Author: positivemams

Bring a touch of medieval magic to your windows with this simple craft inspired by the stunning stained glass of medieval cathedrals. A great low-mess activity that’s easy to set up and full of colour. Fun for toddlers and teens alike!

What You’ll Need

• Sticky backplastic (contact paper)
• Tissue paper
• Scissors
• Black card (optional for window frames)

If you don't have contact paper try this:

Use two layers of cling film! Lay the first layer on the table and lightly dampen it. Stick your tissue paper pieces on top, then cover with a second layer and tape the edges together. Works best if displayed flat or in a window with light behind it.

Ideas To Try

Cut a simple ‘window frame’ out of black card and stick your stained glass behind it

Create a medieval design like a rose window, castle silhouette, or knight’s shield

Stick two sheets together and cut out a shape (heart, cross, star) to hang up

Sometimes you set it all up, the activity is prepped, the craft laid out just right, and you’re ready for that lovely moment of connection. You call the kids to the table……and they breeze right past it. The door to the garden is open, and the pull of the outdoors is just too strong to resist.I’ll admit, my instinct was to call them back. To stick to THE PLAN. I do struggle to pivot when I’ve already put the effort in. But I’ve learned that pushing on with the plan usually leads to friction, and the craft will still be there tomorrow. The sunshine, the energy, the spark of that moment? That might not be.So today, I let them play awhile.

I learnt 2 things today, leaving the door open makes it more likely play will move outside, and, going with the flow can lead to moments of connection just as easily as a planned activity.

Some days you don’t need a grand plan, just five minutes and something simple to spark a little joy.

Today was one of those days. I needed to get on with making tea, but before I did, we squeezed in a quick bucket-filling activity. Out came the playdough and a handful of lollipop sticks, and the challenge was set: design your own ice lolly.

Mr4 went full force, squashing all the colours together to make the biggest ice lolly in the world, while Miss8 took a more delicate approach, creating swirls and petal shapes with her designs. It wasn’t a long activity, maybe ten minutes at most, but it was just enough to fill their cups and send them off happily to play ice cream shops together.

And I got to make tea with fewer interruptions and fewer arguments, which honestly, felt like a summer miracle.

Sometimes, it’s the little moments that smooth the big ones.

Camp Mum; Summer 2025

The official start to the summer holidays came after a whirlwind week of illness, big emotions, and two of the four kids preparing to leave their schools and step into new adventures. With everyone still a little fragile and energy in short supply, I knew we needed a gentle start to the day, something low-prep but high-engagement.

Enter: the humble cardboard box.

We had a few boxes lying around (as you do when you’ve recently had deliveries or held onto “useful” things just in case), and they turned out to be the perfect creative outlet. The kids quickly decided they were building a pirate ship, complete with windows, a flag, and an onboard control system made from stickers.

Armed with our much-loved Makedo set, they could safely and independently cut and shape the boxes. Pipe cleaners were threaded through holes to connect sections, and Miss 8 proudly crafted a flag using straws and scrap paper. While space around the build zone was tight, Mr 11 and Mr 13 took on a side mission: designing LEGO treasure chests and gold coins for the younger ones to hunt for once the pirate ship was complete.

There were, of course, a few spirited debates, mostly about where to place the flag and whose turn it was with the ‘saw’, but honestly? It was an hour of screen-free play, teamwork, and creativity. A solid start to the summer.

Sometimes, the simplest setups bring the most joy and peace. And today, a cardboard box was all we needed to ease gently into holiday mode.