HOBBYCRAFT is my secret weapon for finding activities that actually peel my kids away from their screens — and my top pick is currently half price.

This Colour-In Cardboard Playhouse is a total game-changer for keeping the little ones occupied for hours on end; while you’ll need to provide your own pens, the endless hours of creativity and play make it a must-have for any craft cupboard.

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Hobbycraft Colour-in Cardboard RHS Garden Shed, £25 £12.50 from Hobbycraft

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As any parent knows only too well, finding something that can rival a child’s beloved tech is no small feat; the days when a basic colouring book could stave off hours of boredom are long gone.

But as a mum of three, I’ve experienced the headache of listening to three separate devices blaring at once, and with the weather set to change because of El Niño, you’ll definitely want an indoor activity that can hold their focus for longer than five minutes.

When I first snapped up this playhouse, I was completely out of options for entertaining my brood, but it delivered something most modern gadgets simply can’t: precious peace and quiet (or at least as much as you can reasonably expect).

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There was plenty of room for my boys, aged one and three at the time, to nestle in comfortably; and while their interest in the actual colouring faded fairly fast, they absolutely adored having their very own secret den right in the middle of our living room.

Every child’s attention span is different, of course, but I found that by keeping the structure up for nearly a month, my pair would wander back to add a few more artistic designs whenever the mood struck them.

Putting it together was a total breeze, even with two very impatient and over-excited toddlers “helping” me out. Just stick to the printed guide and it’s practically impossible to mess up.

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Shop Hobbycraft Colour-In Playhouses at 50% off

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One of the best things about these is the variety of designs; you can grab everything from garden sheds and steam trains to ice cream parlours and dino safaris, so you’re bound to find a design that captures your little one’s imagination.

I also love how slim the packaging is; you can easily stash a couple in the cupboard to save for those inevitable dreary autumn afternoons.

The best colour-in houses in the Hobbycraft sale

Here are the best colour-in activities that are currently half-price

  • Colour-In Cardboard Ice Cream Van: £12.50 (was £25) – buy here
  • Colour-In Cardboard Train: £12.50 (was £25) – buy here
  • Colour-In Cardboard Dino Safari: £12.50 (was £25) – buy here
  • Colour-In Cardboard Garden Shed: £12.50 (was £25) – buy here

Reflecting on my experience, if you’re shopping for multiple little ones like I was, I’d definitely suggest grabbing a variety of different themes rather than getting duplicates, especially since they’re currently half price.

If you’ve got the room, creating a unique little cardboard village makes for a truly epic play session.

Even though it’s been ages since I bought my very first cardboard creation, I still find myself hitting “order” on a fresh playhouse whenever the winter chill sets in, despite my three children getting much bigger now.

It’s a testament to their lasting appeal that even my six and eight-year-olds are still totally obsessed with them.

Stock in the half-price range tends to sell out quickly, and there’s no confirmed end date on the offer, so if a wet-weekend activity is what you’re after, it’s worth deciding before all the designs are gone.

If you’re looking for some more affordable activities to do with the kids, Hobbycraft’s kids DIY project is ‘great for younger children.

Hobbycraft’s deals are perfect for entertaining kids – with discounted prices starting from £1.