Calling all creative ‘kiddies’ to uMhlanga shopping centre

THE Re-Creative Lab is ready for hands-on holiday activities where children can express their creativity and make unique arts and crafts out of sustainably sourced recycled materials. The lab teaches children the importance of sustainability by using recycled materials to make their own cool creations.

Also read: Learning to ‘move‘ in Glen Hills learner’s shoes

Marketing manager Ayesha Sewbaran said children can experience this lab – situated at Gateway Theatre of Shopping – more than once as there are five different, fun creative stations to choose from and a treasure chest of treated recycled materials, as well as string and beads, waiting to become artwork.

“We’re inviting visitors to bring their washed cans, plastic cooldrink bottles and ice cream and yoghurt tubs for the reclaimers working through the Blackburn Recycling Centre. At the activation, we will have boxes to collect these recyclables and are calling on our shoppers to help us give this fledgling organisation a boost,” said Sewbaran.

“With coordinators on hand to facilitate the workshops, children can make exciting creations using recycled materials like plastic bottles, straws, plarn (yarn made from recycled plastic bags) and wood, as well as string and beads,” she said.

Sewbran added that making something together is a great way to share time this holiday.

“The Re-Creative Lab is a kaleidoscope of colour and textures where kids can tap into their imaginations and enjoy themselves with their friends and family,” she added.

Each of the five stations in the lab has a specific focus:

· At Recycling Art, kids fashion sculptures and paint with plastic.

· In Pom Pom Play, kids make their own pompoms to create playful, colourful things like rainbows, Alice bands, wreaths and keyrings.

· Weaving around their chosen templates, string, yarn or plarn is used at the Squiggle Station to form picture and word portraits.

· At Beadwork and Jewellery, things like friendship bracelets, keychains and earrings can be made out of a host of strings and beads.

· Cardboard Creations brings new life and form to ordinary household items.

“There is a growing awareness of reducing waste and giving packaging and products a second life. The Re-Creative Lab is a fun-filled creativity world for kids that demonstrates the message ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’. In addition to being an environment where children can enjoy themselves, the Re-Creative Lab spreads the message that living more sustainably is everyone’s responsibility,” says Sewbaran.

Know Before You Go:

Dates: Saturday, March 23 until Monday, April 1
Times: There are five sessions of one-hour each day. Sessions start at 10:00, 11:30, 13:00, 14:30 and 15:00.
Tickets: Booking is R50 per session through Webtickets. Tickets can also be purchased at the Re-Creative Lab by card payment only. An adult can accompany a child at no charge, and this is encouraged.
Ages: Activities are suited to 5–14 year-olds but not restricted.
Where: Find the Re-Creative Lab on the Cinema Level.
What to bring: Creativity and a friend or parent to share the experience. All the materials are provided.
Activities: Some activities may require adult supervision.

For more from Northglen News, follow us on Facebook, X or Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok