Easy Crafts for Kids; Make a Cardboard Picture Frame

Here is a simple picture frame craft that you can make with your kids. This craft is simple enough for kids to appreciate while being challenging enough for the kids to cherish doing it with you. The picture frame craft gives your kids a way to display their own art with pride. Here is how to make this removable picture frame craft.

For this easy kids craft, you will need:

Photo or art to frame

Construction paper or colored cardstock

Cereal box

Pen or pencil

Ruler

Glue

Scissors

Tape/duct tape (optional)

String/hook

Craft preparation:

Start this craft by selecting the art or photos. By doing this first, you get a better idea of the size of the cardboard frame you will make. It also lets you select the color of construction paper that best accents or contrasts the photo or artwork. Then procure an empty cereal box or similar cardboard. You can also use cardstock.

Kids Picture Frame Craft step #1, make the backing:

To make the cardboard frame, cut open the side of the cereal box. Place the photo on the back of one wide panel. Using a ruler, measure a square that extends an inch beyond all the edges of the photo or art. Cut out that square from the cereal box, this is the back of the cardboard picture frame.

Kids Picture Frame Craft step 2, making the cardboard frame:

Take your square and trace it upon the second wide cereal box panel. Cut this square out from the cereal box. Take the photo or art and center it in the cardboard square. You want the photo to be a bit wider and taller than the hole you cut out of the cardboard, so measure accordingly. Cut the center from the cardboard square. The best way is to puncture the middle, then cut to and then along the lines.

Kids Picture Frame Craft step #3, Adding construction paper to finish the frame:

Cut out strips of the construction paper wide enough to cover the hollow cardboard. Lay the paper on the cardboard and cut away any excess construction paper. You can skip this craft step if you used colored cardstock in place of the cardboard and construction paper.

Kids Picture Frame Craft step 4, glue the craft together:

Glue the construction paper to the picture frame and allow it to dry. Now come back to glue the picture frame to the backing. Glue only the bottom and sides of the cardboard together, keeping the glue away from the inner half-inch of the frame so the photo or art can fit between the cardboard that will hold it in. Tape can be used in place of glue; you can use either double sided tape or take pieces of tape and fold them over themselves to make "double sided" tape. Leave the top open to allow the art or photo to be put in the picture frame or replaced in the picture frame with another photo or piece of artwork.

Kids Picture Frame Craft step 5, Make the kids picture frame suited for hanging:

Procure a piece of string or a hook suitable for hanging the picture and fasten the string or hook to the back of the picture. Or you can make two holes in the backing so you can run the string around the backing and through the holes. You can also take a piece of cardboard and tape the top to the backing so it swings out to mount the frame to display on a flat area.

Your picture frame craft is complete; slide the art or photo into the slot at the top and guide it down into the frame. Use the tip of a butter knife to guide the paper between the side and bottom cardboard if necessary. Now your framed art is ready for hanging or mounting.