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Fun Turtle Pinch Pots For Kids

There are so many fun things you can build using pinch pot techniques. In one art class, we will show how children as young as 1st grade can make this easy turtle pinch pot.

green glazed clay turtle pinch pot project for kids.

This clay project was originally written in April 2022. Erin has updated this clay lesson at the end of January 2025 with more precise instructions and more tips to help you be successful. Happy creating!

Why You Will Love This Clay Idea


  • KID FRIENDLY – If a child can make a pinch pot, they should be able to create a clay turtle.
  • EASILY BUILD IN ONE CLASS – The ceramic building of this project should take only one class or about 30-40 minutes.
  • CAN MODIFY SUPPLIES – You can use the same steps with air-dry clay or polymer clay.

The best part about ceramic projects for kids is that a simple pinch pot can be the end product or 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.

ART TEACHER TIP – If you are unsure if kids can do this build, you could always try a simple ceramic relief tile or slab clay cat) to see how they do first.

Why do you need to make a hollow turtle shell?

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 ensure this will not happen.

This clay project uses a pinch pot uniquely because you flip it over. Many other pinch pot projects are meant to be a cup or bowl at the end. 

Supplies you’ll need

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How To Build A Turtle Pinch Pot

clay ball in hand before starting clay project for kids.

Step 1: Start With Clay Ball

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

amount of clay split into two hunks on clay placemat.

Step 2: Split Clay

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

thumb in clay in pinch pot with extra clay off to the the side.

Step 3: Push Thumbs Into Clay

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

hand holding small clay pinch pot.

Step 4: Create A 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.

clay pinch pot flipped over on clay mat with extra clay next to it.

Step 5: Flip The 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.

hand using wooden skewer to cut a mouth in clay turtle head.

Step 6: Build The Head and Feet

Create a head and feet by sculpting it with clay and using a skewer to cut the mouth of the turtle.

score lines on clay turtle head being attached to clay pinch pot shell.

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.

clay turtle head and shell being molded.

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. 

clay turtle legs on placemat with part of clay turtle made.

Step 9: Sculpt & Attach

Make sea turtle legs by sculpting clay. Make sure not to make them too thick (1/2” of less). 

hand holding clay turtle art project for kids.

Step 10: Repeat

Repeat sculpting, scoring and adding water until all parts are added to your sea turtle.

adding shell details to the clay turtle with wooden skewer

Step 11: 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).

clay pinch pot turtles on tray.

Step 12: 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.

hand hold a jar of clay glaze.

Step 13: Add Color

You can paint, use glaze or even use one of these glaze alternatives to add color to your turtle.

Fire in the kiln if needed.

Tips For Kids

  • USE ONE FINGER FOR WATER – Kids can use water to smooth out rough areas. I always instruct them that a little goes a long way and not to make “mud pie.”
  • BLEND SEAMS – Since most young kids may not score correctly, you can have them use one finger to blend seams to help pieces stay on their turtle after firing in the kiln.
  • ADULT SHOULD WRITE THE NAME – An adult should write the kid’s name on the bottom of the pinch pot with a sharp skewer or needle tool.
green glazed clay turtle pinch pot project for kids.

Art Project FAQs

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. 

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.

The hardest part of building a clay turtle is making sure that children properly attach the clay together. This requires more fine motor skills than just sticking or smooshing model magic or playdough together.

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.” We love these easy clay flowers or heart pinch pots.

Other Clay Animal Art Lessons

As you can tell, we love having kids make clay projects.

Follow us on Pinterest, YouTube, Facebook & Flipboard for more free art and craft ideas!

Have fun creating these easy ceramic turtle pinch pot projects. The end results make every little artist proud.

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

Easy Pinch Pot Turtle

5 from 1 vote
This clay turtle art project is a simple clay build for children. Create a fun sea turtle or regular turtle using a pinch pot technique.
Print Tutorial
green glazed clay turtle pinch pot project for kids.
Prep:5 minutes
Creating:30 minutes
Total Time:35 minutes

Equipment

  • Wooden Skewer (or clay tools)
  • Kiln
  • Small container of water
  • Paint Brush
  • Clay placemat or work surface

Supplies

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.
Author: Erin Nutter
Cost: under $5

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2 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Nice tutorial. I’m looking forward to teaching my campers.
    I don’t have a klin, can I dry them out in the oven?