The Annex Clay & Culinary Studio

09/02/2026

📚✏️ Turn those first-day-of-school memories into something made by hand!

This week at The Annex Clay Studio, we’re celebrating back-to-school season by creating a First Day of School Frame! 🍎

Kids can get creative with clay while making a keepsake perfect for displaying that first-day photo. It’s a fun way to combine creativity, hands-on learning, and a memory you’ll want to keep.

🗓️ September 1–4
📍 The Annex Clay Studio | 406 W. Main St., Medford
🎨 Instructor-led workshop
✨ Purchase required www.tcmso.org/claystudio

Please note: online workshop registration is temporarily unavailable September 1–6 due to scheduled maintenance.

09/01/2026

🍂 September is full of opportunities to learn, create, explore, and PLAY at The Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon!

As we head into fall, we have a month packed with special programs and experiences designed to help children build new skills through hands-on learning.

September highlights include:

🍯 Animal Encounters — Saturday, September 5 at 11 AM
Meet Bee Educator Leslie Lungren and her traveling beehive! Children can get an up-close look at bees and discover the important role these tiny pollinators play in our food supply. FREE with Museum admission.

🎨 Hispanic Heritage Cultural Month
Throughout September, we’ll celebrate Hispanic culture with special activities woven into Museum programming. Children can create themed crafts, sculpt unique pieces during Clay Programs, cook delicious foods in Culinary Programs, and listen to music from Hispanic communities while they play.

💛 FREE Day at the Museum — Tuesday, September 29
In honor of Lyn Hennion’s commitment to our region, Museum admission will be FREE for the entire day—helping ensure every family has an opportunity to experience the power of play.

Plus, enjoy our regular Museum Programs, Clay Workshops, Culinary Programs, Mini-Wheel Sessions, and plenty of opportunities to explore, imagine, and learn together.

📍 413 W. Main St., Medford
📞 541-772-9922
🌐 TCMSO.org

From S.T.E.A.M. and literacy to creativity, motor development, communication, and social-emotional learning, play is serious learning—and September is a great month to come experience it!🍁

08/27/2026

🍅🥕🍓🌿From the Garden to the Kitchen: Summer Learning at The Annex!

Cooking with the fruits and vegetables of the season gives children a delicious way to explore where food comes from and discover just how much learning can happen in the kitchen. Measuring, mixing, chopping, tasting, sorting, and experimenting engage little minds—and little hands—in meaningful ways.

When children play and cook with the bounty of the garden, they’re practicing math through measuring, science through observing changes, fine motor skills through food preparation, language through following recipes, and creativity through experimenting with flavors and ingredients.

At the Annex, we believe something especially powerful happens when children make the connection between what grows in the earth and what ends up on our plates. 🍅🥕🍓🌿

Grow it. Pick it. Prepare it. Taste it. Learn from it. 💚

08/26/2026

🍦 Sweeten the End of Summer at The Annex! August 27th + 28th: Ice Cream Cup & Scoop

What's better than ice cream? Creating your own clay version that lasts forever!

Join us for our Week 4 Clay Workshop as we create an adorable Ice Cream Cup & Scoop—a fun, hands-on project that's perfect for artists of all ages and skill levels. Learn clay hand-building techniques while making a unique ceramic piece that's as sweet as summer itself!

📅 August 27 & 28
🎨 Instructor-led Workshop
🏺 Complete your project in 3 visits:
1️⃣ Create your piece
2️⃣ Glaze (paint) your masterpiece
3️⃣ Pick it up after it's been kiln-fired

✨ Workshops require advance registration and are the perfect way to wrap up an incredible month of creativity at The Annex!

📍The Annex Clay & Culinary Studio
406 W. Main St., Medford
🌐 www.tcmso.org/theannex

Tag someone who would love to create this sweet ceramic keepsake with you! 🍨💜

08/25/2026

🎨 THANK YOU for making The Art of Play unforgettable! ❤️💛💙

What a beautiful celebration of creativity, connection, and the power of play! We are incredibly grateful to everyone who joined us for The Art of Play and helped make the evening such a special one.

From the colorful details and playful touches to the generosity and energy that filled the room, this event was a wonderful reminder of what happens when a community comes together to support children.

To our guests, sponsors, donors, volunteers, community partners, and everyone who helped bring this event to life — THANK YOU. Your support helps us continue creating spaces where children can explore, imagine, learn, and grow through play.

We’re still smiling as we look back on such an incredible evening. Thank you for believing in our mission and for being part of The Art of Play!

Here’s to more curiosity, more creativity, and a whole lot more PLAY. 🎨✨

08/22/2026

08/21/2026

🎉 FREE DAY AT THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM! 🎉

Mark your calendars for Sunday, August 23, and enjoy a day of hands-on fun from 10:00 AM–5:00 PM—completely FREE!

From climbing and creating to experimenting and exploring, every exhibit is designed to spark curiosity, inspire imagination, and encourage learning through play. Whether it's your first visit or your fiftieth, there's always something new to discover!

This special Free Day is made possible by the Oregon Community Foundation in honor of Lyn Hennion, whose commitment to our region helps ensure every child and family has access to the power of play.

💙 No admission required—just bring your sense of adventure!

📅 Sunday, August 23
🕙 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
📍 Children's Museum of Southern Oregon

Tag a friend, grandparent, or neighbor and make plans to join us for a day of imagination, discovery, and unforgettable family memories!

08/19/2026

August 20th + 21st Clay Workshop: Balloon Animal

Who says balloon animals can't last forever? 🎉

This week's clay workshop transforms a playful classic into a whimsical ceramic sculpture! Create your own colorful Balloon Animal while learning fun hand-building techniques in a relaxed, creative environment.

🎈 Instructor-led
🎨 Fun for artists of all experience levels
🏺 Finish your project over three visits and take home a keepsake that won't pop!

Spaces fill quickly—reserve yours today! www.tcmso.org/theannex

08/18/2026

🐜🥜 A classic snack with a fun twist!

Join us on Thursday, August 20 at 2:00 PM for Drop-In Kitchen at The Annex Culinary Studio, where young chefs will make the timeless favorite: Ants on a Log! 🍽️

This hands-on culinary activity helps children build confidence in the kitchen while practicing measuring, spreading, assembling, and trying healthy foods in a fun, engaging way. Included with museum admission!

🍴 Recipe: Ants on a Log

Ingredients:
• 5 stalks of celery
• ½ cup peanut butter (or cream cheese for an alternative)
• ¼ cup raisins

Directions:

Wash and dry the celery stalks.
Cut them into 3–4 inch pieces.
Spread peanut butter (or cream cheese) into the groove of each celery stick.
Top with a line of raisins to create your "ants!"

📅 Thursday, August 20
🕑 2:00 PM
📍 The Annex Culinary Studio

Come cook, create, and discover that learning can be delicious! 🥬✨

08/17/2026

🎉 More visits. More play. More memories.

A membership at the Children's Museum of Southern Oregon is one of the best investments you can make in your child's curiosity, creativity, and love of learning.

💚 Choose the membership that fits your family:
⭐ 3-Month Membership: $75 - purchase here: https://bit.ly/4wvhVRp
⭐ 6-Month Membership: $120 - purchase here: https://bit.ly/4wvhVRp
⭐ 12-Month Membership:$160 - purchase here: https://bit.ly/4wvhVRp
💙 Lyn Hennion Scholarship Membership (6 Months): $40 (qualifying families) explore here: https://bit.ly/4iaz3bu

✨ Membership benefits include:
🎟️ Unlimited admission during regular museum hours
🌅 Exclusive Member Mornings on Sundays & Mondays
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 $2 off admission for up to six guests per visit
🎉 Discounts on birthday parties, Private Playdates, Gift Corner purchases, and select programs & events
🌎 Reciprocal admission benefits at participating children's museums across the country with qualifying memberships

Every visit is a new adventure! Build forts, create art, climb, explore science, care for animals, discover new exhibits, and learn through play—all year long.

When you become a member, you're not just investing in unforgettable family experiences—you're helping inspire curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning for children throughout our community.

Become a member today and make the Children's Museum your family's favorite place to play, discover, and grow!