Ideas for Organizing and Displaying Kids Artwork

Is your refrigerator overflowing with macaroni art, handprints and little scribbles? Do you have a junk drawer specifically for stuffing your kid's handiwork? If so, you are probably like most parents. As parents, we all wonder what we can get away with tossing and what we should keep. It's hard. Especially when your four-year-old digs a little scribble out of the trash and cries, "You threw this away. You don't love me anymore!!!" Never fear. There is help. With a little creativity, you can find ways to organize and display your child's work.�

Organize: The first thing you will want to do is to find a system that work for you and stick with it. Start it now. Don't worry about the piles you already have. Save that for later. Date every paper on the back and if you have more than one child, have the child write his or her name. No matter how much you love the piece, you will not remember in a couple of month do did it and when.�

Now, decide what you will toss. Some things are just meant to keep while others are not. Assign a sentimental value to each piece. Is it something that your child worked hours on and presented to you as a gift? You probably will want to keep that one. One large squiggly line in the middle of the page (unless it was the first time your child ever held a crayon) is probably not something you want to display. Toss it. You may have to save your organizing and display time for when the kids are away from the house, too. If not, don't be surprised if he or she takes their artwork out of garbage. Also, consider tossing things that will not display well. Think pudding finger painting and popcorn collages. Food items should be thrown away.�

Another great idea for organizing your child's work is to make folders for each month of the year, or if you want to organize schoolwork, make the folders to coincide with the semesters. Label each folder and as the work comes home, place the art in the folder. This will help you know when the art was done and will keep it nice and neat. You might want to purchase larger portfolio style folders to accommodate the larger pieces of art.�

Display: Now that you have weeded out what to keep and what to toss, you probably still have tons of artwork. There are really cool ways to display the artwork that you and your child love. One neat idea is to make a wall gallery for displaying the artwork. If you have a large blank wall, use inexpensive foam core board to make the gallery. Start by buying enough foam board to cover the wall. Then, purchase inexpensive fabric to cover the board. Stretch the fabric on one side and staple to the back. Then, hot glue several rows of colorful clothespins on the fabric side of the board. Fasten the finished display board to the wall with screws. Make sure you put the board within easy reach of your child. This display board makes a perfect place for your child to hang their work, or to hang art while it dries.�

Another easy display idea for your child's artwork is to frame it. Find pieces of art that matches different rooms in the house. Use inexpensive frames to preserve the art and hang on the wall. Everyone loves a unique piece of artwork!
How about making a clothesline for the art? This would look cute in your child's room or in a playroom. You can find rope and thick twine in a variety of colors, so find some that matches the room. Hang the rope across the room or the wall and add clothespins. You now have an instant way to display your child's artwork.�

Share: Even with ways to display the artwork, you will still find that you have an overflow. Now is the time to consider sharing the artwork. You can always have your child date and sign their name and send the art off to relatives. Grandma and grandpa will love getting that kind of mail. If the back of the paper is blank, use it as a place to write a letter. This is one-of-a-kind stationery you can't find in the stores.�

Your child's art can also make perfect greeting cards. If the paper is too big, use your computer scanner to scan in the image and make the card on your computer. You can even make matching labels featuring the beautiful artwork of your child.

Consider making a calendar. You will need to have a program on your computer, such as Print Shop and a scanner. Scan in the artwork and make a calendar using the pieces. Then print out each page and take it to an office supply store so they can bind the calendar. This will only cost a couple of dollars and someone will enjoy your child's artwork all year long.

Taking pictures is another good way or organizing and displaying your child's artwork. How many dinosaur dioramas and rain forest models do you have at your house? You child worked too hard to just toss the projects in the trash. Grab your digital camera and take a picture of your child with the art or project. Now, you do not have to feel guilty about throwing out those projects that have been collecting dust for months. The picture will mean more, too because you have a picture of your child holding the art.

When you find your home is overflowing with artwork and school projects, you can there are endless ways to organize and display the art for your child. It will be fun for your child to see his or her unique work prominently displayed throughout the home or shared with loved ones.