The Makery
What do your kids like best? Tinkering with new toys? The freedom of physical or imaginative play? Being given carte blanche to create in an artistic environment? The thrill of new and unique sensory experiences? A new facility is bringing all of those incredible opportunities together under one roof – it’s called The Makery and your kids are absolutely going to LOVE it!
The Makery is the brainchild of Vanessa Leblanc, an early learning educator, who runs the “Mindful Moments” preschool, childcare and out-of-school care programs in Sherwood Park. She dreamed of a facility where she could bring all the coolest STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) play options together in one space. It’s a place where kids will collaborate, explore and learn – all while having a ton of fun.
The Makery consists of four distinct spaces – the Tinker Lab, the Move Lab, the Light Lab and the Mess Lab. It’s truly an amazing space. The girls and I were so fortunate to get a private tour and sneak peek. We planned to stay for an hour – we were there for more than two! Every time we turned a corner we discovered something new, fantastic and wonderful!
The Tinker Lab
The Tinker Lab will be a favourite of the builders and budding engineers. It’s packed with toys like LEGO, PlusPlus, Rigamajig, and magnet tiles, to name just a few! There is a magnet wall with tubes, tunnels and gears. The Tinker Lab also features two bonus spaces. The Maker Space is full of cardboard, foam, yarn, bubble wrap and other materials perfect for creating. The electronics area features 3D printers, music equipment and robotics!
The Move Lab
We spent a lot of time in the Move Lab. It’s a large open space with a slightly raised stage in one corner. A big rack full of costumes caught the girls’ eyes right away. Plasma cars, hula hoops, and animal hoppers also got lots of attention from my two. They loved the obstacle course set up in the centre of the room too, and quickly added to the fun other features, like giant blue blocks, balls and even bowling pins.
The Mess Lab
The Mess Lab is my favourite part of the Makery. Down the centre is a long table with chairs on each side. A variety of art invitations sat ready for eager creators. Sensory tables fill one end of the room and include bins of coloured rice, sand and water. Slime fans will flock to this area. There is a tall shelf with dozens of colourful mix-ins for slimes – penguins, frogs, flowers, fruit slices – if you can dream it, it can be part of your slime!
The Light Lab
The Light Lab completes the Makery. These are two smaller rooms that command big attention! The first space features light tables, a projector and even a wall on which you can “write” with light. The second room is lit with a black light and has the coolest selection of glowing accessories – dinosaurs, building bricks, even slinkies! The girls kept going back to the Light Lab time and again!
Open Play, Parties, Classes and more
As of Monday, March 20, 2023, The Makery will be available for pre-booked play sessions of 90 minutes each. Sessions will be held in the mornings and afternoons, Mondays through Fridays. Times will be adjusted or added as demand dictates. Registration is also offered for “My Big Messy Art Class” and the “Tinker Club After School Program”. Home-school sessions and field trips will also be available for bookings, as will school break camps. Birthday Parties are also offered, and apparently, booking quickly!
The Makery
- WHERE: 107, 52 Sioux Road, Sherwood Park, Alberta
- WHEN: Open March 20, 2023
- HOW: Book your session or program online, then enjoy an incredible and unique play experience!
- MORE INFO: HERE