Tips and Tricks to get Crafty with the kids and a Build-A-Bear $40 Giveaway!

Congrats to our winner Jill F.!

If you find yourself in the midst of a rainy weekend, and yes we've had our fair share of stormy weather, what's a parent and child to do when being in the glorious outdoor sunshine is just not an option? The first thing we always do as a family is HEAD STRAIGHT TO Build-A-Bear Workshop!

Creating their very own stuffed pals at Build-A-Bear is no ordinary stuffed animal experience. Kids get to give their bears specially made hearts  which is always MY FAVORITE part of the experience, give them baths, choose really cute accessories and yes give them their very own birth certificates. And since I am all about Hello Kitty– I had to celebrate her 40th anniversary and get one of my own ( which my daughter says she will share with me!)

Check out our video below and keep reading for details on how you can win a $40 Giftcard to shop Build-A-Bear for your very own 40th Anniversary LIMITED Edition Hello kitty!

And the best part is that kids ( including mine) can take this three dimensional experience and translate it into a virtual one too. Families who purchase Build-A-Bears receive exclusive gifts to be redeemed on Bearville.com, the Build-A-Bear Workshop online entertainment destination and virtual world.

And if you are in the market for more crafty goodness here are a few more places to check out!

A.C. MOORE, MICHAELS
During one of my child-free errand runs, I had a few minutes to spare, so I figured I'd redeem an A.C. Moore gift card I had buried in my wallet. All I can say is, when I entered through the store's front doors, I had an out-of-body experience. I heard angels singing and felt a warm light shining down on me; I had arrived in my very own parent heaven (which is any place that I can walk out of armed with goodies that will make my kids squeal with delight.) The store, which is filled with  every color of clay under the rainbow, is a crafter's goldmine. Although I've never personally been very crafty, my kids are ALL about crafts; give them something to create and they're up to the task. Plus, it's the one and only time my 9-year-old will actually take directions from my 13-year-old.

My advice: Stockpile some craft projects and supplies for those days you're stuck indoors and get to work. I promise you'll only have to answer that “Mom, what should I do now?” question five times instead of 10.
The two arts-and-crafts stores are not just places where elderly women can buy their knitting supplies (although they carry plenty of yarn). Their vast inventory of take-home crafts boasts everything from materials to make-your-own candles to sticker art picture frames. And pick up a Nicolecrafts Magazine for just $1; it's packed with great projects for kids 4 to 12 years old.

Address A.C. Moore: 1801 South Ave., Travis. Michaels at 30 Barrett Ave., Port Richmond, and 2795 Richmond Ave., New Springville.

Age appeal: Kids that won't eat glue.

What kids will go gaga for: Easy take-home projects including: Decorating canvas tote bags. Available in an assortment of sizes and colors, kids can tie-dye the bags or use fabric paint and adorn them with rhinestones, buttons and beads. Personalizing a piggy bank. Plain white piggy banks come in two sizes and can be decorated with rainbow markers (designed especially for ceramics), Sharpie markers, paint markers or glitter glue. Rhinestones, googly eyes or stickers can be added once the paint dries. Parents should apply a clear acrylic sealer once everything is dry to make sure everything stays put. Crafting with wood shapes. These can be decorated with acrylic paint, glitter glue or markers. Parents can hot-glue a magnet to the back or glue the shape to a picture frame. Nicolecraft Wood Model Kits, just $1 each, come with wooden pieces and directions so you can build and finish your own plane or car.

Parent perks: You can buy some crafty things, too.

Drawbacks: Don't bring kids younger than 2 unless you're willing to endure the embarrassment of having to ask a staff member to clean up the display your kid just knocked over.

Information: A.C. Moore: 718-370-0691; www.acmoore.com (which features crafting videos). Michaels: 718- 720-0377 at Port Richmond location and 718-697-0252 at New Springville location; www.michaels.com/art/online/home.

SELF-SEAL LAMINATION

If I've learned anything in the past years, it's that the greatest moments I've shared with my kids have been when we've sat side by side and worked on a project together. And now I have found the ultimate companion product to preserve these crafts forever: the SelfSeal lamination pouch. It makes laminating a cinch and no machine is required! How to use: Align a document on the non-adhesive side of the pouch and peel away the liner to firmly seal it with the glossy, clear finish.

Age appeal: Three years and older.

What kids will go gaga for: Crafts that can be laminated including: Make-believe masks: Use construction paper, cut out holes for eyes and laminate before attaching a string around the back for make-believe games. Hats: Trace a folded hat outline onto decorative paper, laminate, cut and fold on the lines to create a fun dress-up accessory like a pirate hat. Placemat art: Laminate favorite drawings and paintings to create placemats.

Parent perks: Laminating newspaper clippings or recipes.

Overall: The best way to preserve your child's creations.

Information: Available at any office supply store, or online at www.acco.com.

To win a $40 gift card to create your very own Build-a-Bear you must Follow The Staten Island Family on Facebook and leave a comment that you did so. For another chance to win you must FOLLOW @melissaSChapman on Twitter, TWEET this giveaway and leave a comment here that you did so. For another entry you can subscribe to our YOU TUBE CHANNEL and leave a comment here that you did so. For another entry you  can Follow MelissaSChapmanWriter on Instagram and leave a comment here that you did so! For Another entry you can  follow MelissaSChapman on Pinterest . And for another Entry you can follow Melissa Chapman on Google +  and leave a comment here that you did so! GOOD LUCK giveaway ends November 2nd!