Art is a wonderful way for children to express themselves and practice important skills used for writing and more. But what can we actually do with all of these masterpieces?
Luckily, creative options abound to display your child’s imagination and skill at home without having artwork plastered over every blank wall space he deems appropriate. My kiddos have not yet entered school but do participate in three moms groups, as well as children’s’ ministry programs through church, and they seem to bring home at least one paper from each of these activities every time. I heard a tip from a speaker in one of my past moms groups to keep one folder per child in the car to help corral the paper clutter before you even exit the vehicle.
As for displaying inside your home, designating places that artwork can be displayed can help enforce boundaries and limit the clutter problem. Some possible locations around the house are the refrigerator, front or back doors, the child’s room, a playroom or a family room. In a child’s bedroom or playroom, an inexpensive bulletin board on the wall is an easy solution. However, if you are fine with displaying artwork in common areas, there are plenty of ways to show off your young artist’s masterpieces. “We decorate our playroom with it!” suggests Jennifer Gentry, Overland Park mother of three. Laura Loeffert, Overland Park mother of two, agrees and says, “I painted 1-inch thick pieces of wood and cut them to the length I wanted. Then I bought clips from the office section of the store.”
Allyce Trusheim, Iowa elementary art teacher and mother of one, says, “I’m always a fan of the easy clothespins on a string against a wall, or I've also seen where a clothespin is hot glued to a large picture frame and the artwork is easily changed.”
Then comes the dilemma of rotation and keepsakes. Children (and parents alike) are proud and become attached to their masterpieces! Determine a rule that allows your children to be happy but ensures your own sanity. Limiting space can allow children to participate in choosing which pictures they would like to hang up and which ones they can let go.
Having a set system can help any family, especially larger families, as that of Sarah Lyons, Olathe mother of six. “My elementary kids bring home a big folder the last month of school. I pick about five to seven favorites and put them in a file box separated by grade with other awards and a school picture. One folder per grade, one box per kid,” Sarah says. “They bring home at least a dozen pictures and school papers per week, and I toss almost all but the cutest, funniest items, which also go in the big box.”
Julie Keller, Olathe mother of three, says, “On top of what Anna brings home from school, she colors and draws every day at home. Favorites are photographed and then displayed for a short period of time, and then I sneak them into the trash.”
For those amazing art pieces that keep on coming, there are apps available to help preserve without taking up space. Apps such as Artkive and Keepy allow you to take pictures of all prized work and keep it organized digitally for your family. If you or your child is really interested in art, check out Artsonia.com, where you can share yours and enjoy other children’s art, as well as make great gifts for yourself or those hard-to-buy-for grandparents.
Stephanie Loux is the mother of three little ones—including a new baby—and writes from her home in Olathe.