3 best family arts and crafts projects

Now that the new year’s here it’s time to get out your arts and crafts side to entertain your kids. We’ve found the top 3 that don’t require loads of equipment, time or skills to do. They’re perfect for rainy days, which seem to be most days in the UK. Have fun crafting each of these activities and enjoy!

Flower pressing

Flower pressing is an easy yet beautiful craft to enjoy creating with your family.

Things you’ll need:

Pretty flowers, leaves or other plants to press
Drill with nails and bolts
Clear polycarbonate sheets

Step one – The adults should drill four holes in the corners of each plastic sheet. These holes will be used to place bolts and nails in to hold together each sheet.

Step two – place the plants in your preferred pattern on one of the clear plastic sheets.

Step three – place the other side on top.

Step four – fix the two clear sheets together and hang up.

You’ll need a Polycarbonate sheet because Polycarbonate is weather resistant, which makes it a well-suited material to use for hanging your flower-pressed photos in the garden. Additionally, your kids can get even artier by adding glitter and pieces of fabric to the frame before fixing together.

Oil paint and water

Your kids could come out of this with paintings as good as Picasso – well maybe not, but they’ll love it!

Things you’ll need:

Oil Paints
Thick paper or card
Tray of water
Towels or newspaper

Step one – fill a thin tray with water (which will need refilling).

Step two – drip an array of coloured oil paints into the water.

Step three – Place paper or card lightly on the water (be careful not to let the back of card get soaked).

Step four– swish it around, take it out and let it dry.

You can re-use the colours already in the tray to create different patterns, or you can chuck the water away and refill. This can get messy, so make sure you’ve laid out newspaper or towels before doing.