Day 1 of the Summer Holidays: The kids are off, you’re spending some quality time with them, all is great in the world.

Week 2: You’re loving spending time with the little one. You’ve already been to the zoo, swimming and you’ve even managed to give the house a hoover with their help… albeit with a few arguments along the way.

Week 3: Thank god you’re back at work after the weekend. They’re the grandparents problem now. You think to yourself, what can you get to keep them quiet for the other five weeks? What will keep them occupied for hours on end. They get bored of Monopoly after 20 minutes, they can’t decide on a movie and you’re certainly not letting them loose on the iPad for longer than 30 minutes… Make and Create!

Arts and Crafts! Make and Create!

Pens, pencils, paint and paper. Four P’s that can make your once crazy, loud house into a calm, peaceful paradise. No matter what the activity, whether it be making a birthday card for a friend, colouring in a picture or creating a watercolour masterpiece, arts and crafts could be your summer solution.

Children, adults and in between… being creative is for everyone. No matter the occasion, whatever the weather, get out the crayons, the highlighters and the stencils and create that masterpiece!

‘My sister and I loved drawing Disney characters when we were younger. We used to sit our cuddly toys on the table for hours and just draw! As we got older, we would find step by step tutorials online – I mastered Goofy.’ – Niamh

Face Paint Crayons

Got kids in Key Stage 1? We’re sure they will love our Face Paint Crayons! One of the essential diversions of childhood at a fantastic, low price point. The pack of six colours will provide inspiration for traditional face painting, as well as possible uses at music festivals and sports matches. Easy to apply and washes or wipes off. Perhaps your child is more an explorer. Are they up to the humongous task of colouring their own rocket? Perfect for boys or girls, check out the Colour Your Own Cardboard Rocket Playset now! Slot and fold together cardboard rocket playhouse ready to be decorated. This creative project doubles up as a fun and great value play den.

Fluffy Owl Pens

Wouldn’t these Fluffy Owl Pens look perfect in your, 13 going on 30, young adult’s pencil case? The brightly coloured pen with a polka dot patterned body is topped with an owl figure. The wooden body of this pen is available in five different colours and comes complete with a matching feather wrapped around the top section. Just above the feather sits a cute owl figure that is coloured to match the design of the pen.

Chalk Mug

Why don’t you treat yourself? For you parents out there, our Chalk Mug can benefit both you and your little one. Don’t want to lift a finger? Keep the kids content with this mug which can be customised to suit their artistic needs – all whilst they’re making your cuppa! Don’t forget, messages can be easily removed by washing the mug with warm soapy water.

Art: Why it’s Important

Creativity is a trait that every child has. From pretending to be a superhero to being a nurse tending to poorly patients, parents should be encouraging  those little ones to let their creative minds flourish. Not only does art open their minds to more creativity, but doing a bit of cutting and sticking can help your children to develop their coordination. Using both hands to cut, stick, draw, rub out etc. will help their development.

Open your child’s mind and allow them to flourish by encouraging their creativity through arts and crafts. The open-ended play allows children to express themselves. Some children may struggle to really express their feelings or talk about their problems and art can be that bridge between you and your child. Let your kids develop their own sense of individuality with endless supplies of arts and crafts from Toy Street.

If, like most, your children are prone to arguing and scrapping, arts and crafts can be a great bonding experience. (Speaking is scrapping, have you thought about creating a scrap book?) Arts and crafts can be a joint activity – creating a big portrait together for example – or a solitary activity, creating make believe characters. Whether you have one, two or three children, arts and crafts can be done by all.

How Can You Be Crafty?

We at Toy Street know how important Arts & Crafts is and we therefore are able to offer you the best, most affordable bits and bobs for it. Why not make your pencils a bit cooler with out Star Wars pencil toppers? Stand out from the crowd with this gigantic Jumbo Pencil. Jazz up your house by letting your little ones make your pillows with the Make Your Own Pillow Kit.

Knitting, colouring, painting or sculpting – we encourage you and your kiddies to let your imaginations run wild with Make and Create!

Oh and let’s not forget to prepare for the mess!

Don’t forget to share your experience with our top toys for girls by using the hashtag #Toystreet on Instagram and Twitter! 

Editors Note: This blog was originally published on 8th August, 2017. Updated on 19th July, 2022 to improve the information available.