10 Easy Steps to the CUTEST hanging bat: DIY Air Dry Clay Project

Watch the build video here!

Nobody likes a smelly car, but store-bought car fresheners are too strong. Those pricey, pungent dingle-dangles might help your stinky car situation, but I personally find them far too odorous. If you’re sensitive to scents like me or you would rather DIY than buy almost anything, this cute, batty DIY air dry clay car freshener is a great solution! It is easily customizable to your own aesthetic. If you don’t have a car, make one and stick it in your closet for funk-free fashions!

Materials You'll Need

• Air dry clay (mineral-based or paper clay)
• Acrylic Craft Paint (if desired)
• Toothpick
• Knife (I use a dollar store paring knife)
• String or yarn
• Scented oil (optional)

If you want to see a more detailed break down of the process, there's a full video tutorial on my YouTube Channel.

Step 1: Prepare the Clay
Start by selecting your air dry clay. Mineral-based or paper clay works best for this project, as foam clay may not hold up well in the sunlight in your car. Most air dry clay benefits from good kneading before sculpting, so warm up the portion of clay that you think you'll use!

Step 1: I used a small portion of this mineral based air-dry clay.

Step 2: Create a Thumb Pot
Roll the clay into a ball and use your finger or a tool to press down into the center, creating a small hollow. Shape the clay into a tiny pinch pot that's just slightly larger than your thumb. To smooth out any finger marks, gently tap the form with the back of a spoon.

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Step 2: Smoothing the thumb pot with a spoon.

Step 3: Craft the Wings
Flatten another piece of clay to about 3 mm (¼”) thick. Cut out two mirrored trapezoid shapes to serve as wings. Impress the end of your knife into the wings to create a folded texture.

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Step 3: Two trapezoid shaped make the wings.

Step 4: Add Details
Create a pair of ears. To ensure they are the same size, cut a ball of clay in half. Shape the tops of the halves into teardrops, then use the end of your knife to make indents in the ears. Additionally, prepare a few rough clay balls to use as scent diffusers later (these balls should fit loosely inside your thumb pot).

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Step 4: Shaping an ear.

Step 5: Allow Clay to Firm Up
If your clay is soft and squishy, it's best to let the pieces firm up a bit before assembling them. You want them damp, but firm. In my home this took about an hour, but you should adjust that time based on your climate.

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Step 5: They clay is firm enough that I can gently bore a hole with a toothpick without deforming the pot.

Step 6: Assemble the Bat
Use a toothpick to gently poke two holes on opposite sides of the thumb pot. Attach the wings above each hole by scratching the surfaces of the clay, wetting them, and then pressing the pieces together. The scratches will create a secure connection. Use the toothpick to smooth out the seams. Continue this process to join the ears.

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Step 6: Make sure to attach the wings above the holes on either side.

Step 7: Sculpt the Face
Create eyes and a nose by poking with a dull pencil and toothpick.

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Step 7: Eye holes poked with a dull pencil. Nose holes indented with the side of a toothpick end.

Step 8: Let It Dry
Place your creation in a warm location and allow it to dry overnight or until no longer cool to the touch.

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Step 8: Dry the project in a warm dry place.

Step 9: Paint and Hang
Once your air freshener is completely dry, paint it with acrylic craft paint. You can watch me paint mine here. You can opt to apply a clear coat for added protection. Thread some string through the toothpick holes and secure with knots. 

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Step 9: I used a combination of black and purple to paint the bat.

Step 10: Add the Scent
Take one of the dry scent-diffuser balls from Step 4. Add a few drops of scented oil. You can change out the scent of your air freshener by swapping out the balls. Now you can hang your bat upside down in your car!

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Step 10: The unpainted clay ball will easily absorb some scented oil.

If you’re not into bats, this project is easy to customize. I also made a faux hanging planter by giving a small thumb-pot a terracotta paint scheme and adding some plastic foliage.

The finished bat hanging in my car. Bats hang upsidedown!

Using the same techniques, I also made a faux hanging planter.

Give it a go! It’s a great way to add a unique and personalized touch to your own vehicle or as a personalized gift to the car enthusiast in your life. If you make your own variation of this project, I’d love to see it. Please tag me! I’m @janesawyermakes on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, Reddit, Threads, and Twitter (X).

It would make my freakin’ day if you recommend this article to any crafty people in your life!

Watch the video tutorial!