The Making Practice

Long car journeys with children don't have to be something you simply endure. With a little planning, they can become an enjoyable part of the adventure. We make a 400-mile car trip a few times each year and we've discovered that the secret isn't expensive gadgets or endless treats. It's about keeping everyone engaged, breaking the journey up into manageable chunks, and encouraging a little curiosity and creativity along the way. Here are some of our favourite tips for making

Looking for an inexpensive way to inspire creativity at home? One of our favourite resources is a DIY craft caddy, filled with an ever-changing collection of interesting materials ready for making, inventing and experimenting. The best part? It costs very little (possible no cost at all!) to put together – you may already have everything you need. The caddy in the photo below was made almost entirely from recycled and leftover materials, proving that creativity doesn't have t

Children's birthdays don't have to be expensive or Pinterest-perfect to be memorable. In fact, some of the moments my children remember most are the small creative touches—the personalised games, handmade decorations and silly surprises that make the day feel uniquely theirs. The ideas below are all about adding personality rather than perfection. Many of them cost very little, reduce waste and can become family traditions that children look forward to every year. Create a Pe

When children are learning to write, they can get through an incredible amount of paper at home. Then, just as you've found somewhere to store it all, the end of the school year arrives and you're asked to send in empty bags so they can bring home every painting, worksheet and masterpiece they've created during the year. If you're a parent, you'll probably know the feeling. Suddenly you're faced with hundreds of paintings, worksheets, collages and drawings, all lovingly creat

All through 2025 people asked, How’s the art going? And I would smile and say,“Oh, it’s a bit on the side this year.” Because we had moved house Rooms full of boxes and echoing with to-do lists. I had to work more hours. Everything left given to family Life was full and I thought there was no space left. On the side, I said,as if art were a coat hung patiently behind the door, waiting for a quieter season. But what I meant (though I didn’t quite realise it) was that it wasn’t