Looking for easy summer crafts for kids? Whether you need a rainy-day activity, a quieter afternoon after a busy morning or simply something to keep little hands busy during the school holidays, here are five of our favourite Holiday Club-inspired makes to try at home.
When six weeks of summer holidays stretch out in front of you, there comes a point where...
And now everyone just needs a little slower-paced fun.
The kind where you all end up around the table, the children are so absorbed in what they're making that they actually stay there (turns out it's much easier when you're offering paint and glue instead of broccoli), and you get to enjoy a moment or twos peace..
At Practically Family Holiday Club, we're lucky enough to have a team of brilliant crafters who somehow manage to turn everyday bits and bobs into hours of creative fun.
Most of these activities cost very little, use things you probably already have at home and can be enjoyed by children of all ages.
Here are five of our Summerstock Holiday Club favourites.
Who says bubbles have to come from a tiny plastic bottle?
These homemade giant bubbles are guaranteed to get everyone outdoors and trying to make the biggest bubble they've ever seen.
You'll need:
How to make them:
Mix the water, washing-up liquid and glycerine together and leave it to settle for around an hour if you can.
Tie the string between the two sticks to create a large loop.
Dip the loop into the bubble mixture, lift it out carefully and slowly pull the sticks apart while walking backwards.
The bigger the movement, the bigger the bubbles!
Practically Family Tip
Turn it into a family challenge.
Summer holidays are full of little treasures.
Why not turn them into something you can keep?
Using casting plaster, children can create stepping stones, handprint keepsakes or decorative memory stones inspired by their favourite summer adventures.
You'll need:
How to make them:
Mix the casting plaster according to the packet instructions and pour it into your chosen mould.
If you're making a handprint, gently press a hand into the plaster whilst it’s still soft and press in any extra embellishments.
Once completely dry, pop them out of their moulds, decorate with paint, names, dates or little pictures that remind children of their summer adventures.
Seal with varnish if you'd like to keep them outside. Got some rough edges? Just use some sandpaper to make it smooth.
Practically Family Tip
Try collecting things throughout the summer so you have lots of ‘treasures’ to use in your memory stones.
A pebble that looks like Uncle Paul – why not? A tiny plastic dinosaur you found on your walk – throw it in! A shell from the ‘prehistoric Jurassic era’ – you’ll make Attenborough proud!
The original fidget toy! You'll probably remember making these yourself.
Children absolutely love choosing the questions, dares and silly challenges hidden inside.
You'll need:
How to make one:
Fold each corner into the middle.
Turn the paper over and repeat.
Fold it in half both ways before slipping your fingers underneath the flaps to create your chatterbox.
Now comes the fun bit...
Fill it with jokes, silly dares, animal impressions, family challenges or questions.
Ideas include:
Practically Family Tip
Ask children to make one for someone else in the family. It's amazing what questions they come up with!
Nothing says summer quite like bright colours catching the sunshine.
These cheerful window decorations are simple enough for younger children but older ones can get really creative too.
You'll need:
How to make them:
Watch this video from Baker Ross to see a brilliant step by step guide!
Practically Family Tip
Who says it has to be a pineapple?
Try watermelons, ice creams, flowers, butterflies, stars or whatever mad idea your little one comes up with!
Half craft. Half competition.
Children create their own matching cards before challenging everyone else to a game.
You'll need:
How to make it:
Cut out an even number of cards.
Draw matching pictures on each pair.
Shuffle them.
Turn them face down and lay them out on a table.
Take turns finding the matching pairs!
Children can choose absolutely any theme they like…
The sillier, the better!
Practically Family Tip
Don't stop after one game.
Keep adding new pairs throughout the summer until you've created a giant family memory game.
Children might think they're simply making bubbles, painting stones or folding paper...
But they're also building confidence, solving problems, expressing themselves and making memories they'll talk about long after the summer holidays are over.
So next time someone announces...
"I'm boooooored..."
You know exactly what to do.
If your child loves getting creative, messy and stuck into new adventures, they'll feel right at home at Practically Family Holiday Club in Stockport.
Every day is packed with child-led activities, creative crafts, outdoor adventures and the kind of experiences that make the school holidays feel… well, like a holiday!
Discover more here.
And if you fancy a couple of hours away from the crafting table, burning off some energy outdoors, then check out our Family Inflatable Days - 2 hours of bouncing, sliding, racing and jumping across giant inflatables! Running every weekend throughout August, including Bank Holiday Monday, for families of all ages in Stockport.
- You've visited the park.
- You've bounced until you can bounce no more at our Family Inflatable Days.
- You've ticked off another family adventure.
And now everyone just needs a little slower-paced fun.
The kind where you all end up around the table, the children are so absorbed in what they're making that they actually stay there (turns out it's much easier when you're offering paint and glue instead of broccoli), and you get to enjoy a moment or twos peace..
At Practically Family Holiday Club, we're lucky enough to have a team of brilliant crafters who somehow manage to turn everyday bits and bobs into hours of creative fun.
Most of these activities cost very little, use things you probably already have at home and can be enjoyed by children of all ages.
Here are five of our Summerstock Holiday Club favourites.
Giant Garden Bubbles
Who says bubbles have to come from a tiny plastic bottle?
These homemade giant bubbles are guaranteed to get everyone outdoors and trying to make the biggest bubble they've ever seen.
You'll need:
- 1 litre of water
- 100ml washing-up liquid
- 2 tablespoons of glycerine (or 2 tablespoons of sugar if you don't have glycerine)
- Two sticks (wooden spoons work well)
- A length of cotton string
How to make them:
Mix the water, washing-up liquid and glycerine together and leave it to settle for around an hour if you can.
Tie the string between the two sticks to create a large loop.
Dip the loop into the bubble mixture, lift it out carefully and slowly pull the sticks apart while walking backwards.
The bigger the movement, the bigger the bubbles!
Practically Family Tip
Turn it into a family challenge.
- Who can make the biggest bubble?
- Who can keep one floating the longest?
- Who can pop one with their nose?
Summer Memory Stones
Summer holidays are full of little treasures.
- Pebbles from the beach.
- Shells from a seaside trip.
- Leaves from a woodland walk.
Why not turn them into something you can keep?
Using casting plaster, children can create stepping stones, handprint keepsakes or decorative memory stones inspired by their favourite summer adventures.
You'll need:
- Casting plaster & water
- A mixing bowl
- A shallow plastic container for a mould
- Decorative items like shells, pebbles, coloured beads etc
- Acrylic paints & brushes
- Clear varnish (optional)
How to make them:
Mix the casting plaster according to the packet instructions and pour it into your chosen mould.
If you're making a handprint, gently press a hand into the plaster whilst it’s still soft and press in any extra embellishments.
Once completely dry, pop them out of their moulds, decorate with paint, names, dates or little pictures that remind children of their summer adventures.
Seal with varnish if you'd like to keep them outside. Got some rough edges? Just use some sandpaper to make it smooth.
Practically Family Tip
Try collecting things throughout the summer so you have lots of ‘treasures’ to use in your memory stones.
A pebble that looks like Uncle Paul – why not? A tiny plastic dinosaur you found on your walk – throw it in! A shell from the ‘prehistoric Jurassic era’ – you’ll make Attenborough proud!
Make Your Own Chatterbox
The original fidget toy! You'll probably remember making these yourself.
Children absolutely love choosing the questions, dares and silly challenges hidden inside.
You'll need:
- A square piece of paper
- Pens
- Colouring pencils or felt tips
- Stickers (optional)
How to make one:
Fold each corner into the middle.
Turn the paper over and repeat.
Fold it in half both ways before slipping your fingers underneath the flaps to create your chatterbox.
Now comes the fun bit...
Fill it with jokes, silly dares, animal impressions, family challenges or questions.
Ideas include:
- Hop like a bunny.
- Tell your funniest joke.
- Sing your favourite song.
- Name three things beginning with B.
- Pretend you're a dinosaur.
Practically Family Tip
Ask children to make one for someone else in the family. It's amazing what questions they come up with!
Pineapple Sun Catchers
Nothing says summer quite like bright colours catching the sunshine.
These cheerful window decorations are simple enough for younger children but older ones can get really creative too.
You'll need:
- Paper plate as your base
- Vibrant pony beads
- Bendy pipe cleaners
- Scissors
- Glue
How to make them:
Watch this video from Baker Ross to see a brilliant step by step guide!
Practically Family Tip
Who says it has to be a pineapple?
Try watermelons, ice creams, flowers, butterflies, stars or whatever mad idea your little one comes up with!
Design Your Own Memory Game
Half craft. Half competition.
Children create their own matching cards before challenging everyone else to a game.
You'll need:
- Card or thick paper
- Pens
- Colouring pencils
- Scissors
How to make it:
Cut out an even number of cards.
Draw matching pictures on each pair.
Shuffle them.
Turn them face down and lay them out on a table.
Take turns finding the matching pairs!
Children can choose absolutely any theme they like…
- Football shirts.
- Ice creams.
- Holiday memories.
- Favourite foods.
- Family members.
The sillier, the better!
Practically Family Tip
Don't stop after one game.
Keep adding new pairs throughout the summer until you've created a giant family memory game.
The Secret Ingredient?
Children might think they're simply making bubbles, painting stones or folding paper...
But they're also building confidence, solving problems, expressing themselves and making memories they'll talk about long after the summer holidays are over.
So next time someone announces...
"I'm boooooored..."
You know exactly what to do.
Looking for Even More Summer Holiday Activities?
If your child loves getting creative, messy and stuck into new adventures, they'll feel right at home at Practically Family Holiday Club in Stockport.
Every day is packed with child-led activities, creative crafts, outdoor adventures and the kind of experiences that make the school holidays feel… well, like a holiday!
Discover more here.
And if you fancy a couple of hours away from the crafting table, burning off some energy outdoors, then check out our Family Inflatable Days - 2 hours of bouncing, sliding, racing and jumping across giant inflatables! Running every weekend throughout August, including Bank Holiday Monday, for families of all ages in Stockport.
Practically Family
07939 942334 (during Holiday Club weeks only)
