Skewer (or clay tools)
- Kiln
- Small container of water
- Paint Brush
- Clay placemat or work surface
Supplies
- White Art Clay
- Glazes or Acrylic Paint
Instructions
- Start with a ball of clay that can fit inside a child’s hand.
- Spilt a little bit off the hunk of clay. The bigger chunk of clay can be rolled into a ball.
- Have kids push one hole with their thumbs as far as they can go without going through.
- Use 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 over.
- Flip clay pinch pot over.
- Create a head by sculpting with clay and using a skewer to cut the mouth of the turtle.
- Attach to pinch pot turtle shell by scoring the end of the head and where you are attaching to the shell. Use one finger dipped in water to add “slip” and attach. Use a finger to help blend the seam where the head is attached.
- Create turtle eyes with small balls of clay and a skewer. Attach by scoring and using water.
- Make sea turtle legs by sculpting clay. Make sure not to make them too thick (1/2” of less).
- Attach legs to shell by scoring and adding water.
- 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”.
- Use a skewer or other clay tools to add turtle shell texture. Draw a circle around the edge and add lines. Add hexagons to the top of the shell in a brick pattern (see image).
- An adult should write the kid’s name on the bottom of the pinch pot with a sharp sewer or needle tool.
- Run a bisque fire in your kiln once projects have completely dried.
- Glaze or paint finished turtles.
Notes
- First graders and older kids should be able to build these clay turtles using real clay that has to go into the kiln.
- If you do not have access to a kiln, you can use air dry clay or another sculpture material, like Model Magic.
- If you are using a molding clay, then really any aged child should be able to create a turtle pinch pot.
Nice tutorial. I’m looking forward to teaching my campers.
I don’t have a klin, can I dry them out in the oven?
HI Gladys. I would use air dry clay. We have tutorial about how to make pinch pots using air dry clay. It won’t be a strong as real clay, but is the best way to make pinch pot projects without a kiln.