As parents, we often find ourselves inundated with a precious flood of our children’s artwork. The refrigerator door becomes a mini art gallery, but what do you do with the rest? Rather than simply throwing it away or stashing it in a drawer, there are many creative ways to repurpose your children’s art.
Understanding the Value of Kids’ Art
Kids’ art is often dismissed as just scribbles on paper or a mess of paint on a canvas, but it holds much more value than meets the eye. Children’s art is a reflection of their creativity, imagination, and emotions. It allows them to express themselves freely and develop their motor skills, cognitive abilities, and self-esteem.
Parents can learn a lot about their child’s personality, interests, and experiences by looking at their art. It can also serve as a reminder of their child’s growth and development over time. Displaying their art in the home can create a sense of pride and accomplishment for the child.
It’s important to recognize the value of kids’ art and encourage their creativity. By doing so, parents can foster their children’s self-expression and help them develop a lifelong love for art. There are many ways to showcase and utilize their art beyond just hanging it on the fridge.
Creative Display Ideas
1. Art Gallery Wall
Learn how to create an art gallery wall like Angie in your home by dedicating a section of a room to your children’s artwork. This can be done by using a variety of frames, an interchageable kids’ art frame or by simply hanging the artwork on the wall with tape or clips.
To make it more visually appealing, consider grouping similar pieces together or arranging them in a pattern. A gallery wall is a great way to showcase your children’s creativity and add a personal touch to your home decor.
P.S. I’m no decorator but I’ve been told to keep photography/art to the entryway, hallway only. Unless it’s large wall art.
2. Framed Collage
Another option is to create a framed collage of your children’s artwork. This can be done by selecting a variety of pieces and arranging them on a large piece of paper or cardboard.
Once the collage is complete, it can be framed and hung on the wall. This is a great way to showcase multiple pieces of artwork in one cohesive display.
3. Art Clothesline
For a different display, consider creating an art clothesline. This can be done by hanging a piece of string or twine across a room or making it with string lights that double as a night light (pictured above) and using clothespins to attach the artwork.
This display is perfect for a child’s bedroom or playroom and allows for easy rotation of the artwork. It also adds a fun and playful element to the room decor.
By using these creative display ideas, you can showcase your children’s artwork in a unique and personalized way.
ideas for Repurposing Artworks
There are many creative ways to repurpose your children’s artwork. Not only does this help to reduce clutter, but it also allows you to enjoy their creations in new and unique ways.
1. Personalized Decor
One option is to turn their artwork into personalized gifts for family and friends. For example, you could scan their drawings and have them printed onto mugs or keychains or have it done by us!
Another idea is to frame their artwork and use it to decorate your home. Not only does this create a unique and personalized display, but it also shows your children that their creations are valued and appreciated.
Or, you could cut out small pieces of their artwork and use them to create a mosaic-style picture frame or vase, just like Picasso! Make it an art project like we do here. The possibilities are endless, and the end result is sure to be a cherished keepsake for years to come.
2. Personalized Stationery
Transform your children’s artwork into personalized stationery that they can use to write letters, notes, thank you cards, or birthday cards!
Pictured: Birthday Card for Grandpa. (Artist: Levi, 2 years old)
Step 1: To create the card, simply find a quality cardstock.
Step 2: Add text (Happy birthday) and other design elements (puppy prints). & Sign your artwork!
Step 3: Add the drawing/artwork to the card stock by taping the corners of the artwork.
Step 4: Add a nice frame and send it to Grandpa!
3. Customized Bookmarks
Another way to repurpose your children’s artwork is to create customized bookmarks. This is a great way to encourage your children to read and showcase their artwork at the same time.
To create the bookmarks, simply cut the artwork into strips and laminate them for durability.
Add a tassel or ribbon to the top of the bookmark to complete the look. Your children will love using their own artwork to mark their place in their favorite books.
Repurposing your children’s artwork is a great way to showcase their creativity and to create unique and personalized items that your family can enjoy for years to come.
Gift Ideas
If you have a lot of artwork from your kids, you can use them to create unique and personalized gifts for your family and friends. Here are three gift ideas that you can try:
1. Art Calendar
You can create a custom calendar using your kids’ artwork. This is a great way to showcase their creativity and give them a sense of pride. You can use online services like Shutterfly or Snapfish to create a personalized calendar. Here are some tips to get started:
- Choose 12 of your favorite pieces of artwork from your kids.
- Scan or take a high-quality photo of each artwork.
- Use an online service to create a custom calendar.
- Add the artwork to each month of the calendar.
- Personalize the calendar with important dates and events.
2. Customized Mugs
Another great gift idea is to create customized mugs using your kids’ artwork. This is a fun and creative way to showcase their work and create a unique gift. Here are some tips to get started:
- Choose a few of your favorite pieces of artwork from your kids.
- Scan or take a high-quality photo of each artwork.
- Use an online service like Zazzle or CafePress to create a custom mug or use us!
- Upload the artwork to the mug.
- Personalize the mug with a message or name.
3. Make a book
Whether it’s a storybook, an art gallery, or a scrapbook, the possibilities are endless when it comes to turning their art into a beautiful book. You can use a service like artkive.com to create an art gallery book or DIY a scrapbook. Here are some tips to get started:
- Gather Artwork and Memories: Collect a variety of artwork, accompanied by the stories and memories behind each piece. This could include descriptions from your child or your own reflections.
- Choose a Scrapbook Theme: Select a theme or color scheme for your scrapbook. This will help create a cohesive and visually appealing presentation.
- Organize Artwork and Memories: Arrange the artwork alongside the corresponding memories or stories. Use decorative elements like washi tape, stickers, and markers to enhance the presentation.
- Include Personal Touches: Add personal touches like handwritten notes, dates, and captions to provide context and emotional connection.
- Decorate and Embellish: Get creative with decorative elements to make the scrapbook visually engaging. Consider incorporating small mementos, like tickets or souvenirs from the events related to the artwork.
4. Craft for a Special Occasion
The Holidays are coming up. Why not make it a special one and use your art to give back to the community?
These are just four gift ideas, but there are many more ways to use your kids’ artwork. With a little creativity and imagination, you can turn their artwork into something special and unique.
By following some of the ideas discussed, you can help your child feel proud of their artwork and use it in fun and unique ways.
It’s important to remember that the most important thing is to encourage your child’s creativity and allow them to express themselves through their art. By doing so, you can help them develop important skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and self-expression.
Incorporating your child’s artwork into your daily life can be a rewarding experience for both you and your child. Your child’s art is a source of pride, and by celebrating it, you encourage their artistic spirit to flourish.
We’d love to see your projects Please share a pic inside our Facebook Community.
F.A.Q. – Creative Ways to Use Your Kids’ Art
Question 1.
Q.: Why is kids’ art considered valuable?
A.: Kids’ art is valuable because it reflects their creativity, imagination, and emotions. It helps children express themselves freely and develop important skills such as motor skills, cognitive abilities, and self-esteem. Parents can learn about their child’s personality and growth through their art.
Question 2.
Q.: How can I creatively display my children’s artwork?
A.: You can create an art gallery wall by dedicating a section of a room to their art, make a framed collage of their artwork, or use an art clothesline in a child’s bedroom. These unique displays add a personal touch to your home decor.
Question 3.
Q.: What are some creative ways to repurpose kids’ art?
A.: You can transform kids’ art into personalized gifts, such as printing their drawings on mugs or keychains. Create a framed collage or cut out pieces to make a mosaic-style picture frame or vase. Repurposing their art gives it new life and value.
Question 4.
Q.: How can I use kids’ art to create personalized stationery?
A.: To create personalized stationery, scan or photograph the artwork, and use a computer program to add text or design elements. Print the final product onto high-quality paper or cardstock. It’s a unique way to encourage kids to write letters and notes.
Question 5.
Q.: Can I use kids’ art to make unique gifts for family and friends?
A.: Absolutely!
Incorporating kids’ art into daily life not only celebrates their creativity but also encourages important skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, and self-expression. So, why not embark on a journey of creativity and imagination with these inventive ideas?
Your child’s art is a source of pride, and by celebrating it, you encourage their artistic spirit to flourish.
