Top 5 Craft Kits to Take on a UK Staycation
UK staycations are made for family adventures, whether you’re heading to the coast, escaping to the countryside or spending a few days somewhere new.
But even the busiest holiday has its quieter moments. Long car journeys, rainy afternoons and evenings back at the caravan can quickly leave children looking for something to do.
That’s where a good craft kit earns its place in the suitcase.
We’ve picked five travel-friendly craft kits and activities for kids that are easy to pack, simple to set up and perfect for keeping little hands busy away from home. From colouring and rock painting to jigsaws and diamond art, there’s something here for every kind of staycation.
Explore even more ideas in our Children's Craft Kits and Arts & Crafts collections.
1. Colour-In Carry Case: Dinosaur Activity Case
Suitable for ages 3+
For journeys, restaurant stops and quieter moments at your accommodation, a self-contained colouring kit is hard to beat.
The Colour-In Carry Case: Dinosaur Activity Case brings colouring, stickers and creative activities together inside its own reusable carry case. Children can decorate the case itself, then pack everything neatly away when they’ve finished.
Its compact design makes it particularly handy for travelling, with everything kept together rather than disappearing into the bottom of a backpack or car footwell.
The wider Colour-In Carry Case range also includes different themes and activities, giving you plenty of options to suit different interests.
Why we love it for staycations
- Compact and easy to carry
- Everything stores inside the case
- Reusable throughout the holiday
- Great for journeys, restaurants and rainy days
- Multiple designs and themes available
Keep it close during the journey for service stations, cafés or that first quiet hour after arriving.
2. Neon Unicorns Rock Painting Kit
Suitable for ages 4+
Heading to the seaside or countryside? Turn your surroundings into part of the activity.
The Neon Unicorns Rock Painting Kit gives children everything they need to transform ordinary stones into colourful creations.
Collect a few suitable rocks during a walk or beach trip, bring them back to your accommodation and get painting. Once finished, children can keep their creations as holiday souvenirs or display them when they get home.
It’s a simple way to combine creative play with time outdoors, making it especially suited to summer holidays by the coast or in the countryside.
Why it works for a UK holiday
- Small and lightweight to pack
- Combines outdoor exploring with crafting
- Every finished rock is completely unique
- Makes a fun souvenir from the trip
- Plenty of designs available across the range
Finding the rocks becomes part of the activity, giving children another reason to explore while you’re away.
Discover more designs in the Rock Painting collection.
3. Jigsaw Felt Mat Roll
Suitable for family jigsaws and puzzles up to 1500 pieces
Not every staycation activity needs to be finished in one sitting.
A jigsaw gives the whole family something to return to throughout the holiday, but keeping an unfinished puzzle together can be a challenge when space is limited.
The Jigsaw Felt Mat Roll makes things much easier. Build directly on the mat, roll everything away when the table is needed and unroll it again when you’re ready to continue.
It’s ideal for holiday cottages, caravans and family stays where dining tables often need to do several jobs at once.
Pair it with one of our Mindbogglers 1000-piece jigsaws for an activity that children, parents and grandparents can all get involved with.
Why it belongs in the holiday bag
- Keeps your jigsaw together between sessions
- Helps prevent loose or lost pieces
- Suitable for puzzles up to 1500 pieces
- Easy to roll away when you need the table back
- Reusable for future holidays and weekends away
Perfect for slower evenings when everyone can dip in and out of the same puzzle throughout the week.
Browse the full Jigsaws collection to find a puzzle to take with you.
4. Magic Painting: Farm
Suitable for ages 4+
A rainy afternoon doesn’t have to mean getting every paint pot out.
Magic Painting: Farm gives children the fun of painting with a much simpler setup. Just add water to the brush and sweep it across the pages to reveal the colours hidden within each illustration.
There are no separate paints to pack and very little to clear away afterwards, making magic painting books particularly useful when you’re away from home.
They’re also slim enough to slip into luggage without taking up valuable space.
Why parents will want to pack one
- Simple water-based painting activity
- No separate paints required
- Minimal setup and clean-up
- Lightweight and easy to pack
- Great for quiet time indoors
Easy to pull out when the weather turns, without taking over the table or filling your luggage with extra supplies.
5. 3D Diamond Studio: PAW Patrol Chase
Suitable for ages 6+
For children who enjoy activities they can really get absorbed in, diamond painting is a brilliant option.
The 3D Diamond Studio: PAW Patrol Chase kit includes a printed design and colourful diamond pieces that children match and place to gradually build the finished picture.
It’s a satisfying activity that encourages concentration and gives children something they can work on over several sessions during the holiday.
Better still, the finished artwork can come home with you as a reminder of the trip.
Why it’s great for quieter afternoons
- Encourages focus and creativity
- Easy to continue across multiple sessions
- Glue included
- Finished artwork can be kept and displayed
- Different designs available for children aged 6 to 12
Save this one for a longer stretch of downtime when there’s time to settle in and enjoy the project properly.
Browse the full Diamond Painting collection.
Which Craft Kits Should You Pack for a Staycation?
You don’t need to fill the boot with toys to keep children entertained on holiday.
A few carefully chosen activities can cover everything from travelling and rainy mornings to afternoons at the beach and quiet evenings indoors.
For a well-rounded staycation activity bag, we’d choose:
- For the journey: Colour-In Carry Case
- For getting outdoors: Rock Painting Kit
- For the whole family: Jigsaw and Felt Mat Roll
- For rainy days: Magic Painting
- For longer projects: 3D Diamond Studio
Choosing a mix of quick activities and longer projects gives children something different to reach for throughout the holiday, without relying on screens whenever there’s a quiet moment.
Explore the full Arts & Crafts collection for even more craft kits, activity books and creative ideas for your next family trip.
More Screen-Free Holiday Activities
Planning the school holidays? Discover more inspiration in our guide to the top summer holiday activities to keep kids entertained.
About Curious Universe
Curious Universe creates and sources books, toys, puzzles, craft kits and stationery designed to inspire creativity and curiosity in children and grown-ups alike.
Based in Bath, UK, our team has been creating playful, screen-free activities for families since 2007.
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