Tag: Art

I am an avid painter using paint by numbers with not much space left on my walls for anymore but it was when my grandchildren were staying over the weekend that it struck me how wonderful it is for children as well.

As they were about to go to sleep one of my grandchildren noticed a picture on the wall of boats which she greatly admired. She then asked me how I did it and when I explained she said she would like to try that. Two years ago when she was 5, I gave her a paint by numbers set but she soon got bored I thought she was perhaps a bit young. Now she is nearly 7 and I think it’s the perfect time to reintroduce it to her.

Paint by numbers also introduces children to basic artistic concepts in an accessible way. They begin to understand color relationships, shading, and composition without needing formal instruction. This can spark a deeper interest in art and creativity, serving as a gateway to more free-form drawing and painting later on.

Additionally, this activity can be a calming, almost therapeutic experience. The repetitive, structured nature of painting within set boundaries can help reduce stress and anxiety. It provides a quiet space to relax and express themselves in a controlled way.

While younger children might need some guidance at first, many children can complete projects on their own. This encourages self-reliance and decision-making, even within a structured framework.

Finally, paint by numbers can be a wonderful opportunity for family bonding. Parents and children can work on paintings together, share progress, and celebrate finished pieces. It creates a shared activity that is both productive and enjoyable, without the need for screens or complicated setup.

It supports children’s physical development, strengthens their focus, builds confidence, introduces artistic skills, and provides a calming creative outlet. Simple, structured, and rewarding, it remains a timeless activity with lasting benefits for young minds.

There is a massive choice for them which you can buy from Hobbycraft, The Works, The Range to name a few.

Source: Hobbycraft The Works The Range

I love spending my free time on creative hobbies such as art and paint-by-numbers, blogging, card making, knitting, sewing, painting, cross-stitch, and baking.

Some ideas for hobbies from home include –

1. Art – My children bought me an adult paint-by-numbers art piece one Christmas. I absolutely love it, and I am well and truly hooked. In fact, I am writing a book on how to make money with paint-by-number kits.
2. Drawing – there are lots and lots of sites online and on Pinterest to learn how to draw.
3. Singing – with choirs popping up online all over the country, it is easy to join one and enjoy a bit of singing.
4. Writing – I love writing and write a couple of blogs. I find they take me away to another place when I start writing. It’s very therapeutic.
5. Scrapbooking– I looked into this, and I think that when I have finished all my other projects, I will give this a go. There are lots of books on Amazon about how to get started with this, which you can pass down to your family when you have finished it.
6. Handmade cards – I have been making handmade cards for several years now, and used to have them in a local post office, but I mainly make them for family and friends now. I mean, who doesn’t like receiving a nice card through the letterbox?
7. Knitting – another of my favourite pastimes. I am a very average knitter, but I can find lots of things to make, including a granny blanket I made from all my bits of wool, which I use outside to keep me warm. Knitting groups are popping up all over the place, and a great way to find one is to head to The Quilters Guild.
8. Cross stitch – this is a new hobby for me and another present from my children for Christmas, which I asked for. It has become one of my favourite things to do at the moment.
9. Baking – with a mass of lessons, recipes, and so much more on baking, it’s a hobby for anyone who loves to cook. I love baking for my family and bake regularly for them.
10. Photography – with lots more of us taking long walks in the countryside its an ideal hobby. At this time of year and with spring around the corner, there are some lovely photos to take outside using just your phone until you want something a bit more substantial to take the photos with and like most of the above, there are endless amounts of free help online.
11. Making candles, making soap, making jewellery – all these types of crafts can be done from your home and could even bring in some extra pennies if you go onto sell them. Pinterest will inspire anyone with pages and pages of posts and ideas on all these types of crafts.
12. Calligraphy – an art which is coming back into fashion again, and a lovely hobby to start and learn from home, and then maybe progress to a class.
13. Reading and reviewing – whatever you buy nowadays they ask for a review on it but the most rewarding review is one that someone has written about a book you would like to read. You can start by writing them on Amazon and if you enjoy it you could always start a blog on book reviews.
14. Gardening – now the spring is nearly here you can start planting your own vegetables and herbs. Lots and lots of people enjoy gardening and is a great hobby for anyone who loves to be outside.

There are many more hobbies you can start from home, these are just the top 14 but if you haven’t got a hobby or want another one then try any of these as they will definitely improve your health and wellbeing.

Source: Ebay, Amazon, Clip Studio Paint, The Quilters Guild