Best Pottery Painting Classes For Kids In The North Bay

(credit: ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP/Getty Images)

Pottery painting is a fun and creative art activity that has been around for literally thousands of years. In its 21^st century incarnation, this art form has been gathering tons of fans of all ages in the Bay Area and beyond. Here are five destinations for kids' pottery painting classes, where adults will find groups to paint along too.

Founded in 2001, Doodlebug is a multi-purpose art studio dedicated to helping children build creative self-confidence. With classes for kids and adults, plus an open art studio available seven days a week, the possibilities are plentiful for getting the creative energy flowing. Children and parents can work together to create something special, or work on their own. Pottery painting is a highlighted activity, along with opportunities to make mosaic, do decoupage, paint wooden treasure boxes and other items, knit scarves or do any one of numerous other creative projects, limited only by the artist's imagination. Costs are based only on the items selected, as there are no hourly, studio or firing fees. Visit the website to explore classes and events, learn more about the art studio and check out party room details.

Creativity Unleashed Ceramics is a pottery and canvas-painting studio where kids can be creative in a Paint-Your-Own Pottery studio environment. The studio focuses on providing high-quality service and satisfaction, and offers a huge selection of reasonably priced pottery pieces to get creative with. The studio fee is just $3.95. Children and adults will find classes and studio hours just for them. Ceramic and art classes for kids in clay, ceramics and arts and crafts are ongoing every Thursday from 4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. Visit the website to learn more.

The Pottery Studio "is a creative and relaxing alternative, perfect for celebrating any occasion." The spot is an especially welcoming place to relax and gather with friends while painting and creating pottery, tiles and mosaics. The Pottery Studio is the original Paint Your Own Pottery locale in Sonoma County, well known for providing a relaxing and friendly atmosphere for kids and adults to try their hands at creating artisanal pottery as gift pieces or to keep and enjoy at home. While The Pottery Studio caters to all ages, it's an especially nifty place for kids' parties, and provides an extensive selection of decorative yet functional pottery items to decorate. Kids can get cool decorating ideas from books, stencils, sponges and other crafty tools provided for painting. After painting, the studio dips each finished piece into a clear glaze, fires it and it's then ready in less than a week to take home. Visit the website to learn more, including details on hosting events, get-togethers, fundraisers and school outings.

Family owned and operated since 2000, Studio 4 Art is dedicated to helping children tap into their creative needs and foster their creative growth. Studio 4 Art offers a wide selection of instruction in fine art, drawing, illustration, mosaics, clay and lots more including paint-it-yourself pottery. It has workshops and classes for kids, teens and adults with enough choices to appeal to all ages and skill levels. Take advantage of family workshops to enjoy creating with your child, grandchild, spouse or friend. In addition, there are popular Kid Art Camps that follow the Marin County School system, so whenever the kids are out of school, Studio 4 Art is there with dynamite art projects and entertainment. Visit the website for complete details and to sign up for instruction.

Come into this relaxing, creative environment and paint some ceramics with other creative folks. It's fun and simple to learn even if it's all new to you or the kids. Just come in and pick a piece of ceramic; choose from a wide variety of animal figurines, banks, candleholders, bowls, plaques, platters and a large assortment of mugs. After selecting your piece and choosing your paint and glaze colors, the Pottery Too! folks will fire it for you. Once your piece has been fired, they will call you when it's ready for pick up. Visit the website for more information and to check the monthly calendar of events.

Melanie Graysmith is a writer, artist and educator based in San Francisco. She writes on adult education, art and lifestyle topics, and enjoys writing short stories and poetry. She is also a member of an independent filmmaking group. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.