Kids & Family Programming
Our classes provide a fun and educational environment where children can explore their creative interests in ceramics, focusing on self-expression through handbuilding techniques. Classes for teenagers can include time on the potter's wheel.
Single Day Programs for Kids and Families
About Youth Camps and Sessions
Kids classes are broken into age brackets to give kids the best resources to have fun and make friends with their creative peers! Each age bracket does practice baseline skills at the start, so beginners are always welcome. Instruction is paced and projects are curated for each age group. Little Kids, Age 5-8 These camps will move at a slower pace and do projects that will accommodate young ones that are still developing strength in their hands and arms. Projects will be overall a bit simpler to ensure younger kids can be successful and stay engaged. Big Kids (9-12) These camps will move faster and tackle more challenging multi-phase projects. Kids will explore returning to projects at different phases in the drying cycle, and overall create things that are a bit more complex to give them an engaging level of challenge. Teens (Age 12-18) Camps for teens will handle challenging methods that would frustrate younger peers. They'll have the chance to handle studio power tools such as the pottery wheel, and may approach more complex builds by hand such as working on bigger projects.
Here at the Clay Studio of Missoula, kids can use the electric potter's wheel only once they've reached age 12. This is to give them the best possibility of succeeding with this tricky method safely and independently. At this age kids can typically use our wheels in proper seated posture with both feet firmly on the ground, and be able to reach the pedal easily to control the throttle without modifications to the equipment. With our adult-sized pottery wheels, lacking the size and strength to do this can lead to discomfort and frustration - with a higher risk of injury from use of this studio power tool. Plus, wheel pottery is super messy, and younger children are not normally equipped to deal with the mountain of mud they create come clean-up time. We've tried working with children at younger growth milestones in the past and have found this to be true time and time again. Patience until age 12 will be rewarded with a more fun and successful experience on the wheel!
I see family classes, but none for kids! What's up with that?
We focus on our afterschool program in collaboration with Parks and Recreation when public school is in session, due to low enrollment in youth-only programs during this time. We do have Family Clay Night around the beginning of each month to give a regular opportunity to kids and families regularly! In these sessions, parents enroll along with their kids both to have fun themselves (and make a cool project if they want to), and help manage behavior and keep kids caught up. This helps us make it available with any of our teaching artists, even if they are not pros working with kids, because parents are there to join in and help! We do offer a reduced price "helper" ticket for adults who are not interested in keeping their practice project after they learn how to build it.
We do hold workshops for youth-only occasionally. These usually happen during days off public school, and start enrolling about a month in advance. Missoula County Public Schools has their calendars for Elementary, Middle, and High School available to the public if you're not sure when days off public school are happening.
A majority of our youth programming happens during Spring Break (in April) and Summer Break (June through August), when we run week long camps young students can take all on their own to: meet other creative kids, make friends, and have fun! Spring and Summer camps usually release in February. This can vary some years, but this is a good time of year to check in to get more information about upcoming youth camp releases.
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Have a home school group that is interested in doing a clay project? Our field trip experiences or private sessions may be the perfect fit, and can be scheduled to fit your group! Education coordinator Kelly Seitz is also happy to discuss the coordination of multiple private sessions to provide more in-depth learning about clay. These sessions can be tailored to any age group from age 5 through adulthood.
CLASSES FILL UP QUICKLY!
If you see something you are interested in and it is full, please contact us to be added to the wait list!
Please familiarize yourself with our refund and cancellation policy below prior to signing up for a class
Join our mailing list for youth programs to receive updates and class additions once they are announced.
Week-Long Camps for Kids and Teens
Week long programming for youth which take place in our ANNEX space! Great opportunities to explore clay and make friends for young people!
Yearly youth waivers required by day 1 to participate!
Waivers are now integrated into camp enrollment, but if there is a glitch or the form is somehow skipped, you can access a PDF and web form of the waiver near the bottom of this page.
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2026 CAMPS NOW OPEN FOR ENROLLMENT!
Clay Kits and Tools for Home
At-Home Clay Kits, for clay activities and learning in the comfort of your home! Kit includes list of at-home tool alternatives, but tools are also available for sale.
Request an At-Home Clay Kit For Purchase!
For just $50, clay kits come with about 12 pounds of clay, plus special stroke and coat wonderglaze, brushes, a palette, and a project guide book to help you and your family make with clay at home! Kits also include a special firing pass so even nonmembers can have their finished projects fired at the Clay Studio.
Kits typically must be assembled to order, so we ask that interested parties email ahead at least a few business days to request one using the button below. We'll send you an invoice so you can easily pay for your kit online, and make sure it's ready for you to pick up so you and your family can create together!
Cancellation Policy & Refunds
Thank you for your interest in our programs! Occasionally people sign up for classes and unexpected situations may arise where taking a class may not work in their schedules. We do have a fair policy in place for cancellations. Please familiarize yourself with our policies before registering in case you do need to make a request to cancel. You can find this information on our Registration & Policies Page
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Waivers required for Youth to engage in Clay Studio Youth Classes.
Waivers are now integrated into youth class enrollment, but can be accessed via the PDF or link below if needed.
Your child cannot participate without an up-to-date waiver on file.
Fill out and print the above PDF and turn it in at the studio or email completed to fire@theclaystudioofmissoula.org
Anything shared on your child's waiver will only be seen by studio staff. Please share any pertinent information that would help us provide the best learning experience for your child, such as learning differences, allergies, and so on.
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Please note: the PDF version of the form must be downloaded and saved, filled, then printed or emailed to studio staff. You can print a copy and mail it to the address in the footer or drop off in person if you prefer pen and paper.
YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The Clay Studio of Missoula's youth scholarship program is a need-based program that allows young people access to Clay Studio of Missoula classes and camps for free or reduced price. This program also accommodates collaborations with local organizations working with children with less access to arts education opportunities. This program relies upon ongoing community donations to maintain funds to accommodate scholarship requests. The Clay Studio is happy to report that there has been an upsurge in the use of this program, and we want to ensure we never turn someone away due to hardship.
*Due to scheduling and instructor availability, camps may not be available for all age ranges during spring break. Programming for the different age groups will be offered as often as possible.
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If you are interested in birthday parties or private workshops for friends and family, 2+ hour workshops can be booked for 12 people or less, of any age, with a call to the office. Check our "Private Events and Tours" page for more information. Private events must be booked in advance.