Paper Fireworks – Hand Kites

A Bonfire Night fireworks craft for kids!

Guy Fawkes Night is, without a doubt, my favourite night of the year. So, come autumn, I build up the anticipation for the kids by doing a fireworks craft or two. These ‘paper fireworks’ hand kites are one of our absolute favourite things to make. Not only are they easy enough for even pre-schoolers to do, you also get to play with them afterwards! And yes, they are an awful lot safer than the real thing…

Paper fireworks craft for kids - making hand kites — These paper fireworks are great fun to make, and as they’re also hand kites the kids can have fun whizzing them around too – just like the real thing!

So whether for Bonfire Night on the 5th of November, or for Diwali, or the 4th of July, New Year’s Eve, Eid Al Adha, Chinese New Year or your own personal favourite firework night, read on to find out how to do this fabulous fireworks craft!

The best chilli recipe ever

A family friendly homemade chilli recipe that kids will love!

This delicious and easy one pot chilli recipe is so tasty that I guarantee it’ll become a family favourite dinner in no time. Whether you are making it for kids or a grown-up gathering; for full-on carnivores, or for vegetarians or vegans, you’ll find that everyone loves this dish.

There are many chilli recipes out there, but I promise you that once you’ve tried this one, you’ll never bother with any of the others again because it is just that good. Fighting words? Read on to take the challenge!

beef or vegan chilli recipe — The world’s best chilli. Don’t believe me? Try the the recipe for yourself!

Homemade Refried Beans

How to make refried beans from canned beans!

This homemade refried beans recipe is the perfect accompaniment to my delicious chilli con carne. Quick and easy to make, did you know you can make refried beans from canned beans? But unlike the pre-made tinned refried beans, with this homemade refried beans recipe you’ll be adding fresh vegetables and herbs to the mix.

The result is a dish that’s a million miles away from the store-bought stuff. Homemade refried beans are so tasty that you’ve got to try them for yourself, so read on for the recipe!

homemade refried beans as a sidedish or topping for a chilli recipe — Homemade refried beans are nothing like the ones you get in a tin!

How to plan the best kids treasure hunt ever!

A kids treasure hunt is a great activity for mixed age groups, as even little ones can get involved.

But if you’ve ever been on a hunt where a few bolder and quicker kids scoop up all the loot, leaving the rest trailing behind in tears, then you’ll know that there’s a trick or two involved in keeping things fair and fun for everyone.

Want to know the secret? Read on to find out!

Kids treasure hunt in a fairy garden at Mannington Hall, Norfolk — How to make simple but bee-utiful bee pendants from air dry clay!

How to make air dry clay pendants

Homemade bee necklaces for a kids treasure hunt!

These adorable bee air dry clay pendants were really easy to create and make sweet little bee necklaces. However, instead of wearing them, we turned them into treasure for a buzzy bee hunt that keep the kids busy over the holidays, and it worked wonderfully!

Our children couldn’t get enough of these adorable bees, so read on to find out how you can make them too.

How to make simple but bee-utiful bee pendants from air dry clay!

How to Make a Bug-tastic Nature Explorer Bag

Have you noticed how a walk with the kids is never ‘just’ a walk? To aid my kids on their outdoor adventures, I’ve made them a super-simple nature explorer bag each. Big enough for their supplies, but slouchy and soft enough not to get in the way of their play. Want to make one too? Read on for the instructions!

DIY kids nature explorer bags - simple sewing project — Just right for little adventurers – simple-to-make, easy-to-wear nature explorer bags!

How to make a (cardboard) real magnifying glass!

Make your own real magnifying glass (the cardboard version)

Whether they’re exploring the world around them or role-playing as adventurers or spies, kids love playing with a real magnifying glass. This cardboard, handmade, magnifying glass is just perfect for them to use, and they can decorate it themselves too. Read on to find out how to make them.

A real magnifying glass made from cardboard

A home-made magnifying glass that’s quick and easy to make.

How to make a real magnifying glass

Make your own magnifying glass

A magnifying glass has to be one of the most useful, thought-provoking, and inspiring tools you can give to a child. This hand-made diy magnifying glass is both pretty and functional, and each one is also completely unique. And forget the kids, adults love these too! Read on to find out how to make them.

Lovely tools, like this home-made magnifying glass, make using them a pleasure.

How to make custom scratch art cards

The perfect scratch art card

This home-made scratch art card project is perfect for keeping the kids entertained over the summer. You (and they) can make these scratch art cards out of ordinary arts and crafts supplies, and they’re really easy to make. Even my pre-schooler has done it! Read on to find out how.

Pattern-making becomes so much more fun with a home-made scratch art card.

How to make a mason jar shaker card

The perfect ‘Thank You’ card

This home-made mason jar shaker card has an extra little secret – you can lift the lid and take out the messages inside! Perfect as a ‘thank you’ card for teachers, you can personalise it any way you like, and the kids can add their own drawings and notes too. Want to make one? Read on to find out how I did it, and get my FREE mason jar shaker card download to make your own.

You can fill these fun DiY mason jar cards with anything you like!