Where to shop for cool school supplies in Calgary
A blessed occasion for parents, back-to-school time brings mixed emotions for kids. As the carefree days of summer recede, the grim spectre of homework looms. Shopping for cool yet practical school supplies at these stores will help put everyone in the frame of mind for a happy return to academia. [Image credit: iStock.com/Brauns]
Michaels
8180 11 St SE, Calgary AB T2H 3B5Shop at Michaels for all your kids’ creative back-to-school needs. Of course you’ll find art supplies, pens and pencils but also much more. For locker decoration, there are handmade picture frames and framing kits, mini mirrors and cool trinkets. If your child is into scrapbooking, help them remember their school-age years with Michael’s stuffed section of scrapbooking materials.
Kensington Art Supply
120-6999 11 St SE, Calgary AB T2H 2S1Despite its name, Kensington Art Supplies is located near the intersection of Deerfoot Trail and Glenmore Trail. This is a great place to visit if you’ve got a budding young artist on your hands. Kensington Art Supplies features seemingly endless aisles of artist supplies including pencils and paper, paints and brushes, clay and sculpting tools and so much more.
PM Hobbycraft
2020 32 Avenue Northeast, Calgary AB T2E 6T4You may find it difficult to stay focused on back-to-school supplies when you visit PM HobbyCraft. Aside from art supply staples such as drawing utensils, paints, easels, canvases and accessories, the shop also carries craft materials. PM’s eclectic stock includes build-it-yourself dollhouses, radio-controlled vehicles and model airplanes. It’s impossible to make a short visit.
Staples
321 61 Ave SW, Calgary AB T2H 2W7When we think of school supplies, we think of Staples. The office-supply chain populates its shelves with pencils, pencil cases, pens, highlighters and Post-it Notes, bazillions of binders, colourful Duo-Tangs, themed stationery kits, calendars and day planners as well as backpacks to carry it all in. Also find electronics such as laptops, printers and accessories.
Owls Nest Books
815A 49 Ave SW, Calgary AB T2S 1G8A trip to Owl’s Nest is a sure-fire way to get your little bookworm excited for their first days back. Speaking to the shop’s kid-lit expertise, this independent bookshop in Britannia Shopping Plaza supplies and advises school libraries. Fully half the shop is devoted to books, games, toys and more for children and teens.
Monkeyshines Children's Books
113-2215 33 Ave SW, Calgary AB T2T 1Z9To get your little ones back on the reading track, pencil in a trip to Calgary’s favourite children’s bookstore before school starts. Aside from fiction books, Monkeyshines also stocks teaching aids and non-fiction titles as well as books for children and teens studying second languages. Additionally, the shop’s shelves feature travel games, toys and trinkets.
University of Calgary Bookstore
402 Collegiate Blvd NW, Calgary AB T2N 1N4Despite its location, the University of Calgary Bookstore is open to the public in terms of supplies such as pens, paper, binders and backpacks. For post-secondary students, university textbooks – fiction and non-fiction – are organized by class numbers in a separate area of the store.
Mount Royal University BookStore
4825 Mount Royal Gate SW, Calgary AB T3E 6K6The MRU bookstore is similar to its U of C counterpart. It carries stationery supplies as well as a selection of “for-fun” books. Supplies for post-secondary students include nursing gear and uniforms as well as lab coats and equipment. Though typically discounted for enrolled students only, the bookstore does sell laptops, desktops computers and accessories to the public. Mount Royal swag, including kids’ sizes, includes ball caps, T-shirts and hoodies.
Reid's
710 17 Ave SW, Calgary AB T2S 0B7Located on the 17th Avenue Southwest promenade, head to Reid’s for back-to-school stationery. Aside from regular pens and pencils and calligraphy equipment, this pleasant and well-stocked stationery shop carries fine writing instruments and stationery sets and day planners. Also find art supplies and journals.
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