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Fire a clay piece

Fire a clay piece
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Under adult supervision, fire a small clay piece in a community or school kiln, learning firing stages, safety steps, and how to handle cooled pottery.

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Step-by-step guide to fire a clay piece

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What you need
Adult supervision required, glaze if you plan to glaze, kiln gloves, kiln shelf paper or kiln wash, safety goggles, small bone dry clay piece, small sanding sponge or fine sandpaper, sponge and water

Step 1

Check your clay piece to make sure it is completely bone dry with no cold or damp spots.

Step 2

Ask an adult to prepare the kiln shelf by cleaning it and applying kiln wash or laying shelf paper.

Step 3

Place your clay piece on the prepared kiln shelf leaving space around it so air can move.

Step 4

Ask an adult to program the kiln for a bisque firing using the kiln's recommended schedule for greenware.

Step 5

Stand at a safe distance and listen while the adult explains the firing stages: preheat to remove water burnout and then reach bisque temperature.

Step 6

Ask the adult to let the kiln cool completely before opening it and do not touch the kiln or pieces while it is hot.

Step 7

Ask an adult to open the cooled kiln and remove the bisqued piece onto a heatproof surface.

Step 8

Inspect the bisqued piece and gently sand any rough spots with the sanding sponge if needed.

Step 9

Paint glaze on your bisqued piece if you want a shiny color and let the glaze dry completely.

Step 10

Ask an adult to load the glazed piece into the kiln and set the kiln to the correct glaze firing schedule as recommended by the glaze instructions.

Step 11

Ask the adult to wait for the kiln to cool completely and then remove the finished pottery so you can handle it safely and check for any sharp edges.

Step 12

Take a photo or write about your finished pottery and share your creation on DIY.org

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

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Help!?

If I can't find kiln wash or shelf paper, what can I use to protect the kiln shelf?

If kiln wash or shelf paper is unavailable, ask an adult to use commercially labeled kiln shelf paper or apply a thin coat of kiln wash made for kilns on the cleaned kiln shelf rather than household substitutes.

What should I do if my clay piece cracks or pops during firing?

Make sure the clay piece is completely bone dry with no cold or damp spots and have an adult use the kiln's recommended preheat and bisque schedule while leaving space around the piece on the prepared kiln shelf so moisture can escape.

How can I adapt this activity for younger or older children?

For younger children, focus on drying checks, placing the clay on the prepared kiln shelf, and decorating before firing while an adult handles kiln programming and firing, and for older kids let them gently sand bisqued pieces with the sanding sponge, paint glaze, and learn to follow glaze firing schedules with supervision.

How can I personalize or improve my finished pottery?

Carve textures or add underglaze before bisque, paint layered glazes and let the glaze dry completely per the glaze instructions, then photograph or write about your shiny finished pottery to share on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to fire a clay piece

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Facts about pottery and kiln safety

⏳ A full firing cycle includes heating, soaking at top temperature, and slow cooling—cooling can take as long as the heating.

🐣 A bisque firing transforms fragile "greenware" into hard, porous pottery that's ready to accept glaze.

🎨 Glazes are made from glass-forming minerals and melt into a glassy, colorful surface during glaze firing.

🔥 Kilns used for pottery can reach temperatures over 1,200°C (about 2,200°F).

🏺 Pottery-making dates back at least 20,000 years, with ancient shards found in East Asia.

How do you fire a small clay piece in a community or school kiln?

To fire a small clay piece at a community or school kiln, first ensure the piece is fully bone-dry. An adult or instructor will load the kiln on kiln shelves coated with kiln wash, using stilts and posts to avoid contact between pieces. Choose the correct firing schedule (bisque then glaze if needed) and start the kiln under trained supervision. Never open a hot kiln; wait until it cools to room temperature before unloading. Follow all instructor and facility rules and use PPE when handling hot

What materials do I need to fire a small clay piece in a kiln?

You’ll need clay formulated for firing, a finished bone-dry piece, kiln-rated glazes (if glazing), kiln shelves and posts, kiln wash, and stilts for glazed bottoms. Also have heat-resistant gloves, safety glasses, cleaning brushes, labels for pieces, and aprons. A trained adult or staff member should operate the kiln itself. Many community centers supply the kiln and basic tools—check the facility list before you bring materials.

What ages is this kiln-firing activity suitable for?

This activity suits children aged about 8 and up with adult or instructor supervision. Children ages 8 to 12 can prepare and decorate clay, but kiln loading and firing should be done by trained adults or staff. Younger kids (4 to 7) can join with hands-on modeling while adults handle kiln steps. Always follow facility rules and assess each child’s maturity and attention to safety before involving them in kiln-related tasks.

What safety precautions should we follow when firing clay in a kiln?

Important safety steps: always have a trained adult operate the kiln and follow the facility’s firing schedules. Ensure good ventilation, keep combustibles away, and apply kiln wash on shelves. Wear heat-resistant gloves and safety glasses when unloading—only after the kiln has fully cooled. Use lead-free, kiln-rated glazes and follow manufacturer instructions. Keep children at a safe distance during firing and review the site's emergency procedures with staff.
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Fire a clay piece. Activities for Kids.