Easy Leaf Pinch Pots – Fall Craft for Preschool

Today I am combining two of my favourite Autumn Crafts for Kids to date: the Apple Pinch Pot with the Leaf Clay Bowls…. and voila, we have easy Leaf Pinch Pots! Pinch pots are a great craft to get kids of all ages started working with air drying clay (or kiln clay for that matter) – they are super easy to do, are great as a finger strengthening exercise and look adorable. Today’s Leaf Pinch Pot is really is easy to make – I like to focus on “simple shapes” – so the kids are able to do these themselves too and still have great results. I hope you agree with me too!!

This Leaf Craft makes a great Autumn Craft for Kids but also a wonderful Thanksgiving Craft and decoration!

Slightly older kids may want to have ago at our Leaf Clay Bowls – they are a wonderful technique using REAL LEAVES to create your shape and patterns! And I simply adore them.

Leaf Pinch Pots – Materials

• Air drying clay (we love natural air drying clay like this US/ UK)
• Acrylic paints (though they look lovely plain too.. especially if you decide to use brown air drying clay)
• Paint brushes if painting

How to make Leaf Pinch Pots

Yes, it is video creation time. I hope you agree that these Leaf Pinch Pots are indeed easy to make! Below I have written the instructions out for you too!

Leaf Pinch Pots Step By Step Instructions

Take a “handful” of air drying clay – a ball that sits comfortably in your hand.

Using your thumb and index finger, push into the centre of the ball and start shaping it into a little round bowl.

Once you have a basic round bowl shape – with roughly even sides, pinch one end together to shape the front of the leaf…

..and then the back to shape a stem.

Use a little water to smooth down the edges and surfaces of your Pinch Pot and let dry fully!

Once dry, paint in your desired colours. I decided to go for yellows and greens on one leaf and reds and yellows on the second!

Let dry again and your Leaf Pinch Pots are ready to be used!!!

More wonderful Air Drying Clay Projects for kids here:

More gorgeous Autumn Crafts for kids here: