Simple Ceramic Handbuilding with Kids

Photo by Karen Maes on Unsplash

Simple Ceramic Handbuilding with Kids

It was always a much-awaited medium for me...when would we get to do CLAY? Usually relegated to just one project to be carried home with the utmost of care, I love love loved clay. My students tend to feel the same, with equal parts squeals of horror when touching the cold wet stuff.

Here I outline the very simple approach I take with my youngest students, but it is certainly applicable for much older art students, depending on their previous clay experience. I don't talk about wheel throwing here, simply because it's unsustainable for me in the classroom at this age level. There's plenty to do on the handbuilding level!

Below I discuss three types of handbuilding I do in the classroom with some links to help. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Clay Types

For those with access to a kiln, you'll have the option of earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain that can be fired to a stronger finish and even glazed. Though for the elementary level, stoneware and porcelain are a bit much (firing longer and hotter), they are great for the upper levels as the glazes available are more sophisticated. I stick with earthenware for my young ones. Here is a nice gray: https://amzn.to/2NW9Ph1

There is also air dry clay, which does not require a kiln. They will not be able to take a glaze, but rather will be painted. It feels pretty much the same as regular clay, but I have to say from trying it out, it can be very very fragile when dry if not built at the proper thickness. But let's face it - when teaching the youngest ceramicists, breakage (and hot glue) are a given. This is similar to what I have used: https://amzn.to/2NTfRiw

There are also different types of dough that do not really feel like clay, but they are much easier to clean up. They will wind up lighter than the real thing as well, and can typically be painted. I love this one: https://amzn.to/2tZl8vN

Work Surface

In a pinch, working on sturdy paper can work, but this can sometimes turn soggy, rip, and get stuck in clay pieces. Clay will also stick to many table surfaces and plastic. If you can, go for work surfaces wrapped in canvas, like a table or plywood, bare wooden planks, or even loose strips of canvas. These will be less sticky. Perhaps a drop cloth like this: https://amzn.to/2tZ3mZo

Helpful Tools

If you are working with older students, it is wonderful to have the real deal, like:
fettling knives https://amzn.to/2TtgchS
scoring tools https://amzn.to/2VPbLuu

But if you are working with a younger crowd, or are budget conscious, or are especially concerned with physical safety, these can work also:
toothpicks
old credit cards
Popsicle sticks
plastic tools https://amzn.to/2CeSnzL

Coil Building

I describe these as "squeezing the clay into a hot dog" and then "rolling it into a snake," and for those kids who have had their hands on some sort of dough in the past, it's pretty much second nature. These coils can be stacked on top of each other to make pots, or rolled into decorative swirls, or both!

Pinch Pots

I direct my students to roll the clay into a ball, push it onto their thumb "like a mushroom," and pinch, turn, pinch, turn between their thumb and fingers. These pots can stay as is, be joined to other pots to make larger vessels, or have additions for incredibly fun and creative sculptures.

Slab Building

Making slabs can be as simple as patting "pancakes" of clay, or be as advanced as using a slab roller. A good happy medium is rolling the clay flat with rolling pins or even heavy cardboard tubes from industrial paper towels. Slabs can be left flat as tiles or stood upright to create vessels, clocks, fountains - you name it! For me, the best part about slabs is the ability to create textures onto them. Most simple printmaking tools can double as clay stamping tools - check out my post on printmaking here for ideas!

Demonstration of Techniques

As an art teacher (and busy adult, full of adulting to do), I know that time is often of the essence. If you need a ready-to-go demonstration of all of these techniques for your student or kiddo to watch for the essential know how, I have one right here for you that walks step-by-step through all of the techniques I mentioned above. 

This is great for independent kid work, TAB-style classrooms that still want solid technique understanding, or whole group instruction that allows the teacher to get supplies ready or manage behavior. I hope you have so much fun with this!


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