Family Craft Hour 101: Safe Projects, Smooth Setups, Happy Families

If you want Sunday lunch bookings to grow, give parents something extra beyond roast potatoes. A structured craft hour keeps kids busy, reassures carers about safety, and fills quieter slots (10–11am, midday, or rainy half-term afternoons). Use this guide to plan projects, lay out the room, handle safeguarding and allergies, and promote the session.

Who It’s For and When to Run It

• Age range: aim for 3–11 with a responsible adult per child. Offer a toddler-safe tray (chunky crayons, sticker sheets) so younger siblings aren’t left out.
• Timing: weekend mornings (10–11am) before the roast rush, or weekday afternoons during school holidays. Cap sessions at 60–75 minutes to minimise fatigue.
• Booking model: free with table reservation or £3–£5 per child including materials. Take pre-payments via your booking platform to reduce no-shows.

Project Menu

Theme	Activity	Mess level	Notes
Valentine’s/Mother’s Day	Card bar with stamps, dried petals, ribbon	Low	Pre-cut hearts, provide glue dots instead of wet glue.
Easter	Foam egg decorating, bunny-ear headbands	Medium	Avoid glitter—use metallic stickers instead.
Summer Holidays	DIY wind socks, beach-bottle sensory jars	Medium	Offer outdoor drying line.
Halloween	Paper lanterns, upcycled costume props	Medium-high	Tablecloths + aprons essential.
Christmas	Salt-dough ornaments (pre-baked), felt garlands	Medium	Air-dry overnight; provide boxes for transport.

Prepare at least two stations per session: one seated craft, one “make and take” quick win. Include an upcycle corner (scrap fabric, cereal boxes) to keep costs down and spark creativity.

Setup and Flow

1. Arrival (5 mins): sign-in desk collects guardian contact, allergies, photography preference. Issue wristbands or stickers (green = photo OK, red = no photos).
2. Demo (5 mins): facilitator shows finished sample and key steps.
3. Make time (40 mins): staff circulate with positive prompts; capture quotes for socials (with consent).
4. Show-and-tell (5 mins): quick parade or mini gallery.
5. Tidy + transition (5 mins): bins, wipes, labelled bags for take-home crafts.

Room map idea
Entry/sign-in desk → consent icons → hand sanitiser
Station A (cut-and-stick) | Station B (colouring) | Station C (make & take)
Quiet table | Buggy park | First-aid point | Wash-up bin

Materials and Sourcing

• Consumables: child-safe scissors, PVA glue sticks, masking tape, pipe cleaners, foam shapes, stickers, googly eyes, washi tape, non-toxic paint pens.
• Surfaces: wipe-clean cloths, kraft paper roll, clipboards for instructions.
• Suppliers: look for UKCA/CE marks and EN 71 references on craft kits/toys to ensure compliance with the UK Toys (Safety) Regulations. (GOV.UK guidance)
• Allergy control: avoid latex balloons, nut-based materials, fragranced glues. Display ingredient lists for any playdough or edible treats.

Safeguarding and Photography

• Maintain ratios (1 staff per 8 children recommended). All staff should know who the designated safeguarding lead is.
• Keep a clearly signed “grown-ups must stay” policy—this isn’t a drop-off club.
• For photos/videos, follow NSPCC guidance: explain how images will be used, obtain consent, and store footage securely. (NSPCC Learning)
• First aid: have at least one paediatric first-aider on shift, stock plasters/eyewash, and log any incidents immediately.

Accessibility and Inclusion

• Offer adaptive scissors, chunky brushes, and stabilising mats for children with motor challenges.
• Provide visual step-by-step cards with icons and simple text.
• Keep a sensory-friendly corner with noise-reducing headphones, fidgets, and storybooks.
• Ensure tables are spaced for wheelchair access and prams.

Budget and Bundles

Item	Typical cost
Consumables per child	£1.50–£3.50
Reusable kit (aprons, trays)	£30–£80
Staff/facilitator hour	Standard FOH rate
Prize draw (optional)	£5–£20 (book voucher, dessert)

Package craft hour with dining offers: “Craft & Roast” (£14.95 kids roast + craft station + dessert) or “Makers Mocktail” for parents.

Marketing Playbook

• Channels: school/PTA newsletters, local Facebook “Family Fun” groups, WhatsApp parents chats, community noticeboards.
• Messaging: emphasise structured fun, all materials included, allergy-aware, booking essential.
• Copy-ready caption: “Family Craft Hour this Saturday, 10–11am. Ages 3–11 with a grown-up. Material kits included, book your table 👉 [link].”
• Cross-links: mention Family Craft Hour at the end of boardgame or quiz articles (“Looking for daytime fun? Try our craft hour.”)

Risk Management and House Rules

• Display simple rules: walking feet, share tools, ask before using scissors, tidy your station.
• Keep spill kits, bin bags, and cloths nearby; brief staff on immediate clean-up to prevent slips.
• Store completed crafts away from hot surfaces and food areas.

Metrics to Track

KPI	Target
Families per session	Healthy turnout
Average spend	Healthy per table (craft + food)
Dessert add-on	Strong
Next-event pre-book	Strong

Use a QR survey asking what themes families want next (Mother’s Day, World Book Day, etc.) and collect email opt-ins for future marketing.

FAQs

Do I need DBS checks for staff? If the same team members regularly supervise children, DBS checks are strongly advised; at minimum have a named safeguarding lead and documented safer recruitment steps.
How do I manage allergies without scaring parents off? Collect allergy info at sign-in, avoid high-risk materials (nuts, latex), label ingredients on homemade doughs, and keep EPI-pen-aware staff nearby.
How much buffer time should I allow for clean-up? Build in a 15-minute reset after each session for wiping surfaces, restocking trays, and drying crafts before the lunch rush.
Can I monetise take-home kits? Yes—bundle leftover supplies into £5 “mini kits” or offer pre-booked premium packs (e.g., wreath making) for seasonal upsell.
Do I need special insurance or risk assessments? Review your public liability policy, complete an activity-specific risk assessment (tools, slips, choking hazards), and keep it on file with COSHH sheets for any paints/glues.

Need backup?

Tap the sticky “Get in Touch” button on orangejelly.co.uk or email peter@orangejelly.co.uk for help sourcing craft kits, writing risk assessments, or training a craft lead.