An Inside look at Ottawa’s Rock Paper Scissors

Located in beautiful downtown Ottawa, just a short drive to the east from Starved Rock State Park, you’ll find Rock Paper Scissors, the area’s premier family-friendly shopping destination.

Rock Paper Scissors specializes in toys, early reader books, games and puzzles. Housed in a former one-screen movie theater, the shop features aisles of items that prove learning and fun don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

Among their delightfully diverse selection, you’ll find popular brands like Melissa and Doug, Game Wright, Mindware, Hape, Klutz, and Educational Insights, to name a few.

The ‘Edumaginationists’ (a combination of education, imagination, and inspiration) behind the counter at Rock Paper Scissors have an encyclopedic knowledge of all these latest and greatest products. They’ll help pair you with items that are perfect for whatever age level you’re shopping for.

Toys need to “further education, encourage imagination or provide inspiration” to end up on the shelves of Rock Paper Scissors. A wall of elaborate science kits, that sit caddy-corner from a selection of arts and crafts supplies, echo the store’s commitment to developing well-rounded young people.

“We try to make sure our toys have an educational bent to them, but that’s not to say we don’t have fun and goofy items as well. Our favorite products fall somewhere between those two, like Aaron’s Thinking Putty and a lot of the modern board games. Kids are more receptive to learning when they’re having fun,” said co-owner Mary Olson.

Rock Paper Scissors was born out of Mary Olson and Sue Vandervort’s business brainstorming sessions (that they’d conduct while walking around town). During one of these walks, they noticed that Ottawa’s former educational store, The Classroom, was closing up shop. At the time, both Olson and Vandervort were mothers of grade school students, and loyal shoppers at The Classroom.

“My son was a big fan of Thomas & Friends toy trains, and The Classroom was always our go-to spot to buy a new Thomas train. It was going to be a real shame if the community lost it’s educational store, and I knew other parents in the area felt the same way,” said Olson.

Sue Vandervort agreed wholeheartedly, and before long the two were business partners in what would become Rock Paper Scissors. By the summer of 2012, the shop was up and running, featuring a new selection of cherrypicked toys and games.

While their predecessor focused primarily on teaching supplies, Olson and Vandervort chose to stock Rock Paper Scissors with products that would directly cater to developing young minds. Toys, games, books, puzzles and crafts keep the spirit of education alive and well, while appealing to a brand new audience.

A large wall of STEM kits show just how dedicated Rock Paper Scissors is to this mission. These hands-on, DIY science kits have become incredibly popular in recent years. Billed as “lessons in a box”, these projects give burgeoning scientists a chance to build working FM radios, explore oversized models of cells and even grow their own crystals. The classic art farm has also received an update, a new kit gives kids the opportunity to build an entire interactive habitat for their ants.

Rock Paper Scissors stocks a wide selection of picture books and early reader selections. From the classics to new and unusual finds, Rock Paper Scissors is your premiere shop in Starved Rock Country for early development reading material.

Prairie Fox books, conveniently located just across the street, picks up where the Rock Paper Scissors collection leaves off, stocking a wide selection of middle grade, YA novels and a small, handpicked, selection of picture books.

The majority of Rock Paper Scissor’s products appeal to kids in the range of birth to 12 or 14 years old, from there the board game selection takes over.

“We have a lot of games that are for ages ‘9 to 99’, most of these could be played by the entire family. In the last few years, the industry’s seen an explosion in popularity in board games. It’s a big resurgence, and there are some really fun and inventive games and puzzles out there now,” said Olson. “We’ve had adults come in and buy games for their groups, or as presents for teenagers. There’s something for just about everyone here.”

Other popular items include Aaron’s Thinking Putty, a non-toxic silicone play putty that comes in fun colors and special variants like glow-in-the-dark, and tangible toys, like the recent fidget spinner and cube craze. Rock Paper Scissors stocks the latests developments in both of these toy categories.

Building toys, like magna tiles and other building blocks, have recently seen a resurgence in the toy market (much like with fidget spinners, the younger generation enjoys tangible toys that move and articulate).

Melissa and Doug products are another perennial favorite, this upmarket manufacturer of wooden puzzles, crafts products, plush toys, and other educational toys has grown a massive following of parents that love the quality and durability of their products.

For more info on Rock Paper Scissors, check out: www.edumaginationist.com or follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RockPaperScissorsUSA/

Rock Paper Scissors

712 La Salle Street

Ottawa, IL 61350

(815) 433-4233