This clay owl is a total hoot to make! With their big eyes, a cute face, and fold-over wings, these air dry clay owls are absolutely adorable. This project is simple enough for beginners, and fun for kids and adults alike. Thanks to the easy folding process and minimal supplies, these little owls a breeze to shape and personalize.
They’re especially perfect for fall, with their warm, earthy colours and feather-inspired textures. Stick with traditional autumn tones, or have fun with bright pastels and playful patterns. There’s no sculpting experience needed — just a bit of clay and a love for cute crafts! These clay owls make charming keepsakes, ornaments, or decorations for any creative space.
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How to Make a Clay Owl
Materials:
- Air dry modeling clay
- Acrylic paint (multiple colours)
- Acrylic paint markers
Equipment:
- Water
Instructions:
Step 1: Find what you need
- Gather your supplies and materials.
Step 2: Roll out the clay
- Place a ball of clay on a cutting board in-between 2 pieces of plastic wrap. This will ensure the clay doesn’t stick to the cutting board or the rolling pin.
- Roll out the clay until it’s about 1/4 inch thick.
- Lift the top piece of plastic wrap and then set it back down loosely on top of the rolled out clay.
- Set a 5 inch bowl upside-down on the clay and press it down firmly to make an indent.
- Use the lid of a large Crayola marker to create feather marks on the center of the circle in the bottom half.To do this, press the cap down at a 45 degree angle while the top plastic wrap is still in place. This will mark “U” shaped feathers in the clay without cutting all the way through.
- Remove the top layer of plastic wrap and use a wooden skewer to cut around the circle. You can also use the back of a sharp knife.
Step 3: Form the clay owl
- Get rid of the excess clay and then clean up the edges of the owl. To do this, dip your finger in water and gently smooth any rough areas.
- Fold the left and right sides in on an angle so they almost meet at the center curve and go out a bit wider towards the bottom.Again, use a bit of water on your fingertips to smooth out the folds.
- Now fold down the top 1/3 of the circle so it overlaps the wings. Use your fingers to push the center bit down, creating 2 pointed ears for the owl.
- Smooth out the sides, ears, neck, and bottom of the owl as needed.
- Set the plastic wrap back on top of the owl and use the full marker cap to make round indents for the eyes.
- Then press the flat end of the wooden skewer into the center of the eyes to make the pupils.
- Remove the top plastic again and use the pointy end of the skewer to make impressions for the beak.Set the end where you want the bottom point of the beak to be and press the skewer down, almost horizontally at an angle. Repeat on the other side.
- Again, dip your finger in water and smooth the indents and edges, so everything looks neat.
- Allow to dry for about 48 hours.After 24 hours, flip the owl over so the back can dry nicely as well.
Step 4: Paint the owl
- Use brown (or another colour of choice) acrylic paint for the owl’s chest and head. Try to avoid the eyes if you can.
- Then use another colour of paint for the wings.You can use a different shade of brown for a realistic owl, or choose a fun pastel like we did.
- Once the brown paint is dry enough, paint the eyes white.
- Use black paint and a fine tipped brush to add pupils to the eyes. Then use yellow paint for the beak.(You can also use paint markers for this.)
- Use a paint marker in a different shade of green (or whatever your wing colour is) to add feather details.(You can also use acrylic paint and a brush.)
- Your clay owl is complete!
- Have fun making a whole parliament of owls (that’s the name of a group of owls) in fun colours!
Helpful Tips:
- Don’t stress about perfection: It’s okay if your clay isn’t perfectly smooth at first! Use your fingertips and a tiny bit of water to gently soften any rough edges.
- Have fun with colours: Go for natural tones like browns and tans, or get creative making a bright and colourful rainbow owl!
- Smooth before painting: If your owl has rough spots after drying, gently sand them with an emery board or fine sandpaper for a cleaner finish.
What clay is best for making a clay owl?
We’re big fans of DAS air dry modelling clay. It’s affordable, easy to find at craft stores, and much smoother to work with than cheaper options.
We’ve tried dollar store clay in the past, but it tends to crack and doesn’t hold its shape as well — DAS clay is definitely worth the upgrade!
What paint works best on a clay owl?
Acrylic paint is a great choice. It’s bright, durable, and easy to use. Paint pens are perfect for smaller details like eyes, beaks, and feathers.
If you’re crafting with young kids, tempera paint is a good washable option, but it usually needs a few coats to get nice solid colour.
Do I need to seal my clay owl?
You don’t have to, but sealing is a nice way to protect your finished piece. Brushing on Mod Podge or using an acrylic spray sealer will help preserve the paint and add a touch of water resistance to prevent warping over time.
Can I use polymer clay to make clay owls?
Yes, absolutely! Polymer clay works well, but it does cost more and requires a few extra steps. You’ll need an oven to bake it, and it’s important to keep your surface very clean to avoid dust sticking to the clay. If you’re using polymer clay, coloured clay is a great option since it won’t need painting afterward.
These clay owls are such a fun and easy way to get creative with just a bit of clay and imagination. Whether you keep things classic or go bold with colour, each owl turns out uniquely charming — just like the little hands that made them!
With their simple shapes and whimsical details, these owls are sure to bring a smile wherever they perch. Display them proudly, gift them to someone special, or start a whole collection of colourful clay friends.
Here’s even more clay animal craft ideas:
Now available
Low-Mess Crafts for Kids Book
72 cute and fun crafts that kids and parents alike can enjoy. All with as little mess as possible!
Where to buy:
You can purchase Low-Mess Crafts for Kids from Amazon, or wherever books are sold:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Amazon Canada
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