In London, keeping the family entertained at home can be a real challenge—especially when the weather turns on a dime or you’re dodging weekend crowds. Luckily, there’s a world of creative DIY fun just waiting in your own flat, and you don’t need a mansion in Hampstead or a giant garden to get started.
Whether your crew is mad for crafts, keen cooks, or up for a laugh, the city’s got you covered for supplies and inspiration. You can grab kid-friendly paint and all the glitter you need from Hobbycraft in Croydon or Shepherd’s Bush. If you’re more into edible activities, Borough Market is packed with unusual fruits and bakery bits you won’t find at your corner Tesco.
The best part? You get to skip busy queues, save a few quid, and ditch the stress of planning a day out. It doesn’t matter if you live in a high-rise in Stratford or a terraced house in Tooting—these ideas work in any London home. Ready to clear the kitchen table and start something fun with the family?
Start planning a DIY day at home, and the first thing you’ll need are supplies. Luckily, London makes it pretty easy, no matter what part of the city you call home. Whether you’re after paint, tape, felt, or the perfect googly eyes for your sock puppets, a few shops stand out for price, range, and the simple fact you won’t blow the weekly shopping budget.
If you want to keep a day flexible and browse in person, check out these favourites:
Now, who says crafts always mean new supplies? Plenty of Londoners get creative with what’s already at home. Hold onto cardboard delivery boxes, loo rolls, and jam jars—they’re crafting gold, especially over the school holidays.
If you’re ordering online, most mainstream stores do next day delivery in key London postcodes. You could check out smaller local shops through apps like Goodsixty, which supports independent London retailers—and sometimes delivers by bike instead of van.
| Shop | Main Strength | Popular London Locations |
|---|---|---|
| Hobbycraft | All-around supplies, kid kits | Wimbledon, Croydon, Shepherd’s Bush |
| Cass Art | Quality art materials, paints | Islington, Soho |
| The Works | Budget craft items, books | Westfield Stratford, Clapham |
| Fred Aldous | Specialist & quirky finds | Hackney |
London parents are big on sustainability, so don’t forget about local charity shops for odd bits—think ribbons, sewing kits, and unused stationery. Mixing new supplies with household leftovers keeps things fun, cheap, and better for the planet.
London weather keeps you guessing—one minute it’s pouring, the next it’s half decent. Having family-friendly activities at the ready, no matter what’s happening outside, is a lifesaver. Here’s a mix of easy London DIY ideas you can adjust as the weather does its thing.
For those classic British rainy days, get inside and keep everyone busy with creative projects. Make a DIY version of the Science Museum’s slime kits—all you need is PVA glue, some baking soda from Sainsbury’s, and a splash of food colouring. Or set the kids up with a homemade theatre: cut out simple puppets from leftover Amazon boxes, then stage a show inspired by West End musicals. Don’t worry about running out of supplies—lots of shops like Cass Art and Tiger sell family craft packs made just for bored Londoners.
Table: London Families’ Top Indoor DIY Picks
| Activity | Supplies | Where to Buy in London |
|---|---|---|
| Slime Making | Glue, Baking Soda, Food Colouring | Sainsbury’s, Hobbycraft |
| Puppet Theatre | Cardboard, Scissors, Felt-tip Pens | Amazon boxes, Cass Art |
| Biscuit Decorating | Plain Biscuits, Icing, Sprinkles | Waitrose, M&S |
| DIY Bird Feeders | Peanut Butter, Bird Seed, Loo Rolls | Tesco, Nature shops at Kew Gardens |
Get a rare sunny spell? That’s your sign to move the fun outside. Make London-themed nature art in the nearest park—think leaf rubbings or acorn creatures from Greenwich Park finds. Or take your paints to the patio and try a family portrait, Battersea Park style.
Want more structure? Try a London-inspired scavenger hunt right in your garden or local green. Jot down a list: find a “little red bus” toy, a pebble that looks like the Shard, a feather, something blue like the Thames. Whoever ticks off the most wins—simple, free, and super local.
The trick is to have a bit of a plan up your sleeve, no matter if the sky’s grey or bright. Mix up indoor craft sessions with chances to get out (when the city lets you). If you keep a kit of basics on hand—glue, markers, old buttons, and some biscuits in the tin—London’s weather won’t ever catch you out. For more DIY London ideas, check out local blogs or community Facebook groups. London’s families know how to make the most of every minute—even those that start wet and end sunny.
London’s got a backstory bigger than most cities, and it’s packed with stuff kids and adults recognise—double-decker buses, red phone boxes, the Tower of London, and all those famous bridges. Why not use these as inspiration for family DIY time at home? You’ll sneak in a bit of learning while having a laugh and making something everyone wants to display.
Start simple. Grab a shoebox and a cereal box—most London flats have a mountain of deliveries by the door anyway—and build your own Tower Bridge. Use string to create the drawbridge, add bits of blue card for the Thames, and pop some Lego figures on top as tourists. If you want to go premium, Hobbycraft and Cass Art usually stock balsa wood and coloured felt that make the project look sharp without wrecking your wallet.
Fancy putting some history into context? Here’s some fun trivia to pepper into the crafting:
| Icon | Year Established | Fun Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Tower Bridge | 1894 | The bridge lifts more than 800 times a year for river traffic. |
| Double-Decker Bus | 1956 | The classic red Routemaster was only built in London. |
| Big Ben | 1859 | "Big Ben" is actually the bell's nickname, not the tower. |
| Buckingham Palace Guards | 1837 | The changing of the guard ceremony happens about 228 times a year. |
If you’d rather skip the mess, a bunch of London museums—like the Museum of London or the V&A—have brilliant free printables and video guides on their websites. You can follow along with step-by-steps to create everything from Roman mosaics to Blitz-era posters. Just print from your home printer, grab the felt-tips, and you’re sorted for a wet afternoon indoors.
These city-inspired DIYs aren’t just about crafts—they get everyone chatting about why London looks the way it does. Next time you’re out walking by the Thames or passing Baker Street, you’ll spot the real thing and have a whole new appreciation for the city around you.
If you’ve ever tried to keep kids busy on a wet London Saturday, you know how handy the kitchen can be. Cooking together gives kids a break from screens, flexes those teamwork muscles, and sneaks in a bit of learning. And the choices are endless, whether you’re dealing with picky eaters or budding MasterChefs.
London’s mix of cultures means you’ve got endless recipes to try. Grab some fresh bagels from Brick Lane, jazz up sarnies with Borough Market cheese, or hunt down veg from your local street market—cheap and good for teaching about seasonal eating. Even if you’re tight on space, there’s loads you can whip up with just a mixing bowl and a baking tray.
Here are some easy ideas you can try without needing a chef’s degree, all using classics you’ll find at any London supermarket or market stall:
Baking and cooking aren’t just fun—they also sneak in a bit of maths (measuring, counting) and common sense (timing and waiting). If you want to get even more local, try growing your own herbs on a sunny windowsill—basil, mint, and chives all do well in London flats.
Food costs in London can be wild. Cooking at home is not only cheaper than a Snap up Deliveroo, but lets you control what’s going in the food. Here’s a quick look at price differences for some common family makes, based on 2025 data from the London Food Foundation:
| DIY at Home | Takeaway Price | Typical Savings | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homemade Pizza | £2.50 per serving | £9.00 per serving | £6.50 per serving |
| Fresh Scones | £0.40 per scone | £1.50 per scone (café) | £1.10 per scone |
| Biscuit Baking | £0.18 per biscuit | £0.90 per biscuit | £0.72 per biscuit |
Bonus tip: If you want inspiration, check out YouTube channels like Mob Kitchen or the BBC Good Food website, both loaded with recipes for families. Or join a local cook-along session—some London libraries and community centres offer them during half-term.
London is packed with things people throw away, but a lot of that stuff can be turned into cool DIY projects right at home. Upcycling is big here—not just to save money, but to save waste from piling up in places like Newham’s giant recycling centre or the bins you see on the street after a big flat clear-out. Plus, with the Ultra Low Emission Zone grabbing headlines, it’s fair to say everyone’s thinking greener these days.
If you want to make it a family affair, start local. The Hackney Wick community swap shops are brilliant for picking up old jars, picture frames, or even chunks of wood. Don’t overlook London’s car boot sales either—Battersea’s is legendary for hidden gems. The best part? Kids get a kick out of hunting for odd items, and you get raw material without heading to *any* fancy shop.
Here are some easy ways to get started with upcycling around your place:
If you fancy getting your neighbours involved, host a swap day on your estate or join a local Facebook group like “Freecycle London.” You’ll find quirky cast-offs and help others do the same. Remember, small swaps and clever upcycling can turn a basic flat or tiny terrace into a space that’s one-of-a-kind—and good for the city too.
In London, showing off what you’ve made is almost as fun as the making. You’ve got loads of options to connect with other local families or just spread a bit of joy online. For starters, use Instagram or TikTok—search hashtags like #LondonMums or #DIYLondon to see what other people are up to. Loads of North London parents even use local Facebook groups like 'NappyValleyNet' in Clapham or 'East Dulwich Forum' to swap ideas, show off craft projects, and set up virtual playdates.
If your kids want a bit of friendly competition, check out Fun Kids Radio’s monthly online challenges for themes like the Great London Bake-Off or DIY home science. These contests get families from across the city sharing their best DIY London ideas, with the chance to win supermarket and Waterstones vouchers.
Pin up your art on your building’s noticeboard or set up a window gallery. This got huge around London during lockdowns—people in Hackney and beyond would put up rainbows and homemade critters in their windows for neighbours to spot, and it hasn’t lost its charm.
Feeling a bit techy? Apps like Nextdoor let you post photos and get quick comments or tips from real neighbours. Or join the monthly virtual sessions from the Science Museum—they let families share inventions and crafts over Zoom, no membership needed.
Some practical steps for sharing your stuff:
Whichever way you go, sharing your family’s creations gets more people inspired and keeps that sense of London community strong—whether you’re swapping tips about homemade slime or showing off a cake that didn’t quite rise.
