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There’s something so very special about the artwork our young children create. Maybe you’ve even got a junior Picasso on your hands, and their daycare teacher is constantly sending home new works of art! Knowing what to do with each piece, though, can be difficult. And if you’re a sentimental mom like me, you know how hard it can be to part with your kiddo’s artwork. The good news? You don’t necessarily have to!
If you don’t have it in you to toss endless Crayola-clad masterpieces and footprint crafts but don’t know what to do with your little artist’s collection, take a deep breath. You have a lot of options! Here are some of my favorite ways to keep my children’s artwork organized, on display, and on hand to cherish — without filling another bin in the basement.
6 Easy Ways To Preserve Your Child’s Artwork
Perhaps you want to put your child’s masterpieces front and center in your home for all to admire. Or, maybe you simply want to stash them away for safekeeping. Regardless of your preference, I’ve got you covered! Check out these six easy ideas for saving and storing kids’ artwork:
1. Frame It (Specifically, in Artwork Storage Frames)
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If you ask me, the end result of little minds and hands at work is always frame-worthy. Turn your child’s everyday art projects into lasting pieces for everyone in the family to dote on by framing them. I especially love artwork storage frames like this one, which holds up to 100 pieces of art! Artwork storage frames are wonderful because they allow you to easily swap out the artwork you’re storing and displaying, making them multifunctional. If you have an especially large number of pieces to preserve, consider purchasing several frames. Then, hang them throughout your home or in one special area.
2. Make a Gallery Wall
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Whether you opt to invest in artwork frames, hang basic photo frames, or use no frames at all, creating a gallery wall is an easy and practical way to preserve your child’s artwork. There’s something to be said about the pride and self-esteem that comes with letting your little ones see their creations on display. Plus, making a gallery wall out of your child’s masterpieces is a great way to add a personal, sweet touch to your home’s decor!
3. Create “Memory Bins” To Hand Down One Day
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As an adult, I still love receiving old artwork I made as a child from my mom. Because of this, it’s important to me to preserve my own children’s special mementos and pieces to pass on to them one day. If you feel the same, consider purchasing a storage bin or tote for each of your kiddos. As they accumulate handmade pieces, file those pieces away into folders for organized, accessible safekeeping. Label each folder by age, holiday, year, or whatever other domain you might want to sort everything by.
4. Make a Photo Book
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One of the best pieces of advice I ever received from an old friend on parting with “stuff” as a sentimental person is the following: take a picture of it, then toss it. When it comes to our children’s artwork, the tossing part can be difficult — but it doesn’t have to be! Take individual photos of each of your child’s most prized DIY pieces, then compile them into a hardcover book using a website such as Mixbook or Shutterfly. Consider making two copies: one for you and one for them. Voilà!
5. Turn It Into Magnets
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There are many ways to think outside the box to preserve your children’s artwork in a more space-savvy manner. One of them is to take photos of said artwork and turn those photos into magnets! Use an online photo service like Zazzle to place a custom order. Then, stick your precious new magnets on your refrigerator — or add them to your child’s memory bin (above!).
6. Repurpose It for Birthday and Holiday Gifts
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Maybe you’re more concerned with thoughtfully parting with your children’s special masterpieces than holding onto them for yourself. If so, consider repurposing them for birthday and holiday gifts. A perfect opportunity for wrapping up a collection of your little one’s artwork for gifting is Grandparents’ Day or Christmas! You can keep clutter at bay, and your recipients receive a heartfelt treasure to swoon over. It’s a win-win!
The Art of Handling Our Children’s Masterpieces With Care
Children love getting creative and dishing out artwork like it’s their job — and we parents are the ones responsible for figuring out what to do with it all! I, personally, will never be able to part with a single bit of it without getting emotional. If you find yourself feeling the same, give the ideas above a try. Holding onto (or letting go of) your children’s artwork can take some consideration, but these simple solutions are here to help you!