Totem Pole: Native American Crafts for Kids

A Native American totem pole is a fun craft for kids that requires only a few tools and lots of imagination. It's an easy craft for groups of children, too, as each child can make one animal and then combine them at the end to create the pole. Since the animals are not supposed to be in any way realistic, a child can create his or her best representation of each animal and whatever they come up with will work just fine.

Supplies: You will need a ¼ inch dowel, cut to the length of the pole your child intends to make, some polymerclay blocks (any color will do), acrylic craft paints, paintbrushes, glue, aluminum foil, and a small wooden craft wheel with a ¼ inch hole in the center. You will need to supervise the baking process, but otherwise, the child(ren) should be able to accomplish this craft project alone. A spoon can be used as a safe carving tool, but small fingers will also work fine.

The totem pole should have one power animal representing each child who is working on the craft. Any additional animals can be to represent other family members or friends. Use that link to find the meanings of different animals, if desired.

Soften the clay as directed. Animals should be 1 - 2 inches wide and 1.5 - 3 inches tall. If cylinders are created in these sizes first, it makes the process easier. Children should shape each piece into a crazy version of their animal of choice. Show them pictures to give them ideas, if necessary. Slide each animal onto the dowel once they are all completed, placing them according to width, with the widest on the bottom. Leave space on the dowel beneath the lowest animal so the wheel can be glued on as a base, after baking.

Place the pole flat on a double thick sheet of foil on top of a cookie sheet and place in the oven according to the baking directions on the package. Once the pole has baked and cooled completely, have the children paint their animals' faces. Glue the wheel in place.