Craft night at home: five ideas that work for any group
The easiest craft night at home is a paint party: one kit per person, a simple picture everyone follows, and about two hours at the kitchen table. If your group would rather make something to keep or give, try a clay ornament night, watercolour Christmas cards, a mystery art box challenge or a family clay night.
- About 2 to 3 hours
- No experience needed
- Groups of 2 to 12
- Dispatched from Auckland in 1 to 3 working days
Why craft nights are having a moment
The Michaels 2026 Creativity Trend Report found searches for "paint party kit" up 329%, "girls night crafts" up 242% and "craft night" up 103%. A night in costs less than a class, there's nothing to book and everyone takes their piece home.
Quick pick:
- Girls' night, hens or a birthday: a paint party or a clay jewellery dish night.
- Work Christmas party: a paint party kit for 6 or 8.
- A quieter night: watercolour Christmas cards.
- A competitive bunch: the mystery art box challenge.
- Kids and adults together: a family clay night.
How many kits do I need for my group?
For painting, plan on one canvas per person. For polymer clay, allow about one 60g block per person for a few small ornaments. As a rough guide:
| People | Paint party | Clay night |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Paint and Sip Kit for Two, $64.99, or two Mini Beginner Sets at $24.99 each | One Clay Ornament Kit, $29.99 |
| 4 | Paint and Sip Kit for Four, $99.99 | Friends Night In Jewellery Dish Kit, $99.99 (caters 2 to 4) |
| 6 | Paint and Sip Party Kit for 6, $148.49 | Family Night In Pinch Pot Kit, $69.99 (4 to 6 people) |
| 8 | Paint and Sip Party Kit for 8, $179.99 | Two Clay Ornament Kits |
| 10 to 12 | Party Kit for 8 plus a Kit for Two (10) or a Kit for Four (12) | Two Family Night In kits |
Five craft night ideas you can run at home
Paint party night
Who it suits: girls' nights, hens, birthdays, work dos and date nights.
What to buy: browse our paint and sip kits, from $24.99 for one person. Auckland classes run about $75 to $79 a head (we checked in November 2026); the Party Kit for 8 works out at $22.50 each, and the easels and brushes stay with you.
Run sheet
- Before guests arrive, cover the table and set out a canvas, brushes, palette and water jar for each person.
- Drinks first, then agree on one simple picture, like a sunset or a pōhutukawa.
- Background first with a big brush. Let it dry while you eat.
- Paint the main shapes, then details with a small brush.
- Line the paintings up on their easels and vote for a favourite.
Our full guide on how to host a paint and sip night at home has more set-up tips and picture ideas.
Clay ornament and charm night
Who it suits: friends who want to chat while their hands are busy, and anyone making tree decorations or gifts.
What to buy: the Clay Ornament Kit ($29.99) has five Make n Bake colours, a 16-piece hole punch set and jute twine. For something special, the Friends Night In polymer clay jewellery dish kit ($99.99) adds gold foil paint and gold and copper leaf. Top up with extra Make n Bake 60g clay blocks from $4.99, or see the full polymer clay range.
Run sheet
- Warm the clay in your hands, then roll it about 5mm thick.
- Cut stars, trees or circles, and punch a hanging hole before baking.
- Bake on a lined tray at the time and temperature on the clay packet. Have dessert while it bakes.
- Let everything cool, then thread with twine.
Everything for this night is on one page in our polymer clay Christmas ornaments shop page, and the step-by-step polymer clay ornaments guide has shapes and tips.
Watercolour Christmas card night
Who it suits: quieter groups, grandparents and anyone with cards to write anyway.
What to buy: the Watercolour Christmas Card Kit ($39.99) has a 26-piece watercolour set, seven brushes and an A3 180gsm pad that makes up to 60 cards. For four painters, add a second Watercolour Painting Set 26pc ($10.99).
Run sheet
- Cut each A3 sheet into four and fold each piece into a card.
- Warm up with a few loose washes on scrap.
- Paint two or three simple designs: a bauble, a tree, a snowy pōhutukawa.
- Dry flat, then write messages.
See everything you need for watercolour Christmas cards and our easy watercolour Christmas cards guide.
Mystery art box challenge
Who it suits: competitive friends, work teams and anyone who has already done a paint night.
What to buy: one Mystery Art Box per team of two or three, from $29.99. The Painter's Box ($29.99) is worth $60 or more and the Big Box ($49.99) is worth $100 or more. Contents vary, which is the fun of it.
Run sheet
- Draw a theme from a hat, such as "summer in NZ" or "the office Christmas party".
- Every team opens their box at the same time.
- Set a 60 minute timer. Teams must use at least five things from their box.
- Judge, and give a silly prize.
Family craft night for kids and adults
Who it suits: whānau nights, cousins over the holidays and mixed ages.
What to buy: the Family Night In Air Dry Clay Pinch Pot Kit ($69.99) is made for 4 to 6 people, with 4kg of air-dry clay, paints, brushes, tools and a walk-through video. For younger painters, the Kids Paint-by-Outline Canvas Set ($14.99) has the picture already drawn on the canvas (not suitable for under 3s).
Run sheet
- Cover the table; old shirts make good smocks.
- Little ones start on their outlined canvases while older kids and adults pinch their pots.
- Leave the pots to dry, then paint them together the next day.
More ideas for younger crafters are in our kids art supplies guide for parents and teachers.
Planning a work Christmas party activity
- Order early. We dispatch from Morningside, Auckland in 1 to 3 working days. For a work do, order at least a week ahead.
- Shipping. Every party kit for four or more is over $75, so it ships free within New Zealand.
- Clean-up. Acrylic washes off with water while wet, not once dry.
- Timing. Our Black Friday sale runs 27 to 30 November, handy if your party is in December.
Not sure which kit suits your group? Ask Tracey before you buy and we'll help you work out numbers. If clay is your thing, our clay and sculpting supplies guide explains every type we stock.
Craft night FAQs
What do you need for a craft night at home?
A covered table, a kit for each person, water jars and about two hours. Our paint party kits include canvases, easels, paints, brushes and palettes.
How much does a paint party kit cost in NZ?
Our paint party kits start at $24.99 for one person. The Kit for Two is $64.99, the Kit for Four is $99.99, the Party Kit for 6 is $148.49 and the Party Kit for 8 is $179.99.
Do we need any painting experience?
No. The Kit for Two, Party Kit for 6 and Party Kit for 8 each come with a free step-by-step guide.
What is a good craft activity for a work Christmas party?
A paint party suits most teams because everyone follows the same picture. The Party Kit for 8 works out at $22.50 each.
What craft night ideas work for kids and adults together?
Air-dry clay pinch pots, outlined kids' canvases and clay ornaments all work well. Polymer clay needs an adult for the oven.
How long does delivery take?
We're Kiwi-owned and ship within New Zealand only. Orders are dispatched in 1 to 3 working days. Shipping is $5.99 under $25, $8.99 for $25 to $74.99 and free on $75 or more, and you have 14 days for change-of-mind returns.