A recent study by Dr Richard Rende revealed that creative interaction between parents and young children engaging in activities like arts and crafts not only provides immediate and lasting cognitive benefits but also creates a unique bonding experience, which creates lifelong memories. You might be looking for some fun ideas of things you can do with the kids that doesn’t involve screens, while the schools are on a break. This list will help break up the screen-time and keep the kids active and engaged beyond that.

To make this more fun, you could print and cut these suggestions into strips, then lucky dip an activity

1. Recycled Tin Can Windsocks

What you’ll need

• a recycled can
• paint
• glue
• ribbons

Steps

• Get an empty tin, clean it up and make sure you have taken away all the paper on the tin
• Prepare your paint and ribbons
• Paint the tin using any design you would like. Make sure it is very colourful
• Glue the ribbons unto your tin
• Leave your tin to dry and then hang on your balcony or outside your front door and watch the wind make a beautiful sight.

2. Egg Carton Flowers

What You’ll Need

• Egg Carton
• Scissors
• Craft Paint
• Paint Brushes
• Paper Clip (or skewer, or pencil)
• Pipe Cleaner

Steps

• Cut up egg carton to separate cups from pyramid-shaped center pieces
• Create petals
• Trim edges of egg carton cups and cut notches from the edge of the cup into the center
• Repeat the process for flower centers or replace with pyramid-shaped pieces
• Paint both parts of the flower, front and back, and let dry completely
• Using a paper clip, pencil, or skewer, poke two holes in center of each piece of the flower
• Next, thread the pipe cleaner through the holes to attach the flower center to the petals
• Pull the pipe cleaner taut and twist to secure

3. Colorful Compliment Jars

Items Needed

• Copy Paper – cut into strips equal to the number of compliments you want to share
• Ribbon/Twine
• Small Mason Jar with Lid
• Scissors
• Hole punch
• Pens/Markers
• Fabric

Steps

• Think of who you’re making this compliment jar for, then think of around twenty genuine compliments for this person
• Write each compliment down on a strip of paper, fold it up and put them in the jar
• Glue some fabric to the top of our lid with a little stuffing underneath it
• Place the lid on the jar. Add your own little note and tie it on around the top of the jar with a ribbon.

4. All About Me Hats

Items Needed

• a few funky hats
• old fabric scraps
• trinkets
• glue

Steps

• Gather a variety of hats as well as scraps of fabric and ribbon, stickers, small trinkets and toys, and magazine and newspaper clippings
• Have the kids choose a hat and then decorate it in a way that reflects them, using glue or a glue stick to affix items.
• Have them spell out their names with cutout letters or stickers, then wear them at a getting-to-know-you hat party

5. Stained Glass Mobile

Items Needed

• Crayons
• Pencil sharpener
• Waxed paper
• Craft paper or paper grocery bag
• Iron and ironing board
• Card stock
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Hole punch
• Embroidery
• Floss or thread
• Hanger

Steps

• Remove paper from crayons and use a pencil sharpener to create shavings
• Mix the colors in the same family to create a mottled effect.
• Cut two pieces of 12-inch-square waxed paper.
• Place a piece of craft paper on ironing board to protect the surface (adults only, near the iron).
• Then, lay a piece of waxed paper over craft paper and sprinkle shavings onto it evenly.
• Cover with the other piece of waxed paper and then a final piece of craft paper.
• On medium heat, iron over craft paper, checking to see that shavings are melting evenly
• Once shavings have melted and the desired color/texture of “stained glass” is achieved, set aside to cool.
• Create templates in various shapes (star, diamond, etc.) out of card stock. Trace shapes onto sheet of “stained glass.”
• With scissors, cut out shapes, and use hole punch to create a hole on the top of each shape.
• Tie thread through the hole in each shape and tie the other end to hanger or dowel to create mobile.

We am pleased to inform you that most of the arts & crafts items you will need are available on our online store click here to shop!

Feel free to drop a comment and tag us in the beautiful end results your children come up with while learning at home. Also, remember to stay safe and wash your hands!