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
December classes open for registration on Wednesday, October 29 at 9am. Click HERE to view a full list of upcoming classes.
Youth Art Adventures: Halloween Party!
Friday, October 31 ~ 10am to 11:15am
Celebrate Halloween through story, music, movement, and hands-on creativity. Designed for children ages 2 to 6 years old and their adult partner, this playful class explores lots of Halloween fun, including a story, song and dance, crafts, and a special sweet treat at the end! Kiddos can also come dressed up in their costumes.
Class Notes: Cost is per child; please register each child attending. Adults are free, and caregivers should attend class with their child. Treats may include dairy, wheat, and nuts.
577 Staff Instructor: Avery Bohman
Intro to Crochet for Families (Ages 7-17/Adult 18+)
Saturday, November 1 ~ 10am to 12pm
Learn to crochet together as a family! Whether you need a refresher or you’ve never picked up a hook before, each adult and child pair will focus on how to tie a slip knot, how to chain stitch (the foundation of crochet), and the single crochet stitch. Each participant will create a project of their choice – a dishcloth, a coaster, a scarf, or a little lap blanket.
Participants will have a variety of yarns and tools on hand to choose from. We’ll start by choosing your desired project, your yarn color, and the correct-sized hook. All supplies are included to reduce beginner frustration from using the wrong tools. Everyone will receive a crochet hook and a ball of yarn, along with handouts for reference when practicing and helping each other at home.
Class Notes: Each registration is for one (1) youth between the ages of 7 to 17, with an accompanying adult 18 years old and older. Due to the small class size, only one adult may accompany the youth registered. If an adult would like to accompany multiple youth participants, please sign up each youth participant individually and list the adult’s name for each registration.
Community Instructor: Annie Johnson
Family Pottery: Plates for Santa & Reindeer (Ages 5-8/Adult 18+)
Saturday, November 8 ~ 2pm to 4pm
Bring the holiday magic to life in this festive family pottery class. In this workshop, children ages 5 to 8 and their accompanying adult (18+) will work together to create two special Christmas snack-sized plates—one for Santa’s cookies and one for the reindeer’s carrots. The result is something to cherish, as these handmade keepsakes are sure to become a treasured part of your family’s Christmas traditions for years to come.
Guided by your instructor, families will cut plate shapes from pre-rolled clay slabs and place them into molds. From there, you’ll decorate with festive stamps, textures, and personalized words or messages. Once the designs are complete, you’ll use colorful underglazes to paint your creations, making each plate truly unique.
Staff will glaze and fire the plates after class, ensuring food-safe, beautifully finished pieces. Expect pickup in about two to three weeks, and we’ll send an email when they’re ready. This class is designed for youth ages 5-8 with an accompanying adult (18+).
577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan
Preschool: Sleepy Animals
Tuesday, November 11 ~ 10am to 10:45am
Preschoolers aged two to five and their adult partners will have fun learning about animals that hibernate. Together, you’ll enjoy a story, music, games, and a 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
Youth Pottery: Clay Igloo Diarama (Ages 7-17)
Tuesday, November 11 ~ 4:30pm to 6pm
This class is perfect for the kiddo in your life who loves winter. Young makers will create a pinch pot and transform it into a charming igloo with just a few easy steps. Next, they’ll craft an “ice slab” base and add playful decorations to make each igloo one-of-a-kind.
Demos will include how to make penguins, snowmen, ladders, polar bears, campfires, and other winter-inspired creations. Participants will add color with underglazes during class, and staff will apply the final glaze after the bisque firing. Pottery will be ready for pick-up in about two to three weeks, and an email notification will be sent when it is ready.
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: Squirrels & Acorns
Friday, November 14 ~ 10am to 11am
Join our seasonally 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
Preschool: Trees in Winter
Tuesday, November 18 ~ 10am to 10:45am
Preschoolers aged two to five and their adult partners will have fun learning about about what happens to the trees during winter in Ohio. Together, you’ll enjoy a story, music, games, and a pinecone 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
Youth Art Adventures: Thanksgiving in the Woods
Friday, November 21 ~ 10am to 11am
Celebrate the season of gratitude through story, music, movement, and hands-on creativity. Designed for children ages 2 to 6 years old and their adult partner, together we will read “Thanksgiving in the Woods” by Phyllis Alsdurf, listen and dance to some fun preschool tunes, and create a fun fall craft with nature’s materials.
If time and weather permit, we will also take a short walk around the 577 grounds finding things in nature to be grateful for.
577 Staff Instructor: Avery Bohman
Family Pottery: Snowpeople! (Ages 7-17/Adult 18+)
Monday, November 24 ~ 4:30pm to 6pm
Get into the winter spirit with this fun and festive pottery project. In this family class, children ages 7–17 and their accompanying adult (18+) will each create a clay snowperson using simple pinch pot techniques. These handmade snowpeople will be a charming seasonal keepsake to display year after year.
Learn to shape cheerful snowpeople and add fun details, then craft accessories like scarves, hats, or earmuffs to give each piece personality. Once the designs are complete, you’ll decorate the accessories with colorful underglazes to make every snowperson unique.
Staff will apply a final clear glaze and complete the firing after class, ensuring beautifully finished, durable pieces. Expect pickup in about two to three weeks, and we’ll send an email when they’re ready. This class is designed for youth ages 7-17 with an accompanying adult (18+).
577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan
Handmade Holidays: Upcycled Cards, Tags & More!
Tuesday, November 25 ~ 6pm to 8pm
Welcome the holiday season by creating one-of-a-kind and sustainable holiday crafts! As a way to reduce waste and create handmade gifts this season, we will reuse materials like Christmas cards, wrapping paper, gift bags, scrapbook paper, fabrics, ribbon, and more, to create exciting papercrafts to share with friends and family.
Each participant has the option to create gift tags, greeting cards, paper garlands, and/or collages from a plethora of holiday ephemera. All supplies are provided, but feel free to bring any special or antique holiday keepsakes to incorporate into your art—think Christmas cards and notes, stamps, decorated shopping bags, wrapping paper scraps, ribbon, and more.
Class Note: Participants ages 12-15 may join with a registered adult, and ages 16-17 are welcome to attend on their own.
577 Staff Instructor: Avery Bohman
Youth Pottery: Winter Seal Sculpture (Ages 7-17)
Tuesday, December 2 ~ 4:30pm to 6pm
Make a splash this winter as your kiddo creates their very own adorable seal! In this fun, hands-on pottery class, they’ll shape and decorate their seal using simple techniques—no experience needed. Each child will learn step-by-step how to form their seal and bring it to life with fun details and personality. Add a hat, scarf, or bow tie to give your seal a festive touch!
Once sculpted, everyone will paint their creation with colorful underglazes. After class, our staff will apply a clear glaze and fire it, so your shiny new seal will be ready to take home and display—a perfect winter keepsake or cheerful seasonal decoration. Pottery will be ready for pick-up in about two to three weeks, and you’ll receive an email notification when it’s ready.
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: Penguin Snack Bowl (Ages 5-6/Adult 18+)
Friday, December 5 ~ 9:30am to 11am
Waddle into winter fun with this adorable family pottery workshop! Designed for children ages 5 to 6 and their accompanying adult (18+), this class is a perfect introduction to working with clay, creating a keepsake you’ll treasure.
Guided by your instructor, families will follow a step-by-step demonstration to form an adorable little penguin using simple pinch pot techniques. Each family will receive a pre-made medium-sized thrown bowl, crafted by our pottery staff, ready for you to decorate or choose a glaze to have it dipped in.
Your penguin will be placed inside to create a charming snack bowl. Once your sculpture is complete, you’ll bring it to life with colorful underglazes. After the workshop, our staff will apply a final glaze to finish your creation. Expect pickup in about two to three weeks, and we’ll send an email when they’re ready. This class is designed for youth ages 5-6 with an accompanying adult (18+).
577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan
Youth Art Adventures: Winter Sleep
Friday, December 5 ~ 10am to 11am
Get ready for the winter season through story, music, movement, and hands-on creativity! Designed for children ages 2 to 6 years old and their adult partner, together we will read “Winter Sleep: A Hibernation Story” by Sean Taylor & Alex Morss, illustrated by Cinyee Chiu, listen and dance to some fun preschool tunes, and create a snowy animal craft with recycled materials.
577 Staff Instructor: Avery Bohman
Preschool: Cookie Decorating
Tuesday, December 9 ~ 10am to 10:45am
Preschoolers aged two (2) to five (5) and their adult partners (18+) will have fun decorating premade cookies, listening to stories and playing musical games in this fun class. Please state any food allergies at registration.
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
Family Pottery: Clay Tic Tac Toe (Ages 7-17/Adult 18+)
Thursday, December 11 ~ 4:30pm to 6pm
Play and creativity come together in this fun family pottery workshop! In this family class, children ages 7–17 and their accompanying adult (18+) will design and build their very own tic tac toe game set—perfect for playtime and display. Families can choose to each make their own smaller boards or collaborate on one larger board together.
Guided by your instructor, participants will begin with a quick demonstration on how to form their boards using pre-rolled clay slabs, along with examples for inspiration. From there, you’ll shape your board and game pieces, adding your own creative twist to the design. Once complete, you’ll have the opportunity to decorate your tic-tac-toe set with colorful underglazes or select a single glaze color for our staff to dip and finish after firing. The result—a one-of-a-kind handmade game you’ll enjoy for years to come!
Staff will apply a final clear glaze and complete the firing after class, ensuring beautifully finished, durable pieces. Expect pickup in about two to three weeks, and we’ll send an email when they’re 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.