Winter Craft Days

We love the winter craft days. Not only do the PTA get the chance to work closely with pupils across the school, we get to choose fun and interesting crafts that we think enhance the learning experience for our children.

This year we have tried to think about some of the different cultures, nationalities and beliefs across our school to create crafts that are maybe a bit less "traditional" but still have a winter theme.

Here you will find a bit more information about these crafts, including some useful links if you'd like to read more.

reception crafts

Cheung Chau inspired bun hill

We're pushing the definition of 'winter' here a little bit, but when we heard about the Cheung Chau bun hill festival, celebrated in Hong Kong in May, we couldn't resist including it in our craft day.

The festival sees giant bun towers being built and scaled in a race to reach the bun at the top. Each bun is stamped with the symbol meaning "safety", a good luck message originally intended to protect fishing communities from pirates.

You can read more about the festival here

Salt dough shapes

We've been busy molding and baking salt dough shapes ready for our youngest crafters to get decorating. We can't wait to see how they colour, stick and create to make their shapes uniquely their own.

Want to make your own salt dough? Here's a useful link!

Salt dough recipe

Year 1 crafts

Sami reindeer hanger

Providing food, warmth and commerce, caring for reindeer provides a way of life for many Sami inhabitants of northern Europe. In fact some Sami live alongside the reindeer year-round.

With their strength and calm nature, reindeer are the natural choice for a certain red-coated friend.

You can find some fascinating reindeer facts here

Wooden shape hanger

Children are invited to let their creativity run riot decorating their own wooden shape.

The shapes have been engraved with "Year 1, 2024" as a memento of their time in the Foundation Stage at Mayfield.

Year 2 crafts

La Befana, the Christmas witch

According to Italian folklore, La Befana delivers gifts to children on the evening of the 5th January. But be warned, if you've been naughty, you may just get coal instead!

Find out more about La Befana here

Card weaving hanging decoration

Work those fine motor skills! Children are tasked with weaving ribbon around the outside of the card. Then they can get creative, drawing, colouring and sticking whatever they want in the middle.

We're looking forward to seeing their creations!

Year 3 crafts

Roscon de Reyes-inspired wreath

On Dia de Los Reyes (Epiphany), people across Spain enjoy this delicious sweet bread. It is baked with a small plastic baby inside, representing the baby Jesus.

The decorations on top of the bake represent the jewels and gifts brought to Jesus by the wise men.

Bake the real thing

St Lucia's candle

One of the most celebrated winter festivals in Sweden, St Lucia Day is a celebration of hope and light in the short, dark days of winter. Many children wear candle crowns to mark the celebrations.

Our craft candle may not be a crown, but we think it'll bring a ray of light to your decorations!

Year 4 crafts

Antarctic penguin

We couldn't resist this cute wintery penguin.

Did you know a group of penguins in the water is called a raft? But if they are on land they are called a waddle!

You can find out more fun penguin facts here

Chalk outline cards

We think these look really cool! Created with just black card, a stencil and some chalk, we hope your children will enjoy making these as much as we did!

Year 5 crafts

Danish heart basket

These lovely papercraft heart baskets originate in Denmark and can be filled with small treats and gifted to friends and family.

Want to make your own? There are lots of variations and you can find some downloadable templates here

Spinning spiral

Children will cut, decorate and add a loop to this swirly whirly decoration so it can be hung on Christmas trees, doorhandles or hooks.

Year 6 crafts

Mehndi inspired hanging decoration

This beautiful technique (also known as Henna) has been practiced across Pakistan, India, Africa and the Middle East for thousand of years and is often used for weddings and other celebrations. In fact we had Mehndi tattoos at our summer fair earlier in the year!

We think they are beautiful and a great challenge for our Year 6 crafters.

Learn more about Mehndi

Tea light jars

The Year 6s will create their own winter lantern. We'll supply the jar and lots of different decoration ideas and they will do the rest!

Please note we will not supply candles, but if you want to buy your own battery operated ones you can find them easily online

crafts for everyone

Lots to keep you occupied!

Alongside the specific year group activities detailed above, each child will have the chance to make a calendar or gift card. This activity is generously run by either Inbal Leitner (of Mayfield Art Club) or school gardener Agnes Sandor. We'd like to extend our gratitude to both of them who have not only donated their time on the day, but have worked hard to develop ideas that work amazingly well for children across the school. THANK YOU!

And in case any of the children finish their tasks early, we have paper chains and bag decorating they can do as they move between activities. Phew!

We'd love to hear your ideas for next year!

If you celebrate a winter festival that you would like to see represented at next year's Winter Craft Day, we'd love to hear from you! All ideas welcome! Just get in touch to give us your idea.

Feedback on this year's craft days is also really welcome. Please send your feedback to: craft@fundmayfield.com

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