Crafts to do at home...
that do not break the bank!

Foil Art
£1-2
Wrap cardboard in foil, add glue-on shapes or raised lines, and colour with Sharpies or acrylic paint. The foil makes everything pop – even scribbles!
You’ll need:
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Foil
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Cardboard
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Glue
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Markers or paint

Paper Plate Animals
£1-4
A classic for a reason. Turn plates into tigers, turtles or unicorns. Add ears, eyes and colour — and a little imagination goes a long way.
You’ll need:
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Paper plates
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Crayons, paint, stickers
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Scrap card or paper

Salt Dough Creations
£1
A simple dough made from flour, salt and water turns into handprints, pendants, or anything your child dreams up. Bake low ‘n’ slow and paint once dry.
You’ll need:
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2 cups flour, 1 cup salt, 1 cup water
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Oven
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Paint

Splatter Painting
£1-6 (depending on canvas/ paper size)
A low-cost activity that’s easy to do at home. Lay down a basic dust sheet (available from places like B&Q), set out some paper or a canvas, and use brushes or old toothbrushes to flick paint. Ideal for outdoors.
You’ll need:
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Paper or canvas
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Poster or acrylic paint
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Brushes or old toothbrushes or just your fingers!
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A dust sheet or old bed sheet for the floor

Toilet Roll Binoculars
FREE
Turn cardboard tubes into explorer gear. Add string and decorations, and head off on a backyard jungle safari (or just spy on your neighbour’s cat).
You’ll need:
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2 toilet rolls
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Tape or glue
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String, stickers, crayons

Tin Can Drums
FREE to £2
Recycle your old baked bean tins into drums! Stretch a balloon over the top, decorate, and get tapping. Great for rhythm, noise, and a little musical mayhem.
You’ll need:
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Tin can (check for sharp bits)
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Balloon
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Paint or paper for decorating (check the recycling bin!)

Mini Canvas Masterpieces
£2-5
Perfect for gifts or bedroom displays. Grab a multipack of mini canvases and let the creativity flow. (Amazon or the works). Rainbows, dinosaurs, flowers – whatever their little hearts desire.
You’ll need:
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Mini canvases
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Paints
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Brushes

Bubble wrap Printing
£1-2
Paint onto bubble wrap, press it onto paper, and you’ve got scales, textures, or space scenes! Bonus: it’s fun to pop when you’re finished. (Bonus for finding other items, like leaves to see what textures they create with paint too!)
You’ll need:
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Bubble wrap
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Paint
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Paper

Egg Box Bugs
FREE or £2 Max
Old egg boxes become ladybirds, bumblebees and bonkers beetles! Paint each cup, add legs, wings or antennae, and bring your mini beasts to life.
You’ll need:
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Egg box
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Paint or pens
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Pipe cleaners, googly eyes, glue

Nature Wands
FREE
Go on a mini nature walk and collect magical materials – sticks, feathers, petals, leaves. Wrap with string or ribbon and create your own enchanted wand. Fairy magic or wizardry? You decide.
You’ll need:
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A stick
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Ribbon, string or wool
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Natural bits from the garden or park
🎉 Why These Crafts Rock:
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They’re cheap (or totally free!)
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They spark creativity, not screen time
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They use everyday materials
📍 Want more crafty joy? Pop into The Crafty Beanie in Saffron Walden for pottery painting, arty parties and creative workshops from just £3.95 per person!
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