Half-term is the perfect moment to slow down, get creative, and make memories together. This guide is packed with simple, low-prep projects families can do at home that blend fun with genuine learning – from art and design to science, literacy, and life skills.
Each idea includes straightforward steps, optional stretch activities, and inclusive tips to help every child take part with confidence.
At Presentation Spaces, we keep things practical: high-quality boards, visualisers, and acoustic solutions that make family projects easier to plan, do, and display. Every product is hand-picked for durability and value – and we won’t be beaten on price. If you’d like advice on the right setup for your space, call 01382 913 913 or email info@presentationspaces.co.uk. Free delivery on most items.
How to use this guide
- Pick 2–3 ideas that fit your family’s time and budget.
- Gather materials the evening before and set up a clear “project zone”.
- Use a central surface (whiteboard, noticeboard, or glassboard) to plan, track progress, and celebrate results.
- Keep it inclusive – simple instructions, calm sound levels, and pastel backgrounds can make a huge difference.
Arts & Crafts Projects
1) Family Storyboard – make a picture book together
Create a four-panel story as a family: each person draws one scene that connects to the next. Agree a theme (lost pet, time travel, favourite day out), draft quickly, then refine together.
You’ll need: Paper, pencils, colouring pens, tape; a planning surface like a whiteboard or glassboard.
Steps: Map the four scenes on the board; sketch thumbnails; draw final panels; arrange in order; read it aloud together.
Make it inclusive: Use soft-tint backgrounds from our Chameleon Writing range to reduce glare and support focus for sensitive eyes.
2) Seasonal Craft Wall – autumn textures and colour
Collect leaves, bark rubbings, seed pods and create a simple “Autumn Museum” at home.
You’ll need: Card, PVA glue, labels; a display like a noticeboard (pastel options available for SEN-friendly contrast).
Steps: Sort finds by colour/shape; create mini labels; curate the display; take photos for your memory book.
Stretch it: Add simple science notes: leaf shapes, habitats, how seeds travel.
3) Family Comic – draw, caption, and share
Turn your week into a short comic. Choose a moment (making pizza, visiting grandparents) and capture it in six frames.
You’ll need: Paper with six boxes; markers; plan layouts on a whiteboard first.
Tip: Use a visualiser (AVerVision F17+) to model speech bubbles, sound effects, and panel flow live so everyone can follow.
STEM & Tinkering Projects
4) Mini Marble Run – design, test, improve
Build a tabletop marble run from scrap cardboard and tubes. The challenge: make the marble roll for at least 10 seconds without stopping.
You’ll need: Cardboard, tape, scissors, marbles; a design surface such as a rollerboard (great for moving plans around the room).
Steps: Sketch two ideas; build the best; time the run; tweak angles; record your final time.
Make it inclusive: Use colour-coded sections (blue = fast drops, green = gentle slopes) to help planning and collaboration.
5) Kitchen Science Show – magnify the magic
Put on a family science demo: surface tension (pepper and soap), capillary action (coloured water and paper towel), or density (oil and water).
You’ll need: Simple household materials; the AVerVision F17+ to magnify close-ups so everyone sees the action.
Steps: Research the “why”; rehearse your script; present to the household; capture photos for your display.
Quiet clarity: If your kitchen echoes, soft furnishings help – or consider an acoustic solution for open-plan spaces to reduce reverberation and improve speech intelligibility (aligns with BB93 principles for learning environments).
6) Bridge Challenge – strongest span wins
Build a paper or spaghetti bridge to cross a 30 cm gap. Test with coins or small weights.
You’ll need: Paper, tape, spaghetti, string; log results on a whiteboard and take victory photos for a noticeboard display.
Stretch it: Try different truss shapes and compare load vs. mass.
Literacy & Drama Projects
7) Half-Term Book Club – short, sweet, and shared
Choose a short verse novel or novella and read it over the week. Hold mini “book chats” after each session.
You’ll need: Book of choice; a simple discussion chart on a whiteboard (What surprised me? Favourite line? New word?).
Make it inclusive: Use pastel boards from Chameleon Writing to display prompts with soft contrast, supporting readers who find bright white backgrounds uncomfortable.
8) Living Poem – perform a stanza together
Pick a short poem and experiment with choral reading, echo, whispers, and varying pace. Record a final performance.
Setup: Present the text at a comfortable height using the Flexi-View Interactive Column Board so readers of different heights can take turns easily.
9) Family Newsroom – write and share the week
Collect short “news” items from each family member (headline + 3 sentences). Compile into a single A4 “Family Times”.
You’ll need: A planning grid on a glassboard; the visualiser to proofread together and check layout before printing.
Practical Life-Skills Projects
10) Family Control Centre – the week at a glance
Make a central hub for plans, meals, chores, and wish-lists so everyone’s informed and involved.
You’ll need: A magnetic noticeboard (or a combination of noticeboard and whiteboard), sticky notes, colour labels.
Steps: Create columns (Meals • Outings • Chores • Ideas); add tasks; review at breakfast; celebrate completed items.
11) Home Gallery – turn the hallway into an exhibition
Curate your best photos, drawings, and poems from half-term. Rotate the display every school holiday.
Setup: Choose a clean frame of noticeboards for a tidy, tamper-resistant display. Add small caption cards written together.
12) Acoustic Reading Den – calm space, better focus
Create a quiet corner for reading aloud, homework, or mindful moments.
You’ll need: Cushions, lamp, rug; consider acoustic panels to reduce echo and make spoken words clearer – helpful for extended reading or online tuition.
Inclusive tip: Keep visual noise low; use a soft-tint writing surface for notes and new words.
Simple planning that keeps everyone on track
- Choose the time window: Morning projects often feel calmer; afternoon for outdoor tasks.
- Prep a tray or caddy: Pens, scissors, tape, labels – everything ready to go.
- Capture the journey: Use the AVerVision F17+ to photograph steps or zoom in on tiny details for your “how we built it” board.
- Celebrate results: A family “show and tell” on the last day ties the week together.
Make it inclusive for every child
- Visual clarity: Pastel writing surfaces from Chameleon Writing can reduce glare and help with sustained attention.
- Structured instructions: Display steps one by one on a whiteboard; tick off as you go.
- Sound comfort: If your space is echoey, soft furnishings help; for a more robust solution, consider our acoustic range, designed around the principles of BB93 for clearer speech.
- Flexible presenting: The Flexi-View adjusts smoothly for children and adults, encouraging everyone to lead without strain.
Quick comparison – match your project to the right tool
| Family Project | Recommended Product | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Family Storyboard | Whiteboard / Glassboard | Big, wipe-clean planning space keeps everyone aligned. |
| Seasonal Craft Wall | Noticeboard (pastel options) | Curate a tidy, long-lasting display with labels and photos. |
| Family Comic | AVerVision F17+ Visualiser | Model panels and lettering live so children can copy confidently. |
| Marble Run | Rollerboard | Move plans around the room; compare designs side by side. |
| Kitchen Science Show | Visualiser | Magnify tiny effects so everyone sees the “wow”. |
| Bridge Challenge | Whiteboard + Noticeboard | Plan, record timings and weights, and celebrate the winners. |
| Half-Term Book Club | Chameleon Writing (pastel) | Gentle contrast supports comfortable, longer reading. |
| Living Poem (performances) | Flexi-View Interactive Board | Height-adjustable for stress-free shared reading. |
| Family Newsroom | Glassboard + Visualiser | Plan layout clearly; proofread together on the big screen. |
| Family Control Centre | Noticeboard (magnetic) | One tidy place for plans, chores, and ideas. |
| Acoustic Reading Den | Acoustic Solutions | Quieter, calmer corner for reading and homework. |
Why these projects matter
Good projects do more than fill an afternoon. They build confidence, teamwork, and curiosity. Children practise planning, problem-solving, and presenting – skills that carry straight back into school after the break. For families, projects create a rhythm to the week: a reason to sit together, try new things, and enjoy the results. The displays you create – a comic on the fridge, a craft wall in the hallway, a Control Centre by the door – keep those memories alive and make the home run more smoothly.
How our products help at home
- Boards that work hard: Our whiteboards, glassboards, and noticeboards are robust, easy to clean, and designed to look good in family spaces as well as classrooms.
- See every detail: The AVerVision F17+ turns tiny science demos and artwork details into big, shared moments.
- Comfort for everyone: Pastel surfaces from Chameleon Writing reduce glare and support focus. If your home is echo-prone, explore acoustic options for clearer voices and calmer sound.
- Hand-picked and supported: We only stock dependable solutions we’d use ourselves, and our UK team is here to help you choose well.
Pricing & support – simple, transparent, and fair
We keep our promise straightforward: we won’t be beaten on price for like-for-like products, and we offer free delivery on most items. Because every product is hand-picked for suitability, economy, and durability, you won’t waste time sifting through hundreds of near-identical options – just the good ones, ready to go.
Ready to set up your half-term project zone?
- Whiteboards – plan, draw, and tick off tasks
- Glassboards – sleek, modern surfaces for kitchens and hallways
- Noticeboards – gallery-style displays and a family Control Centre
- Rollerboards – move the planning space to wherever you’re working
- AVerVision F17+ Visualiser – magnify small details for big “wow” moments
- Chameleon Writing (pastel) – softer contrast for longer focus
- Acoustic Solutions – calmer, clearer sound for reading and study
Questions? Call 01382 913 913 or email info@presentationspaces.co.uk. We’ll help you choose a simple bundle that fits your space and budget – and we won’t be beaten on price.
About Presentation Spaces
We provide high-quality, innovative display and acoustic products for schools and families. Our mission is to make learning environments better – not just by selling products, but by offering solutions that genuinely support inclusion, wellbeing, and performance. Every item we sell is hand-picked by our MD, Joe, for suitability, economy, durability, and ease of use.
