From a young age I discovered that making things was my way of trying out new ideas, working out how things worked. I would wake up thinking about what I could make. It was useful for fulfilling a creative need, as well as calming my restless mind. Back then I had more time and was able to see a lot of my projects to completion.

These days, many of my projects are started but not finished! I still love to dream about what I could make, whether or not I get to the stage of actually making it! However, what I find the most satisfying these days, is being immersed in the project and spending a half hour, and hour or more, creating something.

Making something – whether it is knitting, hand stitching, pottery, paper crafts, painting or drawing – is a very satisfying experience. Whether you buy a kit and follow a craft project, research and plan for your own project, or think of ways to use up your craft supplies and materials you already have at home, or repurpose something you already have, there is a sense of accomplishment when that project is completed.

I encourage my kids to make things because engaging in a quiet activity and time away from screens, is good for calming and winding down, and good for mental wellbeing. It’s perfect for dealing with the fidgets and beneficial for problem solving skills. What I don’t love is the mess that us sometimes involved and I will share some of the ways we try to minimise this!

The majority of our easy crafts are paper based; using materials we have on hand, such as:

• paper plate activities
• Toilet roll / tube activities
• Pop up cards
• Minimal mess ideas for craft