Getting Creative Over Summer Vacation at Urban Source
Article by Nicola MacNeil, who has the scoop on keeping your kids busy over summer vacation.
Are you having trouble finding an activity to do with your children during the last weeks of their summer vacation? Come in to Urban Source, located in the heart of Mount Pleasant on Main Street. We are an alternative craft material store that inspires children and adults alike to create. If you need craft inspiration, you don’t need to look further than our ceiling, which is adorned with the store’s 20 years of window displays.
Creative Summer Vacation Fun is in the Bag
The most unique thing about our store is our bulk barrels. The barrels are filled with materials that we reclaim from industry cut offs, misprints, and things that would otherwise go to waste; one man’s trash is truly another man’s treasure. These materials could include film slides, vintage papers, holographic stickers, fabulous gold transfer foil, material swatches, leather scraps, and much, much, more. Another great thing is that our inventory is constantly changing, so there is always something new.
You and your kids can come in and choose a bag size, which range in price from $6.25-$19.95. Then stuff the bag with the fantastic items from our barrels. Some of the items that we don’t get in very often are limited so everyone gets to take some home, but all of our limits are marked on the barrels. Children love choosing their own craft materials, and parents love that they don’t have to say no to individual items, which can be costly at craft stores.
Affordable Crafts for Kids
There is nothing better than seeing a little boy’s eyes light up when he gets to choose building materials for a rocket ship, or a little girl collecting pieces to make a fabulous puppet. At Urban Source it is all about letting the imagination do the talking. Speaking of imagination, you need materials to put it all together. We offer crafting staples such as glue, paint, scissors, and a wide variety of paper, as well as lots of specialty items.
Children are more creative than they are given credit for. At Urban Source we believe in uninhibited creativity. At our store, a silver cardboard circle could be the base for a robot, a peacock, a whale puppet, or a wide eyed owl. Another favourite is using unwanted CD cases, and turning them into picture perfect frames This project is fun for the whole family. The best part is, you could make all of the crafts I just mentioned for under $10!
Get Ideas
We are constantly impressed with the things that children come up with. However, if you are having trouble finding something to make, we are always happy to suggest something for your child’s age and skill level. We also have online tutorials on our blog and Facebook page, for those who just want some ideas.
Next time you hear how very bored your children are over summer vacation stop by Urban Source to fill up a bag, and see what you can create!
Urban Source
www.urbansource.bc.ca | Blog | Facebook
3126 Main Street, Vancouver
Nicola MacNeil is relatively new to Vancouver, and still feels like a tourist in the city sometimes. She works at Urban Source and helps with social media there. In her spare time she loves painting, crafting, and stopping by Arbutus Coffee for an Americano.
