Create your own 3D flower

Leap into spring and get creative with this fun and easy 3D flower craft. Create as home decoration to place in a vase, or make as a crafty gift. Explore using different colours to make it bright and beautiful. This activity helps to develop your child’s fine motor skills, colour recognition and can help connect them to nature.

You will need:

• Tissue Paper
• Scissors
• Pipe Cleaners

 

Q: What goes up when the rain goes down?

A: Umbrellas!

Q: Why did Cinderella get kicked off the baseball team?

A: She always ran away from the ball.

Q: When do monkeys fall from the sky?

A: During APE-ril showers!

For more “How To” videos go to our YouTube Channel and click Subscribe. Share your awesome masterpieces with #creationstation on The Creation Station Ltd Facebook or Twitter page for your chance to win one of our monthly craft giveaways. For local classes, parties and events visit www.thecreationstation.co.uk

Happy Chinese New Year!

Year Of The Rooster

Celebrate Chinese New Year by decorating your own Chinese lantern.

Become a follower of our blog for more exciting activity ideas to do at home.

For more “How To” videos go to our YouTube Channel and click Subscribe. Share your awesome masterpieces with #creationstation on The Creation Station Ltd Facebook or Twitter page for your chance to win one of our monthly craft giveaways. For local classes, parties and events visit www.thecreationstation.co.uk

Halloween Countdown- How To Make A Children’s Halloween Lantern

Make your own Halloween lantern for walking around trick-or-treating, a decorative door light to guide the way for other trick-or-treaters or use as a sweets jar to store your uneaten sweets once you’ve had your spooktacular night. We’d love to see what you have done with your Halloween lanterns so share a photo with us on our Facebook page or Tweet us your photos.

If you’re looking for more Halloween fun, check out our Play-Doh Squishy and Squashy Spooky Classes, running across the UK from 17th – 28th October. Find out more by commenting on this blog post, looking up your closest Creation Station on our website, or calling us on 01395 239 700.

 

For more “How To” videos go to our YouTube Channel and click Subscribe.

Ten top benefits of how creative play can help your child’s development.

Play-Doh is great fun and maybe you’ve wondered about the other benefits of playing with Play-Doh? Well, wonder no more – we’ve identified 10 amazing benefits of getting stuck into Play-Doh.

1. Improves self-esteem

You can poke it, pat it, squash it and squeeze it. There is no right or wrong way to use Play-Doh. This helps to develop your child’s self-esteem, as they can’t ‘get it wrong’. Whatever your child produces is a positive achievement.

2. Stimulates imagination

As Play-Doh is a sculpting material, your child has free rein over what their imagination creates. Your child can create whatever you want with Play-Doh – a sausage, a seal or a spider. Then, they can play with ‘toys’ they originated and made themselves.

3.  Encourages experiments with pressure and texture

The tactile experience of playing with Play-Doh works on many levels with a child’s sense of touch. They can create and feel the textures they make, then explore applying varying amounts of pressure to create these textures. Play-Doh responds to even the lightest of touches.

As children increasingly use mobile devices and tablets, the ability to build their sense of pressure and perform screen gestures becomes more important as part of modern life.

4. Strengthens motor skills

Play-Doh strengthens both fine and gross motor skills and allows children to experiment with gentle and powerful touch. In our classes, we see lots of children strengthening their hands, through the range of textures and tools that are used. The Play-Doh sessions give children a great opportunity flex their creative muscles in many ways.

5. Develops self-expression

Play-Doh is all about self-expression, so it can be really therapeutic for children who may not be able to express the range of feelings they’re experiencing, in words.

6. Promotes stress relief

Rather like one of those squeezy stress balls, Play-Doh can be stress-relieving for children.

7. Improves hand-eye co-ordination

Using tools like the extruder, cutters or scissors supports a child’s development of hand-eye co-ordination, which benefits them in all kinds of activities from sports to brushing their teeth.

8. Enriches your child’s education

A fun way to build on your child’s education is to experiment with mixing colours, making shapes, letters or numbers – the possibilities are limitless.

9. Develops social and communication skills

Once your child is creating or has completed their project, discussing it with an adult or child, develops their social and communication skills.

We are very proud of our partnership with  Play-Doh and will be running ‘Play-Doh Imagination Classes’ to help  foster co-operative play, as children share colours or work together to build a creation, such as layering or decorating a cake.

10. Encompasses a wide age range

Play-Doh also appeals to a wide age range of children and our classes cover ages 2-8 years old.

To enjoy all the amazing benefits of playing with Play-Doh, sign up to the Play-Doh Imagination Classes at a Creation Station near you and you’ll get:

• free Play-Doh
• to take home your child’s creation
• a Play-Doh activity booklet
• to enter our Play-Doh competition
• to know that your child is experiencing these benefits

During 17^th to 28^th October 2016, we will be running Play-Doh ‘Open A Tub Of Imagination’ classes for children, at 800 locations around the UK. Join in ‘The Great British Play-Doh Tea Party’ classes and inspire your child with their own unique ‘Cake-Off’ creations.

Plus, you can enjoy ‘Squishy, Squashy, Spooky Halloween Fun’ classes – inspire your child with their own spooky monster creations.

To find your closest class all you need to do is leave a comment, email us here, visit our website and put in your postcode, or call Creative Hub Head Office on 01395 239 700.

And remember – you could be a winner! Enter our Facebook competition to win yourself a Play-Doh Ice Cream Castle and some tubs of Play-Doh. Like our Facebook page and post a picture of your Play-Doh creation using the #PlayDohCreation – we’re looking forward to seeing what your child creates!

 

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How to schedule creative activities for children

Life is busy, isn’t it? There’s the house to manage, the family to feed, the dog to walk, the children to entertain and you have to squeeze in work too.

One of the first things to fall by the wayside can be creative activities with your child, either because they are too messy, or they take too long to set-up. We’ve come up with some ideas for you to try, to help you build art and craft activities into your weekly routine.

Keep the chain going

This idea is really simple:

1. Print out a calendar (a year to a page view). Stick the calendar on a prominent wall. This is a good source for printable calendars is one-page-per-year calendar
2. You’ll then need a red marker to cross off every art and craft session you plan.

The idea is to keep the chain of red crosses, unbroken. If your art and craft time each week is going to be on a Saturday morning after breakfast, keep crossing out that day, after the activity each week. By focusing on keeping the chain going, you forget about the end result. As the saying goes, ‘inch by inch, it’s a cinch’.

Plan around a regular activity

This idea is about fixing your activity to something you do every day or every week, such as brushing your teeth or having lunch. If you tag your new activity onto something that you consistently do, you’ll have a regular reminder of what happens next. This helps you build a routine around your existing routine.

Being realistic – it’s likely that planned days will be missed – it doesn’t mean you have to give up on your regular craft slot. Just get back into it, even if you miss out on two months. The idea is to pick up where you left off. Even if you enjoy ten art and craft sessions more that year, because of following these tips, we think it’s worth it. Wouldn’t your child would agree?

Keep it clean

If you’re keen to keep the clean-up rapid, but want to do some painting use paint coats or splash suits and use things like these fab paint sticks or chubbies. Painting onto objects may also help contain the mess, such as these airplane kits. All these things are available from The Creation Station Store.

Invest in classes

We don’t like to waste money, so the idea being, if we pay for activities we value, it’s booked in and there is more chance that it will actually happen. Plus, we get to have fun and make friends at the same time too. Oh, and someone else does the cleaning up.

So even if life is busy, spending the time to plan regular arts and crafts helps you to inspire your children, develop their imagination and build happy memories together. It’s a win-win situation.

If you’re thinking of joining a Creation Station class, we’ve some exciting news. Every two months we train a new team of franchisees as we expand the classes available across the UK. We are delighted to announce new classes starting in the following areas:

Dulwich, London – Pornthida Crookes

Welcome to Pornthida, who will be running Baby Discover, Little Explorer, Tiny Treasures, Family Fun and local events in the area. The Creation Station Dulwich Facebook page

Dorchester, Dorset – Georgie Moore

Welcome to Georgie, who will be running Baby Discover, Little Explorer, Tiny Treasures, Create Club, Family Fun and local events in the area. The Creation Station Dorchester Facebook page

Beccles, Suffolk – Kirsty Tatum

Welcome to Kirsty who will Baby Discover, Little Explorer, Tiny Treasures, Family Fun and local events in the area. The Creation Station Beccles Facebook page

South Ayrshire – Sarah Codling

Welcome to Sarah who will be Baby Discover, Little Explorer, Tiny Treasures, Family Fun and local events in the area. The Creation Station South Ayrshire Facebook page

Walmley, West Midlands – Emma Carter

Welcome to Emma, who will be running Baby Discover, Little Explorer, Tiny Treasures, Create Club, Family Fun and local events in the area. The Creation Station Walmley, West Midlands Facebook page

Bathgate, West Lothian – Kelly McEwan

Welcome to Kelly, who will be running Baby Discover, Little Explorer, Tiny Treasures, Family Fun and local events in the area. The Creation Station Bathgate, West Lothian Facebook page

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How To Make A Children’s Crafty Hedgehog

If you’re a fan of Mrs Tiggywinkle, then this will spike your interest. Create your own little hedgehog friends. You could even recreate the International Hedgehog Olympic Games – (Yes this really does exist) Use in either role play or as a decoration. What will your child name theirs?

Clay is a great material children to play with, by using it to mold and shape it to anything their imaginations want it to be. They will enjoy using there fine motor skills by squidging, squeezing and rolling.

How To Make A Crafty Hedgehog: 

The materials we have used to create the hedgehog are as follows:

Please note that the links below take you to The Creation Station store where you can buy the products.

• Scissors
• Clay
• Pipe Cleaners
• Wiggle Eyes

Fun Jokes:

Q: What are two hedgehogs called?

A:  A prickly pair.

Q: What do hedgehogs like for supper?

A: Prickled onions.

Follow our blog for more exciting activity ideas to do at home, to help inspire your child.

To buy the products used in this video and many more, please visit our store.

We would love to see your happy hedgehogs. Please upload images with #creationstation to our Facebook page or Twitter page for your chance to win monthly goodies.

Visit your local creation station for hands-on inspirational and award-winning classes, birthday parties, and local events.

If you have enjoyed the video clip, subscribe to our YouTube channel for more fun and creative Creation Station “How To” videos.

Here’s to inspiring futures.

Your Creation Station team.

If we can help with an enquiry you have, please drop us an email:team@thecreationstation.co.uk

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How To Make A Children’s Crafty Trophy

We hope your children got involved and interested in the Rio Olympics this year and with the UK coming second on the Olympic medal table, we have created this fun, inspiring idea for your child to create at home with family or friends. Was your child inspired to begin a sport?

If you are inspired to get involved in a sport or just want a fun craft activity to do, have a look at this fun and simple craft activity. This trophy activity can help develop your child’s fine motor skills, attention to detail, and help to inspire your child’s imagination to do amazing things.

How To Make A Children’s Art And Craft Trophy: 

 

 

The materials we have used to create the trophies are as follows:

Please note that the links below take you to The Creation Station store where you can buy the products.

• Ribbon
• Paper Cups
• Gold Paint
• Scissors
• Glue or Double-sided Tape
• Sequins
• Card

 

Fun Jokes:

Q: What animal is best at hitting a baseball?

A: A bat!

Q: Why did the golfer have an extra pair of pants?

A: In case he got a hole in one!

Q: What lights up a soccer stadium?

A: A soccer match!

Follow our blog for more exciting activity ideas to do at home, to help inspire your child.

To buy the products used in this video and many more, please visit our store.

We would love to see your personalized trophies. Please upload images with #creationstation to our Facebook page or Twitter page for your chance to win monthly goodies.

Visit your local creation station for hands-on inspirational and award-winning classes, birthday parties, and local events.

If you have enjoyed the video clip, subscribe to our YouTube channel for more fun and creative Creation Station “How To” videos.

Here’s to inspiring futures.

Your Creation Station team.

If we can help with an enquiry you have, please drop us an email: team@thecreationstation.co.uk

How To Make A Children’s Crafty Medal

With the Olympics in full swing there is lots of inspiration to be inspired. Some of the families who come to The Creation Station classes have told us have set up their own family sports events in the garden.

Whether you are getting sporty or just looking for fun activities to do, have a look at the fun and simple medal making activity.

This craft activity can help develop your child’s fine motor skills, attention to detail, and help to inspire your child’s imagination.

The medal is great to use in role play, for example winning their own medal for their own achievements whilst watching the sports players win theirs.

How To Make A Crafty Medal: 

 

 

The materials we have use to create the medal are as follows;

Please note that the links below take you to the Creation Station store where you can buy the products.

• Ribbon
• Black Clay
• Gold Paint
• Scissors
• Glue
• Sequins

 

Fun Jokes:

Q: Why is basketball the messiest Olympic sport?

A: Because the players dribble all over the court!

Q: What’s the fastest bug at the Olympics?

A: The quicket.

Q: Why does Cinderella never win the Olympics?

A: She has a pumpkin for a coach and runs away from the ball

Follow our blog for more exciting activity ideas to do at home to help inspire your child.

To buy the products used in this video and many more, please visit our store

We would love to see your personalized medals. Please upload images with #creationstation to our Facebook or Twitter for your chance to win  monthly goodies.

Visit your local creation station for hands on inspirational and award winning classes, birthday parties and local events.

If you have enjoyed the video clip, subscribe to our YouTube channel for more fun and creative Creation Station “How To” videos.

Here’s to inspiring futures.

Your Creation Station team.

If we can help with an enquiry you have, please drop us an email: team@thecreationstation.co.uk

How To Make A Quick And Easy Festival Mask For Children

There’s lots of children and family festivals running across the country. Here’s a fun children’s arts and crafts festival face mask that’s easy and great fun to make and play with. Plus your festival mask will have your child’s own signature design and will look  great when finished. Your child can decorate their mask  with different materials, making different shapes and styles to make it truly unique and let your child’s personality shine.

This activity helps to develop your child’s fine motor skills, and colour recognition.

The mask is great to make for fancy dress, festivals, parties and events such as masquerade balls!

 Here is our step by step video:

Products used:

• Ribbon
• Lollipop Sticks
• Feathers
• Glitter
• Tape or Glue
• Card
• Sequins

Fun Summer Festival Facts And Jokes:

Q: How do all the oceans say hello to each other?

They wave.

Q: What do you call an alligator in a vest?

An investigator.

Q:  Why can’t you give Elsa a balloon?

Because she will let it go…

Q:   What do you call a bee that is always complaining ?

A grumble bee !

Follow our blog for more exciting activity ideas to do at home to help inspire your child.

To buy the products used in this video and many more, please visit our store

We would love to see your personalized masks. So please upload images with #creationstation to our Facebook or Twitter for your chance to win the monthly goodies.

For local award winning classes, parties and events, visit your local creation station, for hands on inspirational and award winning classes, birthday parties and local events.

If you have enjoyed the video clip why not subscribe to our YouTube channel for more fun and creative Creation Station “How To” videos.

Here’s to inspiring futures.

Your Creation Station team.

If we can help with an enquiry you have, please drop us an email: team@thecreationstation.co.uk