Clay Time Studio
Kids' birthday party venue in London
London Islington and Highgate
Not-for-profit pottery studios in Islington and Highgate running kids' birthday parties — paint ready-made ceramics, hand-build and glaze, or try the potter's wheel
About Clay Time Studio
At a glance
- Age range: 8–15 years
- Guest capacity: 2–20 kids
- Phone: 020 3441 8787
- Website: https://www.claytime.london/
Photos
Party packages & pricing
Painting Ready-Made Pottery (Whole Studio)
Exclusive use of the studio: children paint ready-made pottery with all underglazes, stamps, brushes and materials, plus staff assistance and kiln firing. Minimum 12 children. Bring your own cake and snacks.
- Price: £29
- Per person: £29
- Guests: 12–20
- Ages: 8–15
Painting Ready-Made Pottery (Table)
A table booking for smaller groups painting ready-made ceramics alongside the public — you pay for the pieces painted (around £20 to £24 per child). All materials and kiln firing included. Painting only, so food and cake are not included.
- Price: £20 Price on Request
- Guests: 2–10
- Ages: 8–15
Pottery Party (Hand Building & Glazing)
A two-part party: each child makes a hand-built pot (about 45 minutes) then decorates it with coloured glaze (about 45 minutes), leaving a short window for cake. All materials and firing included; pieces collected just under 3 weeks later. Minimum 12 children.
- Price: £36
- Per person: £36
- Guests: 12–20
- Ages: 8–15
Wheel Throwing Taster
A two-hour introduction to throwing on the potter's wheel for children, after which the best two pots per child are trimmed, glazed and fired to collect later. All materials included.
- Price: £49
- Per person: £49
- Guests: ?–8
- Ages: 8–15
Frequently asked questions
- What party options are there?
- Four: painting ready-made pottery with exclusive use of the whole studio, a table booking to paint ceramics, a hand-building and glazing party, and a wheel-throwing taster.
- How much is it?
- Whole-studio painting is £29 per child (minimum 12), the hand-building and glazing party is £36 per child (minimum 12), a table booking is around £20 to £24 per child (you pay for what you paint), and the children's wheel-throwing taster is £49 per child.
- What is the difference between the whole studio and a table booking?
- Booking the whole studio is exclusive and lets you bring your own cake and snacks. A table booking is just the painting activity, so food and cake are not included.
- What happens at the hand-building party?
- Each child makes a hand-built pot in about 45 minutes, then decorates it with coloured glaze for about 45 minutes, leaving a short window for cake. The pieces are fired and ready to collect just under 3 weeks later.
- What is the wheel-throwing taster?
- A two-hour introduction to throwing on the potter's wheel, after which the best two pots per person are trimmed, glazed and fired for you to collect later.
- What age is it suitable for?
- Parties suit children from around age 8.
- Can we bring food and cake?
- Yes for a whole-studio booking, where you can bring your own cake and snacks. A table booking is painting only, so food is not included.
- How do we book?
- Parties are confirmed once a deposit is paid. Deposits are refundable within 14 days, and you can reschedule with at least 7 days' notice.
Reviews
5.0 / 5 based on 2 reviews.
Sara Hollingsworth — Rating: 5/5
I attended a two-hour handbuilding class at Claytime. Even though the studio was busy with a group, the tutor managed to take time with each student and go over everything in the studio. I created and decorated two small plates during the session. The studio emails a week or so later to say the pottery has been fired and ready to be collected. My plates turned out even better than I expected. I will definitely go again, or maybe even try one of the longer courses. The studio is big with 7 or 8 pottery wheels, full equipment, and the kiln. It was all fun to see. The cost of the session covers all supplies, including glazes and clay.
Emma Davidson — Rating: 5/5
Claytime Pottery Place in Highgate is a hidden gem. It's inside the new community centre on the first floor so other than the signage outside, you could possibly miss it. But it's 100% worth the effort to pop inside and take a look. Since discovering the place I have done a wheel throwing course and a handbuilding course - both evening classes. And from time to time popped in for a handbuilding session with mates. It is also a working studio - the team may be working on creating moulded pebble dishes (amazing) or throwing in the wheel. But in my experience they have always been helpful and clear when explaining. Because it's tucked away, some days you can turn up and almost have the studio to yourself. But other days are kids parties or hen do bookings. I think beginners (like me) would get heaps out of it. Or more experienced ceramicists in the area looking for drop in space it could work too.