Whether it’s a new hobby or a way to spend your free time, making is about more than just creating something. It’s about the journey and gaining skills and confidence. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to bond with friends and family. Having a sense of accomplishment is also an added bonus!

The act of creating is therapeutic and helps people feel more confident about their own abilities. It’s been shown to relieve anxiety and depression, increase self-esteem and even improve cognitive function.

This is especially true for textile crafts such as sewing, embroidery and knitting, which have the highest participation rates of all arts activities, according to the Taking Part survey. Those involved in these crafty activities have the added benefit of experiencing ‘flow’ which is a state of complete immersion and enjoyment that leads to increased focus and concentration.

A big reason why crafting is so beneficial is because it’s a low-stress activity that’s easy to do anywhere. The process of creating is calming and relaxing, especially when done in a social environment like at a craft group or a workshop with other like-minded people. This can help people to build community and support networks which is important during times of grief, loneliness or mental health struggles.

Another benefit of making is that it allows people to express their creativity and emotions in a safe space. This is particularly useful for young children, as it can be difficult for them to verbalise their feelings. Making is a great way to encourage creativity and expression, as it gives them the freedom to experiment with materials and ideas. It’s important to be flexible with children when it comes to crafting as they can have a lot of fun with simple materials, such as play dough or paint.

When you’re creating a project or doing any kind of creative work, your brain releases dopamine which is a feel-good chemical. This can make you feel excited, energised and motivated to keep going. However, this feeling can start to fade if the activity becomes repetitive, which is why it’s important to switch things up every now and then to prevent boredom.

In addition, the process of learning how to do a new craft can be a great confidence boost for both children and adults. It can also teach patience and perseverance which are valuable life lessons. For example, if they don’t get the result they were hoping for initially when drawing or painting, it’s important to keep trying and come up with strategies for fixing the problem. For example, if they’re struggling to draw the right shape of face, encourage them to try a different approach or use a more abstract technique. This can give them the confidence they need to continue pursuing their passions and make them more resilient. This can help them in all areas of their lives, from school to their career and relationships. In fact, research has shown that those who regularly engage in arts and crafts have higher self-esteem and are less likely to experience depression, loneliness or dementia.