Before You Visit

Everything you need to feel at home.

  • The Nest Discovery Studio is located at 35572 Coarsegold, California. You'll find us just off Highway 41, and we'll include directions in your confirmation email to help make your first visit easy.

  • Parking is available at The Nest. Because we're a small studio, parking is limited. Whenever possible, we encourage families to carpool. Arriving a few minutes early also helps ensure everyone has time to settle in before the session begins.

  • We recommend arriving about 5–10 minutes before your scheduled session begins. This gives your family time to park, settle in, grab a cup of coffee or tea if you'd like, and begin your visit without feeling rushed.

  • The length of each experience varies.

    Open Nest and Wonder Workshops are approximately 2 hours.

    Discovery Sessions and Keepers of Craft gatherings last about 90 minutes.

    You'll always find the session length listed when you reserve your visit.

Visiting the Nest

  • Yes. The Nest is designed as a family-centered discovery studio, not a drop-off program. Caregivers remain on-site and play a different role in each experience—from secure home base, to fellow wonderer, to trusted assistant, to fellow learner. We believe some of childhood's most meaningful memories are made together.

  • Absolutely. Siblings are always welcome. Rather than organizing experiences around strict age groups, we encourage families to choose the experiences that best match each child's curiosity, readiness, and interests.

  • Yes! Babies are always welcome with their families. While many activities are designed for older children, we love having little ones along for the experience. Nursing is always welcome, changing facilities are available, and we're happy to help make your visit comfortable.

  • Our experiences are thoughtfully designed with different stages of childhood in mind, but we don't believe childhood fits neatly into age boxes. Instead of strict age cutoffs, we encourage families to choose experiences based on curiosity, confidence, and readiness. If you're unsure where to begin, we're always happy to help.

Families

  • Come dressed comfortably for creating, exploring, and occasionally getting a little messy. Many experiences include art materials or outdoor exploration, so clothes that can handle a little adventure are always a good choice.

  • Coffee and tea are available for caregivers to enjoy during your visit. You're welcome to bring a water bottle, and small snacks for babies or children with specific dietary needs. To help care for our shared materials, we ask that food remain in designated areas whenever possible.

  • Many experiences include time in The Backyard or other outdoor spaces. Outdoor exploration is always optional, but we encourage families to come prepared to enjoy fresh air whenever the weather allows.

  • Most experiences continue rain or shine. If weather affects outdoor portions of a visit, we'll simply adapt our plans and continue exploring indoors. We'll always contact registered families if severe weather requires any changes.

What to Bring

  • We strongly recommend reservations for all experiences. Keeping group sizes intentionally small allows us to create calm, welcoming environments where every family has room to explore.

  • Reservations can be made online through our website. Simply choose the experience you'd like to attend, select an available date, and complete your registration. You'll receive a confirmation email with everything you need before your visit.

  • No. Everyone is welcome at The Nest. Membership simply offers additional benefits like discounted visits, early registration, and special opportunities throughout the year.

  • We offer flexible membership options for families who plan to visit regularly. Memberships include exclusive benefits while keeping all experiences open to non-members as well. Visit our Memberships page to explore current options.

  • We understand that family plans sometimes change. If you need to cancel or adjust your reservation, please contact us as soon as possible. Because many experiences have limited space and prepared materials, cancellation policies may vary by event.

  • You'll find current pricing on our Reservations page, where all experiences, memberships, and upcoming gatherings are listed together. We believe in clear, straightforward pricing—no surprises at checkout.

Reservations & Memberships

  • Most areas of The Nest, including the main studio and restroom, are wheelchair accessible. Because our space includes a variety of cozy rooms, outdoor exploration areas, and changing environments, a few experiences may have limited accessibility. If you have specific questions or accessibility needs, we'd love to talk with you before your visit so we can help you plan the best experience for your family.

  • Because The Nest is thoughtfully designed to encourage free movement and exploration, space inside the studio is intentionally kept open for children and families. If possible, we recommend leaving strollers in your vehicle. If you need to bring one, you're absolutely welcome to—we'll gladly help you find a convenient place to park it where it won't interrupt the flow of the space.

  • Absolutely. Nursing parents are always welcome to feed their little ones wherever they feel most comfortable. If you'd prefer a quieter space, we're happy to help you find a cozy corner of the studio.

  • Yes. A changing station is available in the restroom for families visiting with infants and toddlers.

  • We want every family to feel welcome at The Nest. If there is anything we can do to make your visit more comfortable or accessible, please let us know before you arrive. We're always happy to talk through individual needs and make thoughtful accommodations whenever possible.

Accessibility

  • That's perfectly okay. Some children jump right in, while others prefer to observe before joining. We believe every child has their own rhythm, and there's never any pressure to participate before they're ready.

  • Observation is a meaningful way to learn. Some children spend an entire visit quietly taking everything in before they're ready to explore. We celebrate curiosity in all its forms.

  • That's wonderful. We believe deep engagement is often more valuable than trying to experience everything. Children are welcome to follow what captures their attention.

  • Absolutely. The Nest is designed for families. Whether you're building, wondering, reading together, or simply enjoying a nearby cup of coffee while cheering on your child's discoveries, you're an important part of the experience.

  • That's okay. At The Nest, we value the process far more than finishing. Sometimes the best discoveries happen when there is time to wonder, revisit, and continue another day.

  • We understand. It happens often! One of our favorite phrases is, "Wonder will still be waiting next time." Leaving is often easier when children know they'll have another opportunity to return.

Every Child is Different

A Gentle Reminder

Whether this is your first visit or one of many, we hope you'll find a place to slow down, wonder together, and make memories that stay with you long after you've gone home.

Thank you for letting us be a small part of your family's story.

We'll see you at The Nest.