Taking time to make something with your hands isn’t just a creative outlet, it’s a powerful way to care for your mind and body. Research shows that arts and crafts can help reduce stress, lift mood, and build a sense of connection and purpose. Whether you’re knitting, gluing, painting, or growing, the simple act of creating something with your own hands can help you slow down and feel more grounded.
Below are some great resources to further explore the health and wellness benefits of arts, crafts, and hobbies.
Crafting & Mental Health Resources
4 reasons craft is good for your mental health – Crafts Council UK
A quick, friendly read on how creative hobbies ease stress, reduce loneliness, and bring people together.
How Arts and Crafts Can Help Mental Health – PsychCentral
Explains how arts and crafts support emotional healing and mental clarity — accessible and easy to relate to.
How crafting helps me manage my mental health – Crafts Council Stories
A personal story from a maker sharing how craft became a meaningful part of their wellness journey.
The effects of crafts-based interventions on mental health and well-being: A systematic review
A 2024 peer-reviewed review showing that crafting can reduce anxiety, lift mood, and improve overall life satisfaction.
Supporting youth mental health with arts-based strategies – BMC Medicine
Research highlighting how arts and crafts help young people express themselves and strengthen emotional resilience.
#StitchAwayStress – Craft Yarn Council
A joyful campaign highlighting how yarn crafts can reduce stress and support mindfulness — with maker stories and tips.
Can craft help solve the mental health crisis? – Crafts Council UK
An article exploring the growing role of crafting programs in improving community wellbeing.
NHS – Five Steps to Mental Wellbeing
Evidence-based actions that support mental health — including learning new skills and connecting creatively.
Community Crafts & Hobby Resources
Your local community center or local library is a great place to look for fun, low cost or even free arts and crafts related events to get some good crafting therapy and social connection in!
I live in Vancouver, BC, Canada and have enjoyed attending many of the free events at my Vancouver library, as well as taking Vancouver community center classes to try a new craft or hobby, so I’ve include those links below. Check out your own local libraries and community centers to see what they programs and events they offer to help you find a craft or hobby event in your area.
Crafts & Wellness Programs
Creative Opportunities / The Art Studios (Vancouver Coastal Health)
A welcoming community art program offering pottery, mixed media, and creative expression for people living with mental health challenges.
Vancouver Art Therapy Institute (VATI)
Offers expressive arts training and community outreach projects that blend creativity and wellness across B.C.
The Woods Art & Wellness (North Vancouver)
Nature-inspired art and wellness programs designed to help people reconnect, reflect, and recharge through creativity.
Workman Arts (Toronto, National Reach)
A long-standing Canadian arts organization supporting creators with lived experience of mental health or addiction issues.
Kitsilano Neighbourhood House – Expressive Arts Therapy
Low-cost expressive arts therapy sessions offered in partnership with the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute — open to the community.
Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy (CiiAT)
Provides training, workshops, and online expressive arts programs accessible across Canada.
Help Make this Page Better!
If you discover a great article, podcast, or community group that connects creativity and wellbeing, I’d love to hear about it! Looking for a fun craft to do right now? Head to The Scrappy Flower Craft Fun page and take a #MentalHealthCraftBreak right now! Practice some of that research you just read 🙂
Share your crafts and crafting for health inspiration with The Scrappy Flower Campaign! Connect on Social Media or Contact Me below!
