Simple crafts and activities to do at home with your children

Adapt the space to the activity 

Before being swept away by the magic of painting, it's best to take some precautions so as not to make a big mess. Adapt a space so that your kids are comfortable, and there is no danger of staining anything you don't want to get ruined.  

You could put a protector on the table or use a floor protector. Even if you don't have one, use newspaper, an old tablecloth or old sheets.  
Put a bib, apron or some old clothes on your children. Anything so that both them and especially you are a picture of calm. You don't want to mistake the canvas for something that isn't meant to be painted, right? 

Power to the artists! 

Markers, glue, powders, scissors, watercolours, finger painting… All techniques and materials are allowed for your little artist. You'll see how, with just some simple things and a little imagination, you can make beautiful and fun creations.  Here's a list of ideas, so you choose the ones you like most. 

• Metallic landscapes: use aluminium foil, a perfect backdrop for painting pictures (especially if you're running out of white paper at home). What's more, when the paint dries it creates a very original and galactic colour contrast. They can paint using both brushes and their fingers. They are sure to love it! 
• Painting with objects: if you don't have brushes or you're out of finger paint, don't worry. It's the perfect occasion to experiment with any other object and see what effect it creates. For example, they could dip bottle caps in paint as if they were stamps, or just cover the edge in paint and see how it forms on the paper. An old toothbrush can be great for painting rain. You can also use other things, such as cotton balls for tree leaves or spongy clouds.  

• Custom bookmarks: This is as simple as drawing and cutting out a rectangle on a blank sheet and decorating it to your liking. They can do it however they want, hang some nice tape off it and use it to decorate all their books. And why not? You can use it for your books too! They can then use them for their school material and show off their books. Remember that you can use other materials such as cardboard, EVA foam, magazines… And if you want them to last, laminate them as you do your school books each year.
• Finger figures: perfect for bringing your favourite characters to life and playing with them. They only need to be drawn small enough so that they can roughly be held on an index finger. Cut them out, and then cut out a small strip to make a ring to stick to the back of their figure (using a glue stick), and then they can place it on their finger. Like it? You can use this idea to create a home puppet theatre as well. Find out how by clicking here.

• Brooches from scraps: If you have fabric or felt scraps at home, now is the perfect time for you to design your own brooches. On the fabric, children can draw their favourite shapes, cut them out and stick them on (no need to use needles). 
• Dolls using old socks: If you have an old pair of socks or a pair with one sock missing, give them a new life. They just need the sock and their imagination. They could stick on a few buttons to make eyes and even tie on a few ribbons or wool to make a beautiful head of hair.  
• Paper masks: There are plenty of templates online to download and paint. They can do this and only have to worry about painting and cutting them out, or they can create them from scratch.  

Play "Academy of Detectives"

The sharpest and most fearless children of the house need to solve a great mystery! Can you help? If you want to become detectives, pass all the tests on these 22 squares. Each has a different challenge and is really fun. Can you solve them?

Download the PDF file (at the button below) which includes the board, pieces and a die to cut out and play Academy of Detectives. Enjoy!

Erupting volcanoes

A good science experiment is always welcome for having fun and learning. Why not create an erupting volcano? Cool, right? It's very easy to do.

And to make it more interesting, why not write down all possible answers about the origin of the chemical reaction and then look for the solution to the question together? That way, you will see who has come closest to the right answer and you will learn together.

To lengthen the activity a little, before starting, hide the different elements of the experiment throughout the house. 

If you have children of different ages, maybe the older ones can prepare the search game, so that you have a little more time to get ahead on your work and activities. But you know that we are always in favour of you joining in with these special times with the family. 

You can also download the instructions for this experiment from the button below. 

Express your thoughts 

Finally, here is a slightly more relaxed proposal for the end of the day. Since this experience is new to everyone, it can be a good exercise for your children to start a diary or a record of this time at home. As well as helping them to express their feelings and thoughts, they will practise their writing and have an interesting record in the future.  
Another option, if everyone at home is keen, is to make a video diary in which each night you talk about what you have done and learnt during the day. At the end of the lockdown, you can put them all together in a single video and watch your progression.