Hobbycraft is selling a £10 bargain that's perfect for providing kids with ‘hours of fun' on rainy half term days

The Sun

26-05-2025

THERE'S nothing worse than trying to keep kids entertained at home during half term when it's raining outside.
But luckily, Hobbycraft is selling a bargain that will help you do just that - as it provides kids with "hours of fun".
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One savvy shopper took to the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK group on Facebook to share their find, telling other bargain hunters that the craft store's cardboard colour-in houses have been slashed to half price.
"Hobbycraft have cardboard houses on offer at £10 - great for rainy half term days!" they captioned their post.
All the cardboard houses have had the price reduction, including the original Colour-In Cardboard Playhouse.
"This wonderful little house gives your little ones a big blank canvas that they can cover with their own creative works of art, as well as providing the perfect little hideaway," the description of the product reads on the Hobbycraft website.
"There are flowers, fairies, butterflies decorating the sides, giving your creative kids instant inspiration.
"The illustrations are all ready to be coloured in with pencils, pens or paints."
The house can be assembled "quickly and easily", and can make for "a lovely family activity".
"Once built and coloured, kids can enjoy endless hours of play!" they added.
And the reviews for the playhouse were almost entirely positive, with one person writing: "This was a really good activity for my daughter and she spent ages colouring in the pictures."
"The product is fantastic and made one little girl extremely happy!" another added.
My 6 and 4-year-old are still awake at 9pm during the school holidays - I can't decide if it's too late & it's sparked a huge mum debate
"The size was bigger than I was actually expecting, giving her room to get inside and draw her own designs all around the little house.
"We also bought 150 pens from your store to go with the colour house and everything went down a treat. It really is hours of fun!"
"Fantastic house great size and has given my daughter and her friends hours of fun," a third said.
"I brought this product for my daughter whilst half price," someone else commented.
"She loves it, as well as her older brother.
How to survive six weeks of school summer holidays
IF you are struggling with the six week summer holidays, you've come to the right place...
BATTLING BOREDOM: Despite hours of activities and playdates, if your kids are already complaining there's nothing to do, parenting expert Liat Hughes Joshi says: 'Don't feel you have to organise every second of the holidays. Kids benefit from boredom and learn to make their own fun.
'Boredom can trigger creative and imaginative play but you need to encourage kids to get used to not being told how to spend their time.
'Ride out the pleas of boredom. Counter it with comments such as, 'What do you think you could do?' and maybe have a list of 'I'm bored' activity ideas on the fridge.'
SCREEN OVERLOAD: It's tempting during the holidays to rely on a digital babysitter but don't let them gawp their whole summer away in front of a screen.
Liat says: 'It's unfair to expect older kids to power down but it's important to set some ground rules.
'Set family tech rules together. If you're often distracted by your phone, follow the rules too. Maybe tell the kids they aren't allowed any screen time until they've done set chores, some exercise, or a board game.
'Are there times when you'd like to ban screens completely? Perhaps during dinner or when they have friends over to visit.
'Tech is a battleground for parents, but you have to set boundaries. Stand firm and be prepared to be unpopular.'
TOO MUCH TOGETHERNESS: You love your kids, but being with them 24/7 can be exhausting. Do not feel guilty if you need a bit of downtime.
Liat says: 'If you're juggling work and household tasks as well as occupying the kids, it's normal to start feeling overwhelmed or jaded and in need of some peace.
'If you can't afford or don't want to send your kids to all-day camps, look for free kids' workshops so you can get on with jobs or have a break for a couple of hours.
'Seeking a spell of quiet every now and then doesn't make you a bad parent — in fact it will probably make you more positive and enthusiastic when you are with the kids.'
SCHEDULING CONFLICT: Schedules can go out the window during holidays, but late nights and early mornings can mean tired and unhappy children.
Dr Tamara Bugembe, paediatrician and founder of Helperbees.co.uk says: 'Children get grumpy, test boundaries and become challenging when routines are broken.
'Sticking to some kind of routine during the holidays is a good idea.
'We release hormones at different times of the day and when regular meal times and bed times are broken, it causes dips and peaks in mood.
'Holidays are about having fun but an early night once or twice a week will make everyone happier.'
EXCESS ENERGY: Make sure kids get out in the fresh air to tire them out — and make them healthier and happier.
Dr Bugembe says: 'Sunshine also tops up vital vitamin D levels which helps improve bone strength and energy levels in children. Our levels run low in winter so let the kids stock up in warmer weather.
'Letting them run around in shorts and a T-shirt is the best way to top up. Make sure they're wearing sun cream, get outside and have fun.
'Encourage them to try healthy habits such as cycling and walking. They'll hopefully get hooked and want to carry them on when the weather gets colder.'
"Bought this last Saturday for my childminding setting," another added.
"Very sturdy and great quality. Kids (aged from 3-8) have been colouring it in and playing in it all week.
"Still standing and kids love it.
"For the price I was a bit dubious buying it but will def be back for more.
"Kids have asked if I can buy them one for their birthday present!"
"This sturdy cardboard play house has cute pictures to colour in and plenty of blank space for the children's imaginations to run wild," someone else wrote.
"I love its simple design.
"Hours of fun, brain developing stuff with construction problem solving, focusing to colour in, imaginative and creative play in drawing more and imaginative play when using the house to 'play Mummy's and Daddy's'.
"Simply brilliant, brilliantly simple!"
"Bought this for my 4-year-old," another added
"She absolutely loves it and has been keeping her busy for the last week. Would definitely recommend!!"
"Brilliant! Loads of fun for little one (and her 13yo sister!) easy to put together and surprisingly sturdy for a cardboard house," someone else wrote.
"My 21m daughter LOVES it!"
"This item is the best £10 I've spent on my granddaughter, she spends hours of play in it as well as colouring it in," another commented.
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