To imagine the world of tomorrow, we’d better be prepared!
Looking for fun, low-cost ways to entertain the kids this February half term? Screen‑free activities can feel hard to come by, but pairing some half term reading with simple crafts is a brilliant way to keep children busy, creative and learning, without needing a huge craft cupboard!
These easy book and craft pairings use our everyday stationery favourites like coloured pencils, glue sticks, notebooks and craft paper. Perfect for rainy afternoons or full creative sessions at home with friends, family or quiet solo time.
Whether you’ve got a little reader, a reluctant reader, or a child who just wants to make things, these ideas will help bring stories to life all week long!
Great for ages: 3 to 6
The Gruffalo is a family favourite and it’s full of fun characters kids love to recreate. After reading the story, encourage children to design their own woodland collage featuring the mouse, fox, owl, snake and the Gruffalo himself! This Gruffalo craft for kids is the perfect way to encourage them to tell their favourite stories through their eyes and in their own, creative way. It’s the perfect easy half term craft idea, (that’ll also get them outside!)
Great for ages: 3 to 7
Turn a simple notebook into a days-of-the-week journal inspired by The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Children draw (or stick pictures of) what they’ve eaten each day just like the caterpillar’s adventure through the book! This is a great way for them to keep routine established over the half term week and is a great way to introduce journaling for kids as an easy early years craft! Download our hungry caterpillar template where you can print off for as many days as you’d like to play out this activity.
Great for ages: 8 to 12
Perfect for imaginative older children! After diving into Harry’s world, kids can turn a blank notebook into their very own spell book, filled with spells they invent themselves. For children who love to write or dive into their own creative world, this creative writing activity for kids is the perfect way to combine all their favourite creative ventures into one!
Image credit: Sunniva AlmK, Pinterest
Great for ages: 7 to 11
If your child is dragon-obsessed, this craft pairs perfectly with The Boy Who Grew Dragons by Andy Shepherd After reading, invite them to design their own dragon! Complete with scales, wings, colours and personality traits, this is a great example of a quiet time task that’ll keep them busy and their imagination on fire!
Image: Moijefais, Pinterest
Great for ages: 6 to10
For book-loving kids (or those who could be!), a DIY bookmark craft inspired by Matilda is a quick, satisfying activity. This short activity is great for busy days and encouraging reading confidence. For a fun twist, your bookmarks could include a short review of the book in the design!
Image: zoelenadiary, Pinterest
Great for ages: 7 to 12
If your child loves silly humour and comics, Bunny vs Monkey is guaranteed entertainment. Extend the fun by encouraging them to create their own comic strip using a printable/handmade template. This is a wonderfully fun way to help work on their sequencing and storytelling and also fits perfectly as a weekend project!
Celebrating differences is the heart of Elmer, and kids love creating their own patchwork elephant! This craft helps fine motor skills and supports colour recognition as well as being quick, low mess and full of wonderful colour.
Image: Rachel Hinderliter, Pinterest
