Native American Pinch Pots

Why

Fire up early interest in art and history. Shape colorful pinch pots inspired by Lenni Lenape pottery!


Steps

1. Pottery making is a tradition around the world. This project was inspired by the Lenni Lenape, Native Americans who lived in the eastern United States.

2. To create pastel colors for your pottery, color white Crayola® Model Magic® with color from Crayola Washable Markers. Knead the modeling compound with your fingers to blend. Keep adding washable marker color until you have the shade you want.

3. Shape Model Magic into a vase, bowl, or other pottery. To create a simple pinch pot, press your thumb into a ball of Model Magic. Shape and smooth the inside and outside of your pot.

4. If you wish, use a craft stick or plastic dinnerware to etch designs into the Model Magic. Wash your hands with soap. Dry.

Safety Guidelines

Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project.

Crayola Modeling Materials including Crayola Model Magic®, Model Magic Fusion™, Crayola Air-Dry Clay, and Crayola Dough With Small Parts— WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD—

  • Keep away from open flames. Do not use to make candleholders, hot plates, trivets, or other similar objects that will be used or placed near fire and other heat sources.
  • Do not put in an oven, microwave, or kiln.
  • Do not make into vessels/containers that will hold unpackaged food.
  • If the arts & crafts project involves making small objects, follow the small parts/choking hazards standards: WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD—Small parts. Not for children under 3 years."
  • The use of modeling material to make items that look like food is discouraged for children younger than age 5 to avoid their confusion with real food.
  • Unless sealed with a water-resistant glaze, do not make projects exposed to or immersed in water, such as boats or outdoor bird feeders. They would disintegrate when exposed to moisture.
  • Crayola Dough—contains gluten (wheat flour) as an ingredient. Crayola Air-Dry Clay, Crayola Model Magic, and Model Magic Fusion are gluten-free. However, they are produced on the same machinery as Crayola Dough which does contain gluten. Although the machines are cleaned prior to the start of each production run, there is a slight possibility that trace amounts of gluten from Crayola Dough may be present in the other modeling compound products. For information regarding specific ingredients or allergic concerns, please call our Consumer Affairs department at 1-800-272-9652 weekdays between 9 AM and 4 PM Eastern Standard Time.

Small Parts— WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD—Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Modeling Tools—Use the least dangerous point or edge sufficient to do the job. For example, craft sticks, plastic knives and forks, and cookie cutters can cut or carve modeling materials.

Wood—By its nature, wood is rough and may contain splinters or sharp points

Related Crafts

Crafts

 

Supplies

crayola supplies
  • Markers
  • Model Magic®
household supplies
  • modeling tools
  • craft sticks (optional)

Where & When

"While visiting The Crayola Factory in Pennsylvania we picked up information on the Lenni Lenape."
Lou T., father of ages 6 and 9.

"This project packed a 1-2 punch! We wove history into art and came out with a beautiful craft worthy of gift giving."
Britta J., homework club advisor.


Interesting Info

The Lenni Lenape of the eastern United States made cooking pots and other earthenware out of clay found in the ground. One pot from the 1600s, discovered in New Jersey, was large enough to cook two deer in it. Many descendents of the original Lenape, also known as the Delawares, live in Oklahoma today.