DIY Clay Pot Turtle

This adorable Dollar Tree clay pot turtle craft is a perfect DIY for a lazy day. It’s relaxing to make, easy to come together, and oh, so cute!

For this craft, you will need a few clay pots, a saucer, and some basic craft supplies. To set this up for young children, you can preassemble the turtle and let them paint.

Horizontal image of an adorable garden clay pot turtle made with terra cotta pots, a foam ball, buttons, and googly eyes.
This cute little turtle is a fun project for all ages.

RELATED READING: Clay Pot Frog Craft for Kids and Adults

Terra Cotta Pot Turtles

Here at Ruffles and Rain Boots, we are using up the Dollar Tree craft stash I moved from Washington to Texas. It’s kind of silly, but I had totes full of basic craft supplies because I had multiples of most of my favorite items!

Today, I’m sharing a sweet little turtle made from clay pots. He’s perfect for the garden with the right sealant, too!

If you want to make this Dollar Tree summer craft but can’t get started right now, save or share it. Sharing will make it easy to find when you’re ready to begin.

Vertical image of garden turtle made from clay pots with a cute face.

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What You’ll Need (Materials)

We used buttons for the top but if you can’t find them, just dab on circles. I like the sponge dabbers for this – just add paint, press lightly, and you get a perfect circle.

  • 2″ foam ball
  • acrylic paint (medium and light green, pink)
  • 4 x 1.5″ inch clay pots
  • 1 x 4″ terra cotta pot saucer
  • buttons
  • Googly eyes
Image of materials use to create cute turtle craft from the Dollar Tree supplies.

How to Make This Cute Garden Craft Idea

Below are the step by step instructions. If you’d prefer to a printable version, please scroll to the bottom of this tutorial.

Crafter painting a small terra cotta saucer green with a small brush.

First, paint the saucer with light green paint (a second coat might be necessary).

Paint the small clay pots wtih medium green paint (a second coat might be necessary).

Paint the Styrofoam ball with medium green paint, as well.

Add glue to the bottom of the saucer (the shell of the turtle) and affix green buttons. You can apply a second layer for added dimension.

Image showing differently sized green buttons glued to the top of a painted saucer.

Press the foam ball into the saucer to flatten it and then affix with hot glue. Hold this until set.

Create the turtle’s face by gluing on Googly eyes and adding blush to cheeks with pink paint and a pencil eraser.

Image showing four small painted clay pots and a green arylic paint with brush.

Use the pencil eraser to create small medium green paint dots on the base of the saucer and light green dots on the brims of the small clay pots.

Push the small clay pots together to act as the turtle’s legs and feet. Glue on the saucer and turtle head to all four pots (turned upside down).

You can seal this with a spray sealant to help it last longer and protect the paint.

Crafter gluing a pot saucer onto clay pots to create the body of a garden turtle.

More Clay Pot Crafts You Might Like

  • Adorable Clay Pot Bee – This is one of the cutest little crafts you can do for spring or summer.
  • Clay Pot Mushrooms – Some pots, some paint, and some strong glue are going to come together for a quick color pop and a fun time.
  • Terra Cotta Pot Minions – The little yellow fellows are tons of fun and so is Minions craft idea. Those eyes!

Please Save or Share This Clay Pot Animal Craft

Your shares are how this site grows and I am sincerely grateful. Please save this to a DIY crafts pin board or share it on Facebook.

Vertical image of a turtle made from terra cotta pots and a saucer with text which reads adorable clay pot turtles dollar tree craft idea.
Yield: Terra Cotta Pot Turtle

Clay Pot Turtle Craft

Square close up image of an adorable clay pot animal made into the shape of a turtle.

Make this adorable clay pot turtle using Dollar Tree supplies. You can make it fun for kids or adults and it can even be prepped for a turtle craft for kids. Use clay pots, a saucer, and some basic craft supplies to create a garden turtle craft. From the dollar store, gather clay pots, a saucer, paint, googly eyes, and a foam ball. Learn how to paint clay pots so they are vibrant, learn how to craft with buttons, and so much more with this turtle DIY project.

Active Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Difficulty Easy
Estimated Cost $4

Materials

  • 4 x 1.5" clay pots
  • 1 x 4" clay pot saucer
  • 2" Styrofoam® ball
  • Acrylic paints in 2 shades of green (light and medium) and pink
  • Googly eyes (wiggle eyes)
  • Green (or painted) buttons

Tools

  • Hot Glue and Glue Sticks
  • Craft Glue (that dries clear)
  • Paintbrush
  • Pencil with Eraser

Instructions

  1. Paint the saucer with light green paint (a second coat might be necessary).
  2. Paint the small clay pots with medium green paint (a second coat might be necessary).
  3. Paint the Styrofoam ball with medium green paint, as well.
  4. Add glue to the bottom of the saucer (the shell of the turtle) and affix green buttons. You can apply a second layer for added dimension.
  5. Press the foam ball into the saucer to flatten it and then affix with hot glue. Hold this until set.
  6. Create the turtle's face by gluing on Googly eyes and adding blush to cheeks with pink paint and pencil eraser.
  7. Use the pencil eraser to create small medium green paint dots on the base of the saucer and light green dots on the brims of the small clay pots.
  8. Push the small clay pots together to act as the turtle's legs and feet. Glue on the saucer and turtle head to all four pots (turned upside down).

Did you make this?

Please leave a comment or share a photo and tag me @rufflesandrain

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