110 Ideas For Things To Do At Half Term

It’s half term. You don’t want them sat in front of a screen all week, and you’ve exhausted all the usual jigsaws, board games and toys. Plus, it’s raining outdoors. What do you do?

Fear not. We’ve got dozens and dozens of ideas for you to get stuck into. Let’s get cracking...

1. Make designer face masks to wear out and about. Or...

2. Make designer facemasks for dolls and action figures. 

3. Become a king or princess with these home-made royal crowns.

4. Have a paper plane-making competition, using these pro-tips.

5. Create your own slime with these yucky recipes…

6. … or try the crunchy slime, if you dare.

7. Design and build a time capsule for your future self to discover… or for the random strangers who’ll be living in your house decades from now.

8. Brighten your lounge with these beautiful 3-D paper flowers…

9. ... or how about making some from pipe cleaners?

10. Pipe cleaners can also be twisted to make this creepy crawly spider.

11. Yes, you can make balloon animals. It’s easier than you might think.

12. Do you know the trick for turning wax crayons into paint?...

13. … And then you’ll need something to colour. We’ve got dozens of pictures, filed by theme, for you to print out and decorate.

14. Or turning just about anything into a book end?

15. Make ornaments using footprints. Yes, really.

16. Concoct your own Monster Spray, to help clear the bedrooms of any lurking nasties!

17. Put together a thumb-print family tree…

18. ...Similarly, make a family memory tree that’ll last for generations.

19. If origami is your thing, fold your way to a new car, purse, dolphin, unicorn, or any of the other 30 animals in this origami list. (Try the parrot, if you’re playing at pirates -- see ‘Fun and Games’.)

20. A candy dispenser out of Lego? It could work.

21. Kids who knit or crochet will love these woolly tips.

22. Or how about a spot of needle felting?

23. Amazing splatter paint art for those who don’t mind getting a bit messy.

24. Empty the recycling box and try one of these recycling craft projects…

25. ...And while you’re at it, here are seven brilliant craft ideas that use old magazines.

26. Preschoolers will love these fairytale craft projects.

27. This IS the craft project you’re looking for: 10 Star Wars-inspired things to make.

28. Alternatively, here are 15 despicable craft projects inspired by the Minions.

29. Or can you catch all of these Pokemon-inspired craft projects?

30. Or maybe your child is more of a Harry Potter fan -- in which case, try these magic craft projects.
 

31. The only thing better than ice cream is crafted ice cream. (OK, it’s not necessarily better… but a fun change.)

32. Can you think of 27 things to do with a paper cup? We can.

33. How about 21 projects involving lolly sticks? Here’s the master list.  

34. Or perhaps 19 fun things to do with a paper plate? 

35. Can’t get out to a farm right now? Make one, with this paper-based craft project.

36. Isn’t it about time you decorated your windows? 

37. We bet you haven’t explored the full creative potential of a split-pin. Make a book, a jumping jack or a bird of paradise.

38. Make your own stamps (of the print-making kind, not the postal kind).

39. Get stocked up on birthday cards by making your own.

40. Give your little stars some company with these 27 star-shaped craft projects.
 

41. Hubble, bubble, toil and not-much-trouble to make these witch potions -- some are even drinkable! 

42. Ever made a pizza cake together? Now you can.

43. Open your own tuck-shop… just for fun.

44. How to make a spa face mask using only kitchen ingredients…

45. ...And use it as part of a family home-spa day.

46. Create your own healthy alternatives to takeaway meals.

47. “Bake, bake, as fast as you can…” Make gingerbread people, 11 ways.

48. How to make simple salt dough, and then eight crafty things to do with it.

49. Why wait for pancake day? Try these creative batter-based treats at any time of year.

50. Plan and set out a themed picnic, either in the garden or indoors.

51. Get the kids involved in an indoor BBQ.

52. Get baking! We’ve collected together dozens of cake recipes here.

53. Make your own bird feeder to encourage more wildlife into the garden (or balcony).

54. Alternatively, here’s how to put together a bird box to help nesting birds.

55. Turn your garden into a bee paradise, to help our buzzy friends thrive. We’ve got seven ideas…

56. … or else get busy with these bee-inspired craft projects.

57. … ladybirds can also be crafted, with these 27 simple projects for preschoolers.

58. If you’ve got a sturdy, reliable washing machine, then you could encourage the kids to make a mud kitchen.

59. Organise a garden scavenger hunt.

60. Get the kids to help you plant seeds, and other gardening activities.

61. No garden? Learn how to bring outdoor fun inside.

62. Work on your fitness routine by trying some of these 30 ideas for indoor exercise with kids (plus five more here).

63. Go on a mini-outdoor adventure, with these games you can play while walking and exploring.

64. Have you nailed these simple yoga postures for beginners?

65. And here are another seven tips for practicing yoga with little ones.

66. Try these virtual PE lessons to keep the kids active.

67. Learn how to play tennis, in your own backyard.

68. Help your kids put together a gratitude journal, so they can record and remember all the reasons in life to be thankful.

69. Can you put together your own Roman helmet?

70. Who knew that making soap could be this easy? Perhaps one to do if you’re also making the mud kitchen (see ‘Closer to Nature’).

71. Maths can be fun, with these activities using playdough.

72. Use the opportunity to make improvements to their home-study space…

73. … Or create a new laptop case for you or the kids.

74. Play at editor, and writer, and publisher, and photographer, by making your own magazines…

75. … or comics. KAPPOWWWW!!!

76. Have you put together a family tree yet? Even if you have, here are 15 creative ways to make an alternative tree.

77. Learn about the world with these geography-based crafting tips…

78. … Including these ocean-themed craft projects.

79. … Or perhaps you could travel back in time with these historically themed craft ideas…

80. … Including these Anglo-Saxon craft activities or these Viking activities.

81. Take to the skies by putting the ‘craft’ back into ‘aircraft’...

82. … or make space for these astronautical crafts.

83. Learn to create art like the masters, with these 15 ideas.

84. Discover more about the Second World War, thorough these crafting ideas.

85. Make a foaming fountain of elephant toothpaste -- which is about as fun and frolicsome as science gets.

86. Show kids how to make a paper clip float, and teach them about surface tension.

87. Are you up for the egg-drop challenge? Design a cradle or cushion to stop a dropped egg smashing.

88. Can you make a balloon inflate without using a pump or your mouth? Here’s how.

89. Run an experiment to see if tea can stain teeth.

90. Try one of dozens of further scientific experiments.

91. Invent your own superhero, then dress up as them.

92. Bored of playing the same old card games? Make your own!

93. Manufacturers needn’t have the monopoly on making board games, either. Here’s a Clue on how to make your own.

94. Create your own indoor fort, with sheets, pillows and chairs.
 

95. If you’re lucky enough to have a garden, here’s how to make the perfect outdoor den.

96. Avast! Here’s how to build ye your very own pirate ship…

97. … Along with some pirate crafting projects. Don’t forget your hat...

98. ... You’ll also need somewhere to land it, so here’s how to make a beach in the home.

99. Of course, you could just watch pirate movies. Here’s how to turn your home into a cinema, without spending a fortune.

100. Hold a sleepover or slumber party, without the need for friends to visit.

101. Make your own softplay area within your home.

102. Not going out to restaurants right now? Try turning your kitchen into one (make sure the kids tip the waiting staff).

103. Can DIY projects be turned into fun games? Here’s how to nail it.

104. How tall a tower can you make from blocks? Now try to beat it.

105. Draw a picture of the craziest monster you can imagine.

106. Arrange all your toys into different colour groups. Or do the same with the clothes in your wardrobe.

107. Try to find as many objects around your home beginning with the first letter of your name (unless you’re called Xavier or Xena, in which case pick a different letter!).

108. Alternatively, try to find one object beginning with each letter of your name. Bring them together and take a photo (or draw them).

109. Similarly, you could try to find a whole alphabet of objects lying around the home (atlas, broom, candle, doormat…)

110. Build a creative domino chain. If you don’t have dominos, use books.