The Week Junior is an award-winning current affairs magazine loved by children aged 8-14. Every issue features a 'How To' section filled with fun crafts, recipes, games and more. We’ve compiled some of the best experiments and exciting activities from our previous issues that you can do at home, to help keep your curious young minds exploring, learning and creating. We’d love to see your creations – please email your pictures to hello@theweekjunior.co.uk and you might feature in our magazine!
Loading the dishwasher can be a great way to help out around the house. However, stacking the drawers properly takes a bit of time and some thought.
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January is Veganuary – a month dedicated to veganism. January is also a good time to try something new, so why not swap a meat-based meal for a vegan recipe, say once a week? This warm, spicy dal serves four and takes about half an hour to cook.
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Raising money for a charity or a cause that you are passionate about is a great way to help others and make a positive impact.
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All you need is string, glue, paint and recycled packaging to craft these Christmas decorations.
An essay usually answers a question or a request to present ideas on a particular topic. Writing an essay demonstrates that you understand a subject and can present your ideas clearly.
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Olaf Falafel is going to show you how you can take inspiration from Kandinsky to make your own abstract fireworks picture for Guy Fawkes night on 5 November.
© Olaf Falafel
This delicious traditional Irish bread is often eaten with stews and soups or butter and jam.
© Rex Shutterstock
The annual Mexican festival Día de los Muertos, or “Day of the Dead”, takes place on 1 and 2 November. This activity is inspired by two Day of the Dead traditions. Decorated sugar skulls, or calaveras, are put on people’s graves and papel picado are strung out – paper banners with cut-out designs.
© Charlotte Stowell
Will you carve a pumpkin this Halloween? What do you do with the bits you cut out? For its #EatYourPumpkin campaign this year, Hubbub has partnered with Emily Gussin, the author of a book called Don’t Waste Your Pumpkin.
© murdochbooks.co.uk
Writing a ghost story is a great opportunity to practise your creative writing skills and experiment with a new genre (style) of writing.
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This delicious breakfast dish is perfect for holidays or weekends, when – hopefully – you have a bit more free time in the mornings.
© David Loftus
One of David Hockney's most famous paintings is called A Bigger Splash. Here's how to make Olaf's version of it.
© Olaf Falafel
If you are looking for something fun to craft, these friendly woolly octopuses are colourful and make great presents.
Packing your bag ready for a new school year – and perhaps a new school altogether – can be fun and exciting but also a challenge.
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Are you in the mood for baking a tasty teatime treat? These muffins are perfect for a weekend project.
© Rex Shutterstock
Just in case you aren’t lucky enough to spy a hedgehog this autumn, why not craft your own from old newspapers or magazines?
Autumn is a great time to get your home cosy but did you know that bugs like to snuggle up when it gets cold too? Have a go at creating your very own luxury five-star bug hotel.
© Rex Shutterstock
Sweet potatoes are a filling and delicious vegetable. The flesh is usually an orangey colour and it is packed with vitamin C. The great thing about this recipe is that you can make it with anything you want.
Speaking to grandparents (or any older person) is a brilliant way to learn more about them, as well as about the past. It will show how things have changed – such as what people ate or the games they played – and could reveal how big events in the world affected people’s lives.
© Rex Shutterstock
Liz Pichon, who writes and draws the Tom Gates books, teaches you how to make this simple yet fun game.
© Liz Pichon, 2024
Keeping a book journal is a really useful way of reminding yourself what you’ve read – and can be fun and creative too.
© Rex Shutterstock
If you’re feeling the summer heat, or even if you aren’t (it’s always good to be prepared), why not make some delicious ice lollies?
Here is a simple weaving idea for a wall hanging that you can share with an older person (they can help with the fiddly bits).
Empathy Day is on 6 June. Get creative and use your writing and drawing skills to record your emotions throughout the day on a personal Empathy Map.
© Jion Sheibani
We believe that being kind to one another can really change the world. That's why we’ve created a kindness chatterbox that encourages kids to make and create simple acts of kindness, like complimenting a friend or sharing a hug. By taking on these every day acts of kindness, Smiggle and The Diana Award hope to remind kids that being kind is cool!
On 20 May, it is World Bee Day, which celebrates the important role bees play on our planet. To celebrate these awesome insects, you can create these cute pompom bees.
© Charlotte Stowell
News reports communicate new information to readers who want to know what is happening in the world. Try writing your own using our tips below.
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Olaf Falafel has made his own version of The Scream but given it a funny, summer twist by turning it into The Ice Cream. Have a go at making your own.
© Olaf Falafel
Practise your writing skills and unleash your creative side (and your inner hero) by writing your own Greek myth.
© Alamy / Getty Images
If you’re looking for an alternative to sandwiches, this easy snack is the perfect thing to pack.
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Create a colourful decoration to brighten up a window.
This project is a great way of displaying notes, reminders and photos in a way that really stands out. It makes a thoughtful present and will brighten and tidy up your desk.
If you’re a keen reader, why not design a pair of bookends to keep your reading shelf organised?
“Keith Haring is a street artist who started out making comics and cartoons. The work is easily recognisable, with its simple, brightly coloured outline characters and symbols. They have an energetic feel too, thanks to the movement lines he puts around his people and animals.
C: Olaf Falafel
Get ready for school
How to get organised with homework and succeed at even the trickiest of tasks.
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Starting a new term, new academic year or especially a new school can be stressful. There is a way to remove a lot of this stress and it all comes down to how well you have packed your bag.
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Reading is a great way to escape to a world of adventure, learn something new or have a good laugh. You’ll need fuel for a big reading session, though, and here are some delicious snacks to boost your energy levels.
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Sally Brown and Kate Morris, from the Guild of Food Writers, have put together a taste experiment that will tantalise your senses and make you think more about the food you eat. The way we experience food is an important part of enjoying what is on our plates.
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Keep your pens and pencils tidy in this colourful hedgehog.
The artist I am looking at here, Yayoi Kusama, completely ignores my third rule because she is absolutely dotty about dots. She is a Japanese artist who uses polka dots in pretty much all of her work. Dotty tentacles are a theme in Kusama’s work and they’ve inspired me to make my own octopus picture.
C: Olaf Falafel
Autumn crafts
“As there are lots of fallen leaves about, I thought it would be fun to use Andy Goldsworthy’s leaf-art techniques to make our own woodland guardian character.”
C: Olaf Falafel
As the nights draw in, why not create a shadow bottle to light up the room with a spooky scene? Using an old bottle and some battery powered fairy lights you can put this together quite quickly – and there’s nothing to stop you from making up the design using any image you like if you’d rather not do a spooky one.
“I thought it would be funny to make my own Leonora Carrington-inspired mix-and-match monster-maker. With this one, the more you draw, the more combinations you’ll be able to make. Get inspired by looking at actual animals, and fantasy creatures such as dragons and demons.”
C: Olaf Falafel
These tie-dye patterned decorations will brighten up dull winter days. They look great hung in a window or anywhere in your house that needs a splash of colour.
C: Charlotte Stowell
“I love illustrating because it is so varied. Here are my top eight tips for being a superstar illustrator. And remember – if you have fun with your drawing, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a superstar illustrator!”
C: Olaf Falafel
How to structure a story.
Winter crafts
Cooking and baking are both fun to do, and can make you feel good too. Here’s two simple recipes for you to try.
Using recycled cardboard as the main material, you can make it as big as you like and get as festive as you feel by adding some fun finishing touches.
C: Tessa Pillars Powell
As it’s coming up to Christmas, I thought I’d make an onomatopoeic pop-out pop art Christmas card – that’s a mouthful!
C: Olaf Falafel
Basquiat was an artist who rose to fame in the 1980s in New York, US. He started out as a graffiti artist and he would spray slogans and messages onto the sides of buildings. He moved on to painting on canvases and famous people such as pop star Madonna and artist Andy Warhol were big fans of his work.
C: Olaf Falafel
Holly King-Mand is the nation’s favourite English teacher, having had thousands of young people join her online lessons during lockdown. Here she shares her top advice on how to write a diary
Surreal means a bit weird, strange, unusual or unexpected and two of the best surrealist artists are Salvador Dalí and René Magritte. I thought it would be cool to make my own version of the classic snakes and ladders board game but give it a 3D twist. Also, to make it surreal, I’m swapping the snakes for worms and the ladders for gherkins.”
C: Olaf Falafel
The daffodil is the national flower of Wales. The flowers come in all sorts of shapes and shades, so why not make a mixed bunch of spring blooms to put in a vase and brighten your room.
Kate Morris and Sally Brown are food writers and members of the Guild of Food Writers. “This recipe could make you very popular at home because it just needs the oven, a baking dish and very few utensils, so there won’t be lots of washing-up at the end,” says Morris.
How to extend your vocabulary and use an interesting range of words in your speaking and writing.
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Create a colourful necklace or bracelet for a birthday or as a friendship gift, by rolling paper into beads. It takes a bit of patience but once you get going you won’t be able to stop. You can change the colour, pattern, shape and size of your beads, so get ready to experiment.
With Bonfire Night on 5 November, I’m going to show you how you can take inspiration from Futurism to make your own abstract fireworks art.
C: Olaf Falafel
Paper cutting originated in China but can be seen around the world in different styles. Decorations made with intricate patterns are traditional for Chinese New Year. Have a go at making your own cut-out design to celebrate the year of the tiger.
C: Charlotte Stowell
Wherever you are, it’s the perfect excuse to make – and eat – the perfect pancake. Now for the big decision: will you eat yours with lemon and sugar, chocolate spread, or something else?
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On 1 March it is St David’s Day – the patron saint of Wales. To mark the day, try something nicer than just leeks and water: traditional Welsh cakes.
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Ending a story can be a lot harder than starting one. Great writing isn’t just about well-written sentences, it is also how a story is put together – what’s known as structure.
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Draw a single-line self-portrait every day. A self-portrait is when you draw a picture of yourself. The aim of the challenge is to try and make each picture unique. So get your pens ready and take a line for a walk!
C: Olaf Falafel
How do you create imaginative and intriguing characters in your writing? The trick is to describe and develop them so that your characters take centre stage and really bring your fabulous stories to life.
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Reuse, reduce and recycle – who knew that tidying up could actually be good for the planet? Follow these simple steps to make decluttering your space easier, and learn some skills to keep clutter under control, forever.
Christmas
Christmas is almost here and with it comes panto season. Pantomimes are staged performances of well-known tales that use audience interaction to make the show fun and entertaining for all.
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Create these simple charming houses out of things laying around the house.
C: Charlotte Stowell
Make some festive wrapping paper in the style of William Morris. He was a British designer who lived more than 100 years ago, and he’s famous for his beautifully patterned fabric, furniture and wallpaper.
C: Olaf Falafel
Money may not buy happiness, but it helps. It pays for the things we need to live and can make us feel secure. The Week Junior asked Dr Mara Harvey, money expert and author of the children’s book A Smart Way to Start, to share her top tips.
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Join in with the Chinese New Year celebrations by turning a room into a “hoppy” place with these fun baubles.
C: Charlotte Stowell
This clever memory tree is made from 12 twigs, leaf-shaped labels and a cardboard tube for the trunk. As each month passes, attach mementos such as a birthday card, a cinema or train ticket, etc. By the end of the year, you will have a tree decorated in memories of the moments that made you smile.
C: Charlotte Stowell
Halloween fun
If you are planning a party, or you want to let trick-or-treaters know you’re celebrating Halloween, hang a homemade wreath on your door or in a window.
Halloween is the perfect time to try out some face painting. Some designs can be complicated or a bit too creepy but here are six simple steps that will transform your face into the perfect pumpkin.
Be a code breaker, make some spooky bananas and ghostly lollipops.
These fun, fruity ice lollies are a refreshing way to stay cool in the heat. Super simple to make, they’re healthier than many of the sugary ice pops found in shops.
C: Anna Mulvern
Learning how to polish your shoes is a handy skill that will keep them looking smart and make them last longer by keeping them waterproof. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll find it doesn’t take much time at all.
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According to research, young people are more likely to have accidents near roads on the way to and from school during the winter months than at any other time, so it’s really important to stay safe and be seen while you’re out and about.
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“Writing a blog is a great way to experiment with your writing style and get your ideas out there for the world to read. Many successful authors started their careers as bloggers and there’s no reason why you can’t follow in their footsteps in the future.” – Holly King-Mand
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These classic biscuits are delicious and easy to make. They are buttery, sweet and very satisfying.
C: Getty
These homemade lanterns will give your garden, balcony or bedroom a cosy and colourful glow.
C: Charlotte Stowell
Bunting is popular for street parties and events, and Jubilee celebrations will be no exception. Create this cool-multicoloured version with sections based on the UK flag. You can draw your own designs on the flags or use this collage technique to make it even more special.
If you’re going to a street party, scones are a great treat to take along to share. This recipe is by star baker Mary Berry, former Great British Bake Off judge.
The English painter and collage artist, Richard Hamilton was a pop artist. He cut images from magazines, newspapers and packaging and arranged them in interesting ways.
Three generations of my family have made chocolate cornflake cakes for birthday parties, but this recipe takes the idea to a new level,” says Sam Gates, a cookery teacher, author and a member of the Guild of Food Writers.
C: Sam Gates
Holly King-Mand is the nation’s favourite English teacher – thousands of young people joined her free online lessons during lockdown. Reading, etymology (the history of words) and Shakespeare are some of her favourite things. If you want to sound super smart, she has shared some top tips with you here. You can find even more advice at hollysclassroom.com
Beatboxing is a musical art that involves people using their mouth, lips, tongue and voice to create percussion sounds, instead of using drums or cymbals, for example. Award-winning comedian Jarred Christmas and world champion beatboxer Hobbit are touring the UK with their show, The Mighty Kids Beatbox Comedy Show. Here, they share four steps to being a brilliant beatboxer.
© mightykidsbeatboxcomedy.com
Your child can draw a picture or write a message to express how they feel. Then, stick it in your window so other people can see it too.
Members of Parliament (MPs) represent everyone living in their area. If you'd like the UK government to do more to help the people of Ukraine, make sure your MP knows about it by writing them a letter.
Activities for the whole family to try
Take control of your energy bills with this hack-packed article with ways to help the environment and cut costs.
Packed with healthy ingredients and easy to make, these bars provide a brilliant breakfast or lunch box treat.
Paint your pet’s portrait using a unique technique called pointillism, which involves making lots of patterns using dots.
Get creative crafting this cute cactus stationery holder. Give it to a friend or give it pride of place on your own desk.
Discover the secrets to spelling success with this helpful guide.
Use these fun painted pebble holders to display pictures, messages and reminders.
Discover interesting facts about water usage and make changes to reduce the amount of water you use at home.
Discover how to find a book that’s perfect for you from talking to the experts to diving into a new style of story.
Olaf Falafel, the comedian, dad, author and illustrator, shares his tips for making Banksy-inspired art. He’s even created a handy stencil!
Healthy, delicious and fun to make, these simple smoothie dishes are the perfect way to start your day.
Have a go at creating animal-themed origami bookmark corners.
Make vibrant art in this distinctive East African style.
This Moroccan bean soup recipe is the perfect winter treat.
Have a go at creating Braille messages using lentils.
Check out our reading list – it’s bursting with bookish delights.
Have fun celebrating Chinese New Year by creating your very own Maneki Neko cat.
British artist L.S Lowry painted people-filled scenes around Manchester, England. Join Olaf Falafel as he helps you create your very own Lowry with his nifty printing trick.
We guarantee you'll have lots of fun creating mesmerising patterns using a method of weaving popular in Mexico.
Craft a colourful fruit bowl and see how many different designs can you come up with.
Our sweet potato and spinach cakes are delicious and simple enough for the whole family to enjoy cooking together.
Be sure to save your shoeboxes and you'll soon be making masterpieces like the famous abstract artist Jackson Pollock.
Download The Week Junior's cover, print it out and decorate it however you like.
Use leftover cardboard to decorate your desk at home.
Try this easy-to-make cheesy recipe- the perfect side-dish to any meal.
This fantastically fun game will have you hanging off the edge of your seat.
Make this flavoursome dish for your family and friends. All it requires is fresh vegetables, noodles and a splash of water. Spice it up with chilli or add an egg to make it even better.
Couscous couldn't be easier to make, and adding a few tasty fruit and vegetables makes it way more exciting.
Have fun making a den inside. We've got some top tips to help you make your den as cosy and cool as possible.
You'll never struggle to think up a story with one of these easy-to-make story dice. Throw and off you go on a magical imaginary adventure...
Now's your time to make a self-portrait with pictures and words that sum you up. This is about reflecting your personality, rather than what you look like.
Have a go at making fresh, tasty pesto. Find out what ingredients actually go into your favourite pasta sauce.
Make delicious scrambled eggs in seconds. All it takes is whisking the eggs in a bowl and popping them into the microwave.
Warm up when you're feeling chilly with dreamy hot chocolate. There's a secret ingredient in this exciting recipe from Enid Blyton: Jolly Good Food.
Perfect your fitness routine with some circuit training. Use this guide to find out why stretching is key to exercise and much more.
It's time to dress up in disguise, dust for fingerprints and create coded messages. Here's your guide to becoming a top detective.
Try your hand at drawing the giant spider from Harry Potter with step-by-step instructions from legendary illustrator Levi Pinfold.
See who can get the first single strike with this easy-to-create game.
Chop tomatoes and garlic, toast bread and drizzle with a little olive oil to make this super simple snack for a delicious taste of summer.
Build yourself a brilliant harmonica with a few everyday objects, and start playing some of your favourite tunes.
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Try your hand at cooking this traditional Indian lentil-based dish. Add coriander and lime to jazz it up and serve to hungry family members. We promise they'll enjoy it.
If you want to make a delicious cheese, tomato and basil fried egg, go to The Week Junior's How to page.
Tuck into a tasty Greek-style salad and you'll be transported to feta-tastic dreamland.
Soda bread is the perfect addition to any meal. Enjoy with boiled eggs for breakfast or dip it in your soup at tea.
Learn how to draw Harry Potter's Patronus with step-by-step instructions from Harry Potter illustrator Levi Pinfold.
Children's Laureate Cressida Cowell has some handy tips on how you can create your own magical world.
Discover how to wow your friends with amazing tales with our how to tell a story guide.
Stay active in your home with this simple and fun circuit.
Another simple workout for you to do indoors, get all the family involved!
Help lift the spirits of people in care homes at a time when they cannot have visitors and may feel isolated.
Food banks give food and other household goods to people who are finding it hard to buy enough for themselves.
Another fun workout for you to do at home including crab walks and skaters.
Choose a thing you love and get writing!
© Rex Shutterstock
To celebrate the Year of the Dragon, make this mini dancing figure with coloured card and wooden sticks.
Outline your own invention in the style of illustrator William Heath Robinson.
© Olaf Falafel
This zesty pudding is quick and easy to make but it’s a treat to eat.
© Rex Shutterstock
If you thought muffins had to be sweet, think again. These savoury treats are perfect for a picnic – or a breakfast that you can make in advance.
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Celebrate St David’s Day with this delicious cheesy dish.
© Getty Images
Martenitsa decorations, made from red and white wool or cotton, are a traditional part of spring celebrations in Bulgaria.
© Charlotte Stowell
Maurice Sendak was an American illustrator who is best known for his book Where the Wild Things Are.
© Olaf Falafel
Holly King-Mand loves funny poetry and has created this guide to writing your very own limerick.
© Rex Shutterstock
Winter can be a magical and exciting time – the perfect setting for a story. Challenge yourself to create a wonderful winter’s tale and have some frosty fun in the process.
© Rex Shutterstock
This chocolatey refrigerator cake is an easy Easter recipe you can whip up in about 20 minutes.
Find a home for mini Easter eggs by creating these colourful little houses, which are made from recycled cartons.
© Charlotte Stowell
Emil Nolde was a German painter and printmaker and he was one of the first Expressionists. One method he used to create his flower paintings was to add brush-loads of watery, vibrant (brightly coloured) paint to wet paper.
© Olaf Falafel
Get in the mood for Spring with a haiku.
© Alamy
We’re going to show you how to use quilling to create a swirly turtle to celebrate Earth Day (22 April).
© Charlotte Stowell
Made-up news can be really harmful, but how do you know what’s real and what’s rubbish?
© Getty Images / Rex Shutterstock
If you fancy earning a bit of extra pocket money or just want to help out a family member or neighbour, why not wash their car?
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Alexander Calder was famous for making sculptures and hanging mobiles. Make your own abstract sporty sculpture.
© Olaf Falafel
We all experience the weather, but it means something different to each of us. The two activities in this art project aim to encourage children to use weather to represent their emotional states and notice how their feelings change, just like the weather does.
This project supports children to reflect on their experiences of going through changes. It can be used specifically with children transitioning from one school year to the next.
his activity pack provides creative ways to help primary-aged children calm their worries. The three easy art activities support children to settle their thoughts, ground themselves and explore how to share their worries with someone they trust.
