What ages can attend?

Children aged 6 and up can join Kids Casual Class; check with staff for suitability if younger children have experience.

Glazing is optional — Make with Clay sessions are AU$45–$55, with glazing typically AU$30–$40 and usually scheduled about two weeks later.

How long before I can pick up finished pieces?

Turnaround depends on kiln loads; plan for roughly two weeks and confirm exact pickup windows when you book.

Can parents stay or is it drop-off only?

Both options are available — drop-off or join in depending on your preference and class capacity.

What is included in the price?

Prices include clay, tools, instruction and at least one kiln firing; volume limits apply (1000–1500 cm3 depending on class).

How does the 10-class pass work?

The pass bundles five make and five glaze sessions with multiple firings and bonuses; note trial passes expire after 12 weeks and align with term schedules.

Mindful Clay for Kids in Towradgi — Blackduckstudio Casual Pottery Classes | Workshop

Towradgi sits on the Illawarra coast of New South Wales, Australia; here, Kids Casual Class at blackduckstudio offers mindful clay hand-building and glazing sessions for children. The studio is a bright, practical space where small hands learn to shape, pinch, coil and smooth raw clay into characters, plates and mugs. In 90-minute sessions designed for ages 6 and up, instructors guide students through sculpting small things (pieces up to 1000 cm3) or functional ceramics (up to 1500 cm3), with tools, clay and a kiln firing included. What makes this program stand out is its blend of structure and creative freedom: a clear curriculum encourages skill progression while drop-off casual options let families choose single sessions. Casual "Make with Clay" classes start at AU$45 for small sculptures and AU$55 for medium functional pieces; glazing is optional and typically booked two weeks later for AU$30–$40 or the studio can apply a clear glaze. Every booking includes materials, tools and at least one kiln firing — small details that mean kids leave with finished, lasting work instead of a bag of dry mud. The curriculum scales up to a 10-class pass membership, ideal for homeschoolers or families who want continuity. Packages bundle five make sessions and five glaze sessions with multiple firings and bonuses: carry-on sessions, discounts on paint-a-piece events and private parties. Note: these trial membership passes run on term cycles and expire after 12 weeks, so plan bookings around school terms and holidays. Blackduckstudio occupies a local creative niche in Towradgi: a practical community hub near the coast where families swap stories while waiting for glaze firings. The studio’s kiln and glazing area are the technical heart of the operation, and instructors emphasize hand-building techniques over wheel skill, making the class accessible and tactile. The nearby coastline and beach park are natural after-class destinations for families who want to stretch legs and celebrate finished pieces. Practical tips: arrive with clothes that can get dusty, allow the two-week glazing window in your schedule, and book the glaze slot early during school holidays. Children should be at least six years old, and caregivers should confirm class and glazing dates when they register. The studio keeps groups intentionally small so instructors can focus on technique, safety, and kiln scheduling. For families seeking a hands-on, low-tech creative day in the Illawarra, Kids Casual Class offers a reliably playful, skills-focused pottery experience that turns clay lessons into tangible keepsakes. Parents often photograph proud makers beside finished mugs and sculptures; pick-up times depend on kiln load, so confirm turnaround with staff. The classes suit beginners and developing young artists, building fine motor skills, patience and creative problem-solving in a supportive studio environment and encourage imaginative play every session.

About Black Duck Studio Pty Ltd

Black Duck Studio Pty Ltd operates a hands-on ceramics studio offering classes, workshops and a local firing service. The studio runs after-school and homeschool clay clubs, term-based kids programs, multi-week handbuilding courses, one-off open hand-building sessions, and school holiday workshops. Many classes accept deposits to secure places, including Term 1, 2026 bookings with limited availability; if a preferred day is full the studio offers alternatives or refunds deposits.

Programs include dedicated kids courses for ages eight to teens with materials provided, 10-week after-school terms, and casual homeschool sessions. Adult learners can join an 8-week handbuilding and glazing course with expert guidance, or participate in open workshops designed for experienced potters wanting 90 minutes of clay work plus a painting session. The studio also runs themed workshops such as make-a-mug, make-a-dish, make-a-platter, and seasonal Christmas activities.

Black Duck Studio accommodates NDIS clients with two-hour workshops offering hand-building or glazing and complimentary beverages. A firing service supports local artists and crafters from drop-off through firing with pick-up updates. Event inquiries include private parties, donut tower involvement, and bespoke bookings for celebrations.

Bookings, deposits, and workshop details are published for each offering, and all class descriptions list included materials, session lengths, and post-firing pickup times where applicable. Black Duck Studio Pty Ltd presents practical, activity-based ceramics experiences aimed at learning, creativity, and accessible studio access for students, hobbyists, and community participants. Finished pieces are typically fired and available for pickup within two weeks when specified in the class description. Bookings are required online.