5 cute and sustainable autumn craft ideas for kids this half term
If you’re looking for budget-friendly and easy activities to do with the kids over the school holidays, here are some of our favourite crafts we’ve seen on the grid…
Half term can always be a tricky one, especially if you’re at home and trying to squeeze in work (like we will be!) around holiday camps and play dates. When you need some ‘quiet time’, whether that’s to try and answer a few emails or just to get the dinner on, we’ve pulled together a few of our favourite crafts that are simple to do and will keep them occupied.
If your kids are forever foraging on weekend walks, now’s the time to make use of those smuggled leaves and pine cones and have a quick rummage in the recycling to rescue loo rolls and cereal boxes for your crafting activities. Are you ready? Check out these 5 eco-friendly craft ideas from fellow mums and Instagrammers to get your creative juices flowing...
APPLE PRINTING
An alternative to good old-fashioned potato printing, why not print your very own little pumpkin characters like Instagrammer and mum charlotte_and_the_boys? Simply cut an apple in half, get your child to paint one side (ideally using low or VOC-free paint) and print to make pumpkin faces, add green stalks and then draw on faces once they’re dry! You could cut them out and then turn into a garland or single decorations hanging from branches in a vase.
SALT DOUGH HANDPRINT GHOSTS
Using a simple salt dough recipe to create handprint decorations is a lovely way to spend the afternoon with your little ones, but you also end up with a great keepsake too. We love this example from tillyandsage, who in turn was inspired by a reel from woodenthatbesomethin – you can follow a step-by-step guide here.
LEAF ART
Creating a pumpkin suncatcher is a great craft for younger ones and fab for getting them to practice their fine motor skills. Sustainable crafter and influencer Nicky from littlies_and_me suggests using thin cardboard, such as a cereal box for the base, and then covering with sticky-back plastic or sellotope (we recommend this eco-friendly selloptape) to create a sticky side to capture all those lovely leaves foraged on your autumn walks.
PINE CONE CREATURES
We’ve seen many cute crafts from Instagram sensation fraeullein_jasmin, but these adorable pine cone snails caught our eye – her profile is a huge source of inspiration (there’s nothing this woman can’t do with a loo roll), so check her out for other craft ideas if you’re on the hunt for other creative ideas over half term.
NO CARVE PUMPKINS
If you’re pressed for time and haven’t got the hours to spend artfully carving pumpkins before Halloween (because frankly who does these days?!) this one is for you. Dig out some leftover paint and some little helping hands as this is an easy craft you can do with your kids in minutes. This fun example is from handmadecharlotte, who has also gone for a cute woodland-themed design here.
Want more craft ideas? Check out co-editor Sophie’s latest upcycle project and take a look at the Nest instagram account (@nest_magazine) for co-editor Charlotte’s cool picture frame hack.