Become the next Keith Brymer Jones with 2024's best pottery kits

There is nothing like the feel of clay beneath your fingers, and it's not just us here on Gathered who think so. Interest in pottery is booming in the UK, ever since The Great Pottery Throwdown hit our screens.

The slow and soothing act of sculpting clay with your hands is enjoying a surge in interest, and both local courses and pottery starter kits have enjoyed a surge in popularity.

One of the best things to have come out of this trend is a whole new range of pottery kits for adults have sprung up – available online, they offer you the chance to get everything you need to develop your clay-wrangling skills at home, without needing a kiln of your own to fire and glaze your pots using traditional methods.

Instead, most of the kits in this round-up come with air dry clay, which you can get amazing results with. Possibly the most famous of this group of kits – Sculpd pottery kits – have been all over our Instagram feeds of late, and we don't take much persuading to have a go.

Main image: London Wildflower Pottery Kits – DIY pottery kit (large) - (Etsy, £45 for a large kit)

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Best pottery kits for 2024

1. Sculpd pottery kit bundle

Best for beginners

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Key specs

• Amount of clay included: 1kg
• Type of clay: British Air-Dry Clay
• Kit includes: Clay, a step-by-step guide, gloss waterproof varnish, white acrylic paint, video tutorials, Tools and a tool bag to keep them in, 2 ultra-fine bristle paintbrushes and a sponge for soothing.

The most established brand currently on the market, Sculpd pottery kits are a joy to unbox as much as they are to use. They include everything you need to sculpt, carve and decorate a batch of mini projects, from little pots to trinket dishes, vases and candle holders.

We've included the starter kit in this round-up, but they also do an Ultimate Pottery Bundle (£85) if you really want to take your pottery to the next level.

Pros: Detailed instructions, beginner-friendly, easy to use clay

Cons: Limited paint colours included

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2. Pott'd Home Air Dry Clay Pottery kit

Best for budget

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Key specs

• Amount of clay included: 2 packs of 1kg air-dry clay, enough for 6-8 mini projects or 2-3 large ones
• Type of clay: Air dry clay
• Kit includes: 2 packs of air-dry clay, quick-start instructions, acrylic pastel paints, 2 paint brushes, 1 pot of white paint, 1 pot of sealant, 5 wooden sculpting tools plus a smoothing brush.

At an entry-level price point, this is a comprehensive pottery starter kit that includes all the clay you need to make a few starter projects, plus a guide to teaching you the basics of sculpting clay to make pots, bowls, vases, coasters, decorations or even mini sculptures.

It comes with all the tools you need and once you've finished, your creation will dry naturally in the air.

Pros: Great value for money, easy read instructions, perfect for gifting

Cons: Need to provide your own rolling pin

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3. Noah's Box Home Air-Dry DIY Pottery Kit for Beginners

Best for variety

Key specs

• Amount of clay included: 2 packs or enough for 2 people
• Type of clay: Air dry clay – choose between white or terracota
• Kit includes: Clay, 8 pottery tools, 3 paint brushes, white acrylic paint, clear varnish, 6 paints (you pick the colour), and a guide to pottery for beginners.

As with the other pottery starter kits in this article, Noah pottery kits come with everything you need to explore making your own pottery, whether you're crafting solo or with friends.

As well as the amply stocked kit at an affordable price, you can choose the type of clay (terracotta or white) and colour palette of the paints included to suit your style.

Pros: Brilliant tool variety, fun for all ages, good amount of clay included

Cons: Instructions could be more detailed

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4. London Wildflower Pottery Kits – DIY pottery kit (large)

Best for instructions

Key specs

• Amount of clay included: 2kg
• Type of clay: Air dry clay
• Kit includes: Clay, rolling pin, wooden board, potters pin tool, ribbon tool, wire cutter tool, scraper tool, smoother tool, rib tool, paintbrush, sponge, water container, sandpaper, 22-page instruction booklet.

With hundreds of 5-star reviews from fellow crafters on Etsy (including a 4.6-star rating from us), these London Wildflower kits are topping the wish list this year. They come with a soft, non-toxic air dry clay which is similar in texture to kiln-baked clay and is ultra satisfying to work with.

It comes with tools including a wire cutter to help you sculpt your very own pots, vases, jewellery or sculptures.

You can read our full review of the London Wildflower pottery kit here on Gathered.

Pros: Quality tools, decent amount of clay, beginner-friendly instructional booklet

Cons: Paint and varnish not included

• Buy now from Etsy (£45), Etsy USA ($60.95)

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5. Faye Wellon Ceramics Pottery Date Night Box

Best for date nights

Key specs

• Amount of clay included: 700g for one or expanded clay for 2
• Type of clay: Air dry clay
• Kit includes: Clay board, clay, tealight, 2 wire pieces, 4 project instructions, 1 small jar and a paintbrush.

Faye Wellon is a ceramicist and primary school teacher who has developed these air-dry clay starter kits for both children and adults. We like the idea of the date night kit – it's a pottery lesson delivered to your door.

Use it to craft with friends and family with a set of beginner projects to choose from and no kiln is needed as the clay dries naturally within 1 or 2 days.

Pros: Easy instructions, fun wire addition, letterbox friendly

Cons: Paint and varnish not included

• Buy now from (Etsy from £28, Etsy USA ($37.92+)

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6. Pottery Tribe kits – Potter Paint & Posy Kit

Best for packaging

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Key specs

• Amount of clay included: 1.6kg – enough for 1-2 people to make up to 10 small-medium pots, dishes or bowls
• Type of clay: Air dry clay (stone grey, terracotta or both)
• Kit includes: Clay, ribbon tool, rolling pin, cutoff needle, loop tool, potter's rib, wood modelling tool, aluminium scraper, sponge and wire clay cutter, 6 paints, 2 paint brushes and a posy of dried flowers.

Designed and created in Edinburgh, these beautiful pottery starter kits come in a kraft gift box with top tips and a toolkit guide. You can choose your favourite colour of clay from three options.

They'd make a lovely gift and are the only kit in this round-up to include a little posy of blooms to display in your first handmade vase. If the flowers aren't for you there are other versions of this kit – you can also order just a starter pottery kit or a potter and paint kit.

Pros: Beautifully packaged, choose clay colour, great tool selection

Cons: Expensive

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7. Small World Creative – Tip Top Pottery kit

Best for families

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Key specs

• Amount of clay included: 2 1lbs
• Type of clay: Air dry clay
• Kit includes: Pottery wheel, paint pots, paintbrush, 2 sculpting tools and clay.

This fun starter kit will be a hit with children and teenagers or fun to play with for grown-ups too. It comes with a battery-operated pottery wheel with adjustable speed control.

Pros: Child-friendly, soft clay, simple instructions

Cons: Noisy, batteries not included

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8. Craft your own plant pot at home

Best for clay quality

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Key specs

• Amount of clay included: 2 bags (approx 900g per bag)
• Type of clay: Air dry clay
• Kit includes: Clay, 2 wooden tools, 1 loop tool, 1 tub of clay glue (slip), 1 tub of sealer, 1 paint brush

These plant pot pottery kits are enjoying rave reviews on Etsy. They come with enough clay for two people to make a plant pot head that will air dry with no need for a kiln.

The clay inside is soft to work with which makes it perfect for modelling. You can add an optional pack of paint in the colours of your choice if you want to paint your finished creations.

You can read our full review of the Jasmine Studio's plant pot pottery kit here on Gathered.

Pros: Great amount of clay, paint and sealant included, fun packaging, instructional video online

Cons: Doesn't include board or scraper

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Looking to get started with wet clay?

If you're lucky enough to have a big budget, you've already caught the pottery bug and want to get started with throwing and firing your own wet clay pottery, Pot Clays offer a range of complete kits including a small kiln and wheel to use at home.

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9. Complete Starter Kit: Throw & Fire (premium)

Best for premium budgets

Key specs

• Amount of clay included: 4 bags (200kg total)
• Type of clay: White St Thomas clay
• Kit includes: Potter's wheel, plug & go top-loading kiln, clay, mud sponge, tools, cutting wire, selection of throwing and turning tools

This one's a bit out of our price range but if you have been saving up and don't have space for a bespoke pottery studio to fit a full-size kiln, this plug-and-go home kiln is worth considering.

If you can handle the high price point this would suit someone who's ready to get more serious with their home pottery and try throwing on a wheel and glazing in a kiln.

Pros: Sturdy wheel, rare home kiln, everything you need to become a professional!

Cons: Expensive, not beginner-friendly

• Buy now from Pot Clays Ltd (£3,792 | $3,984)

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How to choose a pottery kit that's right for you

When purchasing your first kit you'll need to consider who will be using it – is it for a family, a couple or just yourself? This will help you decide on the size of the kit to purchase.

You'll also need to think about what sort of item you'd like to make; if you want direction go for a kit which is made with a project in mind.

Get some inspiration for your clay creations

Are you looking for ways to use your clay? Try these air dry clay ideas to get you started.