DIY: Painted Clay Pots |

Written by Kate Tietje

A few years back, on the final school day for our homeschool coop, our kids did this painted clay pots project. It was a really fun one for them, and it’s something I actually like having around — rather than yet another “paper creation” that I have to find space for (or quietly throw away once they’ve forgotten about it).

This painted clay pots project works for kids as young as 2 (with adult supervision) and older kids like it, too. Now’s a great time of year for it, too!

Painted Clay Pots

You will need:

Clay pot(s)
Tempera paints in all colors (we used these)
Paint brushes or small sponges

Directions:

Step 1: Put small amounts of paint on a paper plate or other “palette” to make it easy to use.

Step 2: Allow your child to be creative with a paintbrush, sponge, or even fingers to paint the outside of the pot as desired.

Step 3: Let it dry completely (it only takes 10 – 15 min.).

Step 4: Add some dirt to the pot and plant seeds or small plants, as desired.

My daughter planted stevia, and my oldest son planted cantaloupe. They’re both excited to see their plants grow in their painted clay pots! It’s a great experiment and teaches kids to take care of the plants — how often they need to water them, pull weeds, cut off herbs to dry, harvest fruits or veggies, etc. It’s pretty cool!