Top craft ideas to keep kids entertained in isolation

1. Sock puppets

This classic craft is easily achieved at home and can provide hours of entertainment afterwards too. All you need is an old sock (perhaps one your little one has outgrown) and a few other bits and bobs that you have lying around to create your very own sock character. Once you've finished, you can create puppet shows together.

2. Egg box monsters

Once you've eaten all the eggs from your egg box, don't just throw it away. These containers can be used for a massive variety of fun crafts your little one will love including these fun and funky monsters. See what roarsome creations you can come up with together.

3. Paper plate jellyfish

These paper plate jellyfish are a fun way to fill your day. Make them as colourful and as shiny as you like and hang them on your walls or doors to brighten up your decor.

4. Paper chain snakes

If you've got a little lad or ladette in your household, they're sure to be a fan of these slithery reptiles. This craft actually looks super effective and yet all you need to create your paper chain snake is several strips of card or paper.

5. Handprint fish puppets

Another craft idea for fans of the ocean, this fun and fabulous handprint fish can team up with the sock puppets you created earlier to make for a more exciting puppet performance. Plus, the handprints add a personal touch to your craft and make a great keepsake of your shared time in isolation together.

6. Colourful butterflies

Make a kaleidoscope of colour with your very own butterfly creation. Add some googly eyes (if you've got them) and some pipe cleaner antennae and the effect is quite lovely.

7. Fire-breathing dragon

If your little one is a fan of this fierce mythical creature, they're sure to get some enjoyment out of this craft. Breathe a little fire into your home-life and have fun creating different coloured dragons side by side.

8. Paper plate snails

Whether you're a lover of nature or not, these not-so-slimy creations are sure to give your little one plenty of mosaic-inspired fun. You could even mix up the patterns with paint, swirls or stars.

9. Unicorn slime

Now, slime is one of those things that every child loves and every parent despises. But right now, your job is to cheer them up and keep them occupied and this rainbow slime will do exactly that. Maybe consider putting an "outdoors only" rule in place to protect your furniture and flooring, though!

10. Glow in the dark dinosaur lanterns

This craft idea actually doubles up as a funky tea-light holder. Add some roar-tastic dinosaur lanterns to your home and brighten up your little man or lady's bedroom for little-to-no cost.

11. Paper plate ocean craft

Sea-based crafts are extremely popular at the moment as they present the opportunity to discuss and educate our children on the importance of saving and protecting our oceans. And these little moveable crafts will give you plenty of time to sit and chat with your little one while you work.

12. Monster bookmarks

For school-aged children, reading on a daily basis is very important. If your child is a little reluctant to complete their reading at home though, this craft idea could be just the encouragement they need.

If you need some great titles to put them in afterwards, you can also check out our guide on books for the whole family to read during lockdown.

13. Egg carton flowers

That's right, we told you those egg boxes would come in handy. Here's a nature-based, fun way to get crafty with your discarded egg cartons at home. Why not take your little one into the garden and ask them to recreate the flowers they see?

14. Homemade kaleidoscope

This classic childhood toy was a firm favourite for many of us growing up. With a few bits and bobs from your craft drawer and a used toilet roll tube, creating your own is really quite simple. This craft will be nostalgic for adults, novel for kids and extremely fun for both.

15. Tin can owl pencil pots

Tired of your kids leaving their pens and pencils all over the place? This craft idea will offer a fun and functional solution. Win-win.

16. Pipe cleaner superheroes

Most children adore superheroes, which makes this the perfect craft for practically every household. Try to recreate your favourite superhero or have fun making up your own.

17. Twirligig

This homemade toy will offer hours of enjoyment with next to no cost. Switch up the colours and bond with your little one whilst building your twirligig craft together.

18. Popsicle stick planes

This simple craft idea is extremely easy and yet super effective. Get creative with different lengths, patterns and colours to create a fleet of planes that will offer hours of independent and imaginative play.

19. Coffee filter ballerinas

The fabulous tutu skirts on these pictures give the finished piece an ethereal quality similar to that of a real ballerina. Have fun experimenting with different poses and colours and inspire your kids to repurpose materials at the same time.

20. Glove monsters

Another monster-themed activity that your little ones are sure to love, this craft repurposes winter gloves. Whether your child has outgrown theirs or you've found a few holey pairs at the back of your wardrobe, don't chuck them out as even old gloves can be used in crafting.

21. Hama bead bracelets

Why not encourage your child to make bracelets to give to their friends when they go back to school or kindergarten? If your child is a fan of this popular kids craze, you'll have all the equipment you need to achieve beautiful hama bead bracelets at home already. If not, you can pick up tubs of the beads over at Spotlight.

22. Finger knitting

OK, so your little one may not be quite old enough to start learning how to knit for real, but this finger-based method is easier to master and provides a relatively complex task to try out at home. Being craft-based though, your child is more likely to see it as a fun activity rather than as something educational.

23. Sock bunnies

These cute little bunnies can be created with just a sock, some rice from your kitchen cupboard, some twine and a ribbon. Boys and girls alike will have great fun crafting their bunny and adding a few finishing touches with a marker pen.

24. Dinosaur handprint cards

If there's a family birthday right around the corner, why not get the kiddies to make a handmade card that your family member will be able to treasure forever? These quirky dino cards are just the ticket to make someone's day.

25. Unicorn dreamcatchers

These beautiful unicorn dreamcatchers are just the thing your kids need to hang on their bedroom wall. They're stylish and colourful with a vintage feel and are surprisingly easy to make.

26. Sock worms

Here's another reason to never throw out your old socks and instead store them in your craft cupboard. Making these sock worms is a fun way to fill your day, and the up-side is that you'll have a brand new toy to add to your toybox when you've finished.

27. Handprint crabs

Personalised crafts can be kept as a keepsake for years to come and this one will help you to create cheeky crabs using the handprints of your little ones. Mums and dads, prepare to be on hand to help with tracing around their hands and cutting out the shapes.

28. Pop-up penguins

Introduce your little ones to the art of origami. These pop-up penguins are achieved by repeatedly folding thin strips of paper to enable them to bounce up and down in an amazingly fun way that will enhance your child's play.

29. Fireworks in a jar

This fireworks in a jar craft is guaranteed to wow children and adults alike. Plus, you can really get creative with your colour choices to make your display even more exciting. Tip: check out colour wheels online and choose colours that are directly opposite each other to create contrast.

30. Rock painting

Rock painting is all the rage right now and, while it's not advisable to take your creations out and hide them for other children to find at the moment, it still makes for a fun craft activity. This Pinterest post suggests creating monsters, but feel free to get creative. Flowers, ladybirds and even cartoon characters are all effective as long as the design is simple and easy to read.