5 Practical Clay Animal Ideas for Beginners and Kids

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 11 July 2023 6 min read

Are you ready to dive into the engaging world of clay molding? Well, you've come to the right place! This blog post will walk you through five practical clay animals ideas, perfect for both beginners and kids. Whether you're a parent looking for a fun weekend activity with your children or a newbie adult venturing into the realm of clay crafting, you're sure to find project inspiration here. So let's get started, shall we?

1. Get Your Hands Dirty with Clay

Before we dive into the fun part of molding our clay animals, there are a few preparatory steps to ensure everything goes smoothly. After all, even Michelangelo had to pick up his chisel before he could create David!

Choose the Right Clay

Choosing the right clay is the first step in any clay molding project. But don't worry, there's no need to be overwhelmed by the various types available on the market. When it comes to crafting clay animals, air-dry clay is your best bet. It's easy to work with, non-toxic, and doesn't require any baking. Plus, it's available in most craft stores and even some supermarkets.

Gather Your Tools

Next, you'll need to gather your tools. While your hands are the best tools for shaping clay, some additional items can make the process easier. For our clay animals projects, you will need a rolling pin for flattening the clay, a craft knife for making precise cuts, and toothpicks for adding small but vital details to your creations.

Prepare Your Workspace

Preparing your workspace is as crucial as choosing the right clay and gathering your tools. Find a flat, clean surface to work on— a kitchen table or a desk will do. Cover the surface with a plastic tablecloth or newspaper for easy cleanup. Remember, clay projects can get a little messy, but that's part of the fun!

Now that we’ve got the preliminary steps out of the way, it’s time for the fun part — creating our clay animals! Ready to mold your way into an exciting world of clay animal ideas? Let's start with a friendly frog.

2. Create a Clay Frog

Creating a clay frog is a fantastic project for beginners. Frogs have a basic shape that's easy to replicate with clay, making them an ideal starting point for those new to the world of clay molding. So, let's hop into it!

Molding the Body

To start, take a chunk of your clay—about the size of a small apple—and roll it into a ball. This will form the body of your frog. Once you have your ball, slightly flatten it to give your frog a more natural shape. Remember, it doesn't have to be perfect; the beauty of clay animals is their uniqueness!

Adding Details to the Frog

Now for the fun part: adding the details. Use a smaller piece of clay to create two spheres for the eyes. Place these on top of your frog's body and use a toothpick to add pupils. For the legs, roll out four small pieces of clay and attach them to the underside of the frog's body. Don't forget to give your frog some webbed feet! Simply use your craft knife to make small cuts at the end of each leg.

Voila! You now have a charming clay frog. But don't stop there; there's a whole world of clay animals ideas waiting for you. Next up, we’re going to build a bashful bunny!

3. Build a Clay Bunny

Well done on making your first clay frog! Now, let's try something a bit more challenging but equally fun - a clay bunny. Bunnies, with their long ears and round tails, are enjoyable to create and a great addition to your growing collection of clay animals.

Forming the Bunny Shape

Start by rolling a piece of clay into a ball for the bunny's body. Next, create a smaller ball for the head and attach it on top. For the ears, roll two small pieces of clay into thin, elongated shapes and attach them to the top of the head. Lastly, don't forget to roll a tiny ball for the tail and stick it at the back of the body. And there you go, you've got the basic shape of your bunny!

Creating the Bunny Features

Now, let's give our clay bunny some personality. Create two small balls for the eyes and place them on the head. Use a toothpick to make two holes for the nostrils and draw a line under them for the mouth. For a finishing touch, add a couple of tiny clay balls inside the ears.

And there you have it, a cute clay bunny to keep your frog company. Crafting clay animals is not just about the end product, but the journey of creation. It's like a little adventure with each new animal. Ready for the next step in our clay animals ideas journey? Let's create a cool clay turtle!

4. Craft a Clay Turtle

So, you've mastered the art of crafting a clay bunny. Well done! Now, it's time to shift gears and dive into creating something a bit different – a clay turtle. Turtles, with their distinctive shells and slow, steady demeanor, present a unique challenge in our clay animals ideas journey. But don't worry, it's nothing you can't handle!

Construct the Turtle Shell

Start by rolling a decent-sized clay ball for the turtle's body. Once that's done, flatten it slightly to form the shape of the turtle's shell. You can use a toothpick or a clay carving tool to carve out the hexagonal pattern that's typical on a turtle's shell. It's all about the details!

Design the Turtle Head and Feet

Now we need to give our turtle a head and some feet. Roll a smaller piece of clay into a ball for the head, and attach it at the front of the body. For the feet, roll four pieces of clay into small oval shapes. Attach these at the base of the shell—two on each side. And there you have it, you've created a clay turtle.

Remember, the beauty of creating clay animals is that each one is unique in its own way. There's no right or wrong way to do it. It's all about having fun and letting your creativity shine. So, are you ready for the final challenge in our clay animals ideas journey? Let's make a clay elephant!

5. Mold a Clay Elephant

Are you ready for the grand finale of our clay animals ideas adventure? That's right, it's time to craft an elephant. Our clay elephant might not be as large as the real thing, but it's sure to be just as impressive!

Create the Elephant Body

Let's start with the body. Roll a large piece of clay into a ball, then gently pinch and pull at one end to create the elephant's trunk. It might take a few tries to get this right, but don't get discouraged. Remember: patience is key when working with clay. Next, create four small, cylinder-shaped pieces of clay for the legs and attach them to the base of the body. And just like that, your elephant is starting to take shape!

Attach the Elephant Features

Now for the finishing touches. Roll two smaller balls of clay and flatten them slightly to create the ears. Attach these on either side of the head. For the eyes, small dots of clay will do the trick. And there you have it - your very own clay elephant!

Creating clay animals is a fun and rewarding activity, whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist. It's not only a great way to express your creativity, but also a wonderful way to spend time with kids. So, what are you waiting for? Grab some clay and start crafting your animal kingdom!

If you're excited about exploring more creative clay animal ideas, don't miss the workshop 'Inventing Gods & Monsters' by Cat Johnston. This workshop will inspire you to take your clay creations to the next level by inventing unique and imaginative characters. Perfect for both beginners and kids, it's a fantastic way to unleash your creativity and develop your skills in clay sculpture.