Local households are proudly displaying colourful rainbow designs and thank you messages to the NHS and key workers while spending extra time at home in recent weeks, and we're sharing extra opportunities for children to get creative!

Parents who are stuck for ideas to keep their kids occupied during extended spells at home can access several activities below, including a search for creative, hand-drawn designs for a poster to promote football safeguarding services.

Young players at any of the county’s boys’ or girls’ teams are welcome to share colourful posters on social media using the #FootballsStayingHome hashtag. They’ll raise awareness of the facilities accessible to people aged under 18 who have concerns for the safeguarding or welfare of someone in grassroots football. Designs should, ideally, include the following details:

* Essex County FA
* safeguarding@essexfa.com
* If you're under 18 and have concerns for the safeguarding or welfare of someone in grassroots football, contact your Club or League Welfare Officer.
* Helen Hever: helen.hever@essexfa.com or (01245) 393098
* Chloe Hookins: chloe.hookins@essexfa.com (01245) 393093
* NSPCC Helpline: (0808) 800 5000 or help@nspcc.org.uk
* The FA: safeguarding@thefa.com

Earlier in the year, Charlie Caverner won a competition to create a design which would be turned into a physical banner (picture below). Although, this time around, the submissions are just for fun, to be exhibited on social media, Essex County FA Welfare Officer Helen Hever explained: "The content and overall impression of Charlie’s design was exactly what we were looking for!”

“He captured all the messages in such an eye-catching way. We thought the activity might be fun for others to do while spending more time at home… so be creative! Designs must be really appealing to young people, with a football theme. They need to be simple, and contain all the vital information. I’m looking forward to seeing what the young people of Essex have come up with!"

Please submit your player’s designs on Twitter or Facebook, tagging the Essex County FA and using the #FootballsStayingHome hashtag. You can interact with @EssexCountyFA on Twitter and search for ‘EssexFootball’ on Facebook.

Design a Football - Win a Football!

Our friends at Discount Football Kits have updated the design for their 'Colour-In' competition, which you can download below. Some of the best entries will win one of 50 footballs. Find out more at www.discountfootballkits.com/ballcreator.

Club Wembley Kids Activity Pack

Trying to find ideas to entertain your children and bring out their creative side? The team at Club Wembley have put together an awesome collection of quizzes, games, stats and facts for young football fans! Their 'Kids Activity Pack' can be downloaded below.