Northern Clay Center in Minneapolis offers week-long ceramics camps for ages 6 and up, running June through August in half-day (three-hour) or full-day formats. Small, individualized classes cover hand-building, tiles, sculpture, and wheel-thrown pottery, with themed sessions beginning each Monday. Half-day camps meet 9am–12pm or 1–4pm.
The practical details
We list only what the camp itself publishes, and programs change — dates, prices, ages and availability can all move after we check. Confirm the details on the camp’s own website and contact Northern Clay Center directly before you register or pay. Last checked August 2026.
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★★★★★kristen howeTook a pottery wheel class here and the instructor was great for beginners. They also have so much space for everything, it amazed me with how huge it was.
★★★★★Stephanie GreenHosted my daughter's birthday party here and it was amazing! Booking was a smooth process and all questions were answered. Ari was the teacher and created the best experience possible! This definitely created a core memory for my daughter. The party incorporated wheel throwing for majority of attendees but also had hand sculpting for a few younger attendees. They were able to paint their pieces and I cannot wait to pick them up! Adeed on the use of the break room and we were able to use it for cake/snacks/presents. If you are looking for a unique experience for a birthday party (young or old) use Northern Clay Center! We will be back for other classes/events/summer camps!
★★★★★CMaddie is an absolute gem! They helped us find the perfect gift for our mom for her birthday. It was extra sweet of them especially because our mother is sick and we wanted to make the time we have left with her extra special. Next time we come back I’m hoping Maddie is there. Thank you!
★★★quendy raymondI signed up for my first pottery classes since high school ceramics over 30 years ago and was super excited. 4 weeks of a class (1 3 hours class each week) spread out over 5 weeks which averaged about $50 a class. Included was a bag of clay, kiln firings and glazes. Tools and brushes are not included (I'd encourage you to buy them from Amazon if you're trying to save money). Also, included is endless amounts of student time where if you're going to take one of there pottery classes is where you'll get the most benefit. I spent on average 12 hours each week in studio hours outside of class to practice and make pots. However, what you don't know when you sign up is that there are deadlines for when you have to stop making pots. Ours was we had to be done and the work had to be leatherhard by the end of the 2nd to last class. Our class was also on Fridays so we even the shortest end of the stick by not being able to benefit from being able to finish up work beyond the class period as other classes that ended earlier in the week had been able to do. Thus, essentially we had only 2ish classes to do pottery. The 3rd class we learned glazing and frantically had to finish trimming and hopefully have time to throw and have the work dry by end of class, then trim it to be ready for firing. Of course I wasn't able to make this extreme deadline so am left with pieces that need to be dried and trimmed which seems like a waste. When you pay for 4 courses I think more of the time should be devoted to getting to spend the entire duration working on pieces and if there is a deadline making it a hard (fair) deadline that is consistent for all of the courses. Also, making this aspect of the pottery curriculum clear when you sign up and not something that you gradually learn about on the first day or after. It made me feel misled. Life is about learning though. $212 is an expensive lesson though. Hoping this review gives others an idea of what to expect when they're signing up for their first pottery course with Northern Clay!
★★★★★Arnold ArnoldA very pleasant surprise. Great exhibits!!! And you do your own crawl through the studios and classes in the back. I really love this place.