Sydney woman makes free craft kits and lockdown survival packs for families

A Sydney day care educator has decided to spread some Covid kindness by creating free craft kits for kids — and survival packs for parents to help them survive the lockdown.

Life is tough in the midst of a seemingly never-ending Covid lockdown.

But sometimes you just have to look up to see the silver lining, says North Sydney Family Day Care Educator, Yolanda Wong.

The 39-year-old Willoughby woman has made it her mission to help anyone struggling with the pandemic by spreading love, not germs.

Her free craft kits for kids and survival packs and hand-poured candles for parents have been a huge hit — and it’s easy to see why.

She draws rainbows with chalk, has kindness signs in her window – she’s a walking, talking silver lining.

“It’s been a tough year, but craft encourages children to play and experiment in a fun and relaxed environment, and my love packs for parents, paw-rents and carers have a tea bag and a piece of chocolate,” she said.

“During the time of uncertainty, I believe everyone needs some kind of help and support to actually feel loved.

“I love when children and parents walk away with some special goodies and smile, feeling loved.”

Yolanda Wong has been handing out free craft kits to kids. Pictured from left: Adeline Hall, 7, Aurelia Marian, 6, Sylvie Hall, 2, Jemimah Hall, 9, Elliot Hall, 5 and Julian Marian, 10. Picture: Tim Hunter

With family in Hong Kong who she hasn’t seen in two years, losing her grandfather during last year’s coronavirus outbreak and having to close her business The Art Cave, Yolanda is no stranger to heartbreak.

But as she says, these are unprecedented times and every bit of positivity helps.

“Everyone is working extra hard to manage their emotions … perhaps feeling anxious or maybe waves of panicking,” said Yolanda, who will soon revive The Art Cave in an
online format.

“So I think is important to create time when we can be screen-free and calm, engaging our attention in some mindfulness activities. Seize the opportunities to share love and kindness. A smile right now is a relief for all of us.

“For a little gesture that goes a long way, a little something that can be delivered through my front yard are a fantastic way to send love in lockdown. In a world where you can be anything, be kind.”

Yolanda Wong has also made love packs for parents. Picture: Tim Hunter

She is not alone. Choose to be kind is the Social media post by an anonymous member of online group The Kindness Pandemic.

One member posted of seeing “cold, set and tired” workers at a Sydney testing clinic, so they delivered them a stack of pizzas.

“Please take a chance to spread a little kindness today … a coffee … a smile … some flowers … or even pizza … choose to be kind today,” the post said.

Social scientist Dr Ali Walker said an upside to lockdown was that our connections were able to take on new meaning, helping society realise that people in their lives were critical to our wellbeing and functioning.

The CEO and founder of AlityLIfe, an organisation dedicated to helping people connect their personality to their purpose, said we should use these times to cherish more time with family.

“What we don’t normally get to do is play daily games with the kids, go for daily walks with the kids, and have weekends just for our family.”