Looking for a place to celebrate that next birthday? Or how about a fun and entertaining refuge from the summer heat?
Sam and Joyce Neiger know just the place. The Neigers own Krafty Kids, 170 Casa Linda Shopping Center (next to CiCi’s Pizza), a craft studio and fun center where kids can play with an assortment of crafts, creating items like T-shirts or jewelry.
“It’s something good for kids,” says Sam Neiger, who owns two other Krafty Kids stores in Carrollton and Plano.
“It’s relatively inexpensive, and they go home with something, not just a receipt.”
Krafty Kids is available for birthday parties, day care, group parties and church groups, in addition to classes for individuals simply out for a good time. Among the activities are bisque and ceramic painting, sand art, T-shirt design, leather crafting, stain glass, jewelry making and mosaics.
Another popular feature at Krafty Kids is “Kid’s Night,” every Friday from 6-10 p.m. On “Kid’s Night,” participants play games, paint, watch a movie and eat snacks. Reservations are required; cost is $15 for the first child and $10 for each additional child.
“Our stores are big,” Neiger says. “We’re able to handle parties of 30-50 kids, groups of 100 people.”
For information about Krafty Kids, call 214-319-7070.
KIDS CALENDAR
Library Activities: The Skillman Southwestern Branch of the Dallas Public Library, 5707 Skillman at Southwestern, continues the Mayor’s Summer Reading Challenge through July 28. Special prizes and incentives will be distributed, while supplies last, for every five hours read. Bonkers the Clown will be present to celebrate the end of the reading challenge and the first birthday of the Skillman Southwestern Branch at 2 p.m. July 29. Regular Tuesday storytimes continue through the 22nd. Toddler time is at 10 a.m. and preschoolers can hear stories at 10:40 a.m., 11:15 a.m. & 3:30 p.m. Groups are welcome. For parents, caretakers and children, the Weekly Friday Film Festival will spotlight short features for family viewing at 2:30 p.m. through July 26. The Keeping Your Family Safe Series concludes with two programs: “Ducks Don’t Drown” on the 19th from 3-4 p.m. and “McGruff” on the 29th at 11 a.m. An expert from the U.S. Coast Guard will be on hand on the 19th to talk about enjoying water activities without mishaps. Wacky Wednesdays continue throughout the month each Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. and feature a variety of fun and education. Library hours are Monday and Wednesday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Tuesday and Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday and Sunday, closed. For information, call 214-670-6078.
Dallas Children’s Theater: The Dallas Theater Center presents Linda Daugherty’s “Rumplestiltskin.” All performances take place at El Centro College Theater, corner of Main and Market Downtown near the West End. Showtimes are July 11, 18 & 25, at 7:30 p.m.; July 12, 19 & 26, at 1:30 p.m.; July 13, 20 & 27, at 1:30 & 4:30 p.m.; and July 15, 16, 17, 22, 23 & 24, at 10 a.m. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for children. For information and reservations, call 214-978-0110.
Communications Workshop: Teens and pre-teens can learn communication skills in Summer Day Camps sponsored by Power Leadership International. Camps will be held at the Institute of Applied Knowledge in Carrollton. Participants will gain expertise in instant rapport and learn how to create positive attention, persistence and other communication skills. Classes are for kids 10-14 and 15-17 and will be held on consecutive days July 7-12 and July 21-26. The classes are scheduled from 9 a.m.-noon. Enrollment is limited. For information, call 972-404-8125.
YMCA Summer Events: Summer Soccer Camp at the East Dallas YMCA, 6220 Worth, starts July 1. Parents night out at the Y will be July 11 and July 25. For information, call 214-886-8139.
Cub Scouts Sail Across White Rock: Cub Scouts from Pack 54 at Lakewood Elementary, with the assistance of members of the Corinthian Sailing Club, recently made a symbolic sailboat crossing of White Rock Lake from the club location on the east side of the Lake to a pier on the west side. Waiting at the pier were Rick Franco, Scoutmaster of Troop 64 at Northridge Presbyterian Church, and Drew Swanfeldt of Troop 42 at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, who met the boys and awarded each of them with their Arrow of Light, the highest award a boy can receive in Cub scouting. Honorees include George Hale, Dace Haynes, Lance Hipps, Bill McClure, Jarvis Ogan, Steven Short, Eric Swanfeldt, Zak Young, Kevin Clontz, Matthew Dunn, Shawn Flynn, David Greef, Walter Hinz, Robert Hurtekant, Rob Lindsey, Carson Willingham, John Winston and Marshall Worrall.
