To save or not to save? That’s one of the toughest questions parents face when deciding what to do with their child’s artwork.
Sure, those finger paintings and Saturday-morning scribbles are full of memories, and in some cases, have Picasso potential. But they’re also burying the refrigerator door, or, worse, collecting dust next to the crayon box.
The hard truth is some of those drawings will likely land in the recycling bin. However, here are 10 ideas to help you transform your favorite pieces into treasured keepsakes.
1. Supersize It. Decorate your child’s room with posters of his or her artwork. Send Ruth Ann Cole, owner of Signs and More in Shillington, digital photos of your child’s paintings and she can enlarge them to create posters or banners. “It’s a very neat idea,” she says. “You can print on paper or canvas material and then have them framed.”
2. Start a Blog. Websites like Blogger and WordPress make it as easy as 1-2-3 to create a blog, where you can upload pictures of your child’s artwork as often as you want. Share the blog with your family and friends, and post a link to your Facebook page.
3. Design a Photo Book. Design customized photo books by uploading digital photos of your child’s artwork onto Kodak.com, Shutterfly.com or Snapfish.com. For an extra personal touch, add an “about the artist” page with fun details about your child.
4. Create Wall Art. Create an art gallery with your child’s paintings. Have your favorite pieces framed and hang them in the hallway or along the stairway, says Brian Williams, co-owner of Your Claim to Frame in Birdsboro, which has nearly 3,000 frames to choose from, including a variety of styles like wooden, metallic and gold leaf. “Most people who bring in children’s art want something vibrant and colorful and childlike, and that can look great. But you can also frame it so it will fit into your décor,” he says. “The one thing you can do is put a turn-button close on the back (of the frame) so you can change the picture. It keeps it fresh.”
5. Make a Mural. Hire an artist to replicate your child’s painting as a life-size mural. “It’s a cool playroom idea or you can make an accent wall with your child’s painting,” says Carrie Kingsbury, owner of the Birdsboro-based Promiseland Murals.
6. Bag It. Make a customized bag on SnapTotes.com, where you can add your children’s artwork to diaper bags, tote bags and beach bags, as well as wallets and wrist clutches.
7. Wearable Art. Think art is fashion? Visit Snapfish.com and create one-of-a-kind items, including charm bracelets, necklaces, lockets, T-shirts and aprons with your child’s paintings.
8. Decorate. Make your children’s bedroom all about them by using VisionBedding.com to design decorative items like blankets, pillows towels, shower curtains and wall stickers that feature their artwork.
9. Accessorize it. On Kodak.com, Shutterfly.com and Snapfish.com, you can personalize your iPad case (or other daily life accessories like key chains, mouse pads, luggage tags, address labels and business card holders) with your child’s artwork.
10. Home décor. Carolyn Shultz Spano, a Wernersville mom with two children, 3-year-old Max and 10-month-old Paige, says she plans to hang her children’s paintings on a country chic lattice and display them in the kitchen. “It’s different from the refrigerator, and I think it makes him (Max) proud. He likes to see it. He says, ‘I did it. I did it. I did it.’” Other home décor ideas include hanging artwork on an indoor clothesline or using Kodak.com to make items, such as placemats, keepsake ornaments, nightlights and coasters.
