Working and learning from home has meant an increasing amount of screen time for many. To counter this, Bostik’s Marketing team continues to focus on creative, fun ways that craft can break up the day for both students and parents.

There is multiple sources of research that link to the positive effects on your wellbeing through craft: focusing on a tactile project gives an opportunity to quieten your mind, seeing your idea turn into a reality creates joy (or amusement if you have a #craftfail on your hands), and we love the idea that taking time to build something together helps strengthen your connection.

This year we created a variety of initiatives to try inspire creativity from our Bostik Classroom, to our Boredom Busters, to our most recent Birthday Packs.

Creativity is accessible to all, and we wanted to share some easy creative hacks close to our heart:

• One product can fill an afternoon, again and again. Blu Tack Colour is an all-encompassing craft activity in one pack – a student can model anything their heart desires, and you can layer that up into a storytelling exercise. We have monsters to get your creative juices flowing or you can model a math’s exercise.

• Upcycling is a great way to talk to your kids about our impact on the environment while tidying up the house. Why not create a recycled bottle planter, a penholder out of an old can, or organise your stationery using cereal boxes?

• Gratitude exercises are a great way to enhance happiness and self-esteem. Use Glitter Glue to glitz up your journal, create thank you slips for your family members, or create a die to prompt reflection.

For more projects and inspiration, head to the Bostik Activities page.

2020 has been one interesting ride, no matter where you live. Bostik’s head office staff has felt firsthand how complicated and stressful balancing working and learning from home is, being based in Essendon Fields in Victoria.