HOW TO MAKE: A CARDBOARD TUBE FAMILY

You may not think much of this activity, but I did it with Ottilie (Age 3) this morning and she loved it! Check out the pics below.

All you need is… cardboard tubes or toilet rolls (one for each member of your family), PVA glue (or even better, a glue gun) and lots of crafty bits or anything you have around your house. You really can make them with anything!

Here are some of the things we used…
Tissue paper or paper towel
Ribbon or string or wool
Paper or card
Buttons or googly eyes
Pipe cleaners or lolly pop sticks or paper straws

Check out our step-by-step guide below and pics of Otts enjoying her family!

We would love to see what you make - share @themillhousehertford

---

Here’s Otts enjoying her cardboard tube family!

---

CHECK OUT OUR step-by-step guide…

Step 1: Find cardboard tubes or toilet rolls. One for each family member.

Step 2: Fill the top of the tubes with wool, ribbon or string for hair! Or design a hat for the top of the tube

Step 3: Cut a circle out of paper or card , find some buttons for eyes and make a face

Step 4: Pop the cut out faces on to one side of your tube

Step 5: Add arms using lolly pop sticks. Make a whole in the tube and push them through. Or stick pipe cleaners to the side of the tube and bend them into shape!

Step 6: Have fun making clothes out of ribbon, paper or fabric pieces and stick them on to your tubes to finish them off!

---

SEND SOME LOVE

Whether it’s for Valentines or just to make someone smile during lockdown, this kit will put a smile on anyone’s face!

Our Valentines craft kit includes colouring-in cards, heart shaped cards, blank cards and all the fun crafty bits to create some beautiful hand made cards to pop in the post, to send to family and friends who we can’t see at the moment.

There’s even an inspiration sheet to get your creative juices flowing!

Oh and best of all, each kit comes with a selection of super cute sweets to pop in with the cards. Yum!

This is perfect for adults or children.

CRAZY CUT OUTS

This is a perfect pack for those looking to practice their scissor handling skills and cutting techniques!

The pack includes a castle, a horse, pig, sheep and bunny to cut out. Once the shapes have been arranged, have fun sticking them down!

There are some great tips here as to how to hold the scissors and how to develop cutting skills correctly.

Tap below for the free download!

FREE | CRAZY CUT OUTS

£0.00

THE ULTIMATE LOCKDOWN ACTIVITY BOOK

We’ve been racking our brains over here at TMH HQ for things we can do for the kids during lockdown. Here’s one of many things we have planned, our new 35 page activity book!

Colouring-in, games, postcards to cut out to send to friends, a mini rainbow mobile to make…. Plus wellbeing activities, nature play suggestions, crafty outdoor ideas and more!

It’s a lovely keepsake to look back on in years to come.

Suggested age: 4-10 year olds

---

---

TOP 20 TOILET ROLL CRAFT IDEAS

TOILET ROLL CRAFT 🚽!

Soo you must have used toilet rolls or if you don’t start saving them up!! There’s so much you can do with them. It will keep the kids entertained for hours!!

Below are my top 20! Why not download our inspiration sheet for FREE for more ideas and tips. Click HERE

Here goes...
1. Marble run game
2. Binoculars
3. Pen pot holder
4. Animal puppets
5. Rainbow windsock
6. Easter bunnies
7. Toilet roll train
8. Skittles game
9. Minions!
10. Ice castle
11. Mini city (w/ lots of tall houses!)
12. Shape stamps for painting
13. Bird feeder
14. Biodegradable mini seed planter
15. Superhero cuffs
16. Counting / colour matching game for toddlers (each tube is a different number/colour)
17. Rain sticks
18. Ring toss game
19. Ball maze game
20. Bird house
———
Have you made anything out of toilet rolls?? We would love to see your makes, tag us @themillhousehertford.com or #themillhousehertford

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ME

Hello, I’m Charlie!

I setup The Mill House back in 2018.

Previously working as an event & experiential Graphic Designer in London for the last 10 years, I was itching for a change.

Not long after having Ottilie, a warehouse space became available on the Dicker Mill estate in Hertford, at the same time, the design studio I was working for closed so Ben and I took the plunge and decided to setup The Mill House.

We worked nights while Otts slept, renovating the unit from a very run down metal workshop to a bright, white inviting space! Any downtime from the space I’d spend working on the branding and building the website (and looking after Otts!). Within a few months we were up and running, we had a lovely little launch night where we met some wonderful locals and it all grew from there.

From day dot I’ve loved anything creative, my Grandpa Papa was an Artist, we would paint together (check out the pic below!), my Granny ran her own art gallery and was a true inspiration.

At school I lived in the art block, it was my escapism and I loved the freedom. I didn’t have to try and write or spell or pretend I knew what they were talking about in Maths. Naturally, the next step was to do an Art Foundation course which is where I fell in love with Design and which led me to Chelsea Art College, where I studied Graphic Design.

I’ve always wanted to pass on my love for all things creative, so when we opened TMH I setup the Little Artist art club and art parties. I can’t wait for these to be up and running again soon! In the meantime, checkout this blog for crafty tips and inspiration to hopefully bring a little creativity into your home during lockdown 3.0.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and all those who have supported us over the last couple of years!

Stay safe,
Charlie x

---

BEFORE

---

AFTER

INSPO: POTATO PRINTING

We’ve gone old school!

Potato printing is a fab activity for all ages (adults too!!) and one that’s easy to do in lockdown, especially if you’ve got a bunch of potatoes which need using up!

Download our step-by-step guide and printing tips here and check out our inspo below - from leaf printing to gift wrapping, the possibilities are endless.

We can’t wait to see what you create! Share your makes at @themillhousehertford

---

---

GO CRAZY FOR COLOURING

Get your pens at the ready! We have some freebie colouring pages of Hertford which you can download and print at home.

The canal, the castle, Hertford Theatre and more!

Tap below to download…

If there are any colouring-in themes, you know the kids would love, just pop us a message in the comments below…

A NEW YEAR PICK-ME-UP

2021 may not kick off quite as we’d expected… If you know of someone in need of a boost then one of these prints could be a perfect little pick-me-up for them. Just add your gift message at checkout, we’ll package it up, pop the message inside and pop it in the post (or you can collect for free from us!).

Get 10% off until 31st Jan - enter code BOOST10 at checkout!

FREE NEW YEAR PRINTABLES

It looks like we may have a little more free time than usual leading up to New Year this year! So here’s a downloadable pack to keep the kiddies (and adults!) entertained over the next few days…

The pack includes…

• Colouring-in
• Mini New Year bunting template
• Paper party hat template
• Star wand template
• 2021 to do list & All About Me activity sheets
• New Year word search

Hit the button below to download for free…

FESTIVE FUN @ HERTFORD THEATRE

Ottilie was in caterpillar heaven!! We had a lovely afternoon at Hertford Theatre watching The Very Hungry caterpillar Christmas Show .

Ott’s is nearly 3 and she loved every minute, glued from start to finish. The colourful lights, the clever animal puppets and the caterpillar which grew ‘Bigger, bigger, BIGGER’ (In her words!). She’s still talking about it 3 days later.

We came in through the main entrance into a well organised one way system around the big tree, parked up the buggy in the River room with no problem at all and queued up for a beer at the bar. There were hand sanitiser stations dotted around the foyer, it was all really well done.

In the auditorium, there were pockets of people dotted around the rows with plenty of gaps and marked off seats to ensure we were all well spread out. There was a lovely festive vibe, the kids made up for less people and were as noisy as ever!!

We felt really fortunate to be able to sit in a theatre and enjoy a show after the year we’ve all had! I’d really recommend this for the littles or anyone who’s in need of a pick-me-up and some festive cheer this Christmas. - thank you Hertford Theatre!

UPDATE: The show has been cancelled from end of day on 18th December 2020 due to being moved into tier 3, but the good news is that tickets are available to view the recorded performance. Head over to…
https://mei.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/video_on_demand_event/hertford

INSPO: CRAFTY CHRISTMAS

Check out these easy to make Christmas tree decorations!

Most are just using card, paint, paper straws, lolly pop sticks, fur cones and other crafty bits you have lying around at home!

I’m in love with the black and white lollipop sticks!! 🤍🖤 Which are your faves? x

FREE NATURE PLAY ACTIVITY PACK

Back in October 2020 we worked with some wonderful locals businesses to create a community half term nature trail around Hartham Common.

Despite the blooming awful weather I was blown away by how many families joined in the fun and did the trail - thank you for all your amazing support! Over 350 people download the map and around 1000 were picked up from local shops in town.

A big thank you to all the amazing local businesses who helped so so much to bring this little project to life @naturaledgecoaching @meganrosefreelance @hertfordtheatre @theremedyworks @mumsguidetohertford @harri_bentley_photography @eyemindheart @brothershipstudio @hertscoffeelab @hertfordtowncouncil @bgreenstore

Here are the activities from the trail, which includes lots of fun nature play activities for the kids to do in the park or garden, plus colouring-in, word search, maze, bug hunt, colour-by-numbers, cutting practice... Have fun and don’t forget to share your creations with us! @themillhousehertford

FREE | NATURE PLAY ACTIVITY PACK

£0.00

PERSONALISED LION PRINT

Create an extra special print for a new born, children’s birthday or to remember a special event. This is a lovely alternative to a traditional guest book or just a fun activity for the kids which you can frame and admire for years to come!

We supply the personalised print with your chosen name and date of birth, along with a finger painting kit. You, the kids or your guests fingerprint on the lions mane, using the mini paint pots included!

---

OUTDOORS CRAFTY FUN & GAMES

OUTDOORS CRAFTY FUN
I’ve pulled together some creative outdoorsy activities to keep the children entertained 🌸🐚👑🌻✂️🍃🎨

Here are our top 20, there are so many, it was hard to choose!! Do you have any to add?

TOP 20 CREATIVE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES:
1. Rainbow nature walk (Otts loves this!)
2. Bug hotel - check out @helpfulnanny’s amazing bug hotel!
3. Flower bracelets/cuffs - tape on card and stick the flowers/leaves to it
4. Flower water play - another fave of Os
5. Chalk drawing
6. Perfume or potion shop
7. Mud cafe - turn your mud kitchen into a cafe!
8. Wind charms or mobiles
9. Bird feeders
10. Flower crowns
11. Stick streamers
12. Magic Nature Wands
13. Threading and weaving leaves
14. Nature paintbrushes - brilliant mark making activity!
15. Balloon Tennis - paper plate, attached to lolly pop stick, blow up a balloon and play!
16. Tin can planters - these look fab!
17. Flower Mandalas - so pretty
18. Nature Faces
19. Flower wings
20. Twig tipi

FREE PARK ACTIVITY PACK

Here are some FREE activities to spice up your next park visit!

Print this mini park & garden activity pack off at home and take it with you or have fun in the garden!

The pack includes…
• Bug hunt sheet
• Five senses scavenger hunt sheet
• Nature colour wheel
• Colour by numbers
• Colouring-in
• Crafty outdoor activity inspiration

Download it below!

We would love to see your colouring! Share your makes by tagging us on Instagram @themillhousehertford #themillhousehertford

Enjoy!

---

INSPO: HAND & FOOT PRINT FOR THE LITTLES

Looking for something crafty to do with the little ones? Here are some fun hand and foot printing ideas, and best of all, a lot of them are mess free 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

Instead of paint, grab some paper or card! You could make some really lovely cards to post to family and friends.

Make them extra special by adding a lovely little saying with your hand or foot print, check out our stories for inspo!

Another tip - order some googly eyes 👀 They can transform a print! Or you can order one of our crafty starter kits which includes some too and colourful card to get you started!
———
Here are our top...
.
1. Butterflies
2. rocket
3. Fish puppets
4. Our little monster cards
5. Super héros
6. Flamingoes
7. Dinosaurs
8. High five to the best ...... (e.g. Dad/Mum/Granny)
9. Cheeky frog
10. Mama & baby elephant hands
11. Roarrrsome lion
12. rainbow hand print
13. Fram animals
14. Pirates
15. fish - I'm hooked on .... (e.g Grandpa!)
16. I love you concertina hand card (See images for example!)
17. Wash your hands print
18. Family hand print overlay (See images for example!)
19. Fruit - I love you berry much
20. Hand print flowers!

20 CRAFTY THINGS TO DO WITH A PAPER PLATE

PAPER PLATE CRAFT ✂️
Looking for something crafty to do with the children? Here are some fun things you can do with paper plates!
From Easter bunnies, to Ferris wheels, to masks and games! See our top 20 below or swipe for inspo!

1. Paper plate crowns 👑
2. Paper plate clock - great for teaching the kids how to tell the time in a fun way!
3. Paper plate tennis - Decorate the plate, attach a stick, blow up a balloon and play!
4. Paper plate veg patch (See image!)
5. Paper plate animals - you can make so many animals out of paper plates!
6. Paper plate rainbow to hang in the window 🌈
7. Paper plate masks
8. Dream catcher - see image for inspo!
9. Easter - Hatching chicks & bunny masks
10. Paper plate bag - so cool!
11. Paper plate flowers - one for the grown ups!
12. Dinosaurs 🦕
13. Monster masks
14. Paper plate string art - hole punch holes in the plates and string thread through them creating different shapes!
15. Ring toss - all you need is toilet roll and plates!
16. Spaceships and rockets 🚀
17. Unicorn masks
18. Paper plate spiral track
19. Paper plate frisbees
20. Paper plate merry go round & Ferris wheel - if you want to me ultra creative!!

CRAFTING OUR WAY THROUGH LOCKDOWN 1.0

Lockdown hit on 23rd March 2020, we closed our doors and setup our art box subscription service to keep children busy at home. We delivered boxes weekly to lots of lovely locals aged between 3-9. Here are some snaps from those crafty times… A huge thank you to all those who got involved and supported us!