If it weren’t for the archival nature of ceramics, we’d have little insight into the rainy-day activities of ancient Greeks. Make your own lasting, creative mark with today’s Groupon: for $10, you get $20 worth of pottery and firing services at Chez Clay, located in the Warehouse Arts District. Paint, along with the counsel of trained pottery professionals, is included once you purchase your pottery piece, and Chez Clay has no studio fee.

Chez Clay's smartly rustic studio authenticates the clay-playing experience without the mess. Ceramic figures and dishes come in a variety of shapes, sizes, blood types, and designs, from bowls ($18–$30) and mugs ($22–$30) to picture frames ($35–$48) and Christmas tree ornaments ($6–$16). Kids can give gifts with a personal touch by painting a coffee cup emblazoned with the words Mom or Dad, or by decorating a whimsical figurine for a grandparent or friend. Once your piece is finished, it will be fired ($1–$3, depending on the size). The studio's BYOB policy allows parents to raise a glass to finding a substitute for children's afterschool specials. Long, brightly clothed tables—designed to hold eight painters or more—make Chez Clay a clever option for a date with an amorous hydra.