7 Creative Projects to Try During the Long Weekend
The Labour Day long weekend is the perfect opportunity to slow down, spend time with family and friends, and make time to create. Before everyday routines return, just a few hours are enough to complete a creative project, discover a new technique, or simply reconnect with the joy of making something with your own hands.
Painting, sculpting, scrapbooking or colouring are all creative activities suitable for every age and skill level. Whether you're creating on your own or enjoying quality time with loved ones, each project is a wonderful opportunity to express your creativity.
Here are seven ideas to help you make the most of the long weekend and end the summer on a creative note.
1- Create a Collaborative Artwork
Creating a collaborative artwork is a wonderful way to spend time with family or friends while giving everyone the chance to express their creativity. On a large sheet of paper or canvas, each person can paint, draw, collage, or add textures to create a unique piece that will serve as a lasting reminder of the day you shared together.
Tip: Once your artwork is complete, frame it or display it in a canvas frame so you can enjoy it for years to come.
Recommended supplies: Large canvases or paper, acrylic paint, gouache, coloured paper, glue, brushes, and markers.
2- Discover a New Medium
The long weekend is the perfect time to step outside your comfort zone and explore a new creative technique. Watercolour, gouache, oil painting, crochet, embroidery, linocut printmaking, and calligraphy all offer new ways to create and develop your skills, regardless of your experience level.
Tip: Beginner kits include all the essential supplies you need to explore a new technique without having to choose each tool individually.
Recommended supplies: Watercolour sets, gouache sets, crochet kits, embroidery kits, linocut kits, and beginner's guidebooks.
Looking to take your skills even further? Discover our Getting Started with Oil Painting and Getting Started with Linocut Printmaking guides to learn the fundamentals of each technique step by step.
3- Create Decorative Pieces with Air-Dry Clay
Air-dry clay is perfect for discovering sculpting while creating decorative pieces without the need for firing. Trinket dishes, jewellery holders, hanging ornaments, photo holders, or small sculptures are just a few of the many possibilities, whatever your experience level. Once your creation has completely dried, simply paint or varnish it to achieve the finish you want.
Tip: Press leaves, flowers, or lace into the clay before it dries to create beautiful natural textures.
Recommended supplies: Air-dry clay, sculpting tools, rollers, cookie cutters, acrylic paint, and varnish.
4- Create a Scrapbook of Your Summer Memories
Extend the feeling of summer by gathering your favourite memories in a personalized scrapbook. Photos, postcards, ticket stubs, dried flowers, sketches, and keepsakes from your adventures all have a place in this creative project. It's a wonderful way to tell the story of your summer and preserve memories you'll enjoy looking back on for years to come.
Tip: Add dates, memorable moments, or short captions to tell the story of your summer and make your scrapbook even more personal.
Recommended supplies: Scrapbooks, patterned paper, stickers, washi tape, adhesives, markers, and pens.
5- Showcase Your Artwork with Framing
The long weekend is also the perfect opportunity to showcase the artwork you've created throughout the summer. Whether it's an illustration, photograph, poster, or original artwork, the right frame protects your piece while giving it a special place in your home. For a truly personalized result, discover our custom framing service, where you can choose the materials and finishes best suited to your artwork.
Tip: Create a gallery wall by combining frames in different sizes to display your artwork, photographs, and favourite summer memories. If your piece has an unusual size or deserves a custom finish, custom framing is an excellent choice.
Discover our custom framing service to create a frame perfectly tailored to your artwork.
Recommended supplies: Frames, mats, mounting boards, acid-free adhesives, and framing accessories.
6- Complete a Paint-by-Number or Diamond Dotz Project
Paint-by-number and Diamond Dotz kits make it easy to create detailed artwork, even without prior experience. By following the design step by step, everyone can work at their own pace and enjoy watching their creation come to life. These relaxing projects are also highly rewarding, leaving you with a finished piece you can proudly display.
Tip: Choose a design that matches each participant's age and skill level so everyone, from young children to experienced crafters, can fully enjoy the activity.
Recommended supplies: Paint-by-number kits, Diamond Dotz kits, storage accessories, and frames.
7- Discover Cozy Colouring
Cozy colouring is a relaxing way to unwind while expressing your creativity. Inspired by warm, comforting worlds, these colouring books feature detailed illustrations that can be personalized using coloured pencils, markers, or alcohol markers. It's an easy activity to start and return to throughout the long weekend.
Tip: Experiment with different colour combinations and layer your colours to create subtle gradients and add depth to your illustrations.
Recommended supplies: Cozy colouring books, coloured pencils, markers, alcohol markers, and colouring accessories.
Create Lasting Memories Together
Whether you'd like to try a new technique, enjoy a creative project with family, or simply set aside time to create, the long weekend is the perfect opportunity to let your imagination flourish. The goal isn't to create a perfect masterpiece. It's to enjoy the process of creating, experimenting, and sharing meaningful moments together.
Looking for inspiration for your next creative project? Explore the other articles on our creative blog.