How to Make a Teepee Out of Clay

Teepees were constructed to provide temporary housing.

Teepees were traditional types of houses for certain nomadic Native American peoples. The teepee is also one of the most iconic figures associated with Native Americans and Native American history. Due to its simple shape, creating a teepee out of clay is easy and fun for beginners. It is a great project for children or students and can easily be integrated into a history diorama or arts and crafts lesson.

Things You'll Need

• Air-dry clay
• Toothpicks
• Clay knife
• (Optional) paint
• (Optional) paintbrush

Instructions

1. Break off a large section of clay and roll it into a ball with your hands. Although your teepee can be any size you wish, a ball 3 inches or 4 inches in diameter makes a good-size project.

2. Place the ball of clay onto a clean, flat surface. Use the palm of your hand to roll the clay into a thick cylinder.

3. Press your hand on one side of the cylinder, continuing to roll the clay between your palm and the flat surface. Focus the pressure on only one side of the clay cylinder to create a cone shape.

4. Use your fingers to work the wider end of the cone. Gently pinch and pull the edges to create a flared bottom for the teepee. Smooth out any fingerprints or uneven edges. Place the teepee upright.

5. Use your clay knife to create a door. Most teepee doors were rectangular and extended less than half of the height of the entire structure. Place the cut clay directly above the door opening to create the appearance of a flap.

6. Place toothpicks or small wooden rods into the top of the teepee to imitate the branches used to hold up real. Use a pencil to create texture marks along the teepee, including the trademark stitching above the door.

7. Allow the clay to dry according to the directions. If you like, once the teepee is fully dry, use paint and a brush to paint designs along the exterior. Some tribes used geometric designs or depictions of deer and buffalo to decorate their teepees.

Tips & Warnings

• Use an authentic picture of a teepee for reference when texturing and painting.

References

• The Clay Teacher: Tipi Camp
• Tipis-Tepees-Teepees: Historic Photos of Tipis