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 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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FREE Kid’s Craft Kit
Time: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Date: Every Monday
Location: Learning Express Toys
Cost: One FREE craft kit per child present, while supplies last
Info: (813) 643-1762; Website (Download the Calendar)
What’s Doing?
Visit Learning Express each Monday for a FREE kids craft kit. (No purchase necessary; limit one per child present, while supplies last.)
Address:
Learning Express
Westfield Brandon Mall
459 Brandon Town Center
Brandon, FL 33511
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WFamily Fun Days
Time: 4-5:30 p.m.
Date: 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month
Location: Westfield Citrus Park Mall (Macy’s Court)
Cost: FREE; All activities are FREE for Westfield Family members. Not a member? Visit the Mall Information Kiosk to get your FREE membership card. Or
Info: Westfield Citrus Park Facebook Page
What’s Doing?
Kids enjoy themed stories, a snack, crafts and more during this fun family event.
April Theme: Get Cooking!
Join Westfield Family in April as kids are encouraged to get cooking! This month’s featured books and crafts are designed to get them excited to jump in the kitchen for a fun family experience. It will also teach kids how to fuel their bodies in a healthy way.
Here’s the schedule:
— Thursday, April 5: Stories include Betty Bunny Loves Chocolate Cake and Froggy Bakes a Cake! followed by a pom pom sundae craft
— Thursday, April 19: Kids will enjoy listening to food-related stories — Pizza at Sally’s and Planting a Rainbow — and then decorating their own apron
Address:
Westfield Citrus Park Mall
8021 Citrus Park Town Center
Tampa, FL 33625
(813) 926-4644
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WFamily Fun Days
Time: 4-5:30 p.m.
Date: Thursday, April 19, 2012
Location: Westfield Brandon Mall (at Blondie’s Cookies located near the Play Space by Sears)
Cost: FREE; All activities are FREE for Westfield Family members. Not a member? Visit the Mall Information Kiosk to get your FREE membership card. Or
Info: Westfield Brandon (Download the Calendar)
What’s Doing?
Join WFamily at Blondie’s Cookies (located near the Play Space). This month’s WFamily Fun Days theme is “Get Cooking.” The play date will feature the books Pizza at Salle’s by Monica Wellington and Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert. Plus, there will be a special cooking demonstration so kids can learn how Blondie’s Cookies are made. At the end of the event, children will gave the opportunity to decorate their own apron and design their own cookie to eat!
Address:
Westfield Brandon Mall
459 Brandon Town Center
Brandon, FL 33511
(813) 661-5100
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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 is offering 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, April 7:: Make people sculptures using model magic and wire
— Saturday, April 14: Create mini music shakers from found materials
— Saturday, April 21: Use different shapes and materials to build abstract sculptures
— Saturday, April 28: Make a small weaving using a cardboard loom
** 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
Click here for more information on the museum.
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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.
Address:
Morean Arts Center
719 Central Avenue
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Click here for more information on the center.
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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 and crafts activities.
Address:
The Dali Museum
One Dali Boulevard
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Click here for more information on the museum.
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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?
Don’t forget to get your Knack Club card so you can redeem it for prizes. If you don’t have a Knack Club card, you can get one from the service desk or download and print it from this page.
— Sunday, April 1: Easter Pail Make-It Take-It (1-3 p.m) — Personalize a festive basket for Easter (purchase of pail required; while supplies last; ages 3 and up)
— Saturday, April 7: Mini Egg FREE Make-It Take-It (1-3 p.m.) Celebrate the “hoppiest” of holidays with this fun, customizable egg (while supplies last; ages 3 and up)
— Saturday, April 21: Body Art Make-It Take-It (1-3 p.m.) Have some fabulous fun with body paint (while supplies last; ages 3 and up)
— Sunday, April 22: Earth Day Tote Make-It Take-It (1-3 p.m.) Decorate a trendy tote for Earth Day (while supplies last; ages 3 and up)
Address:
Locate a Michael’s store near you.
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IKEA Tampa Kids’ Academy
Time: 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Date: Friday, April 6, 2012
Location: IKEA Tampa
Cost: FREE
Info: Website
What’s Doing?
When school is out, bring the kids to IKEA Tampa for IKEA Tampa Kids’ Academy! Each Academy event offers FREE activities and FREE kid’s meals. The activity, which takes place on the 1st floor by the checkout lines, lasts about 20 minutes and repeats throughout the day. First timers will receive a FREE IKEA Tampa Kids’ Academy T-shirt to wear whenever they attend an IKEA Tampa Kids’ Academy event. Kids can eat for FREE throughout the day in the restaurant, where popular children’s films can be enjoyed in the kids dining area. Oh, and don’t forget about Smäland, where kids can play while adults enjoy some shopping time!
NOTE: The activity, FREE kid’s meal and T-shirt are for kids age 12 and younger only. Also, if the activity is filled, you need to wait for the next activity time.
— Friday, April 6, 2012: Decorating Easter eggs
Address:
IKEA Tampa
1103 North 22nd Street
Tampa, FL 33605
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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 April:
— Saturday, April 7: Bunny basket
— Saturday, April 14: Cowboy boot bag
— Saturday, April 21: Little gardener apron
— Saturday, April 28: Fancy feathered bird
Address:
Lakeshore Learning Store
4501 West Kennedy Boulevard
Tampa, FL 33609
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Krafts For Kidz 2012 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 April.
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, April 7: Build a window bird feeder
Address:
Locate a Home Depot store near you.
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Lowe’s Build and Grow
Time: 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Date: 2nd & 4th Saturday of the month
Location: All Lowe’s Stores
Cost: FREE, but registration is required
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. Lowe’s projects are typically plain with the Lowe’s emblem printed on them somewhere. Some even come with stickers for the kids to decorate the masterpiece!

—Saturday, April 14: Game Show Chip Drop Game
—Saturday, April 28: Terrarium
Address:
Locate a Lowe’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 April. Be sure to visit the Hillsborough County Public Library online event calendar to see all the events planned for this month!
~~~ Monday, April 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 2012 ~~~
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; (limit of 25 participants; for children age 3-5 year)
Crafterschool (1:30-3 p.m.; New Tampa Regional Library)
Have fun with some crafts.
~~~ Wednesday, April 4, 11, 18, & 25 2012 ~~~
Afterschool Art and More (3:30-4 p.m.; Temple Terrace Public Library)
Bring the kids for 30 minutes of coloring, drawing or other arts & crafts projects, and reading activities (For children age 6-12)
~~~ Saturday, April 14, 2012 ~~~
Celebrate Earth Day (2:30-3:30 p.m.; SouthShore Regional Library)
Have fun at the library with earth-friendly activities. Make crafts from recycleables. Registration is required; to register call (813) 273-3652 or stop by the Information Desk. (For school-aged children age 5-12)
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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 April. The online events calendar has a list of events happening at each library. Here are some highlights of events that include crafts:
~~~ Wednesday, April 4, 11, 18, & 25 2012 ~~~
Preschool Storytime (11:45 a.m.-12:10 p.m.; Regency Park Library)
Stories, rhymes and activities (For children age 3-5)
~~~ Saturday, April 7, 14, 21 & 28, 2012 ~~~
Prodigy Art Program (10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Land O’Lakes Branch Library)
Teens and elementary school-age children are given FREE art lessons.
~~~ Saturday, April 7, 2012 ~~~
Children’s Build a Kite and Fly it! (1:15-3:30 p.m.; New River Branch Library)
Children can come build and fly kites. (Grades K-5th)
Tween Spring Program: Take Home Spa (2-3 p.m.; Centennial Park Library)
Make homemade spa treats to take home and enjoy. Materials will be provided.
~~~ Saturday, April 14 2012 ~~~
Children’s Craft Corner (2-4 p.m.; New River Branch Library)
Children can come make some crafts. (Grades K-5th)
~~~ Tuesday, April 17, 2012 ~~~
Family Night Out: “Down on the Farm!” (6:30-7:30 p.m.; Land O’Lakes Branch Library)
Every third Tuesday of the month is Family Night Out. This month’s theme: “Down on the Farm!” Kids and their families will enjoy stories, crafts and games.
~~~ Saturday, April 21, 2012 ~~~
Kids Crafts: “Busy Bugs!” (2-3:30 p.m.; Land O’Lakes Branch Library)
Join Library staff for “Busy Bug Crafts” and make some cute critters to take home with you.
Ms. Cindy’s Craft Corner! (2-3:30 p.m.; Hudson Regional Library)
Make a crazy hair guy or girl and a coffee filter butterfly.
~~~ Saturday, April 28, 2012 ~~~
Spring Crafts (2-3:30 p.m.; South Holiday Branch Library)
Celebrate birds, butterflies and everything Spring by making some Spring crafts! (Grades K-5th)
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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 April. The online events calendar has a list of events happening at each library. Here are some highlights of events that include crafts:
~~~ Tuesday, April 3, 2012 ~~~
Children’s Craft – Fantastic Feeders! (3:30-4 p.m.; Safety Harbor Public Library)
Make bird feeders made from recycled materials.
~~~ Saturday, April 21, 2012 ~~~
Green Crafts (2-4 p.m.; East Library)
In celebration of Earth Day, we will have a variety of crafts and activities using natural, recycled, and found materials.
~~~ Monday, April 23, 2012 ~~~
Earth Day Celebration (4:30 p.m.; Dunedin Public Library)
Kids age 5-12 are invited to celebrate this beautiful planet with games, a story and a craft. Registration is required.
~~~ Wednesday, April 25, 2012 ~~~
Get Crafty @ Your Library: Beaded Necklace & Hand-Painted Silk Scarf (2-3 p.m.; Safety Harbor Public Library)
Make a simple beaded necklace and a matching hand-painted silk scarf. (Info: (727) 724-1525, ext. 112)
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Image: digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net


WFamily Fun Days
What’s Doing?


— Saturday, February 4: Keepsake Box — Kids can build a special keepsake box and personalize it to hold private treasures or to give as a gift for Valentine’s Day.
— Saturday, February 11: Valentine Card Creator: Your child will have fun making their own cards with this helpful card creator.
— Saturday, February 25: Rumblin’ Race Car: The #48 race car driven by Jimmie Johnson will be making a pit stop a Lowe’s. Help your child make this awesome race car complete with stickers and rumblin’ race car sound effects!
January Storytelling Event at
– Saturday, January 7: Make a Savings Shed — Start the year off by saving with this super cool Savings Shed. It is a great place to store money and save up for that big ticket item you’ve been eyeing.
What’s Doing?
– Saturday, January 28: Build-a-saurus — This kit is awesome! Your child can build this cool dinosaur and then choose the stickers to make it a cartoon or a realistic dinosaur! What do you think your child will choose?
— 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.
LOWE’S BUILD AND GROW
— 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 17: It’s the final piece of the 2011 Lowe’s holiday train! This Train Engine includes stickers and a pullback motor! 


– Saturday, November 5: Honor the Veteran in your life with a patriotic picture frame. Get a picture of your child and the Veteran to put in the frame so the memories can last a lifetime.
– Saturday, November 19:
– Saturday, November 5: Upcycled Tote Bag Event (11 a.m.-12 p.m.) Upcycling–turning recycled materials into something great! Make-It Take-It with purchase of tote. Ages 3 & up. While supplies last.
– Saturday, November 5: Veteran’s Day Flag Event (12-2 p.m.)
– Saturday, November 12: Button Ring (10-11 a.m.) Make-It Take-It with purchase of buttons. Ages 14 & up. While supplies last.

November’s theme: Outer Space
KIDS WORKSHOP AT HOME DEPOT
LOWE’S BUILD AND GROW
— Saturday, October 8


— Tuesday, October 25, 2011: Paper Pumpkin Event (10 a.m.-12 p.m.) Grace your home with ghoulish decor. FREE Make-It Take-It. Ages 3 and up. While supplies last. This event is hosted by The Knack.




KIDS WORKSHOP AT HOME DEPOT
LOWE’S BUILD AND GROW
Saturday, September 24
What’s Doing?
Saturday, August 6
Saturday, August 13
Saturday, August 27
Each week, enjoy Friday Night Family Night at IKEA Tampa. For starters, children ages 12 & under eat free from 4-8 p.m. (Dine in only and child must be present. Limit one meal per child per visit. A $2.49 value. No adult purchase necessary.) Kids can choose from one of three combo meals. Plus! Every Friday there will be a hands-on kids activity from 5-7 p.m. for kids age 12 and younger in the 2nd floor restaurant (unless otherwise noted).
Saturday, August 13: Collaborative Painting Event (10 a.m.-2 p.m.)
Saturday, August 13: Clay Pot Event (10 a.m.-12 p.m.)
Sunday, August 21: Artist Trading Cards Event (11 a.m.-1 p.m.)
Sunday, August 21: Foam Print Event (1-3 p.m.)







