earth based learning for wild & wonderfully curious children.
𖤣𖥧𖡼𖤣𖥧
our gatherings invite children to get their hands in the earth, explore natural building techniques and discover the endless possibilities of nature. each workshop offers a blend of guided learning, creative freedom and imaginative play, with something handmade to take home and a little magic to carry with them
introducing our very first workshop series…
a village in the making
imagine a tiny village tucked beneath the trees, dreamed up by children and built with their very own hands. in this four part workshop series, children become the builders, artists and storytellers of their own miniature worlds. from constructing earthen dwellings to sculpting woodland inhabitants, each gathering introduces earth based skills through the magic of imaginative play. join the entire adventure or pop in for an individual workshop
purchase a four part workshop pass →
01. cob fairy houses
LOCATION, DATE & TIME TBA
every village begins with a home… children will be introduced to cob, a traditional natural building material made from clay rich soil, sand, straw & water. together we will explore how these simple ingredients work together, mix cob by hand, and learn the foundations of building with the earth. using natural building techniques on a miniature scale, children will construct their own fairy houses, experimenting with walls, doorways, windows & architectural details before decorating their enchanted dwellings with woodland treasures
02. forest folk & fairy figures
TBA
who lives in the little houses beneath the trees? in this gathering, children will explore the wonderful possibilities of clay through hand sculpting and imaginative storytelling. we’ll learn simple techniques for shaping, joining and adding texture to clay before creating our own whimsical woodland inhabitants. acorn caps become tiny hats, leaves become fairy wings and sticks become walking staffs. children are encouraged to dream up their own characters, giving them names, personalities and stories that are entirely their own
03. cob play shop
TBA
tiny tables, little beds, garden walls and whatever else the imagination dreams up… this open ended gathering gives children the freedom to explore cob, clay and natural materials through their own creative projects. we’ll have miniature examples, simple forms and guided building techniques available for inspiration, but the direction of each creation is entirely up to its maker. children might build furniture for their fairy houses, sculpt tiny bowls, create miniature gardens or invent something completely unexpected. this gathering is all about experimentation, creative independence and discovering what our hands are capable of making
04. earth pigments
TBA
the earth holds a beautiful palette of its own… in our final gathering of this series, children will discover how clay and natural mineral pigments can be transformed into handmade paints. we’ll explore the colors found in the earth, experiment with mixing pigments and create our own palette of earthy hues. children are welcome to bring their dried fairy houses, forest folk and miniature treasures from previous gatherings to paint and decorate. those who prefer to start fresh can create original artwork, experiment with color or simply enjoy the sensory experience of making paint from the earth
the details
𖥧 who: children of all ages & their grown ups
𖥧 where: rotating outdoor locations throughout austin, texas
𖥧 materials: all workshop materials are provided
𖥧 experience: no previous experience necessary
𖥧 participation: parent attended gatherings
𖥧 take home: a handmade creation from every workshop
our gatherings honor the different ages, interests and rhythms of childhood. children are welcome to follow our guided projects, explore independently or simply enjoy getting their hands in the earth. please bring drinking water, snacks and clothes that are happy to get a little muddy. choose the gathering that sparks your child’s curiosity. each workshop is designed to be enjoyed independently, so there’s no need to attend the previous classes, but you are encouraged to join us for the entire village building experience, from the first handful of mud to the final brushstroke of earth paint. watch your child’s miniature world unfold with each gathering
it takes a village
mud & magic is just as much about community as it is about creation. while children build, imagine and explore, grown ups are invited to connect with other homeschooling families and share in the joy of learning together. we’re not just building a fairy village. we’re growing a real one, too
let’s make some magic!
come as you are. leave a little muddier.
𖤣𖥧𖡼𖤣𖥧