Parents despairing over how to keep kids entertained aboard half-term flights have had their prayers answered - in the form of craft sessions on planes.
Budget airline easyJet has announced the launch of "AirCraft", a new arts and crafts initiative to encourage children to get creative on flights during their autumn holidays.
Nostalgic mums and dads will also know their kids are in good hands - as the campaign was created alongside Art Attack legend Neil Buchanan.
As part of his "Artist in Residency" duties, the presenter recorded how-to video tutorials for kids, providing tips on how to draw and use their imagination to create travel-inspired artwork.
He is also hosting live art classes for families flying with easyJet in the "Gateway" lounge at London Gatwick on October 24, which will be free to attend for customers of the airline travelling with children aged 12 and under.
The AirCraft initiative was launched following research from the air company, which found British children crave more opportunity to get creative in their free time.
A poll of 2,000 school-aged children, and their parents, showed only 36% of children draw or paint for fun outside of school hours.
Neil Buchanan said: “It’s been a blast getting my sweater back on to be easyJet’s artist in residence for this campaign.
“Art is fundamental for kids, and what better way to get your creative juices flowing than when you’re jetting off on holiday?
“I can’t wait to see the amazing art that everyone creates on board.”
Of those children surveyed, only 47% regularly pick up a pen and pencil to draw in their free time and, on average, children spend only one or two hours in a whole week drawing, colouring in or painting.
Despite this, more than half of kids (54%) would rather choose artistic and creative activities over extra screen time, and 82% would like to spend more time drawing together with their family or friends.
More than three quarters (77%) of children said art is one of their favourite subjects at school and another 76% want to do something creative for a job when they are older.
And, while 59% of children crave the ability to be more arty, they say they lack confidence to know how to draw.
Almost all (92%) parents surveyed say they would love the opportunity to engage more in artistic activities with their kids.
And a further 72%admit they would like their children to be more creative - but don’t know how to teach them.
Exactly a quarter of parents confess they are not able to find the time at all to engage in arts and crafts with their children during the week.
The poll also revealed 81% of parents worry over how much screen time their children get, with 97% wanting children to spend more time being creative than looking at screens.
Robert Birge, easyJet’s chief customer officer, said: “We’re always looking at ways to make travel easy and enjoyable for families when they fly on their holidays with us, so we’re delighted to be providing arty activities onboard and at the airport to encourage kids get crafty this autumn.
“We’ve loved having Neil as our artist in residence to help bring the joy of creativity as well as all of its wider benefits to our younger flyers.”
