If your kids are anything like ours, they love to make crafts. And us parents, love FREE crafts … or at least really inexpensive ones! There are so many opportunities for your kids to make crafts each month. Just take a look at what’s going on in October ….

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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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Learning Express Toys Finger Paint Fridays
Time: 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Date: Every Friday
Location: Learning Express Toys at Hyde Park Village
Cost: FREE
Info: (813) 250-6200; Learning Express Hyde Park October Calendar on Facebook

What’s Doing?
Head to Learning Express in Hyde Park Village for Finger Paint Fridays. Display art for votes for a chance to win a $10 gift card.

Address:
Learning Express Toys
Hyde Park Village
800 South Village Circle
Tampa, FL 33606

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Kids Workshop at Home Depot
Time: 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Date: Saturday, October 6, 2012
(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, October 6:
Build a Firetruck

Even Better:
Tampa Fire Rescue will be present with a fire engine display at the following locations:
— 17601 Bruce B Downs Boulevard
— 1712 North Dale Mabry
— 5125 South Dale Mabry
— 8815 North Florida Avenue

Address:
Locate a Home Depot store near you.

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Michael’s In-Store Craft Events
Time: See Schedule Below
Date: See Schedule Below
Location: Michael’s stores
Cost: Varies by craft … some are FREE, while others require a purchase to participate
Info: Michael’s Store Website

What’s Doing?
Drop by Michael’s with the kids for a fun craft. The crafts for the older kids is noted. Here’s the October craft schedule:

— Saturday, October 6 (10 a.m.-12 p.m.): The Crazy Pumpkin Event (requires the purchase of a 9″ craft pumpkin for $6; age 3+)
— Saturday, October 20 (10 a.m.-12 p.m.): Halloween T-shirt (requires the purchase of a T-shirt; age 3+)
— Saturday, October 20 (1-3 p.m.): Friendship Bracelet (age 14+)
— Sunday, October 21 (1-3 p.m.): Memory Wire rainbow bracelet (age 14+)
— Thursday, October 25 (6-8 p.m.): Halloween Visor Mask (requires the purchase of a visor; age 3+)
— Friday, October 26 (6-8 p.m.): Body art and clay pot (requires the purchase of a clay pot; age 3+)
— Saturday, October 27 (11 a.m.-2 p.m.): Duck Tape pail or tote (requires the purchase of pail or tote), face painting and Halloween parade (age 3+)
— Saturday, October 27 (3-5 p.m.): Memory Wire necklace (requires the purchase of a pendant)
— Sunday, October 28 (1-3 p.m.): Fabric-covered wood bead bracelet (requires the purchase of a bandana; age 14+)

Address:
Locate a Michael’s store near you.

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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

Click here for more information on the 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

Click here for more information on the museum.

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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. Here’s what’s planned for October:

— Saturday, October 6: Take Note! Doodle Pad
— Saturday, October 13: It’s a Hoot! Puppet
— Saturday, October 20: Dancing Spider
— Saturday, October 27: Trick-Or-Treat Scarecrow Mask

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 October.

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

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Sunday Funday!
Time: 12-4 p.m.
Date: Sunday, October 7, 2012
Location: Pinkberry in Citrus Park
Cost: Activities are FREE, you pay only for your frozen yogurt treats
Info: (813) 792-1349; PinkBerry Tampa Website

What’s Doing?
Stop by with the family for FREE arts and crafts kids and parents can enjoy making together. If you go, be sure to let them know What’s Doing Tampa Bay sent you!

Address:
Pinkberry
(Next to Chipotle on the corner of Westfield Citrus Park Dr. and Gunn Hwy.)
7002 Gunn Highway
Tampa, FL 33624

PinkBerry Logo and Yogurt Images © 2012 PinkBerry

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*** There will be no IKEA Tampa Kids Academy in October. ***

IKEA Tampa Kids’ Academy
Time: 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 6 p.m., and 7 p.m.
Date: Resuming in November (Upcoming dates will be November 12, 19, 20, 21 and 23, and December 23, 26-28.)
Location: IKEA Tampa Store
Cost: FREE
Info: IKEA list in .pdf form

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.

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

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Dot-a-Dot Art
Time: 2-4 p.m.
Date: Thursday, October 11, 2012
Location: Learning Express Toys at Hyde Park Village
Cost: FREE
Info: (813) 250-6200; Learning Express Hyde Park October Calendar on Facebook

What’s Doing?
Children age 3 and up can make Dot-a-Dot art in the store.

Address:
Learning Express Toys
Hyde Park Village
800 South Village Circle
Tampa, FL 33606

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Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinics
Time: 10-11 a.m.
Date: Saturday, October 13 & 27, 2012
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, October 13: Ghoul Bus
— Saturday, October 27: Creepy Keeper

Address:
Locate a Lowe’s store near you.

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Glazer Children’s Museum Theme Weeks
Time: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Date: Themes change weekly
Location: Glazer Children’s Museum
Cost: FREE for Museum members, or included with regular admission
Info: Glazer Children’s Museum Website

What’s Doing?
Each week Glazer Children’s Museum features a fun new theme featuring theme-related story times, crafts and more for families to enjoy throughout their visit.

Address:
Glazer Children’s Museum
110 West Gasparilla Plaza
Tampa, FL 33602

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Family Fun Day for Little Kids
Time: 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Date:Thursday, October 18, 2012
Location: Westfield Countryside Mall (Lower level near JCPenney and Play Space)
Cost: FREE
Info: Facebook Event Page; Westfield Countryside Mall Events

What’s Doing?
Westfield Countryside invites families to join in the fun on the 3rd Thursday of every month for FREE activities, crafts, entertainment, snacks and more! This month kids will listen to Pop-Up Haunted House and Halloween Night. Following the stories, kids will make their own bewitching black cat and enjoy a snack.

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, October 18, 2012
Location: Westfield Brandon Mall (In the Restaurant Courtyard near the fountain)
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; Facebook Event Page; Westfield Brandon Mall Events

What’s Doing?
Bring the kids for a fun story, craft and snack. Plus, parents will enjoy a “sampling” of Caribbean-inspired foods available at Bahama Breeze.

Even Better!
This month you can enter for a chance to win a $250 dining gift card.

Address:
Westfield Brandon Mall
459 Brandon Town Center
Brandon, FL 33511

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WFamily Fun Days
Time: 4-5:30 p.m.
Date: Thursday, October 18, 2012
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 sign up at the event.)
Info: (813) 926-4644; Facebook Event Page; Westfield Citrus Park Mall Events

What’s Doing?
Westfield Family Fun Days are always FREE and feature a different story, snack and craft every month. This month, the theme will be Teddy Bear Clinic, and children are encouraged to bring their favorite teddy bear or stuffed friend with them to the event. As a craft, they will make a doctor bag to take home, and all children who go through the Teddy Bear Clinic will receive a completion certificate.

In St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital’s Teddy Bear Clinic, children take their teddy bear or favorite stuffed friend through a ‘clinic’ exam, helping them learn about medical equipment and procedures used during a check-up. Children will learn coping techniques to ease their anxieties about going to the doctor and getting shots. Child Advocates will teach the children about the importance of injury prevention, how to wash their hands (and paws), how to buckle up in the car, and the proper way to wear a bike helmet.

Address:
Westfield Citrus Park Mall
8021 Citrus Park Town Center
Tampa, FL 33625

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FREE Make-It Take-It Event at JoAnn’s
Time: 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Date: Saturday, October 20, 2012
Location: All Jo-Ann stores
Cost: FREE
Info: Disney Movie Rewards Newsletter

What’s Doing?
Celebrate Secret of the Wings. Make your own fairy in all Jo-Ann stores on Saturday, October 20.

Address:
Locate a Jo-Ann store near you.

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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. Mall-Wide Trick-or-Treat at Westfield Brandon Mall
2. FREE (And Really Cheap) Family Movies Happening in October 2012
3. Celebrate Halloween at Libraries Around the Tampa Bay Area

Image: digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net