While we all love to encourage our little artists to create, the amount of artwork in the house can become overwhelming! What can parents do with all of those beautiful creations? Here are some unique ways to display your child’s art without burying your fridge in a mountain of construction paper. The key to all of these methods is careful editing…don’t hang up every single doodle your child brings home. Let them help you select the most special pieces for display and recycle the rest (or store them in a portfolio or box if your child can’t bear to see their masterpieces in the recycling bin).
Create a Calendar
As the year goes by, set aside the most special pieces, and at the end of the year have your child help you pick the best 12 to use for a calendar. Scan or photograph the projects and use a service such as Vistaprint, Kodakgallery or Shutterfly to print a calendar. This is relatively easy and can be inexpensive if you wait for a special deal. Or, just make your own calendar by buying an inexpensive plain calendar at the dollar store, then cut and paste your child’s artwork over the photos. These would make great gifts for grandparents and would be perfect in mom’s or dad’s office.
Hang Them on the Line
Lawrence mom Mikell Lappin suggests using yarn, rope, string or even thin wire to create a “clothesline” in your kitchen or playroom. Look for wire curtain rods if you want a more modern look. When your children create a work of art, clothespin or clip it to the line. This method makes it very easy to change out the art as new pieces are brought home.
Modern Scrapbook
When your child brings home a special piece of art, take a photo of it against a neutral background (or have your child hold it). At the end of each year, pick your favorites and upload them into a photo book in chronological order at an online photo sharing site. Make a new book for each school year, and you will have great keepsakes that show how your child developed her artistic talents over the years. Kids will love looking at the books that they created!
Corkboard Masterpieces
Buy an inexpensive corkboard for each one of your children and decorate them with each child’s name. You can also paint the frame to match your décor or have your children help personalize their boards. Hang the boards in your kitchen, mudroom or playroom and let your children hang up their most prized artwork on their very own display board. Hang them at child-level and put the kids in charge of what is displayed! If you have them hanging in your mudroom or entryway, you can also use these boards for hanging school notes/reminders or calendars. If corkboards don’t fit in with your décor, you can also use stainless steel magnetic squares or fabric-covered tack tiles (available at Pottery Barn Kids or office supply stores).
Magnetic Paint
If you have a wall in your house that is begging for some color and art, paint it with magnetic paint! This special paint can be purchased at most large hardware stores (try Home Depot or Lowe’s) and can be mixed with any color of paint to match your room. Your kids will be able to tack up their drawings directly onto the wall using magnets!
Reuse
Once your artwork has been displayed and retired, reuse it! Lisa, a local mom and teacher, says, “When my kids finger paint or paint with a brush, I buy a nice thick paper and once it is dry I cut the paper in half and then fold it like a card...painted side out. I use them to send people thank you notes and such.” What grandparent wouldn’t love to get an original thank you note designed by your little artist?
Sara Keenan is the proud mother of two little artists and loves displaying their masterpieces around her Brookside home.