Make the most of the summer holidays with arts and crafts

Make the most of the summer holidays with arts and crafts

Make the most of the summer holidays with arts and crafts

The summer school holidays are upon us and that means six glorious weeks of keeping the kids entertained. Don't worry, we're here to help with a great range of arts and craft items for some screen-free fun.

Practical painting kits

Small classic‑style wooden bird house with a pitched roof and front entrance hole. Supplied with hanging string.

Getting the paints out doesn't have to mean another artistic masterpiece stuck to the fridge! How about a Paint Your Own Animal Money Box set? Available in snail, whale and pig designs, these ceramic money boxes come with paints and brushes so you're ready to go and, once dried, will look great on a bedroom shelf to collect some pocket money. £4.49 each.

In anticipation of some sunshine, why not give a suncatcher a try? The transparent unicorn, mermaid, heart and butterfly designs (sold separately) can be painted and proudly hung in a window ready to catch those sunbeams and come to life. £1.99 each.

Or if you're looking for something to go outdoors, how about a Paint Your Own Bird House - ideal for helping attract some feathered friends to your garden to spot over the rest of the holidays. £2.99 each.

Three ceramic money boxes in the shapes of a snail, a whale, and a pig, ready to be painted with supplied paints.

Creativity without limits

A plain white artist canvas in its packaging

Perhaps you'd like to explore an art style with a blank canvas - we have those, too! Available in a range of sizes with prices starting from just £2.29, the cotton canvases are ideal for adults and children alike to let their artistic flair shine.

Top tip: Why not use a canvas to create a "painted postcard" from your summer holiday? Or one featuring your favourite book or TV character on their holidays? It's a great way of building those summer memories.

If paper and pencil are more your thing, then check out our A4 canvas pads (£4.99) and range of artist pencils (£1.99). The heavyweight, 280gsm paper pads are also suitable for watercolour and acrylic paints (12ml paint 12 pack, £4.49 each).

If you're just getting started in the art world, take a look at the 15 Minute Art range of books covering drawing, painting and watercolours (sold separately, £16.99 each).

An illustrated cover titled “15 Minute Art: Drawing – Learn How to Draw, Colour and Shade.” The artwork depicts a bright still‑life scene with a bowl of lemons, a striped mug, leafy plants and a warm pink background.A bright illustrated cover titled “15 Minute Art Painting: Learn to Paint in 6 Steps or Less.” The artwork features large green leaves, a yellow flower, and abstract painted dots in green and yellow.

Brilliant books

Whilst we're talking books, we also have a great selection of colouring, sticker and activity books for children, including a football sticker book (£6.99), Art Gallery Doodling & Colouring (£7.99), and a Bird Spotting game (£12.99).

A colourful children’s sticker book titled “555 Sticker Fun Football,” featuring a bright football stadium scene filled with illustrated players, cheering crowds, flags from multiple countries and a large football in the centre. The cover uses bold yellow text and vibrant greens, blues and reds, showcasing a lively football theme designed for activities for children and sticker book fun.Inside spread of the 555 Football Sticker Fun book showing a sunny football pitch scene.

Relax, one stitch at a time

Cygnet Colour Rush DK Yarn in rainbow 'Funshine' colours

If you're looking for some downtime yourself, why not try knitting or crochet? Whether you're a beginner knitter or already a dab hand with the crochet hook, we have a few great things in store for you, too - from books (£10) to get you started to yarns (from £1.89) to keep you going from project to project.

These are just some of the crafty highlights we have available - browse the full Arts and Crafts collection here.

And remember, when you buy from Cancer Research UK, every painted money box, fridge-worthy sketch, shimmering suncatcher, or crocheted creation is helping power progress because together we are beating cancer.

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