Inspire curiosity and creativity with Youth & Family classes at 577. Designed to mirror adult programming, these hands-on experiences introduce young learners and families to arts, cooking, nature, gardening, skill-building, and more. Taught by passionate community educators and 577 staff, each class encourages exploration, learning, and connection in a supportive environment. With small class sizes, participants enjoy personalized instruction in the Pottery Studio, Cottage, Virginia’s House, and the beautiful gardens and grounds of 577—where discovery happens naturally.
Join us for engaging, family-friendly learning experiences that spark a love for creativity and the natural world.
Upcoming Classes
September classes open for registration on Wednesday, July 30, at 9am. Click HERE to view a full list of upcoming classes.
Knitted Wire Art for Families
Saturday, August 2 ~ 10am to 12pm
Welcome to the world of knitted wire art for families! Adult and child pairs will enjoy working together as they learn how to make a rainbow, cloud, and raindrop, using the French spool loom as a tool to create unique fiber art.
Participants will leave class with their own French spool loom, hook, tapestry needle, patterns, and yarn to continue exploring their new skills. Approximate dimensions of completed pieces: Rainbow: 6 inches; Cloud: 5 inches; Raindrop: 3 inches
Class Registration Requirements: Each registration is for one (1) youth (ages 7 to 12) with one (1) accompanying adult (18+). Due to the small class size, only one adult may accompany each registered youth. If an adult would like to accompany multiple youth participants, please register each child separately and list the adult’s name for each registration.
577 Staff Instructor: Lindsay Grider
Youth Pottery: Mushroom Jar (Ages: 7-17)
Tuesday, August 5 ~ 9:30am to 11am
Calling all young artists ready to get creative! In this fun-filled pottery class, kids will learn the basics of working with clay by making their very own Mushroom Jar—a whimsical container inspired by the magic of forests and fairy tales.
Alison Buchanan, 577’s Pottery Coordinator and Ceramic Artist, will guide your kiddo through simple pinch pot techniques as they form and shape their mushroom-inspired creations. Each participant will personalize their jars with texture and colorful underglazes, bringing their imaginative designs to life.
After class, each piece will be bisque-fired, glazed with a clear coat for shine and durability, and fired again by our staff. We’ll email you in about two weeks when your finished artwork is ready for pickup.
Each mushroom jar makes a great treasure holder or handmade gift. This class encourages creativity, patience, and the development of fine motor skills in a relaxed and supportive environment.
Class Notes: This class is open to children ages 7 to 17. No prerequisite or experience is required. Adults are not required to attend youth pottery classes. Youth participants may be dropped off at the beginning of class and picked up at the scheduled end time.
577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan
Family Pottery: Pinch Pot Pumpkins (Ages 7-17/Adult 18+)
Friday, August 8 ~ 9:30am to 11am
Get ready to get your hands dirty and your creativity glowing! In this hands-on pottery class, kids and teens, along with their accompanying adult partner, will learn the classic pinch pot technique to sculpt their very own charming pumpkin creations.
Using simple clay shaping methods, each participant will craft a unique pumpkin perfect for fall decorating. Alison Buchanan, 577’s Pottery Coordinator and Ceramic Artist, will guide you step-by-step—from forming the shape and adding details to painting your pumpkins with vibrant autumn colors.
After class, each piece will be bisque-fired, glazed with a clear coat for shine and durability, and fired again by our staff. We’ll email you in about two weeks when your artwork is ready for pickup.
This class is designed for children ages 7–17 with an accompanying adult (18+). No experience needed—just come ready to get creative and make something special together!
577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan
Kids Explore Nature: Fun with Bugs!
Saturday, August 16 ~ 2:30pm to 4pm
Young explorers aged four (4) to seven (7) and their adult partners will have fun discovering the importance of insects in our world. Through hands-on activities, we’ll learn to take a closer look at bugs, learn the different orders of insects, and observe their interesting colors, textures, and shapes. We’ll even start our own bug “collection.”
This engaging experience is designed to spark curiosity and encourage meaningful moments between you and your little one. Come ready to learn, grow, and explore together!
Class Notes: Cost is per child—please register each child attending. Adults are free and do not need to register. Caregivers should attend class with their child. Part of this class will take place outdoors—please dress for the weather. In the event of bad weather, the entire class will be held in Virginia’s House.
Community Instructors: Nancy & John Salerno
Youth Art Adventures: Monarchs
Friday, August 22 ~ 10am to 11am
Discover the magical world of monarch butterflies through story, music, movement, and hands-on creativity. Designed for children ages 2 to 6 and their adult partner, this playful class introduces young learners to the many wonders of a monarch’s life cycle.
We’ll read The Monarch by Kirsten Hall and Isabelle Arsenault, sing along to fun preschool tunes, explore the stages of a butterfly’s life, and create a colorful monarch craft to take home. Weather permitting, we’ll wrap up with a short walk to visit the Flutter Hut on the 577 grounds.
Class Notes: Cost is per child; please register each child attending. Caregivers attend for free and must stay with their child for the duration of the class.
577 Staff Instructor: Avery Bohman
Family Pottery: Fall Fun! (Ages 5-6/Adult 18+)
Tuesday, August 26 ~ 9:30am to 11am
Join us for a hands-on, creative afternoon perfect for little hands and big imaginations! In this family-friendly pottery class, children ages 5 to 6 and their grown-up partners will roll up their sleeves to make festive fall-themed decorations like pumpkins, bats, apples, and more.
We’ll start with soft, pre-rolled clay slabs—no mess or stress! Using fun cookie cutters, your family will create a variety of autumn shapes, then add texture and detail for extra fall flair. Finish by painting your pieces with bright, cheerful colors to bring your creations to life. Each family will leave with their own collection of handmade hangers, ornaments, and magnets—perfect for decorating your home or sharing as seasonal gifts. These little treasures look adorable on wreaths, in windows, or on the fridge!
After class, your pieces will be bisque-fired, glazed with a clear coat for shine and durability, and fired again by our staff. We’ll email you in about two weeks when your finished pieces are ready for pickup. This class is designed for children ages 5–6 with an accompanying adult (18+). No pottery experience needed—just bring your smiles and get ready for a clay-filled afternoon of creativity and fall fun!
577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan
Preschool Move, Play, & Grow: Insects!
Friday, August 29 ~ 10am to 11am
Join our insect-themed sensory + motor fun fest for kids ages 2.5 to 5 and their caregiver. All activities are designed and led by an occupational therapist to boost coordination for little hands, eyes, and the whole body, while also supporting sensory processing, social skills, self-regulation, and more. It’s a playful blend of learning, fun, and helping kiddos get ready to conquer the world of play, sports, and beyond.
Class Note: Weather and time permitting, we may venture outside onto the beautiful 577 grounds toward the end of class.
Community Instructor: Mary Davies, MS OTR/L
Family Pottery: Fall Into Clay! (Ages 5-6/Adult 18+)
Friday, September 5 ~ 10am to 11am
Celebrate the cozy season with a creative family experience in clay! In this playful, hands-on class, young artists (ages 5 and 6) and their grown-up (18+) will work together to make fall/Halloween-themed trinket trays using the push-pot method—a fun way to create shallow, bowl-like pieces perfect for holding treasures, snacks, or seasonal décor.
Your instructor will guide everyone through the process as they choose from a variety of festive shapes like pumpkins, leaves, apples, silly ghosts, spider webs, candy corn, and even real leaves. Learn how to press and shape soft clay over molds or into forms to give each piece depth and structure. Every creation will be one-of-a-kind! Once shaped, families will decorate their trays with underglazes, adding bright fall colors and personal touches to bring their pieces to life.
After class, artwork will be bisque-fired, glazed with a clear coat for durability, and fired again by our studio staff. You’ll receive an email when your finished creations are ready for pickup, usually in about 2 to 3 weeks. This class is designed for children ages 5–6 with an accompanying adult (18+). No pottery experience needed—just bring your smiles and get ready for a clay-filled morning of creativity and fall fun!
577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan
Kids Explore Nature: The Magnificent Vulture
Saturday, September 6 ~ 10am to 11:30am
Young explorers aged four (4) to seven (7) and their adult partners will have fun learning about this majestic bird and its importance in nature. We’ll do some family science activities and spend time outside on the beautiful grounds of 577 exploring the amazing abilities of these incredible creatures. We’ll even create our own make & take vulture wings project. This engaging experience is designed to spark curiosity and encourage meaningful moments between you and your little one. Come ready to learn, grow, and explore together!
Class Notes: Cost is per child—please register each child attending. Adults are free and do not need to register. Caregivers should attend class with their child. Part of this class will take place outdoors—please dress for the weather. In the event of bad weather, the entire class will be held in Virginia’s House.
Community Instructors: Nancy & John Salerno
Preschool: Fun with Frogs ~ Look Who’s Jumping!
Tuesday, September 9 ~ 10am to 10:45am
Preschoolers aged two to five and their adult partners will delight in a hands-on exploration of frogs. Together, you’ll enjoy a frog story, songs, games, and a hoppin’ good craft. This engaging experience is designed to spark curiosity and creativity while fostering special moments between you and your little one. Come ready to learn, play, and grow together!
Class Notes: Please register each participating child individually; adults attend free as part of their role as caregivers.
Community Instructor: Elaine Sneider
Little Chefs: Fantastic Fruit Pizza
Thursday, September 11 ~ 5:30pm to 7pm
Get your young chef in the kitchen with friends to make a delicious and beautiful fruit pizza! We’re taking advantage of the season’s abundance of fresh fruit by arranging it on top of a homemade, soft cookie crust covered in cream cheese frosting. Kids will work together in Virginia’s Kitchen as they learn the steps to prepare the cookie and simple frosting base. Then, we’ll let their creativity flow, as they decorate their own personal pizza with their favorite fruit toppings in a delightful pattern of their choice. Recipes will be sent home with each little chef so that they can recreate their masterpiece at home!
Class Notes: Recommended for ages 5–12 (exceptions may be considered; contact cstose@577foundation.org). Kids should wear closed-toe shoes and clothes that can get messy—aprons provided. We’ll be tasting the food we prepare, so please inform us of any dietary restrictions before registering. This menu includes dairy and gluten; while we try to accommodate allergies, substitutions may be limited due to cost and class time.
577 Staff Instructor: Kelly Rose Hirsh
Youth Art Adventures: Dot Day!
Friday, September 12 ~ 10am to 11am
Celebrate International Dot Day (September 15) in this fun and colorful class for 2 to 6-year-olds and their adult guardian, designed to explore creativity, color, and art together. We will first meet in the Dining Room of Virginia’s House, and then head out to the StoryWalk trail to read “The Dot” by Peter H. Reynolds. Then we will gather back inside to get hands-on by experimenting with different craft materials and techniques, such as paints, pencils, and crayons, to create Dot Day works of art.
Class Notes: In the event of rain or extreme heat, we will stay inside Virginia’s House to read the StoryWalk book. Please register each participating child individually; adults attend free as part of their role as caregivers.
577 Staff Instructor: Avery Bohman
Preschool: Fun with Birds ~ Where Are They Going?
Tuesday, September 23 ~ 10am to 10:45am
Preschoolers aged two to five and their adult partners will learn why birds and other animals migrate south for the winter. Together we’ll enjoy a story, music, games and a craft. Weather permitting, we’ll also take a walk on the 577 grounds to see if we can spy any migrating birds. This engaging experience is designed to spark curiosity and creativity while fostering special moments between you and your little one. Come ready to learn, play, and grow together!
Class Notes: Please register each participating child individually; adults attend free as part of their role as caregivers.
Community Instructor: Elaine Sneider
Youth Pottery: Ramen Bowl & Cup (Ages 7-17)
Thursday, September 25 ~ 4:30pm to 6pm
Calling all young artists ready to get creative! In this hands-on pottery class, kids will explore texture, form, and design while making their very own ramen bowl and matching cup—perfect for their next noodle night.
Your instructor will guide each participant as they begin with a pre-made bowl base, then roll and shape clay coils to build the walls of their bowl. For the cup, kids will use the pinch pot method—a fun, beginner-friendly technique that lets them shape the clay with their fingers to create a small drinking cup. Along the way, they’ll add fun details, stamps, and surface textures to personalize their pieces. After class, each creation will be bisque-fired, glazed with a clear coat, and fired again by our studio staff. We’ll email you in about 2 to 3 weeks when your finished artwork is ready for pickup.
Class Notes: This class is open to children ages 7 to 17. No prerequisite or experience is required. Adults are not required to attend youth pottery classes. Youth participants may be dropped off at the beginning of class and picked up at the scheduled end time.
577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan
Preschool Move, Play, & Grow: Birds!
Friday, September 26 ~ 10am to 11am
Join our bird-themed sensory + motor fun fest for kids ages 2.5 to 5 and their caregiver. All activities are designed and led by an occupational therapist to boost coordination for little hands, eyes, and the whole body, while also supporting sensory processing, social skills, self-regulation, and more. It’s a playful blend of learning, fun, and helping kiddos get ready to conquer the world of play, sports, and beyond.
Class Note: Weather and time permitting, we may venture outside onto the beautiful 577 grounds toward the end of class.
Community Instructor: Mary Davies, MS OTR/L
Family Pottery: Painted Sipper Cups (Ages 7-17/Adult 18+)
Monday, September 29 ~ 5:30pm to 7pm
Join us in the Pottery Studio for a fun, hands-on family class where you’ll create two custom sipper cups hand-painted by you! This class is open to children ages 7–17 with an adult over 18. No experience needed—just come ready to get creative and make something special together!
Receive step-by-step guidance as you transform two extruded cylinders (one per person) into unique sipper cups by adding a base, top, and decorative elements. You’ll explore different decoration techniques with plenty of inspiring examples to spark creativity, and paint your decorations with underglazes for that perfect pop of color.
Once completed, each creation will be bisque-fired, glazed in clear, and fired again. Finished pieces will be ready for pick-up in about two weeks, with email notifications sent when they are ready. This class is designed for youth ages 7-17 with an accompanying adult (18+).
577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan
Class Locations & Parking Map
Signed up for a class and need help finding your classroom location and parking? Each class description lists its location. Click the button below to view a full map of the grounds and buildings with two lots available for easy and convenient parking.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Because space is limited, we rely on you to register for classes thoughtfully. Please help us continue to offer these wonderful classes as affordably as possible by adhering to the following registration, cancellation, and refund policies.
Photo & Video Release
Photos and videos may be taken during 577 classes and events for use on our website and other relevant media outlets and your attendance constitutes consent. View the full policy below including how you can opt-out of this release.