Make a Gacha Axolotl
Make a gacha-style axolotl figure from air-dry clay or paper, roll for random features, then decorate and learn about color and shape.
About this activity
Make a gacha-style axolotl figure from air-dry clay or paper, roll for random features, then decorate and learn about color and shape.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Clear a flat workspace on the mat and place all your materials where you can reach them.
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Step 2
Choose whether you will make your axolotl from air-dry clay or from colored paper.
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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.
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Step 4
Roll the die once to pick a body color: 1-red 2-blue 3-yellow 4-green 5-purple 6-orange.
- 5
Step 5
Colour or paint the body using the color you rolled and let the paint sit for a moment.
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Step 6
Say aloud whether the color you chose is a primary color or a secondary color.
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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.
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Step 8
Shape the head to match the roll and attach it to the body with gentle pressing or glue.
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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.
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Step 10
Make the gills to match your roll and attach them to the sides of the head.
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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).
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Step 12
Shape and attach the tail to match your tail roll.
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Step 13
Decorate your axolotl with the pattern and eyes you rolled using markers paints beads or glued paper details.
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Step 14
If you used clay leave your axolotl on the mat to dry for at least 24 hours before handling carefully.
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Step 15
Share a photo of your finished gacha axolotl and what you learned about its colors and shapes on DIY.org.
Fun facts
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.
Watch & Learn
Need 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.