We knew we'd love Cotton Twist before we'd even opened a kit. A brand founded by a mom who'd had enough of plastic party-bag fillers, determined to prove that kids' crafts could be beautiful, joyful, and gentle on the planet? That's our kind of maker. Here's the story behind the sustainable craft kits our little customers can't stop making.
A Mom, a Party Bag, and a Better Idea
Cotton Twist began in 2015, shortly after founder Anne-Clare welcomed her third child. With her older two constantly off to birthday parties, she found herself increasingly frustrated by what came home afterward: party bags full of plastic trinkets that broke by bedtime and went straight in the bin.
So she built the alternative. Cotton Twist makes craft kits and little gifts from natural, sustainably sourced materials — wooden pegs, beads, ribbon, and lolly sticks given new life and purpose — with a healthy dose of nostalgia baked in. The kits feel like the crafts many of us grew up making at the kitchen table, thoughtfully designed for a generation that could use a little more hands-on magic and a little less screen time.
Today, every kit is still designed and assembled in the UK, still 100% plastic-free, and still made to do exactly what Anne-Clare set out to do: inspire creativity, spread happiness, and leave the planet a little better than we found it.
Why Cotton Twist Belongs at The Playful Peacock
The truth is, this partnership was an easy yes. Cotton Twist checks every box we care about:
Mom-founded and proud of it. Like The Playful Peacock, Cotton Twist grew out of one mother's conviction that kids deserve better — and that parents shouldn't have to choose between joy and values.
Genuinely sustainable. Every kit is 100% plastic-free, made with natural materials and eco-friendly packaging. It's craft time without the guilt pile.
Screen-free, hands-on play. Threading beads, stitching decorations, and making something real builds fine motor skills, focus, and that quiet pride of "I made this myself."
Made to be kept. These aren't crafts that end up in the bin by dinner. A bracelet gets worn, a decoration gets hung, a keepsake gets treasured — and the making becomes the memory.
What Little Makers Love Most
The bracelet kits are the year-round stars — the Unicorn, Wildflower, and Forest Bracelet Kits top the list, each one a complete jewellery-making project in a beautiful little package. The Make Your Own Tassel Bookmark is another best seller (and a lovely gift for little bookworms), while the Watercolour Pencils Art Set in Bright Mix keeps budding artists busy for hours. Come the holidays, the Make Your Own Snowman and the stitched tree and wreath kits take over the kitchen table, turning craft time into Christmas decorations the family brings out year after year.
There's a thoughtful, educational side to the range too. The Solar System Wooden Craft Kit sends little minds into orbit, and the Feelings and Gratitude Charts give families a gentle, hands-on way to talk about emotions and everyday thankfulness — screen-free tools that do quiet, important work.
They're brilliant for gifting, too. Birthday presents, stocking stuffers, advent calendar treats, party favours (Anne-Clare would approve), rainy days, and travel — a Cotton Twist kit is a complete activity and a keepsake in one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded Cotton Twist? Cotton Twist was founded in 2015 by Anne-Clare, a UK mom of three who wanted a beautiful, plastic-free alternative to the throwaway trinkets in children's party bags.
Are Cotton Twist craft kits eco-friendly? Yes — every kit is 100% plastic-free, made with natural, sustainably sourced materials like wooden pegs, beads, and ribbon, in eco-friendly packaging.
Where are Cotton Twist kits made? Cotton Twist kits are designed and assembled in the UK.
What age are Cotton Twist kits for? Most kits suit little makers from around age 3 and up, with simple threading projects for younger crafters and more detailed kits for bigger kids. Each kit lists its recommended age.
Where can I buy Cotton Twist in Canada? Right here at The Playful Peacock. We're a Canadian, mom-run toy shop, and we ship Cotton Twist's sustainable craft kits across Canada, hand-packed with care.
Craft Time, the Thoughtful Way
Every maker we carry earns their place on our shelves, and Cotton Twist earned theirs the moment we understood what Anne-Clare was building: a world where kids' crafts are beautiful, meaningful, and kind to the planet — no plastic required. We think that's worth celebrating, one bracelet at a time.
Shop the full Cotton Twist collection at The Playful Peacock