All Activities
Make a Gacha Axolotl

Make a Gacha Axolotl
Green highlight

Make a gacha-style axolotl figure from air-dry clay or paper, roll for random features, then decorate and learn about color and shape.

Orange shooting star
Download Guide
Collect Badge
Background blob
Challenge Image
Skill Badge
Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to make a Gacha Axolotl

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How to Draw Mystical Characters | Drawing Tutorials for Kids | FREE on the DIY App

What you need
Adult supervision required, air-dry clay or colored paper, colouring materials (markers crayons or paints), rolling pin or empty bottle, scissors, six-sided die, small beads or black marker for eyes, toothpick or small sculpting tool, water and paper towel, wax paper or mat

Step 1

Clear a flat workspace on the mat and place all your materials where you can reach them.

Step 2

Choose whether you will make your axolotl from air-dry clay or from colored paper.

Step 3

Make the body base for your axolotl using your chosen material: if clay roll a fat oval; if paper cut an oval about the size of your palm.

Step 4

Roll the die once to pick a body color: 1-red 2-blue 3-yellow 4-green 5-purple 6-orange.

Step 5

Colour or paint the body using the color you rolled and let the paint sit for a moment.

Step 6

Say aloud whether the color you chose is a primary color or a secondary color.

Step 7

Roll the die once to pick a head shape: 1-round 2-pointy 3-flat-top 4-heart-shaped 5-wide 6-long.

Step 8

Shape the head to match the roll and attach it to the body with gentle pressing or glue.

Step 9

Roll the die once to pick gill style: 1-short frilly 2-long frilly 3-three thin fronds 4-two big fronds 5-looped fronds 6-spiral fronds.

Step 10

Make the gills to match your roll and attach them to the sides of the head.

Step 11

Roll the die three times now: first roll for tail length (1-very short 2-short 3-medium 4-long 5-very long 6-curly); second roll for body pattern (1-spots 2-stripes 3-splotches 4-gradient 5-stars 6-checker); third roll for eye style (1-small dots 2-big circles 3-closed crescent 4-winking 5-button beads 6-googly style drawn).

Step 12

Shape and attach the tail to match your tail roll.

Step 13

Decorate your axolotl with the pattern and eyes you rolled using markers paints beads or glued paper details.

Step 14

If you used clay leave your axolotl on the mat to dry for at least 24 hours before handling carefully.

Step 15

Share a photo of your finished gacha axolotl and what you learned about its colors and shapes on DIY.org.

Final steps

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

Complete & Share
Challenge badge placeholder
Challenge badge

Help!?

I can't find air-dry clay or colored paper—what can I use to make the body base (the fat oval or palm-sized cutout)?

If you don't have air-dry clay, use modeling dough or homemade salt dough to roll a fat oval for the body base, and if colored paper is missing, cut an oval from construction paper or craft foam about the size of your palm.

My head or gills keep falling off—how can I fix them so they stay attached while I add the tail and decorations?

If the clay head or gills won't stick, lightly score both attachment surfaces and press them together with a dab of water 'slip' (or use tacky craft glue for paper pieces), then hold or weigh gently until set so they don't detach during later steps.

How can I adapt the activity for younger children or make it more challenging for older kids during the die-roll steps and decorating?

For ages 3–5, have an adult pre-cut the palm-sized oval and pre-roll the body so the child can choose colors and attach foam or sticker gills, while ages 8+ should follow the full die-roll sequence for head, gills, tail, pattern, and eye style and use techniques like paint blending for gradients or beads for eyes.

What are some ways to extend or personalize the gacha axolotl after decorating and drying that also make a nicer photo for DIY.org?

Create a little paper-plate habitat background, varnish painted clay with a clear sealant for shine and durability, add a name tag and habitat props, and arrange a small family of axolotls to photograph and describe the color (primary/secondary) and shapes you learned for DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to make a Gacha Axolotl

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

SAGO MINI Character Creator 👧🏻👦🏽| Self-Confidence for Kids | Sago Mini World Play Along

4 Videos

Facts about clay and paper crafts for kids

🧱 Air-dry clay hardens by evaporating water (no oven or kiln needed) and can be sanded and painted after it dries.

🐟 Axolotls keep their larval features into adulthood (a trait called neoteny) and breathe through feathery external gills.

🎰 Gashapon are Japanese capsule-toy machines that inspired modern gacha games — the name mimics the vending sound 'gasha' + 'pon'.

🎨 In traditional paint mixing, the primary colors (red, yellow, blue) combine to make secondary colors (red+blue = purple, etc.).

🎲 You can simulate gacha randomness with simple tools: a single six-sided die can be mapped to common/uncommon/rare features.

How do you make a Gacha Axolotl?

Start by choosing air-dry clay or paper for your base. Shape a simple axolotl body and tail, then set aside to dry if using paper or let clay firm up a little. Create a “gacha” system: make cards or a dice list of random features (colors, frills, spots, eye styles). Draw or roll to pick features, then add fins, gills, and facial details. Paint and seal when dry. Let kids experiment with color and shape while guiding small-tool use.

What materials do I need for a Gacha Axolotl?

You’ll need air-dry clay (or thick paper/cardstock and glue), paint or washable markers, paintbrushes, scissors, non-toxic glue, a toothpick or clay tools for details, a dice or feature cards for gacha rolls, and optional googly eyes or beads. Add a small tray for mixing colors and a sealant or varnish if you want a finished shine. Use washable, non-toxic supplies and supervise any small parts.

What ages is this activity suitable for?

This activity suits ages 4–12 with age-appropriate adjustments: 4–6-year-olds can enjoy simple shaping and rolling with close adult supervision for scissors or small parts. Ages 7–9 can follow the gacha rules and decorate more independently. Ages 10+ handle finer details, color mixing, and more complex feature choices. Always supervise when using small decorations, cutting tools, or paint to ensure safety.

What are the benefits and safety tips for making a Gacha Axolotl?

Making a Gacha Axolotl builds fine motor skills, color and shape recognition, creativity, and decision-making through randomized choices. It encourages storytelling and cooperative play if done in groups. Safety tips: use non-toxic, washable materials, avoid tiny parts for young children, supervise scissors and glue, and ensure proper ventilation if using varnish. Variations: seasonal themes, glow-in-the-dark paint, or a digital gacha spinner to increase replay value.
DIY Yeti Character
Join Frame
Flying Text Box

One subscription, many ways to play and learn.

Try for free

Only $6.99 after trial. No credit card required

To create a safe space for kid creators worldwide!

Discovery Tools

DIY Wiki

DIY TV

Creativity Tools

How to draw

Teacher Tools

SafeTube

DIY Blog

2025, URSOR LIMITED. All rights reserved. DIY is in no way affiliated with Minecraft™, Mojang, Microsoft, Roblox™ or YouTube. LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO® Group which does not sponsor, endorse or authorize this website or event. Made with love in San Francisco.