CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM
From left, Raiden Yamashiro, 4, Diana Maglangit, Stacey Kunihiro, Zackary Myles Yasuda, 4, Jazelle Laivines, and Shawnelle Roque, 2 1/2, stuffed plush animals during a Noah's Ark Animal Workshop at Children's Cottage. The traveling hands-on workshop allows children to "stuff and fluff" their own toy animals at parties and events.
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Party lets kids stuff plush animals with love
Children recently gathered around a pile of stuffing at Children's Cottage, but there was no turkey in sight and this stuffing was definitely not for eating.
STUFF IT YOURSELF
» Cost: Animals are $13 to $18; clothing is $10 to $13; or T-shirts are $3.50. For special occasions, $10 animals are featured (currently gingerbread man and snowman).
» Catalogs: Available at Children's Cottage, 98-023 Hekaha St. (behind Cutter Ford)
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The Noah's Ark Traveling "Stuff-N-Fluff" Workshop made a stop at the Aiea store to demonstrate an alternative party concept.
"It's the same concept as Build a Bear or Hanai a Bear, but the party travels to you," said Stacey "Lani" Kunihiro, a Noah's Ark Animal Workshop crew member from Hilo.
Each child hand-stuffs an animal, then makes a wish on a rainbow star and tucks it inside before the animal is zipped closed with a hidden zipper.
CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM
Zackary Miles Yasuda, left, his brother Bryce, 23 months, and sister Jazelle Laivines are surrounded by a cloud of stuffing.
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Animal choices range from the traditional bear to dinosaurs, dogs, cows, tigers and more. Each comes with a birth certificate and a rainbow wish star. Different costumes, from holiday fare to feather boas and boots, can be added.
Ernel Roque attended the workshop at Children's Cottage with her 2-year-old daughter, Shawnelle. "I adopted her from Micronesia. They have no toys, nothing there. They learn to play with 2-liter bottles," said Roque.
"She is overwhelmed by this experience. ... She just seems to enjoy every second of her day."
Gina Yasuda, owner of Children's Cottage, said the project fits in with her interest in interactive activities that allow parents to teach their children.
CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM
Zackary closed his eyes and made a wish upon a star before tucking it inside of his custom stuffed animal.
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"In the busy world we live in, kids remember the time spent together," she said. Yasuda was pleased with the workshop's "back to basics" approach. "Most places have a machine that builds the bear, and that takes the purpose out of building the bear."
Raiden Yamashiro, 4, clearly enjoyed the experience. He hugged his stuffed dinosaur, which he immediately named T-Rex. "I love dinosaurs all the time," he said.
Eventually, Kunihiro hopes to get "stuff-n-fluff" workshops into retirement homes. "They can use the animals for comfort."
CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM
The gingerbread plush toy is part of the Noah's Ark Animal Workshop holiday collection.
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The Noah's Ark company was founded in 2004 by Dina Amico-Kriescher of Illinois, who saw a need for unique and affordable home birthday parties. As her personal business grew from conducting workshops at birthday parties, Girl Scout troop meetings, play groups, preschools and baby showers, her family helped her put together a business that follows the concept of Tupperware and the Pampered Chef.
Noah's Ark also offers Bella Bee Workshops that teach girls the importance of "beauty that comes from within" while creating shimmer and shine on the outside. During the party, guests list the positive characteristic traits of the birthday girl to place in a keepsake album.
"This is for the little divas in our life," said crew member Diana Maglangit. "They get to put on make up and just have fun," she said. "After all, every little girl loves playing dress-up."