If your kids are anything like ours, they love to make crafts. And us Moms love FREE crafts! Well, there are so many opportunities for your kids to make FREE crafts all over town, it will keep you all hoppin’. Just take a look at what’s going on!

Because we will be adding to this list throughout the month, please remember to check back often.

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History Center Holiday Festivities
Time: Contact the Center at (813) 228-0097
Date: December 17, 18, 19, 22, 26, 27, and 28 & January 1
Location: Tampa Bay History Center
Cost: Children’s crafts are included with admission and FREE for museum members
Info: (813) 228-0097; Website

What’s Doing?
While you’re visiting the museum, children and parents can enjoy making holiday-themed children’s crafts.

Address:
Tampa Bay History Center
801 Old Water Street (formerly St. Pete Times Forum Drive)
Tampa, FL 33602

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Are you wondering what happened to Westfield Family Fun Days this month? Westfield Citrus Park Mall and Westfield Brandon Mall are taking a hiatus this month, but Westfield Family Fun Days will return in January!

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Saturdays @ the Morean
Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Date: Every Saturday
Location: Morean Arts Center
Cost: FREE
Info: Website

What’s Doing?
Each Saturday, the Morean Arts Center will have free art experiences specially geared for families with children ages 5–10! The center will be open for free art exploration with open art stations and take home projects with instructors on hand to assist. The projects are held in the Bank of America Children’s Learning Center.

~~~ Also at the Morean Arts Center: ~~~

Handmade Holiday Wrapping
Time: 9–6 p.m. (Mon.-Sat.), 12-6 p.m. (Sun.); Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas day
Date: Saturday, November 12–Saturday, December 24, 2011
Location: Morean Arts Center Galleries
Cost: FREE
Info: Website

What’s Doing?
Visit the Museum’s Make Space during this holiday season, and you and your family will have the opportunity to make your own, personalized holiday wrapping paper and greeting cards.

Address:
Morean Arts Center
719 Central Avenue
St. Petersburg, FL 33701

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Kids … Dillydally with Dali
Time: Weekdays, 10 a.m.-5:30 pm; Saturdays, 11:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; Sundays, 12:30-4 p.m.
Date: Daily
Location: The Dali Museum
Cost: FREE for these activities in the classroom; Regular admission applies if you want to explore the museum
Info: Website

What’s Doing?
Children can discover the creative world of Dali every day in the Education Classroom through stories, puzzles and activities that educate and encourage family interaction. There will be a story hour every Tuesday through Thursday at 11:15 a.m., featuring selected books from the Dali Museum Library and Store. Activities and puzzles are available through 5:30 p.m. weekdays, and on Saturdays, Dillydally with Dali features fun games, puzzles and unique arts & crafts activities.

Address:
The Dali Museum
One Dali Boulevard
St. Petersburg, FL 33701

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THE ART SPOT
Time: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Date: Every Saturday
Location: Tampa Museum of Art
Cost: Admission to the activity is FREE; Regular admission costs apply to view the galleries (NO registration required)
Info: Website

What’s Doing?
Every Saturday the Museum offers a drop-in art program where you can let your children explore their creativity. The activity takes place in the Golding-Scher classroom. The art projects are self-guided, and the gallery-related monthly themes offer a different art activity each week.

— Saturday, December 3: Back on the farm – create animal landscapes on found objects (paint)
— Saturday, December 10: Animals in motion – create a kinetic work of art inspired by real or implied movement of animals in the gallery
— Saturday, December 17: Choose a biome – create a three-dimensional environment. Take your pick from a tundra, grasslands, desert, or something altogether new

** Participants enter the classroom from the exterior entrance until the museum is open. **

Address:
Tampa Museum of Art
120 West Gasparilla Plaza
Tampa, FL 33602

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LAKESHORE LEARNING CENTER IN-STORE CRAFTS
Time: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Date: Every Saturday
Location: Lakeshore Learning Store
Cost: FREE
Info: (813) 207-0468; Website

What’s Doing?
Every Saturday, Lakeshore Learning Store has FREE crafts for kids to make that go along with the month or season. Here’s what’s planned for December:

— Saturday, December 3: Magnetic Mitten Notepad — Kids make and decorate an adorable notepad that’s sure to come in handy this holiday season!
— Saturday, December 10: Jolly Snowman — This adorable snowman will add a cool holiday touch to any decorative display!
— Saturday, December 17: Playful Penguin Puppet — Waddle in this winter season to create your own wiggly-eyed penguin puppet!
— Saturday, December 24: Holiday Ornaments — Adorn the house this holiday season with sweet ornaments fashioned from clay!
— Saturday, December 31: New Year’s Noisemaker — Be ready to make some noise at midnight–with a noisemaker that’s super-easy to make!

Address:
Lakeshore Learning Store
4501 West Kennedy Boulevard
Tampa, FL 33609

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JO-ANN FUN & FREE MAKE IT-TAKE ITS
Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Date: Saturday, December 10, 2011
Location: Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores
Cost: FREE
Info: This was found in the Jo-Ann circular included in the Sunday, December 4 edition of the local newspaper. You can also pick up a flyer at your local Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store.

What’s Doing?
Create your own decorations and ornaments using Darice® felt and Martha Stewart Crafts™ papercrafting supplies.

Address:
Locate a Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store near you.

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KRAFTS FOR KIDZ 2011 AT LaFRANCE
Time: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Date: Every Saturday
Location: LaFrance (outside the store)
Cost: FREE
Info: (813) 248-1381

What’s Doing?
Every Saturday morning, kids of all ages can stop, create, and recycle something in keeping with the theme of the week. The crafts take place outside the store. Be sure to stop by and pick up a bookmark with the craft themes for December.

Address:
LaFrance
1612 East 7th Avenue
Ybor City, FL 33605

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KIDS WORKSHOP AT HOME DEPOT
Time: 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Date: Every 1st Saturday of the month
Location: Home Depot Stores
Cost: FREE
Info: Website

What’s Doing?
If it’s your child’s first time at a Home Depot Kid’s Workshop, they will receive a FREE orange Home Depot apron to wear, keep and bring back each time they attend. Upon completing the project, they will receive an achievement pin to add to their apron and a certificate of completion. (NOTE: Home Depot crafts are unfinished when you complete them at the store, so they will not look like the picture until you add your own paint. Some Home Depot stores are offering paint at the location to paint your project on the spot. Paint is optional.)

— Saturday, December 3: Snowman Napkin Holder — Need a festive place to put your needed napkins? Look no further than the Snowman Napkin Holder. This is a great project for families to do together and admire the whole season through.

Address:
Locate a Home Depot store near you.

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LOWE’S BUILD AND GROW
Time: 10 a.m.-11 a.m.
Date: Saturday, December 3, 10, & 17, 2011
Location: All Lowe’s Stores
Cost: FREE
Info: Website

What’s Doing?
If it’s your child’s first time at a Lowe’s Build and Grow Workshop, they will receive a FREE Lowe’s apron and goggles to wear, keep and bring back for each time they attend. Upon completing the project, the child participating will receive a certificate and embroidered patch to add to their apron.

— Saturday, December 3: Your kids won’t want to miss the first part of the 2011 Build and Grow train! Come back each week to build the next piece and complete your train. The first part will be the Caboose.

— Saturday, December 10: It’s the second part of the 2011 Lowe’s Train. Bring your kids to Lowe’s and they can build this awesome Coal Car! This is the middle part of the train.

– Saturday, December 17: It’s the final piece of the 2011 Lowe’s holiday train! This Train Engine includes stickers and a pullback motor!

Address:
Locate a Lowe’s store near you.

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Family Fun At IKEA Tampa!
Time: Starts at 11 a.m.
Date: December 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, & 30, 2011
Location: IKEA Tampa
Cost: FREE
Info: (813) 623-5454 ext. 1208; Website

What’s Doing?
When school is out, get in on the fun at the IKEA Tampa Kids’ Academy! Featuring FREE activities, a FREE meal and a FREE IKEA Tampa Kids’ Academy t-shirt for kids under 12 years old who attend*. Activities last 20 minutes and start at 11 a.m., then repeat at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m., and 7 p.m.

— Monday, December 19, 2011 — Make a holiday card for someone special.
— Tuesday, December 20, 2011 — It’s story time in our mattress studio. It’s ok to wear your pajamas!
— Wednesday, December 21, 2011 — Make a pompom Christmas tree craft.
— Thursday, December 22, 2011 — Decorate an IKEA RAM picture frame.
— Friday, December 23, 2011 — Make your own braided heart ornament with our MALA paper.
— Monday, December 26, 2011 — Make origami with a festive touch, using leftover wrapping paper.
— Tuesday, December 27, 2011 — Keep your toys organized by personalizing an IKEA SAMLA storage box.
— Wednesday, December 28, 2011 — Participate in a fun scavenger hunt throughout the IKEA Showroom
— Thursday, December 29, 2011 — Prepare for your New Year’s celebration. Decorate a party favor.
— Friday, December 30, 2011 — Little Pirates get ready! Add your creative touch to a banner that will be displayed at the Children’s Gasparilla Extravaganza.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Be on time to to your craft session (especially the popular 11 a.m. one) because space is limited. If the session is full, you will be asked to wait for the next session.

* Meal, activity and t-shirt offer is only for children under 12 years old, while supplies last. No adult purchase necessary. Choose from three combo meals. One FREE meal per child; dine-in only from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. One t-shirt per child, per 12 month period. Child must be present to get t-shirt.

Address:
Ikea Tampa
1103 North 22nd Street
Tampa, FL 33605

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MICHAEL’S IN-STORE CRAFTS
Time: See below
Date: See below
Location: Michael’s Stores
Cost: Some are FREE, while others require the purchase of an item
Info: Website

What’s Doing?
Michael’s Crafts stores are offering lots of fun craft activities for kids this month, as kids join Mikey the Elf on a globetrotting tour discovering holiday traditions around the world! Each week kids will explore a new country — Australia, Germany, Iceland, Japan and Mexico. Each day will also feature an optional take-home project that you can purchase and work on at home with the kids. NOTE: These are all Knack events, so you can get punches on your Knack card for attending.

— Saturday, December 3, 2011: Your first stop is Australia to make a Christmas Countdown Calendar (10 a.m.-12 p.m.) and Stocking (12-2 p.m.)

— Sunday, December 4, 2011: Next it’s off to Germany to decorate a chef’s hat and apron for Rudolph’s Kitchen (1-3 p.m.; decorate a chef’s hat and apron), and sell as a Santa & Rudolph Treat Bag (3-4 p.m.)

— Saturday, December 10, 2011: Visit Iceland and make a Reindeer Frame (10 a.m.-12 p.m.) and write a Letter to Santa (12-2 p.m.)

— Sunday, December 11, 2011: Visit Japan to make a Snowman Ornament (1-3 p.m.) and a Snowflake Frame (3-5 p.m.)

— Saturday, December 17, 2011: Visit Mexico to make a Duck Tape Luggage Tag (10 a.m.-12 p.m.) and a Poinsettia Card (12-2 p.m.)

While the kids are out of school for the Christmas and New Years Holidays, check out what’s happening at Micheal’s:

— Monday, December 19, 2011: Camille’s Fun Dough Shapes Event (11 a.m.-1 p.m.) Have some squishy fun with craft dough at this FREE Make-it Take-it event. Ages 3 and up.

— Wednesday, December 21, 2011: Orion’s Foam Block Stamping Event (11 a.m.-1 p.m.) Stamp one-of-a-kind designs at this FREE Make-it Take-it event. Ages 3 and up.

— Friday, December 23, 2011: Oliver’s Sand & Glitter Art Event (11 a.m.-1 p.m.) Make a rainbow with sand and glitter at this FREE Make-it Take-it event. Ages 3 and up.

— Monday, December 26, 2011: Jake’s Art Event (11 a.m.-1 p.m.) Turn a simple sheet of paper into a special work of art at this FREE Make-it Take-it event. Ages 3 and up.

— Wednesday, December 28, 2011: Gert’s Tissue Paper Crafting Event (11 a.m.-1 p.m.) Grow a tissue paper palm tree at this FREE Make-it Take-it event. Ages 3 and up.

— Friday, December 30, 2011: Gert’s Construction Paper Crafting Event (11 a.m.-1 p.m.) Create a fun alligator with construction paper at this FREE Make-it Take-it event. Ages 3 and up.

Address:
Locate a Michael’s store near you.

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Your public Library offers FREE craft events and activities for kids and families, too!

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM CRAFT EVENTS
Below are some highlights of events being offered around Hillsborough County in December. Be sure to visit the Hillsborough County Public Library online event calendar to see all the events planned for this month!

~~~ Thursday, December 1, 2011 ~~~

Winter Crafts: (3:30-4:30 p.m.; Seminole Heights Branch Library)
Make a holiday card or seasonal ornament for the winter holidays.

Family Story Time: (7-7:30 p.m.; SouthShore Regional Library)
Make reading time family time. Stories, action rhymes, songs, interactive activities, and crafts make up this fun 30-minute program that celebrates a love of reading. Children may wear pajamas and bring a blanket and favorite cuddly toy.

~~~ Saturday, December 3, 2011 ~~~

Wee Artists Holiday Cartooning: (10:30-11 a.m.; SouthShore Regional Library)
Wee Artists 3-6 years old are invited to join art instructor Leah Lopez and have a fun morning creating holiday cartoons. Limit 15. Adult must be present. Registration required at either the SouthShore Regional Library Information Desk or by calling (813) 273-3652.

Winter Wonderland: (2-3 p.m.; John F. Germany Public Library)
Explore and enjoy winter through seasonal stories, activities and a holiday craft to take home.

~~~ Monday, December 5, 2011 ~~~

Holiday Crafts (3-4 p.m.; SouthShore Regional Library)
Make a special 3-D paper ornament with Ms. Ashley. Registration is required. Please call 273-3652 or stop by the information desk. (Ages 5-12)

~~~ Monday, December 5 & 12, 2011 ~~~

Wee Artists: (11:30-11:50 a.m.; Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library)
Arts and crafts for preschoolers and their caregivers, featuring projects just right for little hands. (Ages 3-5 years; Limit of 25)

Crafterschool: Holidays Edition (1:30-3 p.m.; New Tampa Regional Library)
Have fun with some crafts and make a gift for the holidays.

Art After School (2-3 p.m.; 78th Street Community Library)
Express yourself through art! Join the fun and take home your creations to show off your talents. For ages 6-12 years and their parents/caregivers.

~~~ Tuesday, December 6 & 13, 2011 ~~~

Family Time (7-7:30; Brandon Regional Library)
Join Library staff for an evening of reading and entertainment for the entire family. Something different will be offered each week: stories, music, crafts, movies, games and other interactive activities. Stop in and be a part of the fun!

~~~ Thursday, December 22, 2011 ~~~

Cookies, Crafts and Karaoke (2-3:30 p.m.; West Tampa Branch Library)
Get in the holiday spirit with cookies, simple crafts, and a fun sing-along.

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PASCO COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM CRAFT EVENTS
Visit the various Pasco County Libraries online to find out what’s going on in December. The online events calendar has a list of events happening at each library. Here are some highlights of events that include crafts:

~~~ Saturday, December 3, 2011 ~~~

Elementary Program-Holiday Crafts (2-4 p.m.; Centennial Park Branch Location)
Create bookmarks, snowflakes and scented ornaments. (Grades K-5)

~~~ Saturday, December 10, 2011 ~~~

Winter Wonderland Crafts (2-3:30 p.m.; South Holiday Branch Location)
Enjoy various winter themed crafts. (Grades K-5)

~~~ Wednesday, December 14 & 21, 2011

Preschool Storytime with Miss Lyn (12-12:40 p.m.; Hugh Embry Branch Location)
Children ages 3-5 with parent/guardian are invited to enjoy stories, songs, and crafts with Miss Lyn.

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PINELLAS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM CRAFT EVENTS
Visit the various Pinellas County Libraries online to find out what’s going on in December. The online events calendar has a list of events happening at each library. Here are some highlights of events that include crafts:

~~~ Thursday, December 1, 2011 ~~~

Preschool Story Time (10-10:30 a.m.; Oldsmar Library)
This program includes stories and a simple craft and lasts about half hour. (Ages 4 & up)

Preschool Story Time (10:15 a.m.; Tarpon Springs Library)
Join Library staff for age-appropriate stories, fun, puppet shows, crafts and more! (Ages 3-5)

Preschool Story Time (10:30 a.m. or 11:30 a.m.; Dunedin Public Library)
Join Dunedin Public Library for thematic books, songs, finger plays, literature-based videos, and crafts. Each week will focus on early literacy skills important to reading development. Please choose either 10:30 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. Story Time and make it your regular time. (Ages 3-5)

~~~ Thursday, December 8, 2011~~~

Holiday Cards for the Homeless (4-5:30 p.m.; North Greenwood Library)
Create a Holiday card for someone in need this holiday season. All supplies will be provided. Holiday cards will be donated to the Homeless Emergency Project.

~~~ Wednesday, December 14, 2011~~~

Gumdrop Trees! (6:30 p.m.; Dunedin Public Library)
Join in the fun … make gumdrop tree topiaries to give as a gift for the holidays!
There will be lots of holiday spirit, songs and snacks. (Ages 5-12; Registration required)

~~~ Thursday, December 15, 2011~~~

Hip Hop Holidays! Keepsake Ornaments (4:30 p.m.; Dunedin Public Library)
Listen to holiday music while you decorate an ornament and snack on cookies and cocoa. (Ages 5-12; Registration required)

~~~ Saturday, December 17, 2011~~~

Holiday Crafts with Miss Connie (2-3 p.m.; Main Library)
Create crafts to celebrate the holiday season. Registration is required. (Kindergarten and up)