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The artwork our children create is very special. Maybe you even have a junior Picasso on hand, their daycare teachers are constantly sending home new pieces of art! However, knowing what to do with each piece can be difficult. If you’re a sentimental mom like me, you know how difficult it can be to part with your children’s artwork. Good news? You don’t necessarily have to do this!
If you can’t afford to throw away your endless collection of Crayola masterpieces and footprint crafts but don’t know what to do with your little artist’s collection, take a deep breath. You have many options! Here are some of my favorite ways to keep kids’ art organized, displayed, and close at hand to treasure without filling up another bin in the basement.
6 Easy Ways to Save Your Kids’ Artwork
Maybe you want to place your child’s masterpiece front and center in your home for everyone to enjoy. Or maybe you just want to hide them away for safekeeping. No matter what your preferences are, I can satisfy you! Check out these six simple ideas for preserving and storing children’s art:
1. Frame it (specifically, in an art storage frame)
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If you ask me, I’d say that the end result of work with small minds and small hands is always worth the framing. Frame your child’s everyday art into a lasting piece that everyone in the family will enjoy. I especially love art storage frames like this one that can hold up to 100 pieces of art! Art storage frames are great because they allow you to easily change the art you are storing and display, making them versatile. If you have a particularly large number of items to store, consider purchasing multiple frames. Then, hang them throughout your home or in a special area.
2. Make a gallery wall
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Whether you choose to buy art frames, hang basic picture frames, or use no frames at all, creating a gallery wall is a simple and practical way to preserve your child’s art. There’s something to be said for giving your child a sense of pride and self-respect when they see their work on display. Plus, creating a gallery wall with your child’s masterpieces is a great way to add a personal, sweet touch to your home decor!
3. Establish a “memory bank” for future inheritance
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As an adult, I still love receiving old artwork from my mom that I made as a child. Because of this, it is very important to me to save special keepsakes and items of my own children to pass on to them one day. If you feel the same way, consider purchasing storage bins or totes for each of your children. As they accumulate handmade items, file them into folders for organized and convenient keeping. Label each folder by age, holiday, year, or any other domain you might want to sort everything by.
4. Make a photo album
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As a sentimental person, one of the best pieces of advice I got from an old friend about saying goodbye to “stuff” was: take a picture of it, then throw it away. When it comes to our kids’ art, the throwing part can be difficult—but it doesn’t have to be! Take individual photos of each of your child’s most treasured DIY creations, then compile them into a hardcover book using a site like Mixbook or Shutterfly. Consider making two copies: one for you and one for them. Look!
5. Turn it into a magnet
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There are many ways to think outside the box and preserve your child’s art in a more space-efficient way. One of them is to take photos of said artwork and turn those photos into magnets! Use online photo services like Zazzle to place your order. Then, stick your precious new magnets on the fridge – or add them to your child’s memory bank (pictured above!).
6. Repurpose it as birthday and holiday gifts
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Maybe you’re more concerned with thoughtfully parting with your child’s special masterpieces than keeping them for yourself. If so, consider repurposing them as birthday and holiday gifts. Grandparents Day or Christmas is the perfect opportunity to wrap up your child’s art collection as a gift! You’ll avoid clutter, and your recipient will receive a heartfelt treasure that’ll delight the senses. It’s a win-win!
The Art of Handling Your Child’s Masterpieces with Care
Kids love to be creative and create art like it’s their job – and it’s up to us parents to figure out what to do with it all! Personally, I could never give up even a small part of it without getting emotional. If you find yourself feeling the same way, try the ideas above. Keeping (or letting go of) your child’s art may take some thought, but these simple solutions can help!
