The long summer holidays are perfect for getting kids involved in something that will appeal to their creative side, as well as keeping them quiet for a bit. If you’re looking for some ideas on where to start, then check out this list of top craft ideas that will keep your kids occupied for hours.

Host a craft party

Hosting your own party is a great idea for getting everyone together and keeping young minds active. There are many websites out there offering ideas such as colouring-in boxes and posters for those new to crafting. For those wanting a different experience, why not let them try making their own jewelry with beading or friendship bracelets? This allows children to take home what they have made. Smiles all round!

Decorate t-shirts

Allow the kids to really express themselves with a blank canvas. All you need is a plain t-shirt, fabric paints, and some stencils, and you are ready to go! A top tip is to use a paper bag in the middle of the t-shirt to stop the paint soaking through. Then all you need to do is encourage your little ones to express themselves – and then they can wear their own unique design.

Introduce them to sewing

Remember how much fun you had when you designed your first item on a sewing machine? Whether it’s making a small toy, or a piece of clothing, introducing kids to sewing is another great way to let them express themselves. To see a range of child-friendly sewing machines, click here. You can then guide your kids through the process of creating something of their very own, and help them develop their creative side.

Get scrapbooking

Whether it is reliving memories of a favorite holiday, or just some fun times with friends, scrapbooking appeals to everyone. Let your child pick their own subject for the scrapbook, and allow them to create a wonderful book filled with memories of their happiest times. Anything goes with scrapbooking, so be prepared with glue, scissors and lots of brightly colored pens. Go even bigger with materials such as felt, feathers and glitter for a really creative experience!

Cook up some fun

Perhaps the most fun thing to do with kids is baking cakes. They get to enjoy tasting the food as you are making it, and they can get involved with the decoration afterwards. It also teaches them about kitchen safety, which is a bonus. Why not bake a plain cake and then decorate it with funky icing? There are lots of different colors and types of ready-made icing out there, and you can have fun making it into shapes and letters.

As you can see, when it comes to crafting ideas, the possibilities are endless. It’s also a great way of making sure the kids are using their imagination, and helping them develop their creative skills. You might even find your child surprises you with a natural talent you had no idea about.