Start by forming a round ball, about 1-3/4 inches across, which will become the frog's body.
Take a small piece of clay and make a cone shape (1/4 inch across, 3/4 inch long) for the frog's foot, rolling it with your fingers.
Make another small cone shape (same size), and press it onto the first piece, pushing the thinner ends together. Flatten out the thicker parts, making the frog's toes.
Attach the foot to the front of the frog on one side, putting the connecting parts of the foot under the frog's body.
Repeat this process and attach a second foot to the frog.
Roll out 2 large cone shapes (1/2 inch across, 1-1/2 inches long) to make the frog's legs.
Attach the legs to the sides of the frog, with the larger side up and the thinner ends going beneath the frog's body (on top of the feet).
Step 2: Make the frog's eyes and mouth
Roll out 2 round balls (3/4 inch in diameter) for the frog's eyeballs.
Make 2 tiny balls and press them flat (they should be 1/4 inch across at this point) onto the eyeballs to make pupils.
Press the eyeballs onto the top of the frog's head. If they don't stick, add a small dab of water onto the eyeball before pressing it on.
Roll out 2 more small balls and push them flat (until they are close to 1 inch across).
Attach these flat circles to the top back of the eyeballs, forming eyelids.
Use a toothpick to carve out a curved line (about 1 inch long) for the frog's mouth.
Step 3: Make the lily pad
Form another large ball of clay. Roll it out to about 1/4 inch thick and 3-1/2 inches across.With a toothpick, make pie slice shaped grooves on the surface of the lily pad.
Cut one "pie slice" completely through with your toothpick and remove the excess clay.
Form another small ball of clay and press it flat (until it's about 1 inch across).
Using a toothpick, make 6 even cuts around the outside of the circle.
Smooth the sides of these cuts and push them in a bit with your fingers, creating petals of a flower.
Make a tiny ball that will fit in the flower's centre.
Press the tiny ball flat (it should be 1/4 inch across) onto the middle of the flower.
Step 4: Allow to dry
Arrange the frog and flower onto the lily pad. Allow frog to dry. If using our air dry clay recipe (see link in tips section below) it will take 3 - 4 days to dry at room temperature. You can also place the frog on a parchment lined baking tray and bake it at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 to 1.5 hours.
Step 5: Paint your clay frog
Once your clay frog is completely dry you can begin painting it.
Using acrylic paint, paint all areas of the frog and lily pad, using whatever colours you'd like. Allow the paint to dry before painting on a second coat, if needed.
Your clay frog is complete!
Video
Notes
We made this clay frog using our Homemade Clay Recipe!If you're having trouble getting the clay to stick to itself, put a small dab of water on one of the pieces before attaching it. This will help the pieces stick to each other.