If there's one bear that's clearly taken over London, it's Paddington Bear. The famous furry friend has appeared in countless books, TV shows, and even movies co-starring the likes of Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant. And his look is so iconic, you can actually copy it for your little ones' teddy bears at home. Get some old raggedy clothes and cut out swathes of blue and red fabric. With them, fashion Paddington's adorable coat and cute red hat. Once you're done sewing them, add some yellow buttons for decoration. Then, give the clothes to your kids so they can have fun with their own Paddington Bears.
But what if your kids' teddy bears are too old and broken to become Paddington? Don't worry, you can make some bearskin hats instead. The ones the British Royal Guards wear at Buckingham palace. And here, you can start letting your kids join in the fun. With your scissors, slice open your kids' old teddy bears. Once they're opened, tell your little ones to rip them more to really get the raw furry material. If the teddy bears' fur isn't black, you could easily dye them using black hair dye. Then, using a paper hat as your base, glue them on to make the iconic headgear. Add a gold chain as well to really make them look authentic!
Got some extra teddy bear fur from the previous project? Don't throw them out yet! With empty toilet paper rolls, you can make your own miniature British Royal guards as well. Help your kids draw on them to make them look like the guards. Let them paint on the rolls or help cut up art paper to copy the famous outfits. Add in some googly eyes too for that adorable effect. Then, when the rolls are all ready and decorated, add in the extra fur at the top for their famous hats. You'll kids will have a ball playing with them afterward!
What's another iconic London fixture? The double-decker buses! While many major cities have them, the most famous are the ones in London. They practically define London’s public transport. These huge red vehicles have enticed tourists to see the British capital from a higher point-of-view. And you can just as easily replicate them with your kids at home. With unused cardboard, cut them up to make the bases for the bus. Helps your kids paint them or cover them with red art paper to really get that London look. Then, at the bottom, attach some old toy wheels so that your little ones can play with them with their own toys!
Now, why not something you can use for yourself? Finding a lot of pens in very random places lately? Gather them up and put them all in one spot: a telephone booth pen holder. Remember those iconic red telephone booths in London? You can take them as inspiration for a new case for your pens. Cut up some cardboard and make a rectangle block out of it. Make sure one of the shorter sides is open. Then, show a picture of the telephone booths to your kids and asked them to paint your cardboard into one. After they're done, you'll have a new colorful addition for your pens on your desk!
You're probably still at a London high at this point. Well, take that energy and make something else. This time, you can transform your bins into looking like those red British post boxes scattered all over London. Get some paper, preferable red art paper, and over your bin with it. You can ask your kids to glue them on or tape them in place. If you covered your bin with white paper, you can also ask your little ones to paint it red. Then, add in the white tag that shows off your address and boom! You have a British post box bin!
Arguably the easiest project on this list, paper crowns are actually very popular in London. People often wear them here during the holidays. It's a quirky little hat to make the holidays that much more joyful and celebratory. With tin foil or shiny art paper, you kids can make their own paper crowns to wear anytime they want. You can even give them glitter and stickers to make their crowns extra shiny and sparkly. And, if you want a more complicated go at it, try and copy the Queen's iconic crown! The famous one she wore during her coronation. You can wear that yourself as the reigning monarch of the house!
Sources: Flickr.com/ Lisa Dusseault
If you're stuck at home with your kids, London doesn't have to be a world away from you! Check out these fun arts & crafts projects and do them with your little ones to help pass the time! Your house will look more like the British capital by the end of the day!
Subscribe to our newsletter to get curated travel inspirations.
Submit |
