Letting each kid pick out a furry friend, stuff it, give it a heart, and dress it up is a solid low-screen-time outing that survives a rainy afternoon. Build-A-Bear at West Town Mall in Knoxville is a short drive up I-140/Sam Furr and makes a good half-day trip with built-in incentive for good behavior. You start at the pick-a-friend wall, move to the stuffing station, add a voice box or scent if you want, then hit the dress-up racks. The kids get to do the heart ceremony themselves, which older kids find endearing and toddlers think is the entire point. It is a build-your-own experience rather than a drop-off play space, so every visit is about making something to take home. Parties are available here too, which is convenient if you want the mess and the crafting handled somewhere other than your dining room. Prices add up fast with clothes and accessories, so set a budget before you walk in and let them splurge on one extra if they behave. Located inside West Town Mall, so parking is easy and you can pair it with lunch or a mall stroll. Hours follow the mall schedule: Mon-Thu 10am-8pm, Fri-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 12pm-6pm (store times may vary by season).