“Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle!” We sing the little ditty in our house and my 7-year-old daughter keeps us motivated to recycle with the information she’s learned in school. So when I found out about reCREATE in Downtown Roseville I was thrilled with the idea. Donna Sangwin has cleverly started a business that allows kids to explore their creativity while learning about protecting our environment.
Last Saturday we visited reCREATE for Drop-in Crafting. The kids were so excited to go on a rainy day outing and “do art”! We wandered the eco-art center marveling at all of the materials that are ready to be turned from trash to treasure. Cardboard tubes, corks, beads, foam, yarn, rubberbands, fabric…the wheels were turning and then the little ones were ready to get to crafting.
My 4-year-old used one of their project kits to put together a pony. The kit was fun for him since he was not sure what he should make, but knew he wanted something really cool to take home. I helped him with the hot glue and he confidently put the pieces together. I think you can tell from the photo above how pleased he was with the outcome! While he and I were working together, a much more involved project was happening on the other end of the table. My 7-year-old was creating a doll bed. A detailed doll bed…down to the pillows, sheets, and trim on the comforter.
Not knowing how my 2-year-old would want to spend his time, I brought snacks and Donna set him up with paper and crayons. As it turned out, he was inspired by big brother and sister. He wanted his own project! So he got to make the coolest noise shaker out of a plastic tennis ball container. It was filled with beads and decorated with stickers.
All three kids were as happy as could be about the creations they got to take home! reCREATE is big fun for a small price. Drop-in Crafting is just $6.00 per crafter per hour.
TIPS: Be prepared to be hands-on with your kids and help them come up with ideas (look at projects on the walls for inspiration), find materials and create.
There are project kits available for around $5.00 each and extra cool materials available for a very low cost if you want to add them to your project or bring home.
CLASSES: They still have room this Saturday at their Drop and Shop! Sign your 7 to 12 year old child up to make holiday gifts and decorations. $25 for one child, $45 for two, $60 for three. Will be held each Saturday through Christmas. You can get your holiday shopping done while they create.
Other neat classes are offered so check out their calendar.
BIRTHDAY PARTIES: They offer themed birthday parties with a creative project, cupcakes and goodie bags.
DISCOUNT: reCREATE has generously offered $1.00 off Drop-in Crafting for Sacramento Sidetracks friends! Just let them know we sent you and the offer is good until the end of December.
reCREATE
8417 Washington Blvd. , #135
Roseville, CA 95678
916-749-3717
www.recreate.org
Open Wednesday through Friday Noon to 5pm
Saturday 10am to 5pm
Sunday Noon to 5pm
Written by Keilah Woodard
My love for exploring and creating experiences with my three kids led to the founding of SacramentoSidetracks.com in 2009. I realized that Sacramento has so much to offer and I was excited to share my findings with other parents. Besides simply having fun, these are the other positive side effects of taking my kids on outings that I’ve discovered: we have quality time together away from the distractions at home, we cultivate our curiosity, learn new things, conversations are triggered by what we see and do, we connect and bond as a family, and we create new memories. Ready to get sidetracked, too? Let me be your guide!
