If your kids are anything like ours, they love to make crafts, and Tampa Bay offers many opportunities for your kids to make crafts each month. Just take a look at what’s going on in January.
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Kids … Dillydally with Dali
Time: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. (Mon.-Fri.); 11:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Sat.); 12:30-4 p.m. (Sun.)
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: The Dali Museum 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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Snow Day Craft Workshops
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Date: Tuesdays, January 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29, 2013
Location: Pottery Barn Kids
Cost: $5/kit
Info: (813) 253-0964; Pottery Barn Kids Website
What’s Doing?
Following their weekly FREE children’s story time, join staff for a deluxe hands-on craft project designed exclusively for Pottery Barn Kids by Kiwi Crate.
Even Better! If you can’t make it to the event, parents can inquire at the store about purchasing one of the Kiwi Crate’s educational projects to take home.
Address:
Pottery Barn Kids
Hyde Park Village
804 South Village Circle
Tampa, FL 33606
Image courtesy of Kiwi Crate
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IKEA Tampa Kids’ Academy
Time: 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Date: January 2-4, 2013
Location: IKEA Tampa Store
Cost: FREE
Info: IKEA Tampa Website
What’s Doing:
IKEA Tampa Kids’ Academy offers a FREE meal and a craft for kids on their days off from school during the 2012-2013 school year. All activities take place in the Exit Lobby. The Kids’ Academy is FREE for children under 12, and all participants enjoy a FREE activity, FREE IKEA Tampa Kids’ Academy T-shirt, and a FREE kids meal in the Restaurant.
— January 2: Participate in a scavenger hunt throughout the IKEA Showroom
— January 3: Create a dramatic “home” for your KLAPPAR puppet family
— January 4: Decorate an IKEA blue bag for to collect treasures during the Children’s Gasparilla Extravaganza
Address:
Ikea Tampa
1103 North 22nd Street
Tampa, FL 33605
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*** NOTE: The activity that accompanies the story may NOT be a craft. ***
Book Time @ Brooker Creek
Time: 10:30-11:15 a.m.
Date: Every Thursday
Location: Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center (Check in at the front desk.)
Cost: FREE, but registration is required for participating children (Accompanying adults do not need to register themselves. Registration closes 24 hours prior the program.)
Info: (727) 453-6800; Brooker Creek Preserve Website; Book Time @ Brooker Creek January 2013 Online Registration Page
What’s Doing?
Bring your pre-schooler (age 3-5) to a program designed to connect them to the wonders of the natural world. Each program begins with a story, and continues with a craft, game or other hands-on activity related to the story that was read. Here are the stories planned for January:
— January 3: Butterflies by Karne Shapiro
— January 10: Gotta Go Gotta Go by Sam Swope
— January 17: In a Nutshell by Joseph Anthony
— January 24: Look Out for Turtles by Megan Llyod
— January 31: Earl the Squirrel by Don Freeman
Address:
Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center
3940 Keystone Road
Tarpon Springs, FL 33688
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Read. Play. Shop Story Time
Time: 10:45-11:45 a.m.
Date: Every Friday morning
Location: Tyrone Square (Simon Kidgits Play Area near JCPenney)
Cost: FREE
Info: (727) 381-2066; Simon Kidgits Club Events; Chick-fil-A in Tyrone Mall Facebook Page
What’s Doing?
All children are invited to Tyrone Square for a special story time and visit from the Chick-fil-A Cow.
Friday, January 4, 2013: This week’s story time celebrates National Bird Day with books about birds followed by a cool parrot craft in the Food Court. To make the event even more fun for the kids, the Chick-fil-A Cow will be giving photo ops and hugs.
Address:
Tyrone Square
6901 Tyrone Square
St. Petersburg, FL 33710
Image courtesy of digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Image courtesy of Chick-fil-A
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Kids Workshop at Home Depot
Time: 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Date: Saturday, January 5, 2013
(This event takes place on the first Saturday of every month)
Location: Home Depot Stores
Cost: FREE
Info: Home Depot Kids Workshop 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, January 5:
Diamond Birdhouse
(picture is of finished product)
Address:
Locate a Home Depot store near you.
Images courtesy of Home Depot
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Saturdays @ the Morean
Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Date: Every Saturday
Location: Morean Arts Center
Cost: FREE
Info: Morean Arts Center 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
Image courtesy of Morean Arts Center
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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: Tampa Museum of Art Website
What’s Doing?
Every Saturday morning, the Museum is offers a drop-in art program where you can let your children explore their creativity. The projects, which take place in the Golding-Scher classroom, are self-guided, and the gallery-related monthly themes offer a different art activity each week.
** 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
Image courtesy of Tampa Museum of Art
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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; Lakeshore Learning Store Website
What’s Doing?
Every Saturday, Lakeshore Learning Store has FREE crafts for kids to make that go along with the month or season. Every time you complete a craft, you receive a paper dollar. Once you collect 3, you can turn them in for a prize from the treasure chest! Here’s what’s planned for January:
— Saturday, January 5: Photo frame
— Saturday, January 12: All About Me Flip Book
— Saturday, January 19: Thermometer
— Saturday, January 26: Magnetic Snowman Note Pad
Address:
Lakeshore Learning Store
4501 West Kennedy Boulevard
Tampa, FL 33609
Image courtesy of Lakeshore Learning Materials
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*** NOTE: The activity that accompanies the story may NOT be a craft. ***
Wee Time @ Weedon
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Date: Thursday, January 10, 2013 & Thursday, January 24, 2013 (Held the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month)
Location: Weedon Island Preserve (Check in at the front desk.)
Cost: FREE, but registration is required for participating children (Accompanying adults do not need to register themselves. Registration closes for this activity 24 hours before the program.)
Info: (727) 453-6500; Wee Time @ Weedon January 2013 Online Registration Page
What’s Doing?
Bring your pre-schooler (age 3-5) to learn about the wonders of nature and culture through a story and hands-on activity. This month’s stories include:
— January 10: Turtle Saver
— January 24: Ten Little Rabbits
Address:
Weedon Island Preserve
1800 Weedon Drive NE
St. Petersburg, FL 33702
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Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinics
Time: 10-11 a.m.
Date: Saturday, January 12, 2013
Location: All Lowe’s Stores
Cost: FREE, but registration is required
Info: Lowe’s Build-and-Grow 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 their masterpiece!
— Saturday, January 12: Mystery Kit
No one knows what it’s going to be. Each Lowe’s location will receive a Build and Grow kit from a previous clinic.
Address:
Locate a Lowe’s store near you.
Image courtesy of Lowe’s
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WFamily Fun Day
Time: 2-3 p.m.
Date:Saturday, January 12, 2013
Location: Westfield Countryside Mall (in front of JCPenney)
Cost: FREE
Info: (727) 796-1070; Westfield Countryside Mall Facebook Page
What’s Doing?
Welcome a brand new year of fun with two great stories — Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolution by Pat Miller and Sneezy the Snowman by Maureen Wright. Kids will then decorate a snowflake scarf and create and play balloon ping pong.
Adding to the excitement will be family entertainment, including:
— Kids DJ
— Face painting
— Balloon Twister
— Snacks for the kids
Family Fun Days are always FREE and feature different themed stories, snacks and crafts each month
Address:
Westfield Countryside
27001 US Highway 19 North
Clearwater, FL 33761
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WFamily Fun Days
Time: 4-5 p.m.
Date: Thursday, January 17, 2013
Location: Westfield Brandon Mall (in the food court at Chick-fil-A)
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 sign up at the event)
Info: (813) 661-5100; Westfield Brandon Mall Facebook Page
What’s Doing?
Welcome a brand new year of fun with two great stories — Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolution by Pat Miller and Sneezy the Snowman by Maureen Wright. Kids will then decorate a snowflake scarf and create and play balloon ping pong. A visit from the Chick-fil-A Cow promises to make this even even more exciting!
Family Fun Days are always FREE and feature different stories, snacks, and crafts at each event!
January WFamily Fun Day is sponsored by LLT Academy.
Address:
Westfield Brandon Mall
459 Brandon Town Center
Brandon, FL 33511
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IKEA Tampa Kids’ Academy
Time: 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Date: Monday, January 21, 2013
Location: IKEA Tampa Store
Cost: FREE
Info: IKEA Tampa Website; Download the IKEA Tampa Kid’s Academy January-March 2013 Calendar (PDF)
What’s Doing:
IKEA Tampa Kids’ Academy offers a FREE meal and a craft for kids on their days off from school during the 2012-2013 school year. All activities take place in the Exit Lobby. The Kids’ Academy is FREE for children under 12, and all participants enjoy a FREE activity, FREE IKEA Tampa Kids’ Academy T-shirt, and a FREE kids meal in the Restaurant.
— January 21: Cupcake decorating
Address:
Ikea Tampa
1103 North 22nd Street
Tampa, FL 33605
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FREE Family Event: Create a Valentine
Time: 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Date: Saturday, January 26, 2012
Location: Participating Michael’s stores
Cost: FREE
Info: Michael’s Store Website (We strongly advise that you call ahead to your store to be certain they are participating before heading out with the kids; ours was not participating in December.)
What’s Doing?
Bring the family and create a homemade Valentine Card.
NOTE: Although this is titled as a “FREE Family Event,” on Michael’s website it says “$5 reserves your spot.” We asked Michael’s Customer Service Department to clarify this discrepancy, and their response was to contact each store individually. Hmmm, that’s not a lot of customer service. In light of this, we strongly advise that you contact your favorite Michael’s location prior to attending to see just how free this activity actually is.
Address:
Locate a Michael’s store near you.
Image courtesy of Michael’s
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Winter Fun
Time: 1-3 p.m.
Date: Saturday, January 26, 2013
Location: Tyrone Square Mall
Cost: FREE for Kidgits Club Members (Not a member? Find out how to become a Simon Kidgits Club member.)
Info: (727) 345-0126; Kidgits Club Events
What’s Doing?
Join other Kidgits Club members for indoor winter fun with crafts, games, prizes and more.
Address:
Tyrone Square Mall
6901 22nd Avenue North
St. Petersburg, FL 33710
Image courtesy of Simon Property Group
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Crafts @ Your Library
Your public Library offers tons of fun, FREE family programs every month, many of which include crafts. Find out what activities you and your kids can enjoy by visiting your local library’s online program calendar. We’ve provided the links for you:
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY
Visit the Hillsborough County Public Library online event calendar to see all the events planned at all HCPLC locations.
PASCO COUNTY
The Pasco County Library System’s online events calendar has a list of events happening at every library location in the county.
PINELLAS COUNTY
Visit the various Pinellas County Libraries online to find out what’s doing this month:
Pinellas County Library Cooperative: PPLC online events calendar
Clearwater Public Library System
Gulf Beaches Library
Oldsmar Public Library
St. Pete Beach Library
Dunedin Public Library
Gulfport Public Library
Largo Public Library
Palm Harbor Library
Safety Harbor Library
Seminole Community Library
East Lake Community Library
St. Petersburg Public Library System (From this link you can download a schedule that includes programs taking place at the Main Library, Johnson Branch, North Branch, South Branch and West Community Library)
Tarpon Springs Library
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RELATED LINKS:
1. Check the WDTB calendar to find more kid-friendly events taking place around Tampa Bay in December.
Bring your ticket stub to CherryBerry New Tampa following the FREE December movies at Muvico Theaters (NOTE: The Muvico Starlight 20 Theater is right across the street from CherryBerry New Tampa), and they will give all kids age 6 and younger 50% off with an adult purchase! 
— Saturday, December 1: Sandman’s Plane — Bring the kids to Lowe’s to build another Character’s transportation from DreamWorks Animation’s new movie Rise of the Guardians.
Time: 11 a.m.-3 p.m
— Saturday, December 1: Rain or Shine Mobile
Sunday Funday!
— Saturday, December 8 (11 a.m.-12 p.m.): Holiday Clay Pot Demo (FREE; All ages welcome)
Holiday Storytime at Pottery Barn Kids
WFamily Fun Days
Family Fun Day for Little Kids
WFamily Fun Days
Glazer Children’s Museum Theme Weeks
Finger Paint Fridays
— Saturday, November 17: North’s Sleigh — Bring the kids to Lowe’s to build North’s Sleigh from DreamWorks Animation’s new movie Rise of the Guardians.
Family Fun Day for Little Kids
WFamily Fun Days
Make Maracas for Cinco de Mayo … Plus Plinko!
WFamily Fun Days
(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.)
Make a Mother’s Day Gift for Mom
Some even come with stickers for the kids to decorate the masterpiece!
Time: 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m. & 7 p.m.
WFamily Fun Days
— 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)
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.)
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! 
