We’re entering a kids’ craft boom thanks to the approaching half-term and end of SATs exams. But do pens, paper, glue and scissors still, er, cut it in the age of tech?
Here’s a newsflash: kids are still using their imaginations. Especially now – the time of year when arts and crafts are at the forefront of their activities. Kids are kicking back after SATs exams, and enjoying the freedom of half-term.
Think the younger generation isn't interested in anything without a screen? Our Trendspotter panel of kids, aged 9-12, brush off that theory.
‘I’m always busy doing something creative.’ Asena
Kids’ imaginations know no bounds, with their ideas coming from everyday shapes to popping straight out of their heads. There’s a purpose to their makes, too, as our planet-protecting bunch are keen to upcycle:
‘I like getting a cardboard box and making anything – the other day I made a phone stand.’ Kamiyah
‘I’ve made a pencil holder using toilet rolls.’ Asena
Good to know that for all the talk of Fortnite challenges and Netflix bingeing, a piece of cardboard can still spark excitement.
Art and craft crazes
Throughout three years of interviewing our UK-wide panel of kids we’ve seen new crazes die down (slime doesn’t generate the same hype we’ve noticed previously) and old ones come back around (origami finger claws and design ideas for Hama Beads were recently hot topics). Discover how slime-making will affect kids’ future mindset in our Generation Alpha report, coming soon.
As our kids get older we see the girls moving on to more specific projects such as typography, with online searches including, ‘how to do my name in 3D’ or ‘calligraphy’. Creating bullet journals is also popular, with our kids following vloggers such as Amanda Rachel Lee for inspiration.
Kids love to draw designs, often as a laid-back relaxing activity, with food, spirals, animals (especially dogs), Harry Potter and cartoons coming up in their list of preferences. Also mentioned is Japanese art – from the cute giant eyes and rounded shapes of kawaii to the distinct graphic novel and comic style of manga – showing global influences are strong.
The tech effect
Of course, digital comes into play but it often goes hand in hand with traditional methods:
Kamiyah has spent a lot of time drawing by hand and on her iPad this week. She really wants a new iPad Pro so she can get the Apple pencil.
YouTube is a pivotal place for kids to find craft videos, driving interest towards offline hobbies. Our Beano.com poll of more than 3,000 kids revealed they most like to watch arts and crafts videos to learn new skills and hacks. Apps like PicsArt means they can create on the go: a quarter of our Beano.com audience use art and craft apps 'whenever they can'.
Find out more about how kids are using tech to create, the YouTube channels they love and the apps that fire their imaginations by signing up to our fortnightly report (see below).
How we can help your brand understand kids
Beano for Brands is a kid-first consultancy and agency for brands seeking to connect with a new generation who are already rewriting the rules of engagement, creativity and even the world around them.
Our fortnightly reports are drawn from a wide range of touch points with real kids and families: Trendspotters (a UK-wide panel aged 9-12), insight and analytics from Beano.com – the UK’s fastest-growing kids’ site, external research and 80 years of working with kids. Sign up at beanoforbrands@beano.com.
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