We’ve asked the amazing illustrator Laura Winstone – full-time art teacher and queen of crafts – to compile a bundle of ideas for you on how to inspire, engage and keep your children busy this summer holiday. Whether it be paper plates, twigs, leaves or potatoes, you really don’t need much to lose an afternoon crafting. The days are long and the possibilities for arts and crafts endless. Let’s get creative!
1. Make a mini sketchbook and encourage the children to draw and observe things around you. There are some really quick tutorials to make notebooks, using some scrap paper and a stapler, or a needle and thread. Get them to draw details from their day and/or holiday. This is a lovely memory keepsake. You can use old envelopes, brown paper, lined paper, coloured paper – anything works.
2. You can easily lose an afternoon printmaking. You need some potatoes, paper or old sheets, and some printing ink or paint. Cut out a simple shape from the potato and then apply a thin layer of paint. Then repeat the print until the paper or sheet is covered. The results are always exciting and you can make this into gift wrap, or do it on an old pillowcase or drawstring bag to extend the activity.
3. Nature art. It’s lovely to get outside in the summer and make some free art. Perfect if you are camping or on a beach holiday, or just in the back garden. There are some fantastic artists for inspiration like Andy Goldsworthy. All you need is to forage some items from outside – pine cones, leaves, twigs, feathers, flowers – all from the ground. Then make some mandala/flower shapes, or even faces, and take some photos as a reminder. This is so fun, easy and free.
4. Making animal masks using paper plates. Draw a design on the paper plate. Make some eye holes and mouths. Cut around the shape and eyes. Then add some colour with paints or felt tips. Use ribbon or elastic to tie up and then they can spend time making up a story for them.
5. DIY kits! Cat bunting, Ancient Egyptian Collages. Instructions and materials provided. You just need scissors, glue and colour pencils. Available on The Chuffed Store.
6. Get litter picking, wash down those fizzy pop tins and shiny crisp packets and let’s get making robots, exotic birds, mythical creatures – let your imagination run wild.Â
‘The Crocodile of Pembrokeshire’ by Amanda Jackson
7. Play forest bingo, city bingo, garden bingo or beach bingo, depending on where you are. Make the scorecard – divided into squares – with pictures of things the children have to find. For forest bingo it could for example contain pictures of a pine cone, bird, spider, nest and footprints from a deer. For city bingo, it could contain a church, lamppost, pedestrian crossing, stop sign, green bicycle etc. Come up with as many things as you can!
8. Ask your kid(s) to draw or paint enough works of art to set up an exhibition in the living room and then invite the remaining/other family members to it. Hang the works of art on the wall, like in a real exhibition. You could spend a bit of time making little invitations for people and making welcome drinks (orange juice with a slice of orange on the rim of the glass is a safe bet) for their arrival. You could even dress up! Payment for the paintings they choose to purchase could be given in gold chocolate coins or old pennies you’ve got lying around.Â
For more inspiration do check out the Young Artist Show at The Royal Academy. It is pure magic and would make a great trip out. It is free to visit or you can find the online catalogue here.
‘Wizard of Oz’ by Amanda Jackson
"I am a self taught designer and maker of leather bags and accessories, which I also hand dye."
 Pack a bag and go spend a day somewhere in London you’ve never been before
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