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DIY Clay Penguin Figures

These adorable clay penguins are easy to make with either air dry clay or modeling clay. While we made miniature penguin figurines, you can make larger versions using this same step-by-step guide.

Cute little penguins are perfect to addd to a tiered tray, tuck on a shelf, bookshelf or window sill, or add to the top of a present as a gift topper.

How to Make a Clay Penguin

Supplies

  • Clay (Either air dry or modeling clay) We used black, white, red and orange clay
  • Clay spatula (optional)
  • Black permanent marker
  • Pink marker

Many of these same materials can be used to make our other clay crafts, as well, such as:

A set of paints, brushes, and pens on a white surface.

Directions

Step 1

The amount of clay you need will depend on how big you will make the penguin.

Start with an amount of black clay that will be big enough for the size of the penguin base that you would like. Roll the clay between the palms of both of your hands to form a ball shape.

A black ball sitting on a white surface.

Step 2

Roll the clay ball on a flat surface to form a cylinder shape, rolling it both forward and backward gently to create a more oval shape.

A black pebble sitting on a white surface.

Step 3

Roll (forward and backward) the clay shape on one side to make that end a bit narrower than the other end (this side will be the head).

A small black rock sitting on a white surface.

Step 4

Make a hole on the wide side of the clay. This will help the clay penguin base to stand upright.

A black bead sitting on a white surface.

Step 5

Grab a smaller amount of white clay for the front side of the penguin. Form a ball with the clay by rolling it in the palms of your hands.

A white egg sitting on a white surface.

Step 6

Then roll the clay ball forward and backward on a flat surface to make an oval shape.

A white bean on a white surface.

Step 7

Flatten the white clay.

A small piece of white paint on a white surface.

Step 8

Use a clay tool to press in the top-middle part of the white clay, on the narrow side. This is the head of the penguin.

A small white object sitting on a white surface.

Step 9

Attach the white clay pattern on the black base pattern, pushing in gently to get the two different clays to stick to each other.

A black and white rock on a white surface.

Step 10

Use a small amount of orange clay and form a ball shape with it.

Place the orange ball on the head of the front of the penguin.

A black and white rock with an orange on it.

Step 11

Squeeze the orange clay between your fingers into a beak shape.

A black and white penguin on a white surface.

Step 12

Take a small amount of clay to make the scarf. You can choose any color of clay that you would like, but we chose red clay.

Roll the clay into a long, thin rope shape.

A pink plastic syringe lying on top of a white surface.

Step 13

Flatten the rope by pressing down gently with the palm of your hand or your fingers.

A red plastic stick on a white surface.

Step 14

Wrap the clay scarf around the penguin’s neck, starting in the back.

A penguin with a red and black handle on a white surface.

Step 15

Wrap the clay scarf around the neck, curving the scarf to come down towards the base and rounding off the edges.

A penguin with a red scarf on a white surface.

Use your finger tips or clay tool to adjust the shape of the muffler.

A penguin with a red scarf on a white surface.

Step 16

Use a sharpie to draw the eyes and blush shapes on the clay penguin figure.

A penguin wearing a red scarf on a white surface.

Step 17

Take a small amount of black clay and roll it into a cylinder-like shape.

A black pebble sitting on a white surface.

Then divide the clay into two even parts.

Two small black stones on a white surface.

Step 18

Flatten the clay parts and form wing shapes with them.

Two black pebbles on a white surface.

Step 19

Press the two wing shapes on both sides of the clay penguin just underneath the scarf. Allow to dry and harden.

A penguin wearing a red scarf on a white surface.

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Love penguin crafts? Then check out these ideas: