The Scrap Exchange

What it is: This is a store unlike any that I have ever been to. We took my toddler to check it out yesterday, and he had a ball. The Scrap Exchange is an assortment of countless items that many may consider junk, but creative people and kids can reuse them to create all sorts of works of art and other projects. I would imagine that older kids would have a ball wandering through the rows and rows of odds and ends such as bottle caps, fabric, old wallpaper scraps, electronic parts, bead strings, puzzle pieces, and so much more. We went in and let my toddler wander and find a few objects that he couldn't live without to take home and play with. Soon, we'll bring him in to find materials for craft projects.

What we like: We love that The Scrap Exchange is a place where kids and adults can inexpensively express their creativity. We found a random purple tube for a quarter there that my son hasn't been able to put down since. In addition, there is a room in the back where kids can "make and take" crafts, and I know groups can schedule times meet there to do projects. Another nice thing about The Scrap Exchange is the location. While I don't think I could get over there during the week, it's right across the street from the Durham Farmers Market so it's a quick stop after we visit the market.

(Wow, I also just read on their website that they have an in-house art gallery and during gallery openings on the third Friday of the month from 6-9pm they have complimentary snacks and free arts and craft activities. I would love to know more about this if anyone has checked this out!)

What we would change: Since it is not specifically geared toward kids, parents do have to keep their eyes on their toddlers to make sure that they don't get ahold of a small object and swallow it or a sharp object, etc. But with parent supervision, this is a fun place to explore.

Website and other important information: The Scrap Exchange is located off Foster St. in downtown Durham across the street from the Durham Farmer's Market.

Website: www.scrapexchange.org

Address: 528 Foster St., Durham, NC, 27701

Hours:

Mon., 11 – 5
Tue., 11 – 5
Wed., 11 – 7 New! Summer Hours
Thu., 11 – 6
Fri., 11 – 5
Sat., 10 – 5
Sun., 12 – 5

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*Image courtesy of www.amothersjournal.com