It doesn’t seem like 5 minutes since the kids went back to school after the summer holidays and yet October half term is almost here!
If, like us, you’re looking for fun things to do with the kids over the school holidays then look no further.
We’ve handpicked a list of 20 child-friendly workshops that are running across the country, but it they’re not close to you, just pop your postcode into the location search box to find many more family friendly workshops.
Plus we've included some fantastic crafts you can do from the comfort of your home, and don’t worry, there’s not a piece of glitter in sight!
Scotland
1. Pretty rubbish mosaic and glass art
Aberdeenshire
During this workshop you’ll learn how to make your own unique piece of mosaic art using china, glass, crockery, tiles and even jewellery. You will be taught how to safely cut your items and fit them together, before grouting and cleaning your piece ready to take pride of place at home.
Tayside
Get creative as a family in this fun explorative pottery class which runs over 8 weeks. You can stay and join in the fun with your child. Or if your child is over the age of 10, they might prefer to attend the class without an adult cramping their style – it’s completely up to them (and you)!
Family Pottery Class, Forgan Arts Centre
North West
Lancashire
Your tutor Marion will show you ceramic techniques such as slabbing, coiling and pinching before moving on to help you make your very own poppy, hanging ornament, owl, tea-light holder, snowman, vase or something else of your choosing. There will be lots of books and magazines available to inspire you and Marion will be on hand to help throughout the workshop.
4. Macrame plant hanger workshop
Manchester
This workshop is perfect for teenagers. You will be taught 3 macramé knots and then use these to create your very own macramé plant hanger to take home. All materials will be supplied and you’ll be given an easy to follow step by step booklet to take away with you so you can go macramé crazy at home!
Macrame workshop
North East
5. Resin Christmas bauble craft workshop
Tyne & Wear
Get organised for Christmas and learn how to make your own hanging Christmas decorations using resin. You’ll make two personalised baubles during the workshop, choosing from a star, circle, Christmas tree or angel shaped silicone mould. You’ll also have access to glitter, seaglass, embellishments and different coloured powders so you can really get creative.
Because you’ll be using resin this workshop is only suitable for older children (and young-at-heart adults of course!)
6. Fun with fabric - a creative family activity!
Northumberland
Work with textile artist Louise Underwood to make your own pennant flag celebrating your unique pledge for the Year of Green Action. After the workshop you’ll be able to take your creation away with you or add your design to the family of National Park Banners at The Sill National Landscape Discovery Centre.
Resin Christmas decorations: trees, stars and snowflakes
Yorkshire
Leeds
Explore the wonderful world of glass and experiment with a variety of techniques and materials including how to cut glass, add inclusions and create voids & bubbles and of course, decoration! During a two hour workshop, you will be shown the basics of fused glass, it is a hands on workshop, with no experience necessary.
Leeds
What could be better than setting up camp and spending the day in the woods learning bushcraft skills with friends. Your children will have the opportunity to get involved in lots of different activities during the day. Past events have included shelter building, fire lighting, campfire cooking, hammock making, bows and arrows and charcoal making – where do we sign up?
Fused glass workshop
Midlands
Staffordshire
Using various wool fibres and a felting needle, you’ll learn how to knit fibres together to make your very own needle felted animal. You just need to decide what to make; will you choose an owl, penguin, bird or something else?
10. Fused Glass One Day Workshops
Leicester
Be warned – glass fusing is very addictive and your child might just get hooked! After a brief introduction about glass and all it’s different forms, you’ll go on learn about different finishing and cutting techniques, before putting your new knowledge into action and creating your very own piece of fused glass art.
Festive felting
Wales
11. Children's clay modelling workshop: hobbit and fairy houses
Pembrokeshire
Your child can spend a morning designing and making their very own mythical house from clay, with lots of guidance and encouragement from tutor Mena. Designs can vary from hobbit cave, fairy house, a pumpkin, woodland, or even the ocean with endless decorative finishing touches available.
12. Screen printing using paper stencils onto fabric
Cardiff
Learn the basics of screen printing on fabric using hand cut stencils. You will make a print that can later be transferred onto a cushion cover, bag or even clothing – maybe your young person will get a taste for design. This workshop might just inspire an exciting career in fashion or textiles!
Screen printing
East of England
13. A journey to the Centre of the Hive
Cambridge
This fun and educational workshop will take you through the life of the honey bee colony. You’ll be able to observe real bees in their secret world, without the need for any protective equipment thanks to an observation hive.
The workshop also involves honey tasting and is suitable for children aged 10+. Grown ups are welcome too.
14. Make and decorate your own clay pot
Suffolk
Using traditional hand-building 'slabbing' techniques you will make your very own clay pot and then decorate it using coloured slips, stamping, imprinting and sgraffito. You’ll leave your work with tutor Louise, who will fire and glaze your finished piece ready for collection at a later date.
Children's clay bowls
South East
15. Six hour introduction to frame loom weaving at Twyford Social Club
Winchester
Ellie Fisher is a textile designer with over 15 years of weaving experience and is running this special half term workshop for children aged 11+. Ellie will teach you the basic principles and terminology of weaving before letting you create your very own small woven piece using a frame loom.
16. Crazy Clay creations: hand-building pottery for children and their families
Hampshire
Go crazy with clay this half term. Using your imagination, you’ll squish and mould earthernware clay to make a magical masterpiece. You’ll also be able to paint your work of art with lots of bright colours and leave it with your tutor Sally to be fired ready for collection a few weeks later.
Half term loom weaving workshop
17. Parent and child blacksmithing
Reading
Anvil Forge have created this special experience day for juniors who want to come and have a go at metalwork. The class is tailored towards children aged 8+ who come with their grown up. The workshop will be based on your child’s individual interests and aspirations.
Hitchin
Come and learn how easy it is to produce beautiful handmade prints using linocutting.
Kim will show you how to transfer a design onto lino, how to carve the design, ink the block and finally how to print it using printmaking equipment. You will end up with a wonderful selection of plant inspired work to take home.
Family blacksmithing workshop
South West
19. Children's needle felting workshop
Bristol
Needle felting is a great way to provide a creative and fun learning experience that will keep children engaged and focused. During this workshop children can make their own woodland themed animal using needle felting and a polystyrene egg.
20. Parent and child 'owl' clay sculpture day
Somerset
Have a ‘hoot’ and make your own owl from clay! This course is perfect for a parent and child during the school holidays. Your finished creations can be taken away for firing or left behind for drying and firing, and collection at a later date.
Needle felting
Crafts to do at home
Finally, if you’re unable to get to one of our workshops, fear not! Maggy from Red Ted Art has very kindly shared some simple seasonal crafts that you can do at home:
Conker Snakes are perfect for using up all those chestnuts your little ones have collected this Autumn.
As well as being tactile toys that your children will love, these snakes also double up as a numeracy tool – count the conkers, add and subtract conkers and practice your number bonds!
Conker snake
Inspired by little waldorf dolls, these adorable Pinecone Fairies are adorable and easy to make.
All you need is some old tights, cotton wool and thread, wool for the hair, acorn caps for the hat, felt for the wings, and the thing that will stick everything together - PVA glue!
Pinecone crafts
