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
May classes open on Wednesday, March 26, at 9am. Click HERE to view a full list of upcoming classes.
Bird in Nest ~ Family Pottery: Ages 7-17 & Adult 18+
Tuesday, March 25 ~ 10am to 12pm
Make spring break memorable with family time at 577! Join Alison Buchanan, 577’s pottery coordinator, for a new family class where you’ll create a bird-in-the-nest sculpture together. Alison will walk the class through simple pinch pot and sculpting techniques to create these delightful little sculptures.
Once completed, each creation will be bisque-fired, glazed in your choice of color, and fired again. Finished creations will be ready for pick-up in about two weeks, and each participant will receive an email notification when their piece is ready.
Class note: This family class is for both children and their accompanying adults to enjoy an exploration of hand-built pottery projects. Class is open to children 7 to 17 with an adult over 18, no prerequisite or experience is required.
577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan
Bunny Pinch Pot ~ Youth Pottery: Ages 7-17
Friday, March 28 ~ 10am to 11:30am
Off school for spring break? Get in the mood for spring with this adorable bunny pinch pot class! 577’s Pottery Coordinator, Alison, will guide students through the fun process of making their own bunny dish using simple pinch pot techniques. We will highlight eyes, nose, bellies with underglazes. These endearing little pieces can be used to hold snacks, trinkets, jewelry, change, or jellybeans.
Once completed your child’s design will be bisque fired, dipped in a clear glaze, and fired again. Pickup will be about two weeks later. Each child (guardian) will receive a notification via email.
Class note: 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. Children may be dropped off at the beginning of class and picked up at the scheduled end time.
577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan
Youth Art Adventures: Nature Explorers
Friday, March 28 ~ 10am to 11am
Explore nature through story and art in this class designed for preschoolers and their adult guardian. We will read “We’re Going on a Nature Hunt” by Steve Metzger and listen and dance to some nature and garden-themed preschool tunes. We will end the fun morning by making an upcycled nature treasure box and then walk the 577 gardens and grounds on our very own springtime nature hunt.
This class is designed for 2- to 6-year-olds with an adult guardian. Homeschool kiddos are welcome.
577 Staff Instructor: Avery Bohman
Youth Gardening: Fairy Garden with Herbs
Saturday, April 5 ~ 10am to 11am
Young gardeners with their adult partners will have fun digging in the dirt to make their very own fairy herb garden. Together, we will plant basil, thyme, rosemary, and chives in a take-home planter. Everyone will finish their pot by decorating it with fairy trinkets. All supplies are included.
This class is designed for kids ages 7 to 15 with an adult guardian. Youth ages 16 to 17 may attend without an adult partner.
Community Instructor: Danielle Garcia
Preschool: Fun with Plants
Tuesday, April 8 ~ 10am to 10:45am
Preschoolers aged two to five and their adult partners will delight in a hands-on exploration of plants. Together, you’ll create a charming terrarium, engage in fun, interactive games, and enjoy a captivating plant-themed story.
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!
Community Instructor: Elaine Sneider
Preschool Move, Play, & Grow: Caring for the Earth
Friday, April 11 ~ 10am to 11am
Join us for a seasonally themed sensory adventure designed for kids ages 2.5 to 5 and their adult caregivers! This month’s theme, “Caring for the Earth,” invites little explorers to dive into creative activity stations featuring reduced and recycled materials, making learning both fun and eco-friendly.
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
Kindness Rocks: Creative Rock Painting
Friday, April 11 ~ 6pm to 8pm
Welcome to the world of rock painting: the amazing craft where the canvas has a shape! Painted rocks are perfect for adding flair to your house, garden, or for hiding out in the world to surprise strangers and spread joy. Create a creature, paint a flower, or write an inspirational message– the possibilities are endless. Plenty of example rocks and inspiration photos will be on hand if you’re not sure what to make.
While we’re painting, we’ll talk about the Kindness Rocks Project and how to brighten your community with art. Participants will have the option to brush varnish on their finished rocks to make them more durable for displaying outdoors. Join us to discover the fun of rock painting, and be ready to rock your socks off!
Class notes: This class is open to participants ages 7 to 117. Participants ages 7 to 17 must attend with a registered adult. Each participant will paint at least three (3) rocks and is welcome to bring their own to paint. Rock sizes will vary, but all will be no larger than the palm of your hand.
577 Staff Instructor: Elena Bleyer
Youth Craft & Play: Create Your Own Game Box
Saturday, April 12 ~ 10am to 11:30am
Celebrate Earth Month with a unique and creative craft: your our own travel-friendly game box, filled with supplies for many games like checkers, marbles, Go Fish, Solitaire, and more. Using upcycled cigar boxes and all recycled items, each person will decorate their box with paints and collage papers, as well as pick out their own supplies and put together their game boxes. And if there’s extra time, we’ll start playing away!
Each game kit will include a small pad of paper and pencil for score recording, at least 13 marbles, five dice, two decks of cards, 26 to 30 upcycled checker pieces made from stones, buttons, or metal bottle caps, and a foldable game board made from recycled fabric swatches and markers. Each box will be complete with a small card of over 20 games to play. Game boxes are great for family game nights, on-the-go fun, friend sleepovers, and more!
Class note: Recommended ages are 7 to 15. Adults are not required to attend this class. Children may be dropped off at the beginning of class and picked up at the scheduled end time.
577 Staff Instructor: Avery Bohman
Bee Plates ~ Youth Pottery: Ages 7-17
Saturday, April 12 ~ 2:30pm to 4pm
Get in the mood for spring with this adorable bee plate! In this hands-on class, each kiddo will craft their own custom plate featuring a charming bee design—sure to become a snack-time favorite for years to come.
Led by Alison, 577’s Pottery Coordinator, each child will explore slab-building techniques and follow step-by-step guidance to shape and decorate their piece. Once complete, everyone will have the opportunity to finish their design with underglazes, and after bisque firing, staff will apply a final glaze. Finished pottery will be ready for pick-up about two weeks after class, with email notifications sent when it’s ready.
Class note: 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. Children may be dropped off at the beginning of class and picked up at the scheduled end time.
577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan
Owl Planters ~ Youth Pottery: Ages 7-17
Monday, April 14 ~ 4pm to 5:30pm
This fun and interactive pottery class is perfect for the young artist in your life! In this hands-on session, each child will create an adorable owl planter along with a small underdish/saucer—perfect for succulents, cacti, or other small plants that will make this piece a household favorite for years to come.
Led by Alison, 577’s Pottery Coordinator, children will use simple pinch pot techniques to shape their planter and bring their owl to life by adding eyes, a beak, and wings. They’ll also craft a small plate to go underneath, helping to protect surfaces when watering.
Once complete, each child will have the opportunity to finish their pieces with underglazes, and after bisque firing, staff will apply a final glaze. These charming pottery sets will be ready for pick-up in about two weeks, with email notifications sent when they are ready.
Class note: 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. Children may be dropped off at the beginning of class and picked up at the scheduled end time.
577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan
Preschool: The Tale of Peter Rabbit
Tuesday, April 15 ~ 10am to 10:45am
Preschoolers aged two to five and their adult partners will delight in learning about rabbits as we listen to a classic tale, create a charming rabbit craft, and hop into fun, interactive games.
This hands-on experience is designed to spark curiosity and creativity while fostering special moments between you and your little one. Come ready to learn, play, and explore together!
Community Instructor: Elaine Sneider
Intro to Loom Knitting for Families: Baskets
Saturday, April 19 ~ 10am to 12pm
This beginner-friendly class is the perfect, risk-free way for a child and their favorite adult to explore loom knitting together. Designed specifically for pairs—one child (ages 7-17) and one adult (18+)—this class provides a fun, hands-on experience using 577’s knitting looms.
In this class, you’ll learn loom knitting terminology and get familiar with the tools. You’ll master the basics, including how to cast-on, knit, and finish a project. By the end, you both will then create a 4 in. x 4 in. or 5 in x 5 in basket to take home. All materials are provided, but participants are welcome to bring their own 24- or 31-peg loom and hook if they’d like. No prior experience is necessary—just bring your curiosity and enthusiasm.
Each registration is for one (1) youth (ages 7-17) with one (1) accompanying adult (18+). Due to the small class size, only one adult may accompany each registered youth.
577 Staff Instructor: Lindsay Grider
Kids Explore Nature: Plant a Healthy Garden
Saturday, April 19 ~ 2pm to 3:30pm
Young explorers aged four to seven and their adult partners will have fun discovering the connection between the food we eat and the health of our bodies. Through hands-on activities, we’ll learn which foods fuel our brains, hearts, lungs, and more. Children will also create seed tape to take home and plant for a healthy garden!
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 ~ Garage Studio.
Community Instructors: Nancy & John Salerno
Youth Art Adventures: Earth Day!
Tuesday, April 22 ~ 10am to 11:15am
Celebrate Earth Day (April 22) through story, art, music, and games! Designed for children ages 2 to 6 years old and their adult partner, this engaging experience will introduce little learners to the wonders of our planet. Together, we’ll enjoy short stories about recycling, litter, the importance of water, and caring for earth, followed by a fun sorting game and lively Earth Day tunes.
Each child will create an eco-friendly art project using recycled puzzle pieces and everyday household items like toilet paper rolls, bubble wrap, and cardboard. Weather permitting, we’ll also take a nature walk to explore the beauty and wonder of our surroundings. Come ready to celebrate, create, and connect with nature!
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.
577 Staff Instructor: Avery Bohman
Youth Art Adventures: The Living Wonder of Trees
Friday, April 25 ~ 10am to 11:15am
Celebrate Arbor Day (April 25) with stories, music, and art! Designed for children ages 2 to 6 and their adult partners, this engaging class will explore the wonders of trees through storytelling, music, and hands-on creativity. Together, we’ll read April’s StoryWalk book, “Pando: The Living Wonder of Trees” written by Kate Allen Fox and illustrated by Turine Tran, enjoy fun preschool tunes, and discover fascinating facts about trees.
Each child will create a tree-inspired craft using a variety of art supplies. Weather permitting, we’ll also take a walk along the StoryWalk® trail to experience the beauty of trees up close. Come ready to read, explore, and create!
Class Notes: We will meet in Virginia’s House Dining Room before heading outside for the StoryWalk®. In the event of rain, we will stay inside to read the StoryWalk® book. Please dress appropriately. Cost for the class is per child—please register each child attending. Adults are free and should attend class with their child.
577 Staff Instructor: Avery Bohman
Flower Vases ~ Family Pottery: Ages 7-17 / Adult 18+
Monday, April 28 ~ 5:30pm to 7pm
Join us in the Pottery Studio for a fun, hands-on family class where you’ll create two custom flower vases—one to give and one to keep, unless you can’t bear to part with either!
Each pair will receive two extruded cylinders to transform into unique vases by adding a base and embellishments. Led by Alison, 577’s Pottery Coordinator, the class will explore different decoration and texture techniques, with plenty of inspiring examples to spark creativity. If time allows, there will be an opportunity to paint our decorations with underglazes for that perfect pop of color!
Once completed, each creation will be bisque-fired, glazed in your choice of color, and fired again. Finished pieces will be ready for pick-up in about two weeks, with email notifications sent when they are ready.
Class note: This family class is for both children and their accompanying adults to enjoy an exploration of hand-built pottery projects. Class is open to children 7 to 17 with an adult over 18, no prerequisite or experience is required.
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.