Top Creative Activities for home-based arts and crafts

Looking for fun activities to do at home? Or a way to get the kids involved in something that doesn’t involve a computer screen?

We know it can be challenging to keep kids entertained at home, particularly at the moment when they are spending more time there than normal. We think that hands-on creativity is one of the best ways to keep kids happy and busy!

So there’s lots of reasons for families to get busy with arts and crafts activities at home, and lots of lovely people have devised special Creative Packs to help you do just that. Free to download or access online, there are countless ways to get imaginative and get those creative juices flowing. Here’s our top choices for home activities…

Wee Inspirations for toddlers at home

Starcatchers have got lots of ‘Wee Inspirations’ ideas cards to engage little ones in creative activities at home. From 'Story Maps' to 'Bangin’ Chat', and much more in-between, there’s plenty of ways to stimulate those little minds. Early Years Resources have also got many themed downloadable resources available for young children to get engaged with. Themes include ‘Dinosaurs’, ‘Space’ and ‘Children of the World’, amongst many others.

Kids playing area closed? Home Play is what you need

Play Scotland launched Home Play packs in order to support children and families to stimulate their imagination, creativity and play time. Many ideas from the packs can be carried out by children themselves, with minimal adult support and some are fun for all the family to get involved with! Lots of the ideas are suitable for indoors or confined spaces, and most are low cost or free.

Keep kids busy creating a Bug Hotel

If you’re looking for outdoor activity ideas, Go Play Sandwell have got amazing creative resource packs for children available online, with a wealth of activities for both indoor and outdoor play. Check them out here. There’s lots to choose from, why not go on a Bug Hunt or even create a Bug Hotel? Other ideas include Leaf Printing and Den Building, as well as a Nature Scavenger Hunt. Lots of ways to get fresh air and have fun! 

Easy crafts to do at home with London's Culture Mile

Created in collaboration with a wide range of partners (including children themselves!), Culture Mile have lots of digital packs on offer that are available for free download. Featuring activity sheets and play prompts, the packs contain lots of ideas to stimulate children’s imaginations and get them seeing the potential for creativity in everyday objects – they may well see their homes in a whole new light!

Activity Worksheets for kids at home

Working with Autograph, artist Katriona Beales devised Family SEND art kits, especially created for children with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities). The worksheets within the packs are themed, such as focussing on the limited nature of physical contact in this time of social distancing, and the need to remain tactile and connected to the body. 

Working with sensory experts Collar and Cuffs, Aspex Gallery have also created the Sensory Explorer Activity Pack for children with SEND.

Fun for adults and children with Activity Village

There’s lots of choice but perhaps you just fancy something simple? The therapeutic benefits of colouring in are well-known, and Activity Village have got free colouring activity packs for different age groups. As well as these packs created for younger kids, there is even a pack for older kids and adults! They also have a Staying in Touch pack, to help prevent the quarantined, isolated and elderly from feeling lonely with a postcard, letter or card from children.

Arts and crafts home delivery

And if you’d like to buy ready-made packs with activities and craft materials included, then Children’s Scrapstore can deliver them to you! Every month they have been releasing different themed boxes with activity sheets, templates and resources for three structured activities, plus plenty of additional materials for children to follow their own ideas and experiment with creative processes.

Check out our activity library, physical event listings and online-event listings for even more ways to get creative at home.