In today’s world, it can sometimes seem like a challenge to keep the grandkids away from all their gadgets, phones, iPads and even just the TV. But one great way to keep their attention is through creative activities such as crafts and home-baking, so they have something to show Mum and Dad when they’re picked up later.

Try out some of these easy indoor activities and enjoy a couple of hours real quality time with your grandkids this Christmas - completely technology free!

1. Take the lid off your mason jar. This is where you can create your winter scene. Make sure you glue all your decorations down properly!
2. With the inside of your mason jar clean and dry, sprinkle in a thick layer of glitter.
3. Once the glue on your decorations has dried, turn the lid upside-down and screw it into place. Make sure the lid is tight before turning the jar over.
4. Give your jar a finishing touch with a piece of ribbon around the base! 

1. Lay out your newspaper and fold your card ready for decorating.
2. Pour a small amount of your chosen colours of paint on to a plate ready for fingerprints.
3. For a robin, stick your thumb in the brown paint and then press down on the card to make a print.
4. Using your index finger, do the same with the red paint, pressing your finger in the middle of the brown to make a red tummy.
5. With black pen, draw some legs, eyes and a beak on your robin.

1. Bake your biscuits using circular cutters.
2. Make some white icing using icing sugar and water.
3. Drizzle your biscuits with plenty of white icing. Then, while it is still gooey, press a marshmallow onto each biscuit.
4. Now you’re ready to decorate. Use your writing icing to give your melted snowmen arms and faces, then add whatever decorations you have for buttons and scarves!

1. Roll your gingerbread dough out to about a 3mm thickness, then using a plate, create a large circular biscuit for the wreath base. Cut out the middle so that you have one large donut shaped biscuit ready for baking.
2. Using your Christmas cutters, cut about 20-25 shapes and cook all your biscuits according to the recipes.
3. Once your biscuits have baked and cooled, you can decorate them using the royal icing sugar and edible decorations. Leave the icing to dry completely before sticking to the wreath base.
4. To stick your biscuits to the wreath, heat caster sugar in a for 2 mins, or until a pale gold in colour. Brush this mixture on the back of the biscuits to stick them to the base.
5. Allow to set, then loop your ribbon through the wreath for hanging.

1. Paint your craft stick and leave to dry.
2. Decorate your stick.
3. Make a loop of string and stick to the back of your decoration for hanging.

1. Fold a square piece of white paper in half diagonally, then fold again.
2. Get creative by cutting lots of small patterns and shapes into the edges of your paper. (Don’t forget to help young children when handling scissors.)
3. Unfold to reveal your snowflake! Decorate your snowflake even more using glitter or other decorations, before sticking to the wall using string, tac or sticky tape. 

1. Paint your peg if you would like to – but leave to dry completely before decorating.
2. Make a face for your angel by cutting a circle of card. You can draw on hair or even use string or tinsel. Glue your angel’s face onto the peg.
3. Now it’s time to decorate your angel’s dress! If you have fabric or tissue paper, wrap these around your peg and secure with glue. Otherwise, decorated paper works just as well!
4. Peg your angel to the tree – or anywhere else that needs a little extra decoration!

Got more ideas for fun and simple crafts you can do at home? We’d love to hear them!
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