Visited on April 24, 2026
Fair pricing, calm environment, cute pottery pieces: is this real life?! The Pottery Playce is a paint your own pottery studio located at 352 Columbia Road in Hanover Massachusetts and it’s my personal slice of heaven.
As a sensory sensitive, anxious introvert it can be tough to find fun things to do in a comfortable environment. I love going somewhere to paint with friends, but paint bars can become loud and overwhelming.
When I heard about Pottery Playce in Hanover being an open studio for guests to pick a pottery piece and paint it, I knew I wanted to check it out.
My sister and I went to the Pottery Playce on a Friday night around 5:30 p.m. It was April vacation for Massachusetts, so the studio was open until 7 p.m., an hour later than their usual closing time.
Upon entering, we were greeted at the check-in stand by a delightful employee who grabbed us both paper mats and paint palettes. They proceeded to walk us to a table near the window (my favorite place to be in any venue!) and explained the pottery painting process, letting us know that if we needed anything we could just ask!
First, you pick a piece of pottery from their expansive selection. They have decorative pottery, functional pottery (mugs, sponge holders, serving trays, etc.), and pieces that are a bit of both! In addition to the wide range of options, something I appreciate about the pottery choices is that they truly fit any price range. I noticed a piece for just $3. Their website says pottery pieces range from $1 to $100.
Next, is my favorite part of the process: picking the paint colors! They have many different options and each color option is marked on the bottle. There are also little ceramic tags in front of each paint bottle that are painted with the color to show guests what it looks like after glazing and firing (the process of curing the paint). The name of each paint color is on the tag and it shows what it will look like when painted in one, two, or three layers.
When you find some colors you like, you take them back to your table and fill the wells of your paint palette up with them. You’re only supposed to fill the wells halfway to prevent waste, so ignore my terrible example of a palette and refer to my sister’s. Even though there are signs everywhere instructing folks to only fill the wells up halfway, I was too distracted by the pretty colors to notice them. 🤦♀️ My sister let me know after she saw my full palette, so I’ll do better next time!
After returning our paint bottles back to the stand, we began to paint! We each chose the same starfish piece because with the cold weather hanging on in New England, we were both in need of some serious summer vibes. The light streaming in through the window next to us fit the summer theme as well.
The overall environment of Pottery Playce is incredible. There is music playing at a soft, background noise volume level. It was a soft rock/pop mix and we were definitely whisper singing to some familiar tunes as we blissfully painted.
No one has to yell to hear over the music, so guest conversations are at a normal, indoor level.
On the night we went, it wasn’t too busy. There were two other groups there with us and one was wrapping up as we got started. By the time we were finishing our painting, someone arrived to set up for a private after hours party (see below for more info on parties at Pottery Playce!).
Even if it was significantly busier, each table has enough space to feel like you’re in your own bubble, so I can’t see it being too overwhelming.
In the far corner of the seating area, there is a dresser with tools to enhance your pottery painting. There are writing tool paint bottles, sponges, dotting tools, stamps, and even design inspiration photos! This table area also has instructions and tips on how to paint your piece. To see the writing and sponging tools in action check out the YouTube video I posted about our time!
Once you finish painting your piece, you leave it on the table (along with everything else) and head to the checkout stand to pay. The studio keeps your piece so the crew can glaze and fire it. This process enhances the paint colors, making them more vibrant. It also gives your piece a nice gloss.
Pieces take a few weeks to be ready for pick up. They told us that we would get a call in roughly four weeks. There is a sign that says “We Make No Promises” on the checkout stand because they do not promise pieces will be ready within a certain time frame (which makes sense!).
I will update this post (and my socials) with our finished pieces when we pick them up!
Time for the review categories! And as you may have guessed, the stars are plentiful!
Sensory and Accessibility Aspects
Noise 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Perfection! There is low music playing (soft rock/pop). It’s loud enough to hear and enjoy, but not overpowering. Since it’s not turned up loud, guest conversations are at a normal volume.
Crowds 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
There were two other groups enjoying the studio when we were there, so it was not crowded. However, even if there were more than just a couple groups, I don’t think it would feel overly crowded since there is plenty of space between each table.
Smells 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
There are no particularly strong scents to speak of! Sometimes I would get a whiff of the paint, but it’s a super faint smell similar to paper or cardboard. There are no harsh chemical smells. This would be a good time to mention that the paints are water-based and non-toxic. The brand, Gare, is often used by schools, too. I used it in my high school pottery classes!
Lighting 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The studio has some of my arch nemesis lights, the cool white LED/fluorescents that tend to make places look industrial or clinical; however, they were balanced nicely in the main painting area by the sun coming through the large window and by the warm glow from the lamps on the tables. The LEDs give off a somewhat harsh light in the back of the studio near the paint display and bathroom, but the time spent in that area is minimal.
Temperature 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I felt comfortable through most of our visit. With the sun streaming in through the window, I did get a little warm, but it was nothing taking my coat off couldn’t fix. If you’re sensitive to temperature changes, ask for a table away from the window.
Spots for Decompressing 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The whole place is a decompression zone! It’s seriously such a relaxing environment and a great way to relieve stress after a busy week. The tables near the writing tools in the corner of the studio would likely be the most quiet if you’re looking for a more private spot.
Accessibility 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The layout of the Pottery Playce allows for easy navigation of the main painting area on a mobility device. If a person can not transfer from their mobility device to a chair, the chairs at the table can be moved out of the way to allow their mobility device to pull up.
The aisle that you traverse to chose your pottery is nice and wide. There are some pieces up high or down low that could be inaccessible for some, but I feel the employees would be happy to help out if you came on your own and needed assistance reaching something.
The area where you chose your paint colors is a little tight towards the back of the display. Folks on mobility devices can likely reach the front of the display, but depending on how big the device is, the back might be tough to get to. If you’re there alone, you may need to ask an employee for assistance.
The parking lot has two handicap accessible spots up front and the entrance into the studio is flat.
The restroom is not handicap accessible. The area leading up to it is tight and the room is very small. It would likely be unable to fit a wheelchair or scooter. There are also no grab bars or automatic devices. See below for more details in my restroom rundown!
Restroom Rundown 3/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’m going to preface this by saying that my restroom layout reviews are rarely a reflection of poor design by the business. Sometimes you buy a building and the restroom just kind of sucks. There’s nothing the owner can do about it and that is the case here.
The restroom is very small and has a low toilet, so it isn’t handicap accessible. It lacks accessible features like grab bars around the toilet, an automatic flushing toilet, and an automatic soap and paper towel dispenser. However, this is likely just a result of the lack of space.
I think the step stool for kiddos to reach the sink is a kind addition and, despite the bathroom’s small size, it is very clean. It is even nicely decorated!
For many, the inaccessibility of the bathroom is a non-issue because when painting in the studio you are not there for an extended period of time. However, if you feel you can not navigate the restroom here, consider using the bathroom before you leave your house and bring hand wipes so you can wipe any paint off of your hands!
General Review-y Aspects
Pricing 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It’s no secret that in 2026, it’s tough to find a fun place to visit that doesn’t break the bank. Thankfully, the Pottery Playce offers fun at a reasonable price! The combined price that my sister and I paid is $41.88. This includes our studio fees and two pieces. We went on a Friday so the studio fee was $5 each. Yes, you read that right: $5. Our pieces were $15 each. However, they have pieces that fit any budget, some even costing as little as $1, according to their website.
Pottery Playce has a special price every night of the week, so no matter when you go you’re getting a deal!
Mon – Closed; Tue – 2 painters for 1 studio fee ($10); Wed – Age 5 and under for $5; Thur – Parent paints free with child; Fri – Everyone $5; Sat – Age 11-17 for $5 Regular Studio Fee – $10
I also wanted to quickly mention the prices for their parties because I was so impressed! For $25 per person (8 person minimum), party goers get 90 mins of studio time and can chose an animal figurine to paint. The price also includes a handprint plate for the person being celebrated. If you prefer a private party, they will open early or close late to accommodate you and your guests for an additional $15/hour.
Atmosphere 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In a word? Zen. The music is soft, the light from the windows and warm lamps is calming, and the decor is colorful and fun. I also love how organized the studio is. The tool area, pottery selection and paint display are all neat and organized making it easy to find what you’re looking for!
Customer Service 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Outstanding! The person who brought us to our table was friendly and warm. They also offered their assistance should we have any questions.
We were greeted by another employee while picking our pottery who offered their assistance as well. This person also checked us out at the end of our visit and was personable and funny.
I also noticed the employees are always around on the floor, so if you need help you can easily find someone. Overall, we felt very welcome here!
Location/Parking 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pottery Playce is off of Rte 53, which is quite a busy strip. It’s in Hanover, but very close to the Pembroke line. Despite the busy location, there is ample parking in front of the Pottery Playce or in the adjoining parking lot, which is a short walk away.
TLDR Ratings
Overall Rating – 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sensory Rating – 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Accessibility Rating – 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✨ Highlight
Choosing just one highlight feels impossible! If I have to pick just one though, I’m going with the overall calm atmosphere.
😖 Lowlight
The only negative is the bathroom not being handicap accessible, but like I said above, that’s out of the business’s control.
Recommendations for Visiting
- While the paint is washable, consider wearing, as my mom calls them, “play clothes” (aka clothes you don’t mind getting dirty).
- If you’re on a wheelchair or mobility scooter and can’t transfer easily, consider using the bathroom at home before coming and bring hand wipes to wipe paint off your hands when you’re done painting.
- Coming on the weekend (Sat/Sun) has the possibility for a busier environment due to parties, so consider coming on the weekdays/nights when it’s usually less busy.
- If you’re temperature sensitive, ask for a table away from a window.
- The tables in front of the tool station are more tucked away if you prefer not to sit in the middle of the painting area.
Hey, I’m going to Pottery Playce in Hanover! Want to come?
I’m already in the car, ma’am! Take me to the Pottery Playce!
I feel like I finally found a comfort space outside of my home where I can socialize with friends (or come alone), have fun and truly relax. It’s a fun time for sensory sensitive, handicap, neurodivergent and neurotypical friends alike.
If you check out the Pottery Playce, tag me on Instagram @jessvisits and show me your beautiful pottery creations!
As always, thank you for your support! ☺️
-Jess
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