Finding activities to keep children happily occupied in the run-up to Christmas is always a bonus, particularly when they offer something a little more creative than screen time. We’ve been trying out four festive offerings from Skillmatics, and they’re a lovely collection of hands-on activities that encourage children to get creative, learn new skills and make something they can be proud of.
Skillmatics specialises in learning through play, and these Christmas kits are a great example of how education and entertainment can work together without feeling like a lesson.
Skillmatics Snip Snip Christmas – RRP £13.99 (ages 3+)
For little ones who love getting creative with scissors, Snip Snip Christmas is a brilliant introduction to cutting, sticking and making. With 25 festive activities, there’s plenty to keep preschoolers busy, and I particularly like the way the activities progress through three levels of difficulty. Children can start with simple straight lines before moving on to curves, zigzags and more complicated shapes.
The kit includes two child-safe pairs of scissors, a glue stick and an activity booklet, so everything is ready to go. It’s a lovely way to encourage independence while developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Best of all, children get the satisfaction of creating their own Christmas crafts.
Skillmatics Aqua Puffs Christmas Ornaments – RRP £19.99 (ages 4+)
These are great fun and have a little bit of magic about them! Children colour their Aqua Puffs using the supplied markers, add water and watch as their designs puff up to create colourful, textured decorations. It’s a really satisfying activity, and the finished creations can be hung on the Christmas tree or used to decorate the home.
With 15 Aqua Puffs, 10 markers, two water pens and string included, there’s plenty of opportunity to experiment with different colours and designs. I also love that there’s no glue or scissors involved, making this a particularly appealing craft for children who enjoy making things but don’t want lots of complicated preparation or clearing up afterwards.
Skillmatics Storybook Art Kit Christmas – RRP £24.99 (ages 5+)
This is a lovely gift for children with an active imagination. Rather than simply colouring in or completing someone else’s story, the Storybook Art Kit gives children the opportunity to become authors and illustrators of their very own Christmas adventures.
There are two hardbound storybooks, more than 100 colourful stickers, over 50 DIY stickers, writing prompts, vocabulary lists, markers and pencils. The prompts are particularly helpful for getting ideas flowing, while the stickers and drawing materials allow children to bring their stories to life.
It’s a clever way to make writing feel exciting rather than like homework. Children can invent characters, create adventures and illustrate their own books, which they can then enjoy reading back or sharing with the family. A lovely screen-free activity that encourages imagination, confidence and creativity.
Skillmatics Shake-its Christmas Ornaments – RRP £19.99 (ages 4+)
If your children love a bit of sparkle, these festive decorations are sure to appeal. Shake-its is a simple but really enjoyable craft activity where children fill foam ornaments with colourful confetti and sparkly beads, seal them with the transparent sheets and finish with golden string.
The kit contains eight foam Shake-its, eight transparent sheets, eight confetti packs and string, so there’s plenty to make. The finished decorations are wonderfully festive, with the confetti swirling around when shaken. They’re ideal for hanging on the Christmas tree, adding to garlands or even using as little homemade gifts.
I particularly like the idea of children making their own decorations rather than simply buying them. Each one can be different, giving them something personal to show off when the Christmas decorations come out.
We really like the variety in this Skillmatics collection. Each kit offers something different, from practising early scissor skills and experimenting with colourful crafts to developing storytelling and writing abilities.
They’re also lovely alternatives to toys that children might play with once and then put aside. These activities encourage children to sit down, concentrate, use their imaginations and enjoy the satisfaction of making something themselves.
Whether you’re looking for stocking fillers, Christmas presents or activities to keep little ones entertained during the school holidays, Skillmatics has some lovely options. They’re particularly good for children who enjoy making, creating and showing off their finished masterpieces – and there’s something rather special about seeing your own handmade decorations hanging on the Christmas tree!
