17 of the best air dry clay kits for 2023

if you've been inspired by The Great Pottery Throwdown and want to give air dry clay a go then you've come to the right place. Air dry clay is a brilliant material and perfect for beginners. It's cheaper, less messy and needs less equipment than its professional pottery counterparts (for example no pottery wheel is required). We have a complete guide on how to use air dry clay here on Gathered but if you're starting from complete scratch then a kit might be your best option. Many kits come with all the tools, clay and guidance you need and they can be very affordable. We've rounded up 17 air dry clay kits to help you fall in love with the world of clay. They come at a range of price points and many of them are perfect for solo or group crafting. Pick your favourite below and welcome to the relaxing world of pottery.

Once you've bought your new clay then you'll need some project inspiration. We have a collection of the best air dry ideas for adults as well as over 30 pottery painting ideas. If you'd prefer to work with a softer medium check out our polymer clay kits instead.

Air dry clay kits to buy

1. Pott'd air dry clay kit

• Buy it now from Amazon
• Pros: Quick start guide, 5 sculpting tools, enough clay to make 8-10 creations
• Cons: You need to provide protective items to keep yourself clean!
• Best for: Pottery newbies

Pott'd have made an air dry clay kit that is suitable for people of all ages. This all-encompassing kit comes with everything you need to make a bunch of clay creations. We love that the kit comes with lots of clay as well as six, colourful acrylic paints. Sealant is included to stop your paint from chipping and to give your pieces a professional feel. It's also available for next-day delivery! As well as the instructional guide, Pott'd have a great Instagram that's full of inspiration to help you mold something unique.

2. Sculpd Pottery Kit

• Buy it now from Sculpd
• Pros: Choose between matte and gloss, access to Sculpd Gallery and online instructions
• Cons: Expensive
• Best for: Crafting with pals

Sculpd is the home of pottery-making kits. Their kits are designed to be done with friends and family to help you all craft together. The kit comes with everything inside including their special varnish which makes your designs waterproof. The Sculpd site is also ideal for beginners as they have lots of ideas, inspiration, and video tutorials.

3. Maverick Toys air dry clay kit

• Buy it now from Amazon
• Pros: 1kg of clay, plenty of tools, video tutorials
• Cons: No written instructions in the kit
• Best for: Crafting with kids

This kit is great because it comes with so many tools. There's tools to help you add detail, form, and dimensions to your projects. Once you've got this kit you'll have tools you can use over and over. We also love that it comes with a wooden board saving your countertops from messy clay smears. Turn the clay from this kit into our air dry clay Christmas decorations.

4. Mora Approved air dry clay kit

• Buy it now from Etsy
• Pros: Detailed instructions for 2 projects, choice of clay colour, flowers included
• Cons: Only comes with 500g of clay
• Best for: For beginners

Mora Approved has created an air dry pottery kit that's perfect for newbies. With just the basic essentials and only a small amount of clay, you can make their two projects and decide if you love it! It's also ideal because it takes you through step by step how to make a small vase and bowl. Many other kits just provide inspiration.

5. Clayetime air dry clay kit

• Buy it now from Etsy
• Pros: 5 carving tools, instruction booklet
• Cons: Expensive
• Best for: Experienced potters

Beautifully packaged with high-quality tools, Clayetime has created a gorgeous air dry clay kit. 5 lovely wooden tools and all matching packaging gives this kit a professional feel. It comes with a mini-booklet of instructions and has the bonus of being either air dry or put in the kiln. The type of clay used allows for both so if you have access to a kiln feel free to fire away!

6. Plant pot air dry clay kit

• Buy it now from Etsy
• Pros: Plant pot instructions, mini glue and sealant, portable packaging
• Cons: Only bare essentials and no paints
• Best for: Plant lovers

This kit is stripped back and portable with just the essentials inside. The clay and instructions allow you to make this very sweet plant pot. Jasmine Pottery Studio sells lots of fun air dry kits on their Etsy so have a browse and pick your favourite funny character. Check out our best acrylic paint sets if you want to paint your new plant pot!

7. Noah air dry clay kits

• Buy it now from Amazon
• Pros: 8 tools, pottery guide, lots of cool paint colourways
• Cons: Expensive
• Best for: Group crafting

This kit is a big one! It's truly customisable and you can buy up to five kits at once for a group craft session for 10. If you're new to air dry clay don't worry as it comes with a handy pottery guide as well as everything you need. You can also choose paints in different colour themes like basic, primary, pastel and metallic. You could use this kit to make our ring holder or clay trinket dish DIY.

8. Hinkler air dry clay kit

• Buy it now from The Range
• Pros: Affordable, 24 page booklet, golf foil
• Cons: Only 300g of clay included
• Best for: Value for money

This nifty little kit is from The Range and is one of the cheapest we've found. The booklet includes a range of mini projects to make and they're all as pretty as they're easy to make. Jewellery maker Sophie Splatt shows you how to make a trinket dish, marbled coasters, tea light holders and much more.

9. Eco-friendly air dry clay kit

• Buy it now from Etsy
• Pros: 5 tools, detailed instructions, eco-friendly
• Cons: Only white paint included
• Best for: Eco-conscious crafters

Look after the planet with Clay Imagined's eco-friendly kit. Both the paint and glue are vegan and non-toxic plus all the packaging is biodegradable and compostable. The kit comes with detailed instructions on how to make a pinch pot, bowl and candle holder. If you run out of clay then head to our where to buy the best air dry clay article which shows you all the places you can buy in bulk.

10. The Danes air dry clay kit

• Buy it now from Not on the High Street
• Pros: Comes with cutters and stamps, guide included
• Cons: No paints included
• Best for: Personalising your pottery

Add a touch of personalisation to your clay creations with this mini kit. The best part of this kit is the letter stamps which have 72 individual letters including the entire alphabet and numbers. You can also choose which cutters you want in the kit. Choose between a star, Easter egg, heart or circle cutter.

11. The Crafting Cartel's air dry clay kit

• Buy it now from Etsy
• Pros: Choice of clay colour, 9 tools, tips and toolkit guide
• Cons: Cheapest kit doesn't come with paint
• Best for: Potters who want a good amount of clay

With 1.6 kg of clay, you'll have hours of fun with this air dry clay kit. Nine specialist clay tools will help you carve your own creations as well as a detailed instructions booklet. They have several different clay kits for you to choose from with the more expensive kits including paints, dried flowers and more. Why not use this kit to make our fridge magnets?

12. Way of Life Craft pottery kit

• Buy it now from Etsy
• Pros: 10 paints, 8 tools, 1kg of clay
• Cons: Only one paintbrush included
• Best for: Beginners

The Pottery Box is a slim little kit that fits right through your letterbox. It's great for makers who want to add colour to their designs as 10 different acrylic colours are included. It also comes with plenty of tools, glaze and clay for you to experiment with. You could use this kit to make our air dry clay vase.

13. Abstract air dry clay kit

• Buy it now from Not on the High Street
• Pros: Unique design, gilding leaves, 12 piece tool kit
• Cons: More expensive
• Best for: Makers wanting to let their creativity fly

Inner Canvas is the craft therapy box everyone needs in their life. This fab kit comes with 1kg of clay alongside 8 paints and 12 tools. We love the fact this kit comes with 8 sheets of gilding paper too. In three colours, it gives an extra sparkle to your design and will make them look extra special. You'll also be given access to step by step Youtube videos which will guide you through the making process.

14. London Wildflower's air dry clay kit

• Buy it now from Etsy
• Pros: Different clay size options, 22-page booklet, sponge
• Cons: Paints and varnish not included
• Best for: Beginners

London Wildflower has created the ultimate beginner air dry clay kit. All the essential tools are included as well as a few bonus ones like a sponge for smoothing, a potters pin tool and more. The 22 page booklet will also talk you through all the basics of air-dry clay making.

15. Mesh & Cloth's air dry clay kit

• Buy it now from Etsy
• Pros: Bi-lingual booklet, gift wrap
• Cons: Very minimal tools and materials included
• Best for: Crafting on the go

Mesh & Cloth's kit is a very minimal air dry kit which is great if you just want the basics. It comes with five different tools, 500g of clay and a full instructional booklet. This mini kit contains everything you need and is perfect for popping in your weekend away bag.

16. The Edinburgh Craft Club air dry clay kit

• Buy it now from Not on the High Street
• Pros: Unique design, templates and video instructions
• Cons: Low quality, plastic tools included
• Best for: crafters wanting video instructions

This funky kit from The Edinburgh Craft Club is great if you have some blooms you need to display. With this kit, you'll learn how to make these cool geometric vases. It comes with video instructions as well as templates, an instruction sheet and all the clay/paints you need. This would make a fab gift for a friend or as a stocking filler.

17. Cara Kennedy Ceramics air dry clay kits

• Buy it now from Etsy
• Pros: 2 bags of clay, sealant, illustrated tutorial booklet
• Cons: Paints not included but optional add on
• Best for: Date nights

If you're wanting to craft with a pal or partner then this is the kit for you. Two 900gs of clay are included (plenty for duo making) as well as a set of tools, sealant and varnish. Each box is recommended for 1-2 people and don't worry if you're a newbie! There's an instruction booklet inside. Paints come at an additional cost but if you do want to experience pottery painting then add their pastel or standard paints to your order.

We hope you've enjoyed these air dry clay kits. For more fun pottery projects check out our pottery kits for adults as well as our beginner's guide to pottery.