Fans of The Great Pottery Throwdown we have the article for you. We've rounded up the best air dry clay ideas from around the web to inspire your next pottery project.
We love air dry clay because it's affordable, easy to use and can be dried on the windowsill with no extra materials required.
Our air dry clay ideas are all suitable for beginners so if you've never worked with this type of clay before don't worry you'll still be able to make these projects.
Before you start browsing read our how to use air dry clay guide which will be your one-stop-shop for all things air dry clay.
Then you can scroll through our easy 30+ air dry clay ideas and let your creativity fly! We have everything from diffusers to trinket dishes and even some festive decor crafts.
We've also included 10 air dry clay ideas for kids to keep your little ones entertained during the school holidays. Whether you want to craft air dry clay fairy homes with your kids or make some air dry clay animals, this article will provide you with so many ideas you won't know where to start!
Make sure you also check out our top pottery kits for adults for even more pottery fun but for now let's play with clay!
Easy air dry clay ideas for kids
1. Air dry clay mermaid eggs
Turn your air dry clay into magical mermaid eggs with Liska Myers Youtube tutorial. Little ones will love discovering these around the home or in the bath.
2. Clay unicorn magnets
Mould, paint, and decorate your own air dry clay magnets with Glued To My Crafts tutorial. Kids will love creating their own unicorns that they can proudly display on the fridge after.
3. Air dry clay apple pinch pots
An apple a day keeps the doctor away! Follow Red Ted Art's air dry clay for kids tutorial and make apple pinch pots with your little ones.
4. Air dry clay dinosaur fossils
Become a fossil hunter with Hobbycraft's easy air dry clay for kids. This would be a fun activity for birthday parties or you could turn them into ornaments for your kids to paint.
5. Air dry clay handprint bowl
Immortalise your children's handprint with Messy Little Monster's easy air dry clay tutorial. We think grandparents would love this as a gift!
6. Air dry snowflakes
Make this Christmas the most handmade one yet with Jenna Kate's air dry clay idea for kids. You could leave these plain or get your kids to decorate with glitter and paints. Head over to our Christmas crafts for kids for more festive activities.
7. Air dry clay recipe for kids
Fantastic Fun Learning has a great air dry clay recipe for those of you who don't have clay on hand. Use her recipe then let your kids mould their own mini ornaments and creepy crawlies!
8. Air dry clay fairy homes
We love this air dry clay idea from Artful Parent! Craft some tiny homes with your little ones and decorate with natural materials from the garden.
9. Air dry clay mobiles
Whether you hang these in the garden or from the bedroom ceiling, your kids will love seeing their creations hanging for everyone to see. Follow Crafts by Amanda's easy air dry clay tutorial and have fun!
10. Air dry clay fingerprint trees
This keepsake fingerprint Christmas trees will make you emotional every year you bring them out! Mum in the Mad House shows you how to make these Christmas tree ornaments that you can keep for years to come.
Easy air dry clay ideas for adults
11. DIY air dry ring holder
Keep those rings safe and sound with our free air dry clay tutorial. Head over to our how to make a ring holder out of clay project and have fun splattering paint all over the place.
12. DIY air dry vases
Store your spring bunches in your own air dry clay creations with our free tutorial. We show you how to make an air dry clay vase and how to create this textured effect which gives the vases a bit of edge.
13. Air dry clay wall ornaments
Make your own boho wall hangings with Kara Madeline's DIY air-dry clay wall hanging. She shows you how to craft this piece and it's even easier than you think.
14. DIY air dry plant pot
Your plants deserve a colourful home to live in and luckily we've got just the air dry clay tutorial for them. Follow our clay vase DIY to make your plants a cool new home.
15. DIY air dry salt spoons
You really can use air dry clay to make anything! We teach you how to make clay salt spoons so you can sprinkle with style.
16. DIY air dry trinket dish
Make all your tropical dreams come true with this cool clay trinket dish DIY. It would make a fabulous present and an even more fabulous bedside table accessory.
17. Air dry clay candlestick holders
Craft this elegant candlestick stand from just some air dry clay and copper fittings. Artsy Pretty Plants shows you how to achieve this luxe design with a few craft supplies and a splash of creativity.
18. DIY air dry coasters
If you're like us then you love the terrazzo craft trend. We had to include some in our air dry clay ideas round-up so we've featured these funky DIY coasters. They're super simple to make and ideal for first-time air dry clay users.
19. DIY air dry star garland
This is one of the easiest air dry clay ideas we have in our round-up but it's still beautiful. Use our Scandinavian Christmas star garland tutorial to make dantiy star decorations that you can use for Christmas.
20. Air Dry Christmas decorations
Pimp up your Christmas decks with these adorable glittery air dry creations. We show you how to make air dry clay Christmas decorations in the shape of an avocado, pretzel and lobster - perfect for those of you wanting a more modern Christmas.
21. Air dry clay photo holder
How adorable are these little mountains? Doodle and Stitch show you how to make these mini photo stands that are perfect for holding polaroids or photo booth photos.
22. Air dry clay napkin rings
Follow Gathering Beauty's video tutorial and turn your air dry clay into chic napkin rings. Make yours in a colour that suits your tableware and emboss them with your initials for a personalised touch.
23. Air dry alphabet containers
Store your office essentials in these handy alphabet containers. Willow Day's air dry clay idea is ideal for adults who want a simple evening project to make.
24. Air dry clay diffusers
This air dry clay idea will have your home or car smelling beautiful. Follow Kotibeth's free tutorial on her blog and infuse your air dry clay with your favourite essential oils.
25. Air dry clay rainbows
We love how versatile Lara Charlotte Lu air dry clay rainbows are. You could turn them into a mobile, Christmas decorations, window hangings or even jewellery!
26. Air dry clay stars
These pretty air dry clay stars by Gathering Beauty would look stunning on your Christmas tree! You can add your own embossed patterns using fabric, stamps or even a patterned rolling pin.
27. Geometric pencil holders
This would make an amazing gift for the artist in your life! It's a fun way to keep your drawing pencils within easy reach and it looks incredibly style.
Learn how to make geometric pencil holders using air dry clay with Lines Across.
28. Air dry clay moon mobile
Bring magic into any room with this enchanting air dry clay moon mobile tutorial from The Merrythought.
We like the moons, but you could easily adapt this guide to make your own unique mobile.
29. Air dry clay candle holder for Christmas
This air dry clay candle holder is a simple yet sophisticated design from Artsy Pretty Plants. You can press any leaf design you like into the holders to create your own candle holders inspired by the natural world.
Air dry clay ideas featuring animals
30. Air dry clay sloth planter
Happy Thought have loads of sweet air dry clay ideas for adults on their blog. Just look at this guy's happy little face! Head over to their blog to learn how to make a hanging sloth planter.
31. Air dry clay ladybugs
Crafts by Amanda has loads of easy air dry clay ideas on her blog and we couldn't resist making these cuties. Amanda shows you how to make these ladybugs which you could turn into paperweights, fridge magnets and much more.
32. Air dry clay bunnies
Air dry easter crafts are perfect projects for spring. Lovilee has this sweet clay bunny tutorial over on their blog and we think these would make a fab addition to this year's Easter egg hunt.
33. Air dry clay snails
We had to include these colourful snails in our air dry clay animals round-up! Head over to Hobbycraft for the easy to follow tutorial.
34. Air dry clay whale
Rest your phone on Doodle and Stitch's air dry clay animals! This smiley whale will keep your phone safe and look so cute sitting on your side.
35. Air dry clay cat
You simply have to make Binc Bonc's air dry clay animals because they're the cutest things we've ever seen. Head over to their blog to learn how to make this cuddly kitty.
Amazing air dry clay ideas for pottery fans
If you've been inspired by The Great Pottery Throwdown to get into pottery, air dry clay is a good place to begin. It's affordable and easy to use – and doesn't require access to a kiln.
All you need to do is to leave your finished clay masterpiece on the windowsill to dry out, then you can decorate it however you wish.
Air dry clay is lots of fun for adults and kids alike – all you need is a few creative projects to get started!
Start your new favourite hobby with an air dry clay kit
Air dry clay kits can be a brilliant way to get into this creative craft. They come with clay and all of the tools that you need to start making right away, plus some inventive projects to copy!
Get sculpting and moulding with Gathered's pick of the best air dry clay kits.
